Zukin's - The HUB Ride

[tri boy]

Well remembered Jim, I'm surprised how often I think of Scott when I'm riding, for a guy I knew for a short time he made a big impact.
I always stop for a chat with him when I'm on the Coromandel.

Me too.
Also, most mornings the sky gets a quick nod, and a "gday Scotty" before my day really starts.
Respect Scotty.

[That looks like fun]

My first "big" bike I ever owned was a BMW R1100RS. It was red and so it was ruurly fast eh. I loved it to bits and did a number of tours on it. Top of the North to bottom of the South Islands and more.
I had a couple of mates (yeah right ) who both owned GS bikes and kept trying to lead me onto the gravel. I had stupidly followed them once on my poor little GPZ. Picture if you will some poor numb nuts (me) riding down the Pomorangai Rd and finding its the weekend of the Marakopa Trail ride, meaning a shit load of trail bikes and four wheelers are flying up the road in the opposite direction. You pretty well get my feelings at the time for them steenky gravel rds
As a result of an over enthusiastic fellow rider on a group ride my beloved RS met an unfortunate end Mr Insurance man did his usual piss around, duck and dive then eventually paid out so it was time to get anew bike I liked the 1100 motor and these GS things looked a bit silly with too many mud guards and good awfull colour schemes (who but a german would stick a red seat on a bike ffs ) I ended up with a 1999 R1100GS (despite that freakin seat) and after riding it around for a while thought I better go find out what this gravel shit is all about.
You have no idea of how pissed off I was as I rode down the gravel road, cursing and muttering about how ludicrously easily those basdard mates of mine had had it, while I had bounced along on that poor little Kwaka Sports bike.
So I puttered around on the big beasty then one day a guy called Scott organised an adventure ride in the Wairarapa. Jeez I thought, that looks like fun and so I put my name down to attend.
I turned up at the designated time and place and immediatly felt out of my depth. In me flash as "road" riding gear and shiny boots, I watched as jokers adjusted tyre pressures and stuff like that and wondered what dark arts they were performing. And then it was time to go, across Ballance bridge and up Hall Block Rd, Feck it was like riding on marbles No one warned me about this Rangatikei Gravel, I was shitting bricks, trying to look cool and not fall to far behind. I was absolutly overjoyed to come round a corner and see a bike on its side. Thank christ someone else fell off before I did
So that was my introduction to Adventure Riding, I met some awesome people, I rode beyond my comfort level, I laughed and had a ball. And Scott was patient and tolerant enough to let me learn at my own pace. He only once looked as though to say "why is that clown taking off his helmet everytime we stop ffs"? (Its because I was sweating like a pig in a road helmet and couldnt breath sorry mate)
A few ADV Rides under my belt later Scotty organised another ride, The "HUB" ride (Harden Up Boys) It was a loose ride with the concept being a rough course subject to getting lost ocasionally, no shaving for the duration of the ride. Shit yeah I thought, now that I am a flash as ADV rider with some grunge gear and a cool as lid I will be into that
Sadly circumstances stopped me attending the HUB ride, at the last minute I had to withdraw and stay home. It was a total shock to hear of Scotts death on the ride. Sometimes you only have to meet people briefly for them to have an effect on your life. While riding to Rosies weekend I passed the spot where Scott crashed and paused to thank him for his gift to me. Zukin introduced me to a world he loved, he died living in that world.
Thankyou Jim for posting the memories

[Aslan]

thanks Balrog for reminding us all of Scott's untimely death - as others have said I often find myself thinking of Scott and his zest for living - a true gentlemen as well

That looks like fun (aka Colin) - I really like your narrative above - I enjoyed that first ride with you on your 1100GS led by Scott, great ride (and I thought you were fearless!) - respect

Cheers - increasingly timid Aslan aka Stephen O

[merv]

I only got to ride about three times with Scott and they were fun rides. RIP mate, it is hard to believe so many years have passed since then. Same with my brother, he's been gone over 4 years, and I guess you two are having fun up there talking bike stuff.