A growing dose of nerves....

[Blackbird]

Well, I've just washed the Blackbird and checked everything over for the umpteenth time and the stomach is just beginning to turn over as I start to think a bit more about next week

Next Wednesday afternoon, I head off on my ownsome for the 1600 km ride down to Bluff to meet up with Mangell6 and Jantar for the start of the Southern Cross a week tomorrow. Bluff > Cape Reinga > East Cape > Cape Egmont, in 5 days with checkpoints that are only open for an hour, then ride home again. A total ride distance of around 6000 km. The physical and mental requirements of such a ride are just starting to hit home as I try and visualise the distances (and pain) on each leg.

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

[onearmedbandit]

On a Blackbird? Girls blouse!!!

[XTC]

Mmmm I'd like to be a girls blouse.......

[Wolf]

Well after riding back from Palmy on the LS400, I'd certainly be a bundle of nerves worrying about the pain if I were to contemplate that journey again on that bike...

[Blackbird]

Ummm... I've done the 24 hour 1000 miler ride on it and the low bars are a nightmare on the wrists - that's part of the worry

[SPman]

Mmmm I'd like to be a girls blouse.......

Prevert!


Which girl?

[Kickaha]

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

Definitely a " big" girls blouse

Call in on the way down or back if you get time,phone number is in my user notes

I did this run back in 93 or 94 on my Darmah and I didn't find it to hard going,athough I think we had an extra day,longest day was about 800km in that one and 5500km for the week,you'll love it

[James Deuce]

Well, I've just washed the Blackbird and checked everything over for the umpteenth time and the stomach is just beginning to turn over as I start to think a bit more about next week

Next Wednesday afternoon, I head off on my ownsome for the 1600 km ride down to Bluff to meet up with Mangell6 and Jantar for the start of the Southern Cross a week tomorrow. Bluff > Cape Reinga > East Cape > Cape Egmont, in 5 days with checkpoints that are only open for an hour, then ride home again. A total ride distance of around 6000 km. The physical and mental requirements of such a ride are just starting to hit home as I try and visualise the distances (and pain) on each leg.

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

You'll be fine! You have "maturity" on your side, and that hard little bastard Mangell6 to make sure things run to plan. (Don't tell him I said that!)

[Teflon]

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

Yes, i have to plain fuel stops. I'll be lucky to get 130k's out of a tank. Too many times i've hit reserve and wonder how many k's away is the next petrol station.

[Legolas]

A few years ago I was invited to Bruntingthorpe test track by Ride magazine. The plan was to test my carbed Blackbird against the injected version and the Suzuki Hyabusa.
By the time I arrived at Bruntingthorpe I had worked myself into a right frenzey and nearly turned round and came home again.
Glad I didn't. I had a real blast riding the three bikes. The nerves soon turned to excitment and I had a great day.

Don't worry Geoff. I'm sure you'll be fine once you get going. At least you know what to expect.

Steve.

[Blackbird]

Hey Steve

So how did you go with the others???

Went and bought possum fur socks today, an icebreaker merino undershirt and a silk balaclava. Super thin and apparently leave polyprops and fleece for dead.

Must go - super 12 rugby is on!

Cheers

Geoff

[dangerous]

Next Wednesday afternoon, I head off on my ownsome for the 1600 km ride down to Bluff to meet up with Mangell6 and Jantar for the start of the Southern Cross a week tomorrow.

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

Mate, have a sweet time aye sounds like a mission tho, but the Birds the bike for it.
re: nerves man I get like that even before a small ride, a pain in the ass but once on the bike it turns to shere injoyment.

Call in on the way down or back if you get time,phone number is in my user notes

same goes here aye besides you guys will have to pass within 5m of my joint so need a rest the ass or a coffee, giz a ring.

[Skyryder]

What's with this southern Cross thing. One hour check points etc.

Skyryder

[Kickaha]

What's with this southern Cross thing. One hour check points etc.

Skyryder

Just a little ride thse guys organise http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=40

[Zed]

A total ride distance of around 6000 km. The physical and mental requirements of such a ride are just starting to hit home as I try and visualise the distances (and pain) on each leg.

Do other people get a mix of nerves and excitement before a big ride or am I just being a girl's blouse?

Have you got a custom seat on that 'Bird of yours Geoff? Or do you use a sheepskin cover or summat? Either way your journey will be quite an adventure indeed, hopefully a reasonably comfortable one.

Have fun, be safe, stay warm, return home and post report and pics!