Well.... Its explain time....
So yesterday was kinda interesting.. You know, all the things that happen I mostly feel like Im along for the ride. This was onoe of those things really. I was really looking forward to riding the gentle annie. I been looking forward to it for a while. A month ago I made an attempt at it and got rained off so I was stoked to see the forcast for this one.
The ride was to double for an awareness promotion for Toad Hall Backpackers. There are quite alot of tourijng riders around the manawatu and having tourer in the past I know how much good hospitality, a few beers and a good nights sleep improves your trip when your on the bike for days at a time. All can be found at Toad Hall Backpackers.
The night before I had a good sleep as I havent been on a road ride in a long time and working nightshift now it takes a little while for me to get motivated during the day. So good sleep and I was up early to greet the frost.. Actually.. not so much greet but to spend time in a nice hot shower. Dressed up in pretty much everything I had that might possibly keep me warm and met the group at ashhurst servo. Everyone was in a good spirits and keen to get going and possibly the first time ever the ride left on time!
I lead through the manawatu gorge. I was having a bit of trouble getting to grips with the bike tbh. Everything felt a bit odd and foreign and the fog and cold wasnt really inspiring for a quick ride. I dont have a speedo so guessing I was somewhere near the speed limit and muppeted to Dannevirke where NZSarge was waiting.
This is where it all got a bit weird. I rode into the servo and pulled up next to NZSarge and said something to him about getting on his bike. Then I was just feeling like I should get off my bike. I never intended to stop there in the first place, but for some reason I really felt like I needed to get off. I remember walking inside the servo. Im not sure when I took my helmet off and the rest is a bit of a blur but apprarently I went into the toilets and then come out really quite confused. I stumbled around a bit before passing out on the floor of the BP. Out for about 5-6 mins then coming round to see a bunch of guys standing over me going ... what the fuck happened there???
Honestly.. I dont know!! Ambo was called and I had a machine hooked up to my chest and the ambo guy got a bit concerned that he thought I might have had a heart attack.. I was like.. well.. Im like 38!!! Noooooooooo! So I get dragged off to Palmerston North hospital and the guys continued the ride without me.
The trip in the ambulance was kinda interesting with the driver doing the whole road rage thing with some car doing a U turn in front of us and an emergency braking procedure going on. Got to Hospital and spent the day getting poked and jabbed and tests and maps and stuff on my heart. NZSarge, Owl and Pegasus come in to keep me entertained for a bit while we sat back eating pies, hot chips and watching the motoGp. (this was hospital right...) Even managed to sneak out for a smoke... even though we got caught.... Who would have thought I was there with heart problems?!?
Anyhow, 5pm they decided I was faking it. Im perfectly healthy really.. Just a little bit stressed out. So dont panic! Im not checking out just yet. Ill be around bugging you or someone near you for a while to come. Just a couple of days rest and Ill be good again.
Huge thanks to NZSarge. Champion he is and good to have around when everything seems a bit of a downer... Owl and Pegasus for the visit. Sonic so I got to wake up with a smile. Meanie, 86, Yod for your support and of course Monie for bringing my bike back! Ambo staff were real good .. hospital was top notch.. they were just trying to be though. So yeah.. All good here! No more panicing and sorry for the scare!
In the summer... Im riding gentle annie!
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