Westpac Ride

**Riderskills** · 12th February 2006, 14:47

What a fantastic turnout - A pleasure to ride with you all.

http://www.riderskills.co.nz

**SPman** · 12th February 2006, 15:14

more pics...

**Madmax** · 12th February 2006, 15:18

think i lost about 3kg in sweat and have worn out my back break pad
(plus i need a shower, stink of sweat)so many bikes must have
been a record

**Ixion** · 12th February 2006, 16:06

Originally Posted by swantiger

Nice sight, pity I lost a fucken cylinder riding in there, just past the East Tamaki turn off. You lot would of seen a Red Hyosung (beautiful thing, you would of noticed it for sure) on the side of the road shinning in the sun.

Crap in the fuel jets or some along those lines. The AA guy was a rider and the towie was one too, hows that for luck? Had a good chat to the towie all the way home.

I saw some homo on a scraped up 250 waiving, kinda looked like tristans bike!!

So that was you. Bad luck. I slowed down, but the AA dude gave me a thumbs up, so I figured it was all as under control as it could be and carried on.
'Twas a good ride, lots of friendly spectators, lots of waving, kids love it when you wave back.

Bit slow, especially as Phoebe doesn't like very slow speeds, cos the oil pump doesn't work if you slip the clutch. But that's a minor gripe. See Allun got a photo of her, she'll be crowing over that to the other bikes in the gargre.

Nearly didn't make it after a contretemps with lost keys, frantically swapping a T500 ignition switch into the GT500 at 9:30 - they're not the same but a bit of soldering and it's all good. A furious blat down the motorway (I deny everything, if anyone saw me) got me there just in time.

Apologies to anyone who I smoked out - that slow running followed by acceleration is a bit problematic on a two smoker - tends to make a bit of smoke.

Thanks to all the organisers for a very good day out.

EDIT - It was good to see the 150's and 250's, GNs and such like soming along. And the scooters, too. Pity there wer'nt too many classic Brits, I expect they were all down at Pukekohe. Saw a couple of nice small unit Triumphs, and a very nice AJS twin.

**Aitch** · 12th February 2006, 16:15

That was fun! Never seen so many bikes in one place at one time, and lots of shiny toys to look at! No grumpys, no silly little old buggers in white coats, no real idiots on the road, and you had to love the little dog in the front pack on one bike, and the newfie in the sidecar!
Me and my missus got the last 2 tshirts but 2, (didn't win any prizes in the raffle though...were there ANY 900s in that bucket).
Where was the KB flag?
Nice leisurely ride home, no silly buggers anywhere on SH1 or 1B, we'll be back next year!
Two thumbs up to Ulysses for organising it, and ya gotta give Auckland drivers credit for their patience. Today anyway......

**Rhino** · 12th February 2006, 16:34

Hi all,

Was a great day for the ride. Many thanks to all the KBers for turning up. I may not have got to chat with many, but I saw everyone as they arrived at Karaka.

The ride was a lot slower than previous years (don't know why.) Didn't worry the 'Wing, but I was thinking that some of the air-cooled bikes may have got quite hot.

You folks obviously took my comment about bringing your wallet along to heart, as SG and the rest of the ladies sold out of badges and t-shirts.

Well done KBers, take a bow.

**WRT** · 12th February 2006, 17:22

Originally Posted by swantiger

Nice sight, pity I lost a fucken cylinder riding in there, just past the East Tamaki turn off.

Hey mate, I was the red and silver aprilia that pulled up, spoke with your missus. She said you've only had it a week! Not good, but she perked up when I mentioned the word "warranty" . . . You guys had everything in hand as much as possible so there wasnt much point in me hanging around.

Saw you were sat next to it when we went back past so gave a quick wave, plus the AA guy was parked up by the northbound onramp checking everyone out. Hope it doesnt turn out to be anything too major.

**Sparky** · 12th February 2006, 17:30

What a great day, here are some pics:

http://community.webshots.com/album/547464532JxXhPx

**SlashWylde** · 12th February 2006, 17:39

Some Pics...

**crashe** · 12th February 2006, 17:47

AWESOME ride today....

I was up the front of the pack..... having fun...
with the ever watchful eyes of Rhino and Scorpygirl watching me...

I was behaving myself... honest I was.

Twas great to chat to Nodman at the AUT carpark and he allowed me to hop onto his cop bike.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24525 pics of it on this thread.

Yep it was so hot.... that I was naughty and rode in t-shirt, demin vest and jeans.

Great to run into so many KBers as well. So many to name them all.

Big congratulations to Auckland Ulysses Club for organising it.

1200 motorbikes and we raised $11,000 for the Westpac Helicopter lads.

**SlashWylde** · 12th February 2006, 17:51

...and some more

**Madmax** · 12th February 2006, 18:07

how many bikes this year

**Scorpygirl** · 12th February 2006, 18:13

Originally Posted by Madmax

how many bikes this year

About 1200 MadMax. But I would have guessed more as they seemed to be coming into AUT for ages. We raised $11,000 for the Chopper but this could increase a bit once all monies are counted. The new suits for the chopper team look really cool!!!

**SwanTiger** · 12th February 2006, 18:22

Originally Posted by WRT

Hey mate, I was the red and silver aprilia that pulled up, spoke with your missus. She said you've only had it a week! Not good, but she perked up when I mentioned the word "warranty" . . . You guys had everything in hand as much as possible so there wasnt much point in me hanging around.

Saw you were sat next to it when we went back past so gave a quick wave, plus the AA guy was parked up by the northbound onramp checking everyone out. Hope it doesnt turn out to be anything too major.

Ah, hey thanks for stopping, it was lucky with the AA guy, he was a rider himself and was able to suss it out pretty quickly. However like most people, didn't know what the fuck a Hyosung was!

Had a couple of other people stop, one guy started talking to my missus about public toliets. Suppose he was a bit special?

Was great to watch the bikes though, some of those big bikes like the voyagers and goldwings looked mamoth compared to all the other bikes. 'Twas a beautiful site, pity it was from the other side of the road!

What happened to the majority of bikes once the ride was over? I imagine a few went Puhoi way.

**Maha** · 12th February 2006, 18:39

Yes we ended up there for a few well earned bevvey's, met up with Busa pete and his good lady, then headed back to the Bridgehouse at Warkworth for another one..............

all n' all a great day, roll on next weekend