Informal KB Chch ride - with pics!

**Deviant Esq** · 31st January 2006, 22:14

Tonight five of us got together for a ride. It was intended as a "first decent ride for Deviant Esq", but turned out as an all around good ride as well as my first ride and a good return for SpeedyGirl.

First Sniper, JWalker and myself met up outside my place. I'd barely had time to get home from work, get changed and get back out the door when Sniper and JWalker (on MissSniper's bike; some of you may remember JWalker's GSXR600 is out of commission currently due to his recent bin. Let's hope he gets it back soon) appeared, revving their bikes. Impatient buggers! The ride started off a bit strange, when we stopped off at the BP for them to fuel up, I was feeling for the choke to turn it off, and ended up with a fuel line in my hand spurting fuel everywhere. Hmm, that's not such a good thing. Sniper came over, turned the fuel switch to off, reconnected the hose, and we were away. Well, mostly. When my bike conked out another 1km down the road, I thought "WTF?", and eventually found that the fuel switch was still off. Fixed that and we were off (properly) towards Halswell.

Got out to Halswell to meet up with SpeedyGirl on her new VTF700 Intercepter, and OneArmedBandit on his new GSXR1000 K2. Damn that's a sexy bike!

So we chatted for a bit then cruised off towards Motukarara in rather windy conditions. After several km of that I wondered why my helmet was so loose.. Duh, had forgotten to do it up!

Pulled over, fixed problem, small committee meeting, decided that doing 100km/h with my L plate on was asking for trouble... so I pull that off, then up towards Gebby's pass. Sniper and OneArmedBandit decided hills were fun, so they shot off. I followed at more believeable speeds (but still having plenty of fun) and ended up on my own as further behind me was SpeedyGirl doing her impression of being a Nana (by her own admission), and JWalker keeping her honest (we won't mention the winding back and forth and various limbs hanging off the bike, will we...).

So round the hills we wound making our way towards Govenor's Bay, where we eventually stopped off for another break and a photo op. Then further around the hills to Lyttleton, through the tunnel and back to town again.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable ride. About 5 times longer than any ride I've been on so far and my first KB trip.

Much more hilly and bendy than I've ever ridden too, but it was a lot of fun and I loved chucking the NZ250 through it. Even scraped the pegs once or twice...

Great to finally meet you, OneArmedBandit and SpeedyGirl, hope you guys enjoyed the ride!

Pics have been scaled down so 56k users won't hate me...

**Deviant Esq** · 31st January 2006, 22:17

A few more pics...

**Deviant Esq** · 31st January 2006, 22:19

12x optical zoom is good...

**T.W.R** · 31st January 2006, 22:47

Glad to hear all went well Redge! its a good wee ride through there, plenty of options for other bits n pieces too but heading south to north (as you did) around those roads is definately the best option for an evening ride (avoids possible sunstrike on some corners).
good pics of the crew & lols a slight deviation to the natives

its a sweet place to learn, just always remember go at your own pace don't try chasing faster riders, and get to know your bike & how it reacts in different areas (around the peninsula has everything to offer)

**Back Fire** · 31st January 2006, 23:31

now is she pointing for any particular reason?

**Karma** · 1st February 2006, 00:10

Those bitchez were pretty sweet... you git any gangsta?

**miSTa** · 1st February 2006, 05:59

Sounds like you had a good time Redge, keep it up

**SpeedyGirl** · 1st February 2006, 06:59

Originally Posted by Deviant Esq

as further behind me was SpeedyGirl doing her impression of being a Nana (by her own admission), and JWalker keeping her honest

Had a great time guys, thanks for not giving me shit for being so slow

but even JWALKER cant keep me honest!!!

Look forward to the next one

**Sniper** · 1st February 2006, 07:06

He did well and so did Speedygirl. Although he did neglect to mention the fact that when his helmet came off I was waiting 4 kms down the road at our next turnoff and after about 5 minutes of tense waiting decided that I should back.

After almost breaking the speed limit going back, I found them all waiting happily on the side of the road. Damn scary thought though, that wind wasn't the friendliest.

Well after I set off again, I decided that DE seemed to be quite happy and with SG and JWALKER following him, he should be OK. So I took off after OAB (Damn that GSXR can handle) we spend a bit of time "touring" through the hills and made me realise that after sliding and bouncing round a few corners well over their recommended limit, I need to fiddle with my rear suspension. Anyone in CHCH able to help please?

Well done Regde and Liz, you did damn well matey. Keep on trucking, you will get used to it.

**Sniper** · 1st February 2006, 07:07

BTW, those girls did notice the photos, but I did get a smile from them with my "antics"

**R1** · 1st February 2006, 07:08

nice one

That chick in the green has a sweet wee ass, and the one in the white......well i'm sure someone somewhere loves her

**Sniper** · 1st February 2006, 07:09

Originally Posted by **R1**

well i'm sure someone somewhere loves her

Light switches have many uses

**Deviant Esq** · 1st February 2006, 08:00

The pics of them were a little blurry and a little hasty... was trying not to be too obvious. That and trying to keep a camera still enough with 12x optical zoom and no tripod... the only reason it was possible is that the camera has an optical stabiliser! Oh and... coz I can.

Originally Posted by Sniper

Damn scary thought though, that wind wasn't the friendliest.

I had been wondering why the wind had been threatening to tug my lid off so much for a while, but it was only on that straight that we stopped on did the wind really make it noticeable. Put my hand up to my chin to tighten the strap, only to find the strap was hanging loose! OneArmedBandit had already slowed down to allow us to catch up, so I used the chance to pull over and make sure it was secure. It wasn't the happiest thought though! Still, it didn't come off, and it's in the past. I'll just make sure I check it in future!

Originally Posted by Sniper

Well done Redge and Liz, you did damn well matey. Keep on trucking, you will get used to it.

Cheers mate!

It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it. A little stiff afterwards but well worth it. I'm glad you and OAB were confident enough in our [mine and SpeedyGirl's] riding to be able to have some fun yourselves! Probably a good thing JWalker didn't have his GSX600R, or he would have been playing with you guys leaving the two newbies (well, the one newbie and the returnee) to our devices!

You did well SpeedyGirl, we're just happy to have you out on the ride with us! Don't worry about going slowly. Even though they took off I had no intentions of trying to keep up with them, I just rode how I was comfortable. We met up again further down the road, and you weren't really all that far behind. I was told they were waiting about 5 minutes at the first stop near Corsair Bay for me, and you and JWalker were about another 2 minutes back from me. And that was a few km of riding! So I wouldn't worry about riding slowly until you're more comfortable with your machine. As long as you know where they're headed and have someone behind you to attempt to keep you honest...

I'll be happy to ride with all of you anytime.