Yungatart leaves town

[yungatart]

The decision was made on Thursday-after much deliiberation- to ride to carterton on Saturday, catch up with Jim2 and family, and stay with my sons on Saturday night returning to the Bay on Sunday.
I have never ridden more than about 180 ks in a single day and am not known for my stamina in the saddle.... so to attempt 250 was a big thing for me, especially when I have to repeat the whole thing the next day to get home. I know that is not much more than a warm up to the ride for some of you peeps out there, but trust me, for me it was a huge undertaking!
Plan A was to be on the road about 9 on Sat morning - dicky battery put paid to that. After sourcing a new battery via phone, there is one in Hastings that will fit so put old dead battery back in and - wouldn't you know it, the bloody thing fired up, but decided to get the new one anyway as this one has been causing a bit of trouble. Battery duly installed after the obligatory hassles and we gas up and head down HW2 at 11am- oh well, only two hours later than planned, so far so good! We decided to do the easiest road, no sense pushing my limits too far.
MSTRS pulls over at Waipuk, thinking that maybe I would need a ciggy stop-told you I lacked stamina! Actually I was fine but since I had stopped why not? Next stop "Boots and Braces" in Woodville, a great lunch stop-they make HUGE burgers, I have to confess that I was definitely ready for some food, coffee and a rest. 45 mins later and we were back on the road, only to stop again at Pahiatua to do my helmet up. Sheesh!
I had a great ride from Woodville- the weather was perfect and bugger all traffic- most of which I actually managed to pass- much to MSTRS' surprise!! - and my own I might add! I ran into reserve down on to the flat just after Mt Bruce -205ks- so refilled at Masterton and carried on to Carterton, yay, a hot shower, coffee and a ciggy or two.
Met up with Jim2 and his lovely wife for tea - thanks guys for a great evening.
Planned to meet up for coffee with some of the Welly crew today, but had some family stuff to do and as I hadn't slept too well last night I wanted to be able to take my time riding home. Sorry we missed you guys, maybe next time.
Left Carterton about 11, was quite a blustery wind, I found it rather challenging at times. MSTRS stopped and gave me some pointers and we headed off again. Boots and Braces for lunch again, quite a few bikes in there today. After a decent feed and coffee and a longish stop off we went.
I caught a glimpse of G4Eva's rear end as he raced past us just north of Woodville, a wave and he was gone - obviously a busy boy...
Fuel stop at Dannevirke and decided to take HW50, less traffic but more challenging. Called in to Team Cudby's house for coffee and a much needed stop, I was really feeling tired at this point - only 70 ks to go...
I got through the twisty bits but felt like I wasn't doing so well, so pulled over to the side to "refocus" MSTRS says-"What! You're doing fine!" Wow, that was a real boost to my confidence! I suffered from hayfever for the last 20 ks, not to mention the suicidal bugs, plastering themselves all over my visor.
I pulled in to the driveway, feeling really pleased with myself- I was home! 500 k's - a HUGE ride for me! I learned heaps, loved every minute of it and am a better rider than when I left home yesterday! All good - can't wait to do it again - but not just now - I need a wine and a rest!
Thanks Mstrs - it must have been a boring ride for you,you're a real gentleman!

[Scorpygirl]

Great write-up and well done to you!!

[MSTRS:Me]

Aw shucks....twere nothing. I get my kicks just riding anyway & it's good to pass on some of my experience too, you know.
Yungatart is a Grandma, and a bit of a nana rider, but rides like this are just what are needed to lift her game. I was very proud of her, and she need not feel ashamed of her performance. It was great to watch her improve from my position of 'shotgun'. Big ups, Yungatart. You are tops in my book.

[crashe]

Good on you. That is a great achievement...
Keep building up more and more kms on each outing.

Soon you will be able to ride 500kms in one day.

You know its only 460 kms from Hastings to Auckland... so we shall all expect a visit from you real soon up here in the big smoke.
:spudflip:

[yungatart]

Good on you. That is a great achievement...
Keep building up more and more kms on each outing.

Soon you will be able to ride 500kms in one day.

You know its only 460 kms from Hastings to Auckland... so we shall all expect a visit from you real soon up here in the big smoke.
:spudflip:

Hmmmm.... I don't like driving the cage in Auckland - I hate your traffic - I don't know how I'd cope on the bike... but you never know. After hXc's little excursion last weekend he is dead keen to ride up your way, so maybe a family ride to Aucks is on the cards - particularly if he has his way - which, I hate to admit, he often does....

[Blairos]

Nice work!

I remember my first 500K day, it also involved a Coro Loop

The arse certainly didnt let me forget for a day or so

[crashe]

Well if you have ever ridden on the Napier/Hastings expressway.. then you will cope with our motorways up here... Ok we have a few more cars and trucks travelling on them at any given time... but you soon adjust real quick..
And hey we can all (all us KBers etc in Auckland) come down to BP at the Bombay Hill and escort you all up the motorway to where ever you need to go to.
We can even travel at your pace as well.

[Colapop]

"To eat an elephant you must first take a bite..."

Don't expect to do 12 hour marathon rides until you are ready but to be ready you must start rider longer distances. My confucious moment of the day!
Well done Ytart! The whole island is open to you now.

[yungatart]

Thanks guys, will pm you Crashe, when we head to Auks - we expect that escort, y'know! I had a great w/e and am actually starting to believe that one day I may become a motorcyclist. Seriously though,I get excited when I get it right, y'know when the corners just flow and it feels good. When I look back to what I could do and how I felt just a couple of months ago - well, it is a world away from where I am now. Yes I was bad...

[crashe]

am actually starting to believe that one day I may become a motorcyclist.

Aye what!...

The day you got on the bike you became a motorcyclist... and you have remained committed to learning more and more...

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I caught a glimpse of G4Eva's rear end as he raced past us just north of Woodville, a wave and he was gone - obviously a busy boy...

Tis true. I was on a mission. Sorry I didn't ride with you for a while but I was already an hour late for work.
Mind you I had a great day. 650 somthin k's and still home to get the work done by 3.20pm.
Not a traffic officer in sight. I have to admit as the day went on I became a bit over confident but the X50 kept me safe. Can you believe it 650 plus K's and only one camera van????????? But I am happy to travel at 109 kmh.. ..
The only down side.....a bee got me in da face. It is hard to get it out of your helmet when the sting is stuck in the side of your face but you don't want to stop. It is a bit sore as I sit here and type.

[Riff Raff]

Well done chic. Good writeup too. Good to see you racking up some k's on your beastie!

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Hmmmm.... I don't like driving the cage in Auckland - I hate your traffic - I don't know how I'd cope on the bike... but you never know. After hXc's little excursion last weekend he is dead keen to ride up your way, so maybe a family ride to Aucks is on the cards - particularly if he has his way - which, I hate to admit, he often does....

Well should you decide to venture up to these here part of the woods there are 4 spare beds should you need them

[Hitcher]

Well done Yungatart. The Grand Challenge is in October. You should submit your registration ASAP.

[team cudby]

it was good to see you you can stop for coffee when ever you like jug is all ways hot hope to see more of you now we are not far away .good on you yungatart keep the wheels on rolling