9:30am Sat
Had breakfast, had comments from people that this will be a slower year.
Well weather is good but slightly chilly. Strong winds expected for the ride. I hear bikes rolling in one after another, and seeing some serious touring bikes.
People are wondering how and if my GPS will be useful. Some skoffing at it... oh well :P
11:00am Sat
Not doing much, wondering around for the last bit. Fuelled up bike and checked tire pressure on the brand new Strada rubber only 400km old from Auckland.
Had been thru the checks and bike went thru with flying colours.
Trying to decide on if I should bring soft tail pack (sits on pillion seat)(lower wind profile) or bring hard top box (sits on its own rack)(more seat space for me)
Napping under the tree and enjoying the available sun and warmth.
2:00pm Sat
Riders meeting, Lee rusty (the BOSS!) gathers the many GC riders for meeting. Some reminders about the ride, prizes drawn, honor bestowed, club business and updated about the starting times.
The excitement builds....
My start time had been given at 3:08pm. Meeting finnishs at 2:30pm
Rush back to room
2:38pm Sat
Decided to take a quick shut eye. Sets alarm for 2:45
2:45pm Sat
Alarm sounded, jumps up. Puts on the many layers of gear all layed out in order on the opposit bed, head thinking about what am I doing entering something this crazy and what will and may unfold during the next 24 hours.
3:00pm Sat
All suited up, carries top box to bike. Final check.
3:05pm Sat
Rode to starting area, 1st group of bikes have left.
3:08pm Sat
Start.... left starting point, followed group... felt something flaping on my chin... damm forgot to clip the chin strap in. So lost a min there pulling over. Caught up about 10 mins later, getting cold climbing a windy road heading west.
Starting to figure out my GPS route, largely ignoring it as I have plenty of people to follow.
Turned off to back roads, road surface varies, twisty and not always sign posted... compaired with 22 this wasn't hard.
Felt the new Strada's are nicely warmed up, working well and grippy. Start to get into my groove...
Sobering sight... saw Ducati MultiStrada in pieces.... stopped but they had plenty of help... pushed on
around a few corners... long black tire mark.... leading to a black bird flat against a clay bank on the outside of a corner, almost like the wind blew it into the bank. Reminder not to push it so early... and read the road yourself and not follow other riders.
still pretty easy roads... just your gentle backcountry stuff... just don't hurry and you'll be fine...
Found SH3... after a few detours and wrong turn offs. GPS didn't help as the wrong road was plotted, but it did provide a map to follow.
Stupid van on SH3 we found who followed way too close and was racing us (bikes). I found it uncomfortable with him sitting behind so let him pass.... funny to see XP had a go at him thou
Worried about gas... hoping Awaikno gas station would be open... thank god they were, and they were busy as
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Originally Posted by Hitcher
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