Is your bike your only form of transport?

**Disco Dan** · 9th January 2007, 15:21

Originally Posted by Steam

I have no car, just my Ginny G.I. and a bicycle for when I'm feeling fat and need some exercise.
I have massive pannier bags and a huge pack rack, I carried over 80 kilos of groceries, sewing machine, 20 litres of Kerosense + other stuff the other day and rode home very cautiously. That's more than half the weight of the bike!

The buses here are good too though, I live 6k or so from town and the after-midnight buses are great in Wellington for drunken trips home, only $2.50 all the way from Courtney Place to my house 7kms away.

Yeah im sure the bus service in aucks would get me into the city and back but wheres the fun in that??

Besides, if i wanted to get drunk it would be at home or friends place where I could crash for the night. booze is too expensive in clubs and bars, so whenever i go, i take the bike and park next to the bouncer!!

**petesmeats** · 9th January 2007, 15:25

Yep i'm a poor student as well... Bike only means of transport. Being a student basically means that i don't have to carry anything much on the bike apart from a crate every now and then... or a backbreaking load of textbooks. Its a good life really. I'm up for a new rear tyre though which is gonna hurt a little. And rego, And Insurance. So the bike pretty much keeps me poor enough.

I have been thinking lately about the merits of having a car to take my snowboard/surfboard/skateboard/guitar places but in the end if i am going on a trip it is usually with a mate so i can just fling some petrol money thier way and they are happy campers so there really is no need for any more vehicles until i can properly afford it (2 years all things being equal)... (Hanging out for a 4WD Van)

As for pubic (intentional) Transport. I hate busses, trains, and taxis. Would rather get wet and hypothermic before resorting to public transport...

As for the general public trying to kill me... I keep my eyes and ears open and try to fend of the cage attacks. I know that i will prob be knocked off at some point but will not live in fear...

**crashe** · 9th January 2007, 15:33

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

Yes I need to upgrade my gear a little I think. First purchase is going to be proper boots - as my old work boots just dont offer my ankles the support I feel safe with. Then a trip to the Wariwhare for a big jacket to will fit over my jacket! My overpants seem to be waterproof though. Just not long enough, and the bottom of my draggins get wet! As do my feet through the boots.

Gaiters will do the job....... at the Army surplus store on K' Rd.......
$12.50 for a set.

**F5 Dave** · 9th January 2007, 15:47

Don't put milk in your scrambled eggs either. Use hot water near the end & whisk them up a bit. Milk tends to suppress this. Hot water good, don't ask me why, wife sez & her scrambled eggs are the small explosive device.

Cheese is ok & add a bit of Paprika, chilli powder & black pepper at the start.

Verkerks kransky are the best by a shot. Maybe some hash browns smothered in Hot Chilli beans, some bacon, hot relish. Yumm! Best consumed with a hangover.

**Swoop** · 9th January 2007, 17:23

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

Id rather ride and get wet than walk and get wet......

I find that if I ride, I arrive much drier than if "cageing"...

**Swoop** · 9th January 2007, 17:25

Originally Posted by crashe

Gaiters will do the job....... at the Army surplus store on K' Rd.......
$12.50 for a set.

How the hell did Ixion get access to your login!!!

**Steam** · 9th January 2007, 17:58

You can get Leather gaiters at Comrades in Wellington, they are really thick leather so they'll protect ankles in a crash too, cool!

**BarBender** · 9th January 2007, 18:02

No - its not the only mode of transport I have access to...but I choose to ride it everyday rain hail or shine.

**pritch** · 9th January 2007, 18:09

Just had to face this dilemma, if such it can be called. I was telling a friend that I was thinking of trading my bike and what the proposed deal would cost.

When I mentioned the money he asked why I didn't keep the Hornet and buy a car with the ballance. I must have blinked and looked startled while I considered this idea for about five nanoseconds before rejecting it and deciding definitely to buy the bike.

So I went to see the bank manager today and he expects to have papers ready to sign on the dotted by maybe Friday depending on who is actually at work in town this week etc.

It'd be fun to be running in a new bike next weekend :-) But meantime I have cognitive dissonances going off like fireworks...

**rainman** · 9th January 2007, 18:37

Originally Posted by Keystone19

I would argue that riding in the rain teaches you to be smooth in and out of corners and to hold your line. Both useful skills for road riding, not just on the track. It also teaches you to be more aware of what your bike is doing under you (or should be doing) and how to cope if you get into a small slide - again, useful skills on both road and track.

Had a moment just like this on the way home tonight. Was thinking about how when I slowed down the water all slooshed to the front of my boots (really have to buy some decent boots) and lost concentration for a sec and traction for a bit longer. Fortunately I was a) going slow, b) well behind the vehicle in front of me, c) roughly vertical, so I didn't panic and managed my way out of it. Slightly scary, but still, taught me just how slippery the GN plastic tires are.

My cordura pants and jacket got pretty soaked, and are dripping dry in the corner waiting for tomorrow's ride in the rain. Apart from a slightly soggy crotch (not the excitement from nearly crashing

), damp shirt around the zip of my jacket and wet ankles ('cos I don't have decent boots), I got home dry enough.

**Jeremy** · 9th January 2007, 18:56

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

OK, im sure this has been done in the past but I just looked outside. Its peeing it down with rain, pretty windy and my jacket is not waterproof.

I have Uni at 9am in the city... someone make me feel better!!

My bike is my only form of transport!

Who else is in the same situation? Or do most of you have a car as well???

If you'd left earlier you'd have been fine. Was only "slightly" raining when I got there just before 7. (Things learnt: uni during summer school not functional during those times, can't get to CompSci lockers to dump gear :/ )

**Disco Dan** · 9th January 2007, 19:00

I was parked next to a GN250 and a honda 250, the gn had a top box.

Then went to westgate this afternoon and saw the same GN parked up outside the post office! weird!

**crashe** · 9th January 2007, 19:07

Originally Posted by Swoop

How the hell did Ixion get access to your login!!!

Hahahaha Now that is a good question?
Actually I finally took his advise after travelling from Levin to Upper Hutt then to Lower Hutt back to Upper Hutt up over the Taka's to Hastings and then all the way back to Auckland in wet boots....... Yep I went and hunted out the place...... got slightly lost finding it... asked people and they sent me to the actual ARMY sign up place...... ummmmmmmmmm hello!!!!!! They sent me to the correct place. Wow what a place....... so much stuff there.....
Im gonna go back for a good look around.
But yep I got me some gaiters....... leather ones.

They do have other types there as well for the same price. $12.50

Originally Posted by steam

You can get Leather gaiters at Comrades in Wellington, they are really thick leather so they'll protect ankles in a crash too, cool!

yep leather ones are great when you have leather boots.
Buckles on the side to overlap to keep the rain out.
Buckle underneath to keep them in the correct place.
Gave them a good clean and snow sealed them.....

Been complimented on my leather ones...... as they do look good over leather boots.

**Disco Dan** · 9th January 2007, 19:14

Originally Posted by crashe

Yep I went and hunted out the place...... got slightly lost finding it... asked people and they sent me to the actual ARMY sign up place...... ummmmmmmmmm hello!!!!!! They sent me to the correct place.

*snigger snigger*

**crashe** · 9th January 2007, 19:22

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

*snigger snigger*

I only got slightly lost cos some twat sent me the wrong way when I stopped to ask where the shop was....... I think that they thought I should join up....

Once I got that all sorted out I was fine.... went directly to the Army surplus store.....

Now if that was you my lad........ you would have ended up god knows where !!!!!!! snigger snigger.