KB Gathering (North, South, East & West) - Queens Birthday '07

[Qkchk:Me]

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Hahaha Betterlookingthanowners! You knew I would see that

Can I take credit for the taking the shot in piccy 2? Didnt we have 2 other buddying photographers trying for the same shot?

[KoroJ]

Great weekend people...My report is here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...71#post1082971

[F5 Dave]

Great weekend guys, met some nice people, had a safe ride up with them. Was awesome atmosphere, although I was in full drivel mode by end of the night.

Pity I had to off sun morning, had a wife missing me & a new bike project that showed up friday afternoon that needed some fettling (look out for F5's new bike thread in a day or so).

Glad the ride went safely. Will be there next year!!!

[NinjaNanna]

Hi Guys

Special thanks to the QKKIES and to FIGJAM, from my point of view you set a perfect pace, I enjoyed every moment of it.

Cheers to all

Ninja Nanna

[chanceyy]

Outstanding weekend

Well I can honestly say that after attending the ride right ride safe course, my cornering has also improved, also being able to figure out why I was not handling the right hand corners as well as the left helped too.

After finishing work on sat late afternoon (& being a hectic week glad we trailered the bikes to Turangi – thanks to 86 for driving my tired ass up there) after an equally late nite chatting to everyone it was time to hit the hay for some much needed rest before the Sunday ride.

Sunday & the weather came out a pearler crisp clear morning, 10 am meet for a riders brief (can tell the quicks have done this a time or 50) Thinking I was going to be the slowest rider there, & also the most inexperienced I did not want to become TEC, thanks to 86 GSXR & Koroj for assuming that role.

Well destination set … off we went towards Taumaranui headed off & of course the speedy riders shot off into the distance, kinda figured that everyone would pass me .. which is totally ok but I was surprised as I passed my first bike on a nice wide sweeper corner (having no speedo certainly helps) & had a couple of other riders join me for a few ks before they took off into the distance, by this time we had ridden into some major fog & being on a road that I did not know I took it relatively easy. I starting thinking about each corner where I needed to be to navigate it, could I see through the corner or was it blind (could I see through my visor .. so rode with it open) .. was there any road markings telling me of a speed I should be doing (not that I would know how fast that was)
I must say knowing that there were still a bunch of riders behind me totally gave me the confidence to relax & work on what I needed to concentrate on which was corners.

Once we reached our first petrol stop a decision was made to stop for coffee & give the fog time to clear, this was a great idea, cause it certainly was not warm. Approx a hour later we left & headed towards Ongarue this sweepy road was a ton of fun & I had Betsy cruising through at approx 8.5 thou revs .. what ever speed that is , but once we turned off .. thought crap the road was very wet covered in leaves & could see nice green moss .. hmmmmm I vaguely remembering in another thread the danger of these three hazards so decided to take it quiet

Since the two riders in front were caught behind a car I quietly caught up to qk chk & was able to follow her through corners & got some great lines to follow .. this was a more tighter road & with the hazards care was still needed. As qk kid had been the one to turn us in the right direction once the TEC came through he caught us up & spent a few mins behind me & watched as I was cornering .. at the next stop point he said I was not downshifting enough for the corners & explained why I needed to do this, so absorbing this wee insight & knowing how the corners felt stuck that bit of info to my brain as the next bit of road was fast wide sweepers & sure put a smile on ones face.

After lunch at Whakamaru 6 of us decided after the late nite that we would head back down the western access & this bit of road was fun, got a chance to practice qk kids advice on the corners & what a difference it surely made .. had more power coming out of the corners & since I ride with 86 GSXR a lot he can see the improvements, I am faster but more importantly more smoother, have way more lean on the bike & totally get into the zen feeling (still riding to my capabilities .. no one elses)

On the Monday 86 & I took a quick flick up national park road to Whakapapa ski field again took the opportunity to place myself on each corner & as this road was shiny & wet in places again backed off the speed & concentrated on how I was tackling each corner. Awesome stuff, the total weekend was a great learning experience being on strange roads with a number of conditions to deal with, & getting those wonderful zen moments that really just make you smile & leave you feeling very very satisfied.

................ just wanted to add here .. this weekend was desperately needed as I have been burning the candle at both ends & seriously need the down time. All of the KBers I have had the opportunity to met are some of the most friendly, helpful bunch of guys & gals, & thank you for the wonderful time/information/ride/company you have all provided .. Is it next yr yet ??

& just wondering if we should organise a summer venue to make the most of some dry roads & warmer temps

GeoffM thank you so much for the Dyno offer, I think I might have to take you up on that (be heading up north again end of yr) .. really curious as to how well Betsy performs .. she may have been the smallest bike there but did not miss a trick thank goodness just this bike .. & thanks chick nice to know someone else appreciates the smell of the two stroke
& Mrs Tri boy (Karen) will give you a call next week & come over to Hamihole for a coffee

[86GSXR]

Nice ride report there Chanceyy, and yep it's true. You have come a very long way in such a short time. Keep up the good work and stay safe. I know you will

[robertydog]

Yea well done Chanceyy. Good report i must say.