2008 Capital 1000K Cruise

**GrayWolf** · 9th November 2008, 16:20

Firstly a big thanks to the Organisers of the event. The morning and afternoon ride routes were just outstanding!! The group I was in (self named the Nana group for riding 80-100kmh) Had several members tempted to stop and 'out' camera's. The day was just right, sunny but not too warm so no huge dehydration from sweat issuue's to cope with.
We had a mixed bag of bikes from occasionaly a Hyo' Aquilla 250 to the man I think has to be awarded the 'Hard Arse' award if there was one. 1000k on a TL1000s. Hawkeye's 500 honda did very well too. A special thank you is extended to the Sterling job of main 'pace setter' to a certain Bee eM rider! Well done Mate! We all had pretty good 'touring bikes' overall but after 8 hours in the saddle even the FJ and Bee eM owners were seen to be shifting hip angles (in the interest of handling of course).
Sadly, we passed the incident on the Lost World road. There isnt much you can do when it's already been done, and to stop is just increasing unwanted numbers.
On a personal note and I think some also expressed it, the scenic routes from then on were maybe a little too much. Next year just main highway routes for the home stretch?
Overall I'd do it again next week! Again thanks to the Organisers and a big thanks to the group I rode with, it was fun, good riding protocol's observed, and made the whole ride a great event.

**Slides** · 9th November 2008, 16:46

Just wanted to add my thanks to the organisers of such a great ride! Also to all the riders who made it such a cruisey & friendly event!
Unfortunately I couldn't finish this year as I was with Jane (the GP who stopped for Grub), but I'm still keen to have another go next year.
Thanks again!

**ynot slow** · 9th November 2008, 17:20

Originally Posted by Hitcher

And the Taranaki boy in me enjoyed the Fraser Road/Ohangai stretch. It's nice at times to find some fast stretches that Mr Plod will never enforce.

I could have stayed much longer at the Whanga pub. The locals are always very genial and happy to chat with passing bikers. They do, however, tend to chuck a bit of abuse at bikers who stop and take a photo of the Republic's Pride and Joy without even dismounting or turning their engine off.
...

Damn that is a good stretch,same with the Tirimoana Rd area.Along with Ngawhini Rd gorge area to Ararata.

**DingoZ** · 9th November 2008, 17:37

I was going to be on the ride. Was going to be completing the ride as Grub's riding buddy. Unfortunetly I was coming off night shift Saturday morning, and it would have not been a wise idea to have ridden after being awake already for 14 hours.

Next Year. Will be completed come rain hail, tornadoes, and other assorted acts of the powers on high. Will be ridden and completed in Memory of Grub..

**kiwisfly** · 9th November 2008, 20:12

Theres a book called "Zen and the art of motorcycling", never read it but had a sense of it on Saturday. Got to the Caltex all bright eyed an bushy tailed buzzing after having a taster ride out on the Hutt Road with Hitcher an then scoping all the various array of bikes thinking "today is going to be a good day".
Got a badge, missed out on a prize, heard the instructions for the ride and tally ho we were off. Hooked into a group that I felt comfortable with across the hill & the first forays into the Waiarapa...pity the same comfortableness wasn't sitting with my bladder!
In the last 18 months I've lost 50kgs after having weight loss surgery (saved my life) so despite layers of clothing the cold was causing a painful need to urinate & that was despite not drinking any liquids during the morning (or should I say middle of the night such was the earliness of it all!!!).
So into the public toilet in Carterton I rode then to search at great length for the urinating device the good Lord has equipped us with to find it had been replaced with a growth lesser than pimples I've had in adolescence. So I get back on the bike ready to put the hammer down to catch up and by Masterton the same dreaded need...wees! Rode on trying to will it away and at the same time fighting a dark cloud feeling over the whole event. 40k's out of Masterton I threw in the towel, spun it round & headed back for a slash at Masterton & 2 at the wild Oats café in Carterton although admittedly one wizz was the flat white I'd just put in.
Rode over the hill feeling better & wondering if I'd done the right thing only to be riding past the turn-off to the kart track at Kaitoke to glance in the mirrors an see smoke billowing behind. A quick glance down the right side to find oil everywhere followed by a quick killing of the motor just as the red light comes on has minimized any damage (one hopes). No chronic clunking noises or internal engine pieces poking out.
Can't see anything obvious so hoping it's a busted oil line?
Trailered the oily beast home...day done.
So weird that once I got out on the road things weren't coming together, there was definitely no "zen" feelings and I guess thankful I did turn around as I figured things might have been quite a pain in the arse had it have happened further on up the road.
Next year I'm gonna get me an Arctic suit with 20,000 wired up hot water bottles...that'll do the trick!
To John & co thanks for the opportunity.
Happy to collect a certificate but scratch out one of the zero's!!!

**Hawkeye** · 9th November 2008, 20:52

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

Firstly a big thanks to the Organisers of the event. The morning and afternoon ride routes were just outstanding!! The group I was in (self named the Nana group for riding 80-100kmh) Had several members tempted to stop and 'out' camera's. The day was just right, sunny but not too warm so no huge dehydration from sweat issuue's to cope with.
We had a mixed bag of bikes from occasionaly a Hyo' Aquilla 250 to the man I think has to be awarded the 'Hard Arse' award if there was one. 1000k on a TL1000s. Hawkeye's 500 honda did very well too. A special thank you is extended to the Sterling job of main 'pace setter' to a certain Bee eM rider! Well done Mate! We all had pretty good 'touring bikes' overall but after 8 hours in the saddle even the FJ and Bee eM owners were seen to be shifting hip angles (in the interest of handling of course).
Sadly, we passed the incident on the Lost World road. There isnt much you can do when it's already been done, and to stop is just increasing unwanted numbers.
On a personal note and I think some also expressed it, the scenic routes from then on were maybe a little too much. Next year just main highway routes for the home stretch?
Overall I'd do it again next week! Again thanks to the Organisers and a big thanks to the group I rode with, it was fun, good riding protocol's observed, and made the whole ride a great event.

It was a pleasure to ride with you GrayWolf. I must admit, when I got home this morning (would have prefered it to say last night but we did ride quite a bit of 'unplanned' country yesterday

) I thought the bike would be the last thing I would want to look at today. But Today was a day to support friends in their saddest hour. So the Honda was dragged kicking and screaming out of the garage and off we went to see Kari.
I have to say, I am not as sore as expected today. A big

to the organisers and wasn't it a brilliant day to be riding those roads.

**Charlie41** · 9th November 2008, 22:33

It was an awesome ride. Thank you to everybody involved. Got lost and ended up on a few gravel roads.... I made it back in one piece and the bike survived the gravel (I spent a lot of time cleaning it this morning

)
I met a few KBers and I'm looking forward to the next ride.
RIP Grub

**DougieNZ** · 10th November 2008, 06:54

Yes, it WAS a great ride. About 40-50km of gravel through to Apiti (that wasn't part of the PLAN was it Koro?). So I don't think I followed the entire route correctly (but I wasn't alone in that area!).

But I DID do 47/41 AND the Paekak Hill Rd....

A lot of the road I had never been on. Particularly enjoyed the Fields Track / Parapara's Section and of course the Forgotton World Highway.

I thought hat the use of a lot of back roads made it an interesting challenge. Hardly unexpected given that the organisers are becoming Grand Challenge veterens...

Thanks to John, Steve and your band of helpers that made this a special day.

I was sorry to hear about the loss of Grub.

The only comment I would make to that is as follows.

If one had to chose a day to pass to the next world - to go on a beautiful day made for motorcyclists travelling on a special road for motorcylists with magnificent scenery and great company. If i HAD to go...That would be near the top of my list...

RIP Grub - Stay Strong Nasty

**ZZR1100** · 10th November 2008, 12:56

Hi that was my first attempt at the 1000k ride but unfortunately on Fields Track (by that bridge with the rutts either side) my front wheel grabbed gravel and I downed my bike in a sloping bank (only going about 15kmph) but there was enough damage for me to return to welly with ego more damaged than bike. Thanks to those riders who stopped to help me get started again only to find another rider worse off than I around two more bends. Gee does anyone know how to get fairing parts or a good repairer?? Ahh well will have to sell kidney I guess to get it fixed and back on the road

RIP Brett...didnt know you but we are all from the same breed.

**chanceyy** · 10th November 2008, 14:23

Originally Posted by ZZR1100

Hi that was my first attempt at the 1000k ride but unfortunately on Fields Track (by that bridge with the rutts either side) my front wheel grabbed gravel and I downed my bike in a sloping bank (only going about 15kmph) but there was enough damage for me to return to welly with ego more damaged than bike. Thanks to those riders who stopped to help me get started again only to find another rider worse off than I around two more bends. Gee does anyone know how to get fairing parts or a good repairer?? Ahh well will have to sell kidney I guess to get it fixed and back on the road

RIP Brett...didnt know you but we are all from the same breed.

I wondered where you disappeared too, glad to hear your ok .. crazefox would be the person to talk too down your way

he has quite a few endorsements from other local kb ppl who need his talents

**captain_andrey** · 10th November 2008, 15:02

Great ride, thanks everyone. I also got lost around Apiti and rode past Ashhurst twice (don't ask). The best feeling was once I got used to the gravel and started gaining some speed, got up to 100 on gravel

the rear was all over the place.
It was great fun riding with Charlie41, the two CBRs were eating up the miles and never skipped a beat.
Passing the accident site was a very sinking feeling, RIP Grub.
Cant wait to do another long ride, maybe slightly less technical then this one.

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 10th November 2008, 16:01

In case anyone is interested Brett / Grub's Auckland Funeral details.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=85913

**ZZR1100** · 10th November 2008, 17:50

Originally Posted by chanceyy

I wondered where you disappeared too, glad to hear your ok .. crazefox would be the person to talk too down your way

he has quite a few endorsements from other local kb ppl who need his talents

Thanks for that yeah shit happens just a lapse in concentration is all it took. Found out its $1000 just for one side and $1300 for the front cowling (phew). But looking at 2nd hand parts or a kit......will be back nxt year wiser. Thanks also for the chat and smiles.