A time for reflection.
If you don't like sappy junk, avoid this like the plague.
So, after I received my full license last week, I started thinking back to the last 13 hectic months, and the beginning of my biking career.
I first joined KB in September '07, after lurking for a while, and obtaining my beast. Didn't have a clue about anything biking related. I couldn't tell you the difference between a GN and a GSX-R. My how everything has changed.
I want to thank some of the people that I have encountered over the last period, and many of you have changed the way that I have experienced this whole new world.
325rocket was the first KBer I met, when I asked for some help with a rear fender-ectomy on my new toy. Awesome dude, and I was completely taken aback by a complete stranger inviting me into his home, sharing his tools, and pretty much helping me for no reason other than being a good bastard.
Met Weaver at the Wellington Toy Run, and was amazed at the enormous Optimus Prime toy that he managed to strap to his back, and ride with all day. Later that day, went for a ride with a new mate, and met chanceyy on Paekok hill.
Used to love taking the long way home via Rimutaka Hill/Paekok Hill/Makara Hill. My 5 minute commute used to take about an hour and a half.
Moved to Auckland in the middle of this year, and knew absolutely no-one. The bike was the key to me meeting new people, and making new friends. Within a month, I'd done the ATNR, got hopelessly lost, and ended up in Wellsford. Haven't gone back yet. still need more skills yet.
Started going to the AWNMR, met heaps of new faces, many of which have turned into mates. Candle, Nagash, Fizbin, Qkchk, Tank, Toto, Big Dog, Fireball, The Hovel, EJK. All amazing people willing to put in their time, and effort, and no cost, in trying to impart some wisdom. Borrowed stuff from GI Joe.
Awesome community this biking thing has.
Met a few people who I wish I had a chance to spend a little more time with, Number One, James Deuce. nice to meet you both at Deano's place. Pity I didn't have a chance to say more than two words. Actually, i'm pretty sure Quasi still owes me a set of pants from that opening sale. I remember feeling quite awkward being the JAFA walked into the Wellington launch, late, and won the raffle.
I've also started paying forward that Biker Karma that i've been so fortunate in recieving. Giving away old gear to people, providing a Garage and tools to a few that didn't have access to. I think I had about 6 complete strangers in my Garage over a few months, fixing up small knocks and scrapes. Musicman, Andy R, Fizbin, Nagash.
Meeting jrandom briefly, while holding up Aucland city traffic to load in Kiwifruit's pranged R1 (JR pranged it, not Fruity BTW). Driving it through ti Taupo. Fruity seems like an awesome fellow too, will try to take you up on that Track Day soon too.
Maha & Mom, thank you for involving me in the Westpac fundraiser. I has a bloody good time, even if we got a tad moist.
Quasi, thank you so much for taking the time out of your schedule to help a struggling newbie, and sorting me out with proper gear, at a fraction of the price I was expecting to pay. I can't recommend your gear enough.
My riding has improved most over the last 4 months though, after many rides with Green Bandit, Dark Lord, and YamahaR64Life. All good biking friends, which has translated into a much larger circle of friends. All round good bastards.
I've been trolled into pointless flame wars with dribbling idiots who I would never give the light of day in real life. You know who you are.
Long since stopped caring about the Hyosung threads. I take it like everything else. No matter what I ride, it will always be wrong. Hyosung's fall to pieces, Harley's have Tractor engines, Honda's are gay, Suzuki's have tissue-paper frames, etc. etc. etc.
I've discovered all sorts of new techniques to try, new ways to corner, new ways to approach different types of terrain. Started understanding things like Countersteering.
Discovered how awesome it is being a Marshall at the AMCC. Intend on doing much more of this.
Made stupid comments, thoughtless posts which I ended up regretting, and apologising for. Learned about all sorts of things in life as i've gone.
In short, Thank you KiwiBiker, and all the Good Buggers (tm) that make it up, without you, my first 13 months of motorcycling would have been dramatically different.
-Nick.
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.."What's with all the lights"..officer..
.....bloody sing any song...
Oh bugger
Originally Posted by martybabe
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