2008 c1kc

[KoroJ]

My ride report / Blog is here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...9500&entry=527

As usual it's a bit of a saga but I tried to keep it short.

I was enjoying the ride until the worst happened with Grub offing and it's taken a couple of days of reflection on the events to get round to this.

I must say, the emergency crew were awesome....but the 111 system absolutely sucks.

By the time I got to a phone in Tahora, the call had been made but the location was noted as Douglas (about 10Km from Stratford), and hence why Hitcher reported seeing an ambulance heading in from Stratford. The helicopter flew to Douglas then followed the road to the Tangarakau Gorge, nearly giving it away at that point (and who could blame them) but to their credit, they continued on to find our man.

When the lady I reached was on the phone, she reported the accident was on SH53 about 3 to 5 Km East of the Tangarakau Gorge (as I had instructed her). The response was, "What street is that on" and my lady said "It's not on a street, it's SH53 etc, etc"

Apparently they can't function without a standard address....bloody frustrating and bloody pathetic. I don't know why the operators in Wellington can't just patch the call through to the people who will attend the call.

I'll try to post some photos tomorrow.

Thanks to all who rode, helped and sponsored. Thanks for the feedback and notes of support I have received and to all who have given their best wishes to Kari at this time. Ride on Grub, haere, haere, haere.

Thanks for your help Nasty, you're a rock and I hope you take some time to lean on others at this time.

[KoroJ]

I didn't take too many pix but here's what I have.

1. Preparing to go at Caltex Rimutaka
2. Morning tea in Taihape
3. Grub & ? heading for Fields Track
4. Steve & Trevor coming out of Waiouru
5. ST & ZZR having a photo break on the Paraparas.
6. Not sure

[KoroJ]

At this point on the Para's, I hit the auto fire and let rip. Unfortunately I didn't switch to Shutter Priority so they're no too sharp.

1. Can't say or I might get a hug.
2. Not sure on lead but Grub and Steve in the rear.
3. Trev, Grub and Steve
4. Trev & Grub
5. Grub & ?
6. Grub & ?

[KoroJ]

And finally:

1. Steve and ? and ??
2. ditto
3. ?
4. Lonely ST on the Tangarakau Gorge

I would appreciate any decent photos anyone else may have taken on the ride.

[banditrider]

I dunno about good, but here they are: http://picasaweb.google.com/andrew.l...al1000KCruise#

Can get them to you in higher res if you want.

[chanceyy]

Post 2 photo 6 = rottiguy ..

post 3 Photo 1 looks similar to my new profile pic - hugs mandatory ..

[chanceyy]

I dunno about good, but here they are: http://picasaweb.google.com/andrew.l...al1000KCruise#

Can get them to you in higher res if you want.

are my speeches that famous Andrew

just noted the titles

[Nasty]

As most of you know Grub and I chat fairly constantly .. and we chatted on this ride, the only thing stopping us at times was the reception - which is why when he came home there are missed calls on his phone. He had a fantastic time .. and he was loving the ride. If and in this case when he died .. he died doing what he loved .. and to tell you the truth - that counts so bloody much it ain't funny!

[rottiguy]

It's really the best any of us could hope to wish for kari, to go out doing what we love. Just such a shame it couldn't last forever.

As most of you know Grub and I chat fairly constantly .. and we chatted on this ride, the only thing stopping us at times was the reception - which is why when he came home there are missed calls on his phone. He had a fantastic time .. and he was loving the ride. If and in this case when he died .. he died doing what he loved .. and to tell you the truth - that counts so bloody much it ain't funny!

[Hitcher]

No photos of the FJR lumbering along? Next year I shall have to remember to pack the camera.

[DougieNZ]

Perhaps the FJR was too far out in front.... much that i hate to admit it...

[banditrider]

No photos of the FJR lumbering along? Next year I shall have to remember to pack the camera.

Was wiping water off my camera when you pulled into Waiouru...

[Gremlin]

I must say, the emergency crew were awesome....but the 111 system absolutely sucks.

Apparently they can't function without a standard address....bloody frustrating and bloody pathetic.

Don't worry, I was first on the scene of a car vs tree, luckily as I was phoning it in (mobile had coverage) the 3rd or 4th person on the scene was a local, and gave me an exact address.

When sitting with one of the cops going through the statement, I plainly heard comms giving out the address as more units were despatched (decent accident), one questioned where it was, and comms said they didn't know either