Commuting observations

**Bass** · 21st January 2009, 08:02

On fine summer days, instead of the car, I sometimes use the Trumpy to get to work. The DR, with its light front end, upright seating and wide bars is much more nimble and still has enough grunt to allow me to place myself where I want to go. So it is by far the better commuter, but the knobblies last no time at all on the seal (about 2800 km for the rear). Hence, I use the Triumph.
Some days, it's interesting what you see.
This morning, coming up the hill from Takanini to Manurewa, as we passed under the Alfriston Road overbridge, I glanced into the Honda people carrier to my left. Now, I usually see at least one person per trip, texting while driving, but the petite Asian lady driving the Honda wins the trophy. Her left hand was holding the steering wheel and also a bowl of cornflakes and milk with a spoon resting in it.
Now there's manual dexterity for you!
Calmly having her breakfast on the way to work.
Not unusual I grant you, but cornflakes????
About 300 meters further on, a GSXXR with a loud exhaust rolls down the Manurewa on ramp. Now I'm not a fan of loud exhausts on the street, despite a lengthy racing background. I've just never seen the point, but I have to admit this one sounded sweet. The bike was piloted by a lass with a superb arse, wearing a pink helmet, a riding jacket, some nicely tailored work trousers and some VERY pointy-toed stiletto-heeled boots. She overtook me and creating her own lane, moved away from me up the motorway.
I offer no opinion on the need to lane split when the traffic is moving at or near 100 kph. Personally, I don't do it.
I also offer no opinion on her choice of riding clothing, but I wondered what she thought about it when she got a bit distracted about 4 cars in front of me and had to dodge hard to avoid smearing herself across the left rear corner of a brown Mitsubishi.
Good countersteering skills but! In fact, skills wise, pretty competent generally I thought - not that I am any great judge.
Just to reinforce any misgivings I may have had, I drew up alongside her at the lights at the top of the Highbrook offramp, so she had gained nothing in terms of time. We exchanged the obligatory biker nods and the thought went through my mind that she was strikingly attractive and I hoped nothing bad interfered with her riding.
Pretty average commute really.

**vifferman** · 21st January 2009, 08:20

Wrong thread title, Mr Bass.
You should've called it "The Wacky Races, Episode III: Bass Communts by Bike".

**BOGAR** · 21st January 2009, 09:50

On days like today when I take the bike, I just feel like I should keep on riding. But then I have some great back roads (still state highway)to get to work and only the odd slow truck up the hill to get past. Had a great ride to work myself. I don't think I could live in D'Auckland and commute. I hope your ride home is un-eventful.

**Ixion** · 21st January 2009, 09:55

Originally Posted by Bass

On fine summer days, instead of the car, I sometimes use the Trumpy to get to work. ..

Shame on you

**Bass** · 21st January 2009, 10:02

Originally Posted by Ixion

Shame on you

Yeah, I know, but it's a toy for me, not a tool and so I prefer to save it for playing rather than work.

**Swoop** · 21st January 2009, 12:58

Originally Posted by Ixion

Shame on you

Burn him!!!

**ElCoyote** · 21st January 2009, 14:10

This is really FatMax using a alias n'est ce pas?

**1vanvan1** · 21st January 2009, 14:31

Originally Posted by Bass

On fine summer days, instead of the car, I sometimes use the Trumpy to get to work. The DR, with its light front end, upright seating and wide bars is much more nimble and still has enough grunt to allow me to place myself where I want to go. So it is by far the better commuter, but the knobblies last no time at all on the seal (about 2800 km for the rear). Hence, I use the Triumph.
Some days, it's interesting what you see.
This morning, coming up the hill from Takanini to Manurewa, as we passed under the Alfriston Road overbridge, I glanced into the Honda people carrier to my left. Now, I usually see at least one person per trip, texting while driving, but the petite Asian lady driving the Honda wins the trophy. Her left hand was holding the steering wheel and also a bowl of cornflakes and milk with a spoon resting in it.
Now there's manual dexterity for you!
Calmly having her breakfast on the way to work.
Not unusual I grant you, but cornflakes????
About 300 meters further on, a GSXXR with a loud exhaust rolls down the Manurewa on ramp. Now I'm not a fan of loud exhausts on the street, despite a lengthy racing background. I've just never seen the point, but I have to admit this one sounded sweet. The bike was piloted by a lass with a superb arse, wearing a pink helmet, a riding jacket, some nicely tailored work trousers and some VERY pointy-toed stiletto-heeled boots. She overtook me and creating her own lane, moved away from me up the motorway.
I offer no opinion on the need to lane split when the traffic is moving at or near 100 kph. Personally, I don't do it.
I also offer no opinion on her choice of riding clothing, but I wondered what she thought about it when she got a bit distracted about 4 cars in front of me and had to dodge hard to avoid smearing herself across the left rear corner of a brown Mitsubishi.
Good countersteering skills but! In fact, skills wise, pretty competent generally I thought - not that I am any great judge.
Just to reinforce any misgivings I may have had, I drew up alongside her at the lights at the top of the Highbrook offramp, so she had gained nothing in terms of time. We exchanged the obligatory biker nods and the thought went through my mind that she was strikingly attractive and I hoped nothing bad interfered with her riding.
Pretty average commute really.

For a minute there I thought you were going to tell us that the load exhaust gixer zoomed past the honda people carrier and scared the asain who spilt her cerel everywhere! Now that would have been a story!

**musicman** · 21st January 2009, 15:57

Originally Posted by 1vanvan1

For a minute there I thought you were going to tell us that the load exhaust gixer zoomed past the honda people carrier and scared the asain who spilt her cerel everywhere! Now that would have been a story!

That was exactly what I was thinking when I was reading it!

**Swoop** · 21st January 2009, 16:21

Originally Posted by 1vanvan1

the ... people carrier

"The vehicle for people who have lost hope." - Johnny Vegas.

**Bass** · 22nd January 2009, 08:16

Originally Posted by 1vanvan1

For a minute there I thought you were going to tell us that the load exhaust gixer zoomed past the honda people carrier and scared the asain who spilt her cerel everywhere! Now that would have been a story!

That would really have been poetic justice in a manner of speaking because the lady on the bike was Asian too.
I didn't mention it before because it was irrelevant then.