Sutherlands Hut & beyond Sat 28th Feb

**Aslan** · 22nd February 2009, 11:50

you guys obviously had a top day - I salute you all for attempting that steep / rocky climb - especially AndyMac on the T/A - goes to show it's not about the bike but rider attitude and skill - on ya! cheers Aslan

**andy mac** · 22nd February 2009, 14:18

Thanks for the compliments, yes I was absolutely stoked to get up that hill (& down again) without dropping the bike

However I think it was a bit of beginners luck and a lot of Transalp torque. The motor pulls like a tractor which compensates for the odd wrong line and the engine braking is impressive too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooneyr
harlyesk engined adv tourer?

Harley/Buell are reknowned for low rpm grunt, sounds to me like a good recipe for an adv tourer. Buells are fairly innovative, and the 1125 is the new generation powerplant and pretty well respected.

Thanks Bart for the photos, we will get some shots of you on the RRRR.
I take my hat off to Paladin for getting up that hill, he's a noobie rider but veteran bloger.

Joe thanks for the ride & no I don't want to do it again - either direction. My forearms are still pumped today from hanging on so tight.

**junkmanjoe** · 22nd February 2009, 15:51

sweet andymac, pleased you enjoyed your casual ride in the rapa..... maybe next time we could do a harder ride some tme.......

**dirty habit** · 22nd February 2009, 16:37

Any deer seen out there boys??

**junkmanjoe** · 22nd February 2009, 17:24

yea mate andymac saw a fawn and i have come across hunters in my trips in there with captian cookers as well mate.
is a busy spot for hunting.
good luck.

**bart** · 22nd February 2009, 17:26

Originally Posted by dirty habit

Any deer seen out there boys??

Not a shit show with the noise my thing makes (unless Bamby's deaf).

**Box'a'bits** · 22nd February 2009, 19:44

The monkey bikes can't have done the incline. Saw them on the Rimutakas about midday today. Bloody windy up there & out in the Wairarapa this arvo. Steve

**junkmanjoe** · 22nd February 2009, 20:28

oh they told us they where goig over there.

mybe they got caught, in there.

funny little bikes,must be scarry rideing them on the main road..

**Paladin** · 23rd February 2009, 14:28

Bart thanks for taking the photos on the ride, nice of you to take the time when us three lazy buggers just rode along! Enjoyed being out there with the three of you - very challenging in parts - jeez those steep hills with all the loose rocks were tough- I'm SO glad I didn't even attempt the final one that defeated Joe & Bart!

Dunno exactly what happened with the crash thing - had just been stung on the nose by a bee about a minute before hand so guess my concentration was a bit off after that or something, all i know was before i realised it my line was all off on the right hander and the front wheel was out from under me in the gravel at the road edge.

My left thumb that was hurting so badly after the crash, was swollen up and very painful by sunday morning. Spent 4hrs in Hutt hospital getting it checked out/ x-ray etc. No fracture but apparently well sprained, they strapped it up to stop me bending it for a few days, said it probably be ok in a week or so! Got up this morning and it was swollen all to hell, wasn't sure if a problem or just strapping too tight; another trip to LH hospital for 2 more hours! Saw an injuries specialist who said the sprain to the ligaments was actually worse than I was initially led to believe and probably min 2-3 weeks before it starts to feel right and good enough to ride comfortably - bummer! He told me if I wipeout and pull that thumb back before it is strengthened up some then it could end up being ligament tears next time as its now so weak.

Just call me "Charley"!!!

So anyway thats the sob story over, just gonna try and rest it as much as poss in hope of it being OK for the RRRR as we're not doing any mega offroad trails on that one - fingers crossed!

Thanks to Andy & Joe for the assistance on the steep hill sections, cheers guys; man what a day!

Joe next time could you make the "easy ride" a bit harder, don't think it was tough enough!

**Aslan** · 23rd February 2009, 16:01

Dave - sorry to learn of the injury - bummer - best you take the medicos advice and up to avoid long term damage i guess - heal well - ciao Aslan

**junkmanjoe** · 23rd February 2009, 16:29

think i better get out them old training wheels of my boys bike and fit them on the mean green machine....

sounds like a plan...

**marks** · 23rd February 2009, 18:08

Originally Posted by Paladin

Just call me "Charley"!!!

you're a right Charley
or in this case a left Charley

looks like Oldins Rd will have to wait till you're all betterer

**bart** · 23rd February 2009, 18:43

Sorry to hear about the hand Paladin. Now I feel real bad about taking that photo. Hope it's alright for the RRRR.

Finally back in the good books with the missus

, so where too next weekend

. Most of the problem was her having to come pick me up from the SCAR. She wasn't too happy.

Anyway, all good.