Laxed out rides

**wysper** · 21st October 2013, 13:56

Originally Posted by ckai

I know the feeling. When you have a Blue Beast, having to push through the crowds to get to your bike is just one of those things you have to live with.

I had a blue one once, but got sick of pedaling it! Lot less fun without the engine.

**ckai** · 21st October 2013, 14:08

Originally Posted by wysper

I had a blue one once, but got sick of pedaling it! Lot less fun without the engine.

So you'll know what we mean? Crowds gather don't they?

**wysper** · 21st October 2013, 14:11

Originally Posted by ckai

So you'll know what we mean? Crowds gather don't they?

yep, especially with me in lycra.

**Murray** · 22nd October 2013, 10:22

Originally Posted by Murray

If your looking for something to do or watch labour weekend

Hampton Downs - over 250 bikes registered already

http://www.barrysheenetranstasman.co...5-26-27th-2013

Could be a good weekend there - weathers looking so-so

**Geeen** · 22nd October 2013, 15:49

Originally Posted by wysper

yep, especially with me in lycra.

Did you have to..... Hahaha

**carver** · 23rd October 2013, 05:26

Originally Posted by wysper

yep, especially with me in lycra.

keep this thread on track

**mvw** · 24th October 2013, 22:14

Back from a 3-day ride.

Day one was Hamilton - Pirongia - Te Kuiti - Taumaranui - National Park - Waiouru - Feilding - Waipukurau - Maraukakaho. It only really started raining around Taumaranui, but there was a dry patch at the north end of SH54 - that's a fun little bit of road, eh? Conditions from Feilding on ranged from wet and windy to incredibly wet and windy. I learned why not to tuck your jacket cuffs into your gloves. A car slid off the road but nothing too serious. The bike *hummed*.

Day two, Hastings - Napier - Taupo - Rotorua - Ngongotaha - Pyes Pa - Tauranga. Napier had the heaviest rain I have ever ridden through - I would have stopped but it was an expressway and I had serious doubts the driver behind me could even see me. Encountered another accident, this time arriving as car with considerable damage to the front departed at speed and another (presumably less-guilty) party decided that hazard lights made it ok to pull a U-turn without worrying about traffic coming around the corner. Fortunately my pessimistic outlook meant I was not only able to straighten up and come to a near-stop in the shallow stream mislabelled as a "road" in Google maps (Michelin, I want to have your babies) and even managed to sound a warning toot instead of thumbing the indicator cancel as I usually do. Conditions ranged from torrential to merely damp, improving considerably from Taupo on. I learned that there are different degrees of "wet road" and even got pretty used to them. Rattled around Tauranga and up the coast for a little bit.

Day three was basically just straight home. Great to catch up with family and old friends and have some fun on the bike.

**Juniper** · 25th October 2013, 05:32

Originally Posted by mvw

Back from a 3-day ride.

Day one was Hamilton - Pirongia - Te Kuiti - Taumaranui - National Park - Waiouru - Feilding - Waipukurau - Maraukakaho. It only really started raining around Taumaranui, but there was a dry patch at the north end of SH54 - that's a fun little bit of road, eh? Conditions from Feilding on ranged from wet and windy to incredibly wet and windy. I learned why not to tuck your jacket cuffs into your gloves. A car slid off the road but nothing too serious. The bike *hummed*.

Day two, Hastings - Napier - Taupo - Rotorua - Ngongotaha - Pyes Pa - Tauranga. Napier had the heaviest rain I have ever ridden through - I would have stopped but it was an expressway and I had serious doubts the driver behind me could even see me. Encountered another accident, this time arriving as car with considerable damage to the front departed at speed and another (presumably less-guilty) party decided that hazard lights made it ok to pull a U-turn without worrying about traffic coming around the corner. Fortunately my pessimistic outlook meant I was not only able to straighten up and come to a near-stop in the shallow stream mislabelled as a "road" in Google maps (Michelin, I want to have your babies) and even managed to sound a warning toot instead of thumbing the indicator cancel as I usually do. Conditions ranged from torrential to merely damp, improving considerably from Taupo on. I learned that there are different degrees of "wet road" and even got pretty used to them. Rattled around Tauranga and up the coast for a little bit.

Day three was basically just straight home. Great to catch up with family and old friends and have some fun on the bike.

Awesome trip report. Thank you for thàt.
Which do you dislike more : rain or wind?

**BigAl** · 25th October 2013, 07:10

Originally Posted by mvw

Back from a 3-day ride.

Good stuff Mark, the weather has been real changeble eh.

**mvw** · 25th October 2013, 14:59

Originally Posted by Juniper

Which do you dislike more : rain or wind?

I usually dislike wind more (as a daily commuter, I'm kinda used to rain). On this trip the wind was strong but reasonably steady and the debris had already blown away. The wash from oncoming big trucks was worse.

The rain was mostly just uncomfortable (gloves and boots filled up) but from a safety aspect I was most conscious of the reduced visibility. A new Pilot Road 3 on the back last week ... wow ... crazy-good traction in the wet.

Overall, I think the rain made the trip less enjoyable.

**Juniper** · 25th October 2013, 16:52

Originally Posted by mvw

I usually dislike wind more (as a daily commuter, I'm kinda used to rain). On this trip the wind was strong but reasonably steady and the debris had already blown away. The wash from oncoming big trucks was worse.

The rain was mostly just uncomfortable (gloves and boots filled up) but from a safety aspect I was most conscious of the reduced visibility. A new Pilot Road 3 on the back last week ... wow ... crazy-good traction in the wet.

Overall, I think the rain made the trip less enjoyable.

I'm the same with that wind rain commuting part.

Wind really scares the shit out of me. I'll happily be doing 50-70 in a 100 if its sideways wind. Ive often been tempted to stop and just hide behind my bike.

**5150** · 26th October 2013, 06:11

Who is up for a ride to Rags for a coffee before lunch today?

**bones135** · 26th October 2013, 06:16

Originally Posted by 5150

Who is up for a ride to Rags for a coffee before lunch today?

Awesome day for a pootle, would love to but got too much happening here. Next time maybe

**Murray** · 27th October 2013, 16:13

What a weekend!! 100+ Mustangs staying with us at work - a couple of long days and looking forward to a beer sometime after 7.30 tonight.

Since tomorrow is the only day off over this long weekend me and trina and our chef on his wee 150 think a cruise (I mean cruise) out to Raglan tomorrow morning for coffee is in order. Leaving the Kingsgate Hotel carpark at 10.30ish

If you feel the need please feel free to join us, forecast looks OK maybe a shower but not much to worry about.

Might see Trina in her new leathers

Need to get out

**arcane12** · 27th October 2013, 22:17

Originally Posted by Murray

What a weekend!! 100+ Mustangs staying with us at work - a couple of long days and looking forward to a beer sometime after 7.30 tonight.

Since tomorrow is the only day off over this long weekend me and trina and our chef on his wee 150 think a cruise (I mean cruise) out to Raglan tomorrow morning for coffee is in order. Leaving the Kingsgate Hotel carpark at 10.30ish

If you feel the need please feel free to join us, forecast looks OK maybe a shower but not much to worry about.

Might see Trina in her new leathers

Need to get out

Next time (maybe, that time of the year methinks). Up in Auckland tomorrow. I am looking foward to a good chance to get onto the bike again.