To ride, or not to ride...

**Donor** · 28th April 2007, 00:32

Alrighty, I got a phone call from my brother this morning, telling me that my services are required to be crew chief for his race car the weekend of 4/5/6 May.

Problem is, I have me 6R test on the 4th, so I'd have to sit that then head off to the track straight afterwards.

This is at Manfield.

So, do I ride, or do I cage?

I've had a FEW long rides, but never solo to this degree, but would like to see if I am up to the it. However, the lazy bastard in me says I should play it safe and cage it.

So, thoughts/opinions here folks, I have had my 6L for 6 months, I have been riding for 6 months, and have travelled uneventfully for several thousand kilometres...

For those that were once as green as me - how bad/good is the ride from South Auckland to Palmy?

(Anyone fancy coming down?? Can't do anything to help with accommodation, but there may be a nutter out there looking for a greenie to babysit...)

Thoughts and opinions, tips/hints appreciated!

**Whynot** · 28th April 2007, 00:38

ride

long trips are a good way to learn, just take frequent stops to avoid aches/getting tired.

**Ixion** · 28th April 2007, 00:52

What an absurd question. You see what has happened, now that you have abandoned the so-excellent two smoker. Deprived of the beneficial smoke, your brain has started to rot.

Why would anyone with an unrotted brain choose , voluntarily, to cage? Caging is something that must sometimes , reluctantly, be undertaken, when large objects, wives etc must be transported.

In the absence of such necessity, the question is akin to such as "Should I have a speights ? : or: cut off my dick with a blunt sea shell, and pickle it in aspic?" Do you really need a poll to tell you the right, indeed, the only answer?

If you are concerned at the length of the journay, ask Mr Joe if you can borrow back Daisy for the trip. Under the balmy and soothing effect of the smoke, you will not even notice the journey. In fact, it will appear to you that you have arrived before you set out.

**yod** · 28th April 2007, 00:53

it's 550km to palmy, a little less to feilding so with stops you probably looking at 6+ hours (depends on your riding style)
if you're on the main road it's pretty easy riding, the good thing about doing a longer haul like that is you can get into a real groove - it's all experience in the end
i'd make a stop in tokoroa and then again in turangi perhaps? (or even more often)
i'd definitely check the forecast tho...the odd shower is no worries but you dont wanna be doing the vast majority of it in the pissing rain...

**Kwaka14** · 28th April 2007, 00:58

It's a big trip if you've only been riding for 6 months, but defiitely doable... I've done it a few times and pit crewed for a TQ at speedway with no issues and it's all easy the whole way.... only you can answer that really...

**Donor** · 28th April 2007, 01:00

Originally Posted by Ixion

What an absurd question. You see what has happened, now that you have abandoned the so-excellent two smoker. Deprived of the beneficial smoke, your brain has started to rot.

That rotten sod has told you about the RZ I may or may not have been subtly admiring (drooling) over on Tardme hasn't he??!

Curses and naughty words!

However, on a more serious note...

I don't doubt my riding skills... it more my riding ability I am calling into question... though I know it sounds one in the same, to my fuzzy logic, there is a subtle difference...

The of course there is the small matter of the fact that I have pretty much no bloody idea hot to get to Palmy...

**Ixion** · 28th April 2007, 01:00

Originally Posted by yod

,,
i'd definitely check the forecast tho...the odd shower is no worries but you dont wanna be doing the vast majority of it in the pissing rain...

Why not? And even if one did nae wanna, a little bit of water is better than being stuck in a cage (and they're a poain in the wet , too, so what have you gained?)

**Whynot** · 28th April 2007, 01:00

Originally Posted by Ixion

when large objects like wives etc must be transported.

thats what i read the first time ...

**yod** · 28th April 2007, 01:04

Originally Posted by Donor

The of course there is the small matter of the fact that I have pretty much no bloody idea hot to get to Palmy...

get on the southern motorway and keep going til you see the sign that says palmy - you'll be about 15 minutes away....highway 1 all the way...nice roads round the lake and some good parts in the desert road area too

**Ixion** · 28th April 2007, 01:04

Originally Posted by Donor

,,,
The of course there is the small matter of the fact that I have pretty much no bloody idea hot to get to Palmy...

You go south. For about 5 hours. And bend just a bit to the right. You can't miss it. Very flat. With distant sounds of banjoes. If you hit water, and a lot of hot air, you've gone to far, that's Wellington, just turn round and go back a twindle or two.

**yod** · 28th April 2007, 01:06

Originally Posted by Ixion

With distant sounds of banjoes.

you taking the piss out of palmerstonians??

**Ixion** · 28th April 2007, 01:15

No indeed. I am entirely happy that Palmerstonians should remain full of piss.

**Steam** · 28th April 2007, 01:46

Meh, I rode Auckland to Wellington on my GN250 the day after I got my learner's license and I'd never ridden a bike before.
Foolish perhaps but a hell of a lot of fun. You can read about it here.
That was my first ever post on KB too. Oh how the year has flown!
You must ride. You are a good keen man. And a donor, should all go horribly wrong.

**McJim** · 28th April 2007, 02:44

Donor. If you can deal with the mind buggering boredom that is the job you are currently leaving then you will have no problem in getting from South Auckland to Palmerston North. especially if you pass your test and can therefore achieve the dizzy heights of 100kph on the way....legally...