Dunedin rides

**botb** · 3rd June 2007, 13:57

Originally Posted by Silverfern

I'm the first rider back from the Brass, didn't get past Outram, hands soaking wet, couldn't see out of visor (with it up I was pierced by needle-like rain, down and I fogged up), feet and hands frozen, daughter on back frozen (in spite of us looking like the Michelin women) so made the reluctant decision to turn back at 11 am due only to the weather. I'm sure the ones who made it up earlier in the morning are having a great time, good on you guys. I hope the KB'ers I talked to at Shell at 9.30 made it okay too. Looking forward to pics and stories

O bugger eh shit you didn't get far at all o well next year eh

**cold comfort** · 3rd June 2007, 17:46

As one of the intrepid (though small) group from the Shell station it will come as no surprise we all had seriously wet arses. The sight of several hundred sodden bikers steaming in front of the bonfire will live in my memories of the event.
On cue (after clearing) it then froze-excellent! Overall the sort of event all masochists could wish for. A great event, good company and another badge. Many thanks againto Delphinius who,bikeless, nobly carried the necessities of lfe in his car.

**Ruralman** · 3rd June 2007, 21:18

Originally Posted by cold comfort

As one of the intrepid (though small) group from the Shell station it will come as no surprise we all had seriously wet arses. The sight of several hundred sodden bikers steaming in front of the bonfire will live in my memories of the event.
On cue (after clearing) it then froze-excellent! Overall the sort of event all masochists could wish for. A great event, good company and another badge. Many thanks againto Delphinius who,bikeless, nobly carried the necessities of lfe in his car.

It all went to show that the old Billy Connelly quote - "theres no such thing as bad motorcycling days - just bad choice of clothing" - holds very true.
We went through torrential rain, mist , and for a change, light rain on the adventure ride to the Brass but with a rainsuit over my riding gear everything stayed dry.
This rally will always be about the experience in sometimes marginal conditions - I mean why else would you stay in a tent on a wind swept hill in Central Otago in the middle of winter????? It was a really good gathering for those who could get there - one thing noted by many - hardly any Harleys there???!!! I wonder why???? Do they rust in the rain????

**botb** · 3rd June 2007, 22:44

See the thing with Harleys is RM...... they command respect and not many Harleys owners are willing to let their 20 odd thou baby freeze in the snow lol......

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 4th June 2007, 10:18

The old VTR needed a bit of a helping hand to start in the morning.... The Brass monkey... well I have now crossed it off my to do list weather I will go again is well lets say open...

**Ruralman** · 4th June 2007, 11:52

Originally Posted by botb

See the thing with Harleys is RM...... they command respect and not many Harleys owners are willing to let their 20 odd thou baby freeze in the snow lol......

Alternatively they could all be a bunch of soft cocks???????

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 4th June 2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Alternatively they could all be a bunch of soft cocks???????

I wouldn't really know about that... but they seem to be wimps and not that tough as the image they try and potray

**oldrider** · 4th June 2007, 15:46

Every body bags Harley riders but my experience has been that they wave and acknowledge you on the road and are generally more friendly at fuel stops etc.

I have had more offers of assistance from them than any other group.

Maybe I look like I need more assistance than most!

Some of my best friends are Harley riders! (Heard that anywhere before!!!!)

I find some other rider groups seem to be right up themselves far more than Harley riders but then to say so would just be as bad as bagging Harleys.

John.

**Kemet** · 4th June 2007, 16:12

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

The old VTR needed a bit of a helping hand to start in the morning.... The Brass monkey... well I have now crossed it off my to do list weather I will go again is well lets say open...

"Strange" how some managed to start their bikes at all hours of the night though.... Don't know what was worse... that or the snoring? I'm sure the snoring could be heard back in the village down the road... YIKES

Was it just me or did the

olice: not show us any "respect"? I only saw the one

olice: car right outside Ranfurly.....

Should I/We feel insulted??

**cold comfort** · 4th June 2007, 17:17

Fair comment from Older Rider-fun to bag Harley riders though. Always giving my brother stick-in turn he hopes i will get a "real bike"!. Passed a few on the way home (seem to do that) and did not miss the absence of the constabulary for a minute

**Midnight Special** · 4th June 2007, 22:50

doese rideing in the rain wind cold and ice make you tough guess im a soft cock then cause i dont like being cold at all brrrrrrrrr or the thought of dropping my bike harley or yammy

**Virago** · 4th June 2007, 23:09

Originally Posted by Midnight Special

does riding in the rain wind cold and ice make you tough.......

Nah, it's a bit like smashing your head against a brick wall - the only good thing about it is that it feels good when you stop. There's a fine line between perceived toughness and obvious stupidity, and it's often hard to tell the difference....

Never understood the whole "you're only a true biker if you ride in the cold and rain" mentality.

**scumdog** · 5th June 2007, 08:45

Originally Posted by Ruralman

Alternatively they could all be a bunch of soft cocks???????

The Deep South HOG Chapter held its 15th Ann. 'do' at Omarama only a week or so before, almost 200 bikes there so I guess a lot of Harley owners 'used-up' their riding time and money going to that.

I was off to Southland Rodders 40th Ann. rod-run in my 'lorry' this last weekend, living inside and driving a (mostly) warm cage, a few other HD owning rodders there too.

It drizzled heavily in Invercargill on Sat and Sunday morning but we cruised to Te Anau via Tuatapere and Manapouri in the afternoon, great weather then - and great scenery too, a 'must-do' ride for this summer. (and the road had enough twists&turns&hills to keep it from being boring.)

**oldrider** · 5th June 2007, 09:13

Originally Posted by Virago

Nah, it's a bit like smashing your head against a brick wall - the only good thing about it is that it feels good when you stop. There's a fine line between perceived toughness and obvious stupidity, and it's often hard to tell the difference....

Never understood the whole "you're only a true biker if you ride in the cold and rain" mentality.

I really enjoy riding in the rain and other inclement weather as long as I am not personally wet and cold.

Conditions add different dimentions to the enjoyment of the ride. (IMHO)

The answer is in the quality of your apparel and I do not associate riding in any conditions as being tough or otherwise!

I just really enjoy riding my bike.

Of all the conditions I think riding in the wind is probably the least rewarding.

John.

**Ruralman** · 5th June 2007, 09:18

Originally Posted by scumdog

The Deep South HOG Chapter held its 15th Ann. 'do' at Omarama only a week or so before, almost 200 bikes there so I guess a lot of Harley owners 'used-up' their riding time and money going to that.

I was off to Southland Rodders 40th Ann. rod-run in my 'lorry' this last weekend, living inside and driving a (mostly) warm cage, a few other HD owning rodders there too.

It drizzled heavily in Invercargill on Sat and Sunday morning but we cruised to Te Anau via Tuatapere and Manapouri in the afternoon, great weather then - and great scenery too, a 'must-do' ride for this summer. (and the road had enough twists&turns&hills to keep it from being boring.)

So it takes a comment like that to get you back here does it????. Sounds like you had a great weekend and I know what you mean in regards limiting how many of these things you can go to.
In all honesty I wouldn't have wanted to ride a Harley, any other sort of cruiser or any bike that puts you in a great "weather Catching riding position" on Saturday - it was pretty awful. The ride home on Sunday however was really nice.
That backroad to Manapouri is a beaut - if we had a group we could book Borland Lodge for a night (or 2) for a relatively cheap getaway weekend - its only a few km off that main route. I think one of your old local colleagues (careful choice of words here) runs the place now.
There was a big car convention thing in Alexandra when we came home from the Brass on Sunday - possibly Fords as thats all I saw - they were spread out on the big Park in the middle of Alex, obviously on show.