Mourning the inner biker

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 09:50

So I've been riding for nearly 10 years now. I've written off 3 bikes (4, but technically the guy who stole my bike wrote it off one of the times). Twice was my fault, once was another biker who kindly took me out in a roundabout because he "didn't see me". Plus numerous crashes that resulted in minor damage. I've had a few tickets, been pulled over a bunch of times, been searched, been accused of stealing a bike because it had never been registered in the NZ system and therefore must be stolen

, lost my lic, been to court etc ... I'm sure I've ticked all the road riding boxes in the last 10 years!

All in all I've had a blast with biking. Meet some of my bestest friends through biking (through KB

) and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

I've worked in the industry (and still do) and over the last few years have more and more become un-interested in road riding. I sold my bike in December last year and have found I missed a lot of aspects of riding (mainly the freedom and the speed... and the feeling you just can't explain to non-riders), but have had little interest in buying another road bike. If I do at some point get back into road riding it is certainly not in the fore-seeable future. Not within the next 5 years at least.

And I never gave it too much thought before this morning. And I have realised how sad it makes me feel. But still doesn't change my mind. The interest is gone.

So today I mourn my inner road biker.

But...

I am really keen on off-road riding and once I finish traveling and settle down for a year or so before heading overseas I might just buy myself a new toy

So the road rider is gone, but a dirt devil may be born!

**Maha** · 30th July 2011, 09:53

Most men love a dirty girl....

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 10:06

Originally Posted by Maha

Most men love a dirty girl....

lol I want a girl that likes a dirty girl!

**pzkpfw** · 30th July 2011, 10:16

Most men love that too...

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 10:41

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Most men love that too...

lol yes this is true

**007XX** · 30th July 2011, 12:24

Nothing wrong with the dirt eh...

If you ever get the opportunity, there are some awesome (and I do mean awesome) rides being organised around Taihape. I know it's a different island to yours and such, but the King's country is well worth the effort.

The first ride I ever went to was organised by the Taihape Honda dealership... 120kms around the private farmers' stations and I honestly fell in love with that place and the people there.
Their hospitality and kindness was just humbling, and I often miss the experience.

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 13:32

Originally Posted by 007XX

Nothing wrong with the dirt eh...

If you ever get the opportunity, there are some awesome (and I do mean awesome) rides being organised around Taihape. I know it's a different island to yours and such, but the King's country is well worth the effort.

The first ride I ever went to was organised by the Taihape Honda dealership... 120kms around the private farmers' stations and I honestly fell in love with that place and the people there.
Their hospitality and kindness was just humbling, and I often miss the experience.

Sounds cool, will be back in the NI from October, so might check that out!

**HenryDorsetCase** · 30th July 2011, 13:38

I know what you're saying: my re-interest in road riding sort of rekindled when I discovered track days: I just dont go hard on the road anymore, and am a much more relaxed and happy rider because of it.

Of course I did just buy a Street Triple, so we'll see how that goes.

**short-circuit** · 30th July 2011, 14:07

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

Of course I did just buy a Street Triple, so we'll see how that goes.

Basically you're fucked bro - back to misbehaving again

**FJRider** · 30th July 2011, 14:25

Originally Posted by 007XX

Nothing wrong with the dirt eh...

If you ever get the opportunity, there are some awesome (and I do mean awesome) rides being organised around Taihape. I know it's a different island to yours and such, but the King's country is well worth the effort.

There are TOTALLY awesome places to play in the dirt in the Queenstown area ... Off road tours there can supply bikes or guide you with a tour ... Go talk to them ... ( Lower Shotover st. I think)

Skippers Canyon is my favourite ..... into the Branches station ... (permission required past their gate)

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 14:40

Originally Posted by FJRider

There are TOTALLY awesome places to play in the dirt in the Queenstown area ... Off road tours there can supply bikes or guide you with a tour ... Go talk to them ... ( Lower Shotover st. I think)

Skippers Canyon is my favourite ..... into the Branches station ... (permission required past their gate)

Yup aware of them... I work at Queenstown Motorcycles so know all the bike related tour businesses in the Central Otago region. I wouldn't mind doing enduro/trail type riding, but am mainly interested in mx.

**placidfemme** · 30th July 2011, 14:42

oh and if you are still searching for the perfect flat white, next time you are in Queenstown pop into the shop and try one of our cafe's flat whites! (850cc cafe)

**FJRider** · 30th July 2011, 14:50

Originally Posted by placidfemme

oh and if you are still searching for the perfect flat white, next time you are in Queenstown pop into the shop and try one of our cafe's flat whites! (850cc cafe)

Still searching ... yes ... I will do that very soon .... I'll bring the camera too.