2011 South Island KB rally, Paretai, Lees Valley

**Spuds1234** · 14th December 2011, 07:18

Originally Posted by Daffyd

I have to agree. You know the story about falling off a horse.

As far as your riding ability, I thought I would have no trouble keeping up with the sporty, but I had to work hard. First time I have had a powerslide on dry seal. I think a lot of us learnt a few things over the weekend.

I learnt that Takaka hill is great fun and the people that drive over it are courteous and get out of the way promptly. It made a nice change to riding over to Akaroa and having to piss about around the corners because some muppet wont get out of the way.

Had a great weekend, nice to meet new faces and catch up with old ones.

Genie you organized one hell of a rally, you should be proud.

**NordieBoy** · 14th December 2011, 07:36

Originally Posted by Daffyd

I have to agree. You know the story about falling off a horse.

Once you've fallen off, you never forget how?

**Mr Triple** · 14th December 2011, 10:21

Sorry to hear about your off Normajean, I know your feelings. Like the others said you just got to get back on.
Only been 3 or 4 weeks since I through mine away and last weekend was the first time back on and I loved it.

Thanks for a great effort Genie you did an awesome job, and was funny to meet you when sooooooo
Pissed lol
I had an fantastic weekend and look forward to the next one!
I've got some pics that I will put up later.

**FJRider** · 14th December 2011, 10:52

Originally Posted by normajeane

Well I am home now and I MAY ride again, BUT I will not be going near any wet railway lines for a very long time!
Bumps and bruises, torn wet weather gear, P'd off and angry with myself.
I soooo enjoyed my ride to Takaka and the trip up to and from the KB get together!
I should NOT forget that!

The TWO road/rail bridges in the area (the other is just north of Hokitika) have caught a few bikers over the years (some even in the DRY) ... the Greymouth one the most, due to sheer traffic volume more than any other reason. So you are not the first, nor the last ... (if it's any consolation) Well done for getting back on. If you hadn't ... you may not have ever again.

The trick to crossing THOSE bridges is (as both bridges exit off, is the OPPOSITE side to ENTRY) cross the lines PRIOR to the bridge, thus you are set up for exit with no lines to cross.

The usual actual cause of the off's at these bridges is, both front AND rear tyres hit the rails at the SAME time. One tyre sliding can be handled (sometimes) ... but TWO ... in the wet ... at a slow speed ... when its not expected ... Difficult ... at best.

As others have said ... I (we ALL) are glad you are ok ... and you did well to do (FINISH) the trip. And WEST COAST rain is not to be taken lightly ... Arthurs in the wet can get "bad"...

**SVboy** · 14th December 2011, 13:20

Just one road rail bridge left now[thank god/dog -taxpayer] The One north of Hokie is now two new nice flash bridges! Sorry to hear about your off NJ. When we were following you out of Murchie, your riding was confident and smooth-keep it up. Bit dissapointed Scummie didnt throw himself under the bike to protect you first and the bike second!!

**NordieBoy** · 14th December 2011, 16:29

Originally Posted by FJRider

The trick to crossing THOSE bridges is (as both bridges exit off, is the OPPOSITE side to ENTRY) cross the lines PRIOR to the bridge, thus you are set up for exit with no lines to cross.

Do it on a pushbike with 18mm tyres some time...

**FJRider** · 14th December 2011, 16:57

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Do it on a pushbike with 18mm tyres some time...

Thank you ... NO ... !!!

**scumdog** · 14th December 2011, 18:17

The girl has some interesting bruise patterns now...

And the bike ain't so flash looking now it's washed.
But thanks for all the supportive comment - normajeane is off at work (12-hour night shift..

) so isn't here to say that herself.

Anyway, I think the problem started when normajeane couldn't see clear to the far end of the bridge as we waited to cross - and while moving to where she could see to the end of the bridge she unintentionally crossed the right-hand railway track as mentioned.

And rather than hold up things while she manouevred back to the centre of the bridge she decided to cross on the right 'lane'.

As the bridge had been clad in plywood screening while the worked on it the impression was the right lane was real narrow with the cladding appearing like it was just beside normajeanes right elbow.

This caused her to gradually veer left without realising it while she was checking out the far end of the bridge for her exit.

And as we all know she and the bike slid down the road...

So as mentioned I patched up things a bit and she managed to use the mangled gear lever with a lot of difficulty and a lot of damage to the inside of her left boot due to the jagged edge on the lever stub.

But we stopped at High Country Motorcycles near Fairlie and as luck would have it the nice dude there had a good shift-lever so ten minutes later we were away smiling and on to Tekapo for a soak in the hot pools.

Next day was an awsome hot calm sunny day for the whole trip home, a nice finish to our trip.

So now shopping for indicators, a mirror, a paint touch up on the front guard - all easy stuff.

Tougher is getting the ding in the petrol tank fixed and sorting out the damaged speedo housing and mounting.

But all-in-all we had a blast at Lee Valley (glad we're not there now!) and the ride to and from there plus 'socialising' with all you fine people.

**NordieBoy** · 14th December 2011, 18:59

Originally Posted by FJRider

Thank you ... NO ... !!!

That's what I said after too.

Rode from the Greymouth street races to Hoki with a backpack full of camera equipment.

Couldn't walk straight for a week.

**FJRider** · 14th December 2011, 19:05

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

That's what I said after too.

Rode from the Greymouth street races to Hoki with a backpack full of camera equipment.

Pretty much ALL downhill ... the bend on the Hoki' side of Kumara junction you'd almost get a knee down ...

**dangerous** · 14th December 2011, 19:24

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Dropped a TKC80 off yesterday, hope someone takes it away...

some how It found its way into my truck... HOWEVER, if not picked up soon it will be put out with the trash... worn old ring that it is.

Originally Posted by SVboy

Just one road rail bridge left now[thank god/dog -taxpayer] The One north of Hokie is now two new nice flash bridges!!!

partuie... I like the old road rail bridges like sedens, so cool Ya know you are on the coast when ya see one, sad that they are going.

**Hinny** · 14th December 2011, 19:33

Originally Posted by scumdog

The girl has some interesting bruise patterns now...

But all-in-all we had a blast at Lee Valley (glad we're not there now!) and the ride to and from there plus 'socialising' with all you fine people.

I feel for you both. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for Norma Jean and I hope the pain in the back pocket isn't too bad for you. Recovery time is often unpleasant.

Nice to see you positive and philosophical about your weekend experience.

Once more I read about the South Island rally and get maudlin that I missed it. Couldn't have got much closer for me this year. I can allow that you had fun on my behalf. Thanks.

**Retroqueen** · 14th December 2011, 19:54

Awesome five days of riding!!
Sad to hear of CB's wee tumble but glad she's home safe and sound now. I took a couple of extra days to get home as had another event to take part in on the Monday.
Blargh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! West Coast rain is not nice and I'm just glad I got to ride the Buller in both directions before I got to do it again on the Monday in the pi^*(&^ing rain!!!

Riding home through Arthur's yesterday was as magic as it was when we headed over last Friday.
That Takaka hill is magic but hardwork!! Awesome to get as far as the road would take us along Farewell spit!! Magic view and lovely wee piece of road.
Past a few milestones on the weekend.
Made it BACK to camp this year and past the full year milestone and seeing as I have clocked up 11,000k's since I bought the new bike in April I think its safe to say getting back on the steel horse was the best thing to do.

So Normjeane you will when the time it right.

Great to have a new norfie visit us

hey Shafty!!

Now we need the pics please so I can set to and sort the badges out. I spent the day working today but will try and get mine up soon for folks to see. So we can start deciding.