Ashhurst ride report, 22 July, for everyone else.

**cowboyz** · 22nd July 2007, 16:46

With Meanie new machine hanging round the garage we needed to get it out on the road and the weather looked good so thought it would be rude not to.

Didnt really have a plan cause who needs one but had a thought of heading up the valley.

went down to the cafe at 10 and Meanie was there on the ZG14 and GarryH had shown up on a X-something. Yamaha. Chatted for a while and Dogs went flying past - assumed he was off for gas. Then 86 showed up. Got a text from Yod saaying he was still in bed so it looked like 5 for the day.

When Dogs came back the air was on the wrong side of the tyre with canvas showing so thinking that probably wouldnt be good riding we dropped his bike at meanies place and 2up to palmytown to pickup one of the spare gixxers. i think Dogs just really wanted a ride on the ZG.

Called by Yods to find it locked up like fort knox so off round to 86s and a jump start and the old girl 750 sparked into life.

Off through feilding for a gas stop (anyone paying attention this is now like 5 stops in 20km) and then we were sorted - kinda.

Off out the back of feilding towards vinegar hill and ye of little faith thought we were going the wrong way. Wound round a few backroads for a bit before finding vinegar hill. Road was dry and it was good times.

Out to Manaweka for coffee and the 9 was handling like a pack of shit so checked tyres to find 20 psi in the front. Fixed that and made a world of difference (as it would)

Out through mangawekas towards kimbolton and the road was real dodgy. Pace dropped right off as we rode through the starting of a snow. Wishing the heated handgrips on the ZG were on every other bike there meanie seemed happy and toasty while the rest of our fingers were freezzing.

Stopped in Kimbolton (how can you go past) for hot chips and chocolate before heading back out into the cold towards dogs place. Had a look at the up and coming track bike and a couple of 250s he has lying round the place and loaded the gixxer up on the trailer to bring back to town.

Pretty uneventful ride home. Weather improved and we never actually got rained on dispite the threat several times.

Another good day out.

**chanceyy** · 22nd July 2007, 17:12

good write up there cowboyz ..its handy having extra bikes in the garage

& she woulda needed a run

**86GSXR** · 22nd July 2007, 17:16

Very good day out chaps. It helps having a spare bike or two for those little ooops moments, such as canvas tyres eh. Well done Barry for getting the max out of that one tho

Meanies new bike - very impressive

Yes, there were a couple of 'deviations' enroute, but this is one of the themes and happens to everyone I believe.

Loved the leg over Vinegar Hill, that was great as the roads were dry and safe enough to get a bit of pace going.

Also great to see the Gixxer being put through her paces, nice one Barry!

A little chilly in the snow, but it was great getting all those different conditions.

Garry H was going well in the wet, I was too scared I'd drop my bike - ouch.

**dogsnbikes** · 22nd July 2007, 17:21

Well did the climb up the hill text cheak one from cowboyz leaving ashurst at 10 am sweet text back then its leaving ashurst at 1030 cool must be a cowboyz organised ride

can only mean a interesting day ahead get into ashurst fuel up of to cafe to meet up with everyone just to relise there is less rubber on the rear than I first thought

ok plan is to ride the gixxer cool still has two wheels drop my bike of at meanies O fuk now I am a pillion

never done that before at least it was a brand new bike

and thinking just how does one climb on the back of it like there wasn't a ladder guess the nerves where starting to show there face but must admit it was rather comfortable on the back just needed a throttle too play with though once that was sorted of to 86 place to get the old gixxer out and was told cant use the other one as it had just been cleaned....well we got it going of to fuel up out through feilding a couple of back roads and into vinger hill yippee and on a bike I had never ridden before didnt take long to learn just twist that throttle and give if heaps had alot fun and reduced 86's chicken strips on the ol'e girl and stopping for coffee at mangweka and then of through the back roads only stopping to remove a tree of the road and on to kimbolton to warm up cowboyz hands ( ghee boy you should use your throttle and levers more )

then of home thru the loose metal silage mud and road kill the gixxer kept a good pace and loaded her on the trailer and bring her home now just have to pick the trumpy up from ashurst

So many thanks to meanie for the pillion seat my first time ever and the extra 100kilo's must of change the handling somewhat

And Many thanks to 86 for the gixxer today she is a great bike for her age and was alot of fun

I had a great day and will be looking forward to the next ride in 3 weeks

**cowboyz** · 22nd July 2007, 17:23

fairly slippery on some patches out there it was but vinegar hill can always be relied on for some action entertainment. had heaps of fun chasing you through there. Found top gear on a striaght where I thought that mellow yellow was going to get away............ he he .

**86GSXR** · 22nd July 2007, 17:33

Originally Posted by cowboyz

fairly slippery on some patches out there it was but vinegar hill can always be relied on for some action entertainment. had heaps of fun chasing you through there. Found top gear on a striaght where I thought that mellow yellow was going to get away............ he he .

Yep, that was one of the classic moments of this ride all right. Here I was, having just overtaken my own bike and thinking I was all alone when Whoof, this green blur went past leaving me

Nice one

**dogsnbikes** · 22nd July 2007, 17:44

Originally Posted by cowboyz

.
Had a look at the up and coming track bike and a couple of 250s he has lying round the place and loaded the gixxer up on the trailer to bring back to town.
.

one we will get you sitting on a honda 250

**chanceyy** · 22nd July 2007, 17:44

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

Yep, that was one of the classic moments of this ride all right. Here I was, having just overtaken my own bike and thinking I was all alone when Whoof, this green blur went past leaving me

Nice one

ahhh & how long before testosterone kicked in & you overtook again ???

**86GSXR** · 22nd July 2007, 18:46

There was none of that. Everyone just carried on up the hill, until it started snowing and then we all slowed down in case we fell off and ruined the day

**chanceyy** · 22nd July 2007, 19:02

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

There was none of that. Everyone just carried on up the hill, until it started snowing and then we all slowed down in case we fell off and ruined the day

glad to hear it hon

.. it sure would have been a bugger .. so it was cold then huh

.. wonder if cowboyz has my second set of gloves still

**yod** · 22nd July 2007, 19:15

what time is it?

**Meanie** · 22nd July 2007, 19:20

Was it cold, i cant say as i noticed with my heated hand grips on medium and screen wound right up

. Thought it might have been when i saw the snow flakes coming down. It was a pleasnt stroll on the new concours or as cowboyz pointed out the ZG14, only being allowed to run up to 4000 rpm untill its run in i havnt been able to unleash it yet, dont know if i need to
Good to see a few of us out again i only expected it to be myself and cowboyz but ended up Garry H, Cowboyz, Alister, Dogs and myself
I must confess however i am feeling a little coffee logged after so many stops which about 90 percent of are instigated by cowboyz needing a smoke, hot chocolate or just to warm up

Awesome day even after a late start and it was good to see a couple of good ol bikes still in the mix Bling to you Al for loaning Barry one of your bikes for the day, he picked up his bike from my place still smiling
Looking forward to the next one

**Meanie** · 22nd July 2007, 19:22

Originally Posted by yod

what time is it?

You out of your nightie yet

**sarahtvet** · 23rd July 2007, 00:13

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

Yep, that was one of the classic moments of this ride all right. Here I was, having just overtaken my own bike and thinking I was all alone when Whoof, this green blur went past leaving me

Nice one

Well Ali you know Lance likes to be infront when he is not using slicks in the wet

Sounds like you all had a good time

and dealing with the minor hiccups at the start are what it's all about. Snow

well at least it didnt rain loads and you had some good dry roads.

Meanie, the bike sounds fab and as it is not a pillion virgin I might have to sweet talk you into a ride when I get back, should be run in by then too

I will trade you a spin on the Honda when it arrives

Hey Dogs, nice that you are back out and about, sorry about the tyre but I am sure the GSXR enjoyed another fun day out.

Great write up Cowboyz, I see you are still freezing those parts that everybody else has snug and warm, have to sort that out methinks!!!

Great to hear the news from good ol palmie and look forward to seeing you all again soon...LOL

**cowboyz** · 23rd July 2007, 06:57

Originally Posted by sarahtvet

Well Ali you know Lance likes to be infront when he is not using slicks in the wet

Sounds like you all had a good time

and dealing with the minor hiccups at the start are what it's all about. Snow

well at least it didnt rain loads and you had some good dry roads.

yep, roads were actually pretty good. considering. Maybe we should have headed out east though. it was only under the hills in the shelter where the roads were a bit dodgey

Meanie, the bike sounds fab and as it is not a pillion virgin I might have to sweet talk you into a ride when I get back, should be run in by then too

I will trade you a spin on the Honda when it arrives

Someone getting the short end of the stick.........
Hey Dogs, nice that you are back out and about, sorry about the tyre but I am sure the GSXR enjoyed another fun day out.
was good to see the old girl out and about again. But when you get back have a quiet whisper in 86s ear about turning it into a track bike...........
Great write up Cowboyz, I see you are still freezing those parts that everybody else has snug and warm, have to sort that out methinks!!!
I actually wasnt cold. Just the fingers. And I had two pairs of gloves on. Might have to look at some heated hand grips. I know where there is a good set, I am just waiting for him to go to work.

Great to hear the news from good ol palmie and look forward to seeing you all again soon...LOL

we awit you return.