Martinborough solo ride

On Friday I tested a new set up for the video camera. It was mounted in a VIO webbing clamp and then I attached it to the right side mirror stem with Velcro wrap. This provides a clear view of the road ahead for the camera. The recording unit is then put inside the tank bag. The set up works well with good quality video.

Today (Sunday) was a nice day, little wind, clear skies and 14 degrees. The heated vest kept me nice and cosy; this has been a very good investment, so have the heated grips. On the way to Martinborough I diverted back into Greytown. Left home at 1030 and got back at 1300hrs.

Sunday

Last ride was Sunday (29 Sept), yes I forgot to post the ride. It was just another local ride, up SH2 and a ride around the Hutt Valley, Petone, Eastbourne and then over the Haywards hill. A stop for coffee in Pauatahanui and then home SH1. Next weekend, weather permitting I will venture over the Rimutakas.

Friday Ride

What was the reason for a ride today? Didn't have one. So I rode up SH1 to Mana, circumvented the inlet and went over the Paekakariki hill and back onto SH1. When back at Grays road once again headed to Pauatahanui where I had a coffee. Then back home on SH1. Nice ride.

Snow has gone

It is still cold - 10C today.

I went for a ride to Alan's, had a look at his project and then we went for a ride around the Haywards block. Coffee at Pahatanui. Then home. Nice to get out on the bike.

Saturday fresh air

I needed some fresh air and a ride. Really bad weather will be here tomorrow so a short ride between chores in the afternoon was fitted in. SH1 to Mana, around the inlet and home. There will be no riding for a few days?

Week ended with 3 Passes Ride

On Friday I did a couple of test rides to sort out issues with the microphone of the POV camera and another ride to view a new subdivision. John asked me if I was interested in helping him set up the course layout for a Ulysses slow riding exercise. I was keen to get involved and on Saturday morning we set up some of the exercises in the grounds of St Benedict School. youtube


The testing of the course went well until I dropped the Hayabusa. The result was a broken clutch lever ($102) and scratches on the fairing and motor cover. This cannot be easily fixed so I will be riding a busa with road rash.

Sunday was the Ulysses 3 Passes ride. The ride left Plimmerton 1000hrs and headed up SH1. We stopped at Otaki to refuel a bike with a 100mile tank. From there the ride went through Shannon, the gorge and then over the Saddle to Ashhurst. I got some video on the POV camera and video on the handheld at the top of the Saddle. youtube


After a filling lunch we headed home via the Pahiatua Track, Mangamaire, Mauriceville and SH2.

Trip 369kms, 0936 - 1645hrs.

Back from UK

We arrived back from a month in the UK and France yesterday. A bike ride was required to settle the jet lag.

Alan called at 10.00am from Paraparaumu where he was waiting to meet other riders and to let me know they would be in the Wairarapa in the afternoon. I had a late start, having caught up on 2 days without any sleep.

I left home at 12.35pm and got a call from Alan when I was in Featherston. He had arrived in Carterton so I headed there. After lunch we rode straight back and I got home at 4.16pm having covered 166kms.

This was the first test of a EXO2 heated vest. It worked very well in the 8 - 12C degree temperature.

Blackline

I called to Peter at WMC this morning and booked a ride on the HD Blackline.

It took me a while to get used to feet forward, loose steering and rev range of the motor. My ride was SH1 to Tawa, back home, Lyall Bay and around the South Coast and back to WMC. At first I wasn't that impressed - couldn't see the point of this bike. However, by the time I got back into Wellington and poodled around the coast the experience began to have an impact. This bike is very good to ride on urban roads. It has a low CoG, low seat height, easy to steer around and through traffic and it has sound.

Would I have one? Yes - but as a second bike to the Hayabusa.