You have found my 2007 blog site
My old posting/blogging address can still be accessed:
2006 'Ninja Days' BlogWe can still access its archives: Please click on the hyperlink above or under LINKS in the right side panel.
.....................
My latest posting/blogging address can now be accessed:
2008 'Ninja Days' BlogPlease click on the hyperlink above
Labels: directions
Bron's funeral ride was awesome. I will never forget that ride!
There must have been about twohundred bikes of all sorts. There were clubs, associations and individuals. Business aquaintances, mates, family and friends. All paying their respects riding together as one. The man watched us pass through Woonona and commented on the military precision the traffic was held at bay. It was a powerful experience. For us and them.
By the time I got home I was emotionally drained.
The business is now for sale.
Some of the boys on the forum saw a truck with car wrecks passing by. One of those was the Daytona Motorcycle Painting van. It sparked a bit of a discussion on belief and how to live life to the max. He was only 37 years old when his life was over in a flash.
1958-?
What are you going to do with your dash?
Bron's Funeral Arrangements
To all that knew Bron from Daytona.
Maria, Bron's wife, would love as many riders to join in this ride.
Casual dress, including leathers- as Bron would have wanted.
Funeral arrangements are as follows
Saturday 27/10/07 10am at Kembla Grange Hanson and Cole.
There will be a ride, following the memorial cermony, to scatter his ashes at scarborough and Maddens Plain. Knuckles, Johny D and Gary will be leading this ride. Maria and family in cars followed by riders and cars.
All riders are encouraged to join in this ride to celebrate Bron's life!
Maria and family appreciates all the warm thoughts.
PS.: Meet at Daytona (Bellambi Lane)Japs, Harleys and Razors!! ( the push type ) Sat morning at 9:00am to ride together as a group. All are welcome. Bron would have liked all his mates from all corners to come together.
The Snow Mobile...
These blokes we saw at the snow line petrol station had filled up the ute with snow to take it home to a BBQ. One way of picking up your esky ice...
R.I.P. Bron!
Bron was killed in his car on the way to the island. It was a tragic accident caused by an oncoming truck who lost its dogtrailer, which must have headed straight at Bron's car, leaving him no chance of escape.
I was told shortly before I left the Island on Saturday afternoon. The news truly took its toll on the group. Most of us knew Bron from the fabulous work he'd done on our bikes.
I am so glad the kids are physically unharmed. It was terrible to ride through Narooma, wondering where it could have happened, looking for the actual spot to maybe pay my respects. Later I found out that it was at Tilba-Tilba.
Bron was a wonderful man, who gave everybody the time of the day.
Even the night before, I overheard the guys in the group talking about him and how much they valued his workmanship and praising its quality.
My thoughts are with his family, especially his wife, who he absolutely adored and spoke very highly of and their kids, he loved so much.
A very sad loss to our whole community.
R.I.P. Bron!
A part of me is still there...
The return trip was a little lonely, but pleasant.
"I did it my way!"
My gear (apart from my favourite, lucky ducati jumper) was packed and the sound of my 4in1 Yoshi pipe roared through the suburban streets of Inverloch just after 3:30 on a windy and crisp Saturday afternoon. Time to start the long journey home.
At the first round-about I saw the police car coming towards me; a timely reminder that Victoria's speed limit is only at 100km/hr. There wasn't another police car or highway patrol in sight until I got to Corrimal, on the Sunday, where I was surprised to see that unmarked, metallic blue, late model (was it a Holden?) car with its black cube menacingly strutting out from the roof line. I was doing just fine.
I was exhausted, but happy and proud of myself when I got off the bike and made my way up the stairs to plonk that saddle sore behind of mine onto the soft leather couch in front of the TV. Seven more laps to go and Casey Stoner was winning. The man handed me a Heinecken and the girl made me a sandwich. I was in heaven!
Once the race was done and the show over, I was able to tell the story...
The guys, the roads, the weather, the fun, the accommodation, the new people I met, the bugs, the snakes, the rain, the fog, the snow, the twisties, the atmosphere, the things I learned about myself and my riding, the bike, the friendship, the towns, the Black Spurrrrr, the cameraderie.
Full story later, here is a selection of the 218 photos so far...
Tent City's Supporter's World
Mick
Spotted my bike parked opposite the track
At Brown Mountain
Cooma
Khancoban
Bugged!
Beechworth
Ready to Race
Tucked in for the Night
Baz fixed the problem
Zippa's Briefing
Phil- ready to meet that road
DaBoyz
Fan Club
71
Clever. Just stay sober!
BMW Club (Vic)
Club Green
Pillion Track-Ride
'Car'park
Snow mobile
Unfortunately my holidays finished on the eve of the race, so I had decided to go along for the ride down through the mountains, to soak up the trackside atmosphere on Friday and Saturday and check out the action in Cowes. Then it was time to make my way back, whilst the others were able to extend their trip and intended to play tourist down there. There was talk of the Great Ocean Road and Wilson's Prom... I look forward to hear their stories soon.
PI - one more sleep!
I have not packed a thing!
I've thought about it, but that means nothing...
There is the wet weather gear and the camera with plenty of (but never enough) memory, there is the battery recharger, the mobile phone charger, the ipod charger, the ipod and MY songlist (not the girl's!!!!).
There is the thermal set of undergear, the windbreaker neck warmer, the kidney belt, those freshly Dubbin'ned gloves and boots. Socks and underwear in plastic bags. A couple of T-Shirts, two jumpers, a pair of Jeans.... ooooh I hope my Draggins arrive in time for take off.
Chocolate! ....for energy, of cause!
(Allthough of late there should be plenty of energy stored around my mid-section!)
Some stuff resembling a first aid kit, moisturiser and lippy.
Done!
Ahh well, I guess I could add the chain lube
PI - four more sleeps!
The trip, thanks to Steve Zippa's thoughtful, meticulous planning, will be as follows:
Day 1
Day 2
Day3
PI - five more sleeps!
Purchasing the tickets to the island is a bit of an unfortunate process.
Ticketek did state that tickets to an event in another city must be picked up by Friday before the event…hey, that’s for next Friday’s event, hmmm!?
I decided to take myself (and my money) off to the Gong’s ticketek, where I had the friendliest reception for a change…
I still have to go to Sydney though, as they are unable to print out the correct lable/icon on the ticket. What a shame…
It was time to pick up my new Ventura Imola seat bag and whilst in the general area, I took a quick look at the ZX10…had a little sit on it and felt right at home.
Ooooooh my!
What am I doing to myself!
<<:::D::R::E::A::M:::><:::O::N:::>>!!!
My baby is with Steve to get it ready for the Island. I am just waiting for the call…
Looks like a new set of sprockets and chain is needed...fair enough, but I wont get it back until Monday...
Chris Vermeulen
Meeting Chris Vermeulen today at Parramatta, I got a sense of how these top riders are being used to crank over the publicity machine for their sponsors. Meeting the young man was sensational! He struck me as an unassuming, well spoken and polite young man, who was totally in the moment with everyone he met. He humbly apologised to me for being 15 minutes late because of a plane delay.
This was a first time for me. I'd never gone out of my way to meet a race identity before in my life. Lining up, we were about 5th in line, I marvelled at the variety of things people brought to get signed. There was even a young man holding a tripple panel set of photographs, featuring the Australian rider. And of cause there was the merchandising tent right next to the tour truck in which Chris appeared to be right at home. There was a fair bit of paraphenalia on the walls surrounding the Le Mans winner, but I had very little time to check that out.
When it was my turn Chris shook my hand firmly and looked me straight in the eye when I wished him all the very best of luck on the Island and of cause he shared my hope to get that podium finish. An all Australian finish! He signed my helmet beautifully. Watching his steady hand drawing circles and straights with such precision, finishing it with that key number 71, was just like watching an artist at work. An artist of the circuits of the world.
There was not a moment of awkwardness in our interaction, except when I asked him (in my best teacher voice) wether the pen he used was waterproof. 'Yes, it's permanent...'
My buddy Phil, who is just about the most knowledgeable person I know in the bike world, had picked me up from MaxPower( my trusted mechanic) where I had to leave my bike behind to get it serviced before going to the Island mid next week. The drive was very pleasant without any sign of the dreaded Sydney traffic. Phil is a teacher, but in his spare time he is also a race commentator. He remembers calling Chris Vermeulen's first race and whilst Chris did not remember him, he clearly remembered that race and was glad to have met him today.
It'd be nice to get Stoner's signature on the other side of the helmet.
Can't wait to see them push the boundaries...safely, I hope!
SPENCER
Friends of ours have the prettiest little place on the river, just a few kilometers east and across from Wiseman's Ferry. The man and I got invited to do the footy final long weekend at their place and being such beautiful spring weather we decided to take the bike.
It was just a magical ride until... just past Road Warrior's ...a suicidal wasp or bee decided to splatt itself right in the centre of my nose, planting the last heroic effort dying wasps are famous for, a mighty sore sting right there, where it is most noticable.
The burning sensation demanded much of my attention and for the first and probably last time I was glad that the speedlimit around those parts was set at a mere 60 km/h.
Spencer is such an idyllic place. Very Australian and worth a picnic day. Apparently Jock, the ex president of the Comancheros MC has the water delivery nailed up there. No water: no dwelling. Local gossip tells the story that a few unruly local youth decided to tyrannise the neighbourhood. They had a boat and Jock a crowbar. They gave in...
What a beauiful ride it was! Traffic was minimal and we had such a good run all the way there and back the next day.
It is always a novelty getting on a ferry and of cause we met another bike rider on a Bonneville. Talk about faux pas! I asked him if he had restored it himself and the bike was an 07 model... the retro thing gets me every time!
...and Happy Birthday Hudson!
Phillip Island, here we come!
There should be 20 of us and we are staying at Inverell, sharing three houses. We will take our time getting there, taking advantage of the well planned route via Thredbo. Mmh snow! Have not done snow on a bike in almost thirty years... well, lets hope the weather will be fair and we will be spared that hassle.
I am very excited and pleased that the man will let me go. Must loose some of those extra kilos to make space for my thermals.
We went to ZPower today to check out a Tailbag for my bike, but one of my forum neighbours got there five minutes before me and walked out with the last one.
The highlight of the trip will be seeing Casey Stoner, the world champion of 2007, at the track, but what's even better is that we will be riding down together as a group, stopping over at some interesting places and exploring some roads I've never been on on a bike.
I am counting down.
Rain, rain, go away!
Today, on APEC holiday, my tanks are full and that pool is overflowing. I've had enough wet weather to last me for a couple of weeks.
Any hope or thought of taking the bike out of its dry and safe abode was quickly dismissed today, when Lindy took her rain check. We were both looking forward to meet again and ride together, since it's been at least three months... The weather didn't play ball. (At least my flu is on its way out the door- after AU$52 worth of 'Tamiflu'.)
Last Wednesday night's Illawarra Riders' Krispy Kreme and Harry's Cafe De Wheel ride was also cancelled. I was on standby, but one by one decided to take the 'dinner and video' option. Phil made it to the meet point, but he had to ride through a downpour to get there.
Life is like that...
There have been only a few windows of opportunity for a ride. Father's Day was out and rightly so. The man is no enthusiast, but I hope he'll come around one of these days. The girl is not into it because I make her wear the Draggins...Daggins she calls them... and the jacket that makes her look like a buffoon... ahhh well, what can you do?
Last Saturday I took myself off to a little cruise up the Pass and down via Jamberoo.
After that I felt much better. Sometimes you just have to stretch the tyres a little.
Since it's been a while, I had to find my equilibrium. It seems to take a bit of getting over the awkward stage. This bike, the way it has been resprayed and looks so pretty and the worrying about getting it written off for such a minimal amount makes me value it so much more and seems to create a little more anxiety in me. I have not been able to let go and give it what it wants... yes, I realise that it is a machine and I choose to endow it with human traits... so what is it?
Is it me? Do I want or need a little more cornering at speed? Risk-taking? Danger?
No. Not really, looking at it that way.
I just want to keep up with the rest of the mob.
When I got to the Robertson Pieshop five minutes after the guy I followed up, who told me he was going to take it slowly...
I realised that I still had a lot to learn.
'Dragon' whom I met up with at Bellambi Lane was half way through his cigarette when I arrived up there. By the time my Muggochino was served, my hands were still shaking...
Ahh well. 'Tis old age...
I'm a dag.
Ah yes, 'Dragon'... his real name escaped in the rush... I met him by coinidence on the road. We nodded in acknowledgement and then he pointed south "going up the pass?"
"Yes!" I said... is he psychic, I wondered... of all the places I could be going south...
He rode this red and black Honda RR1000, as it clearly stated on the tail, but I had to ask, didn't I?!
It sounded great and the accellaration seemed boundless. He suited the bike or better, the bike suited him. He looked young and I wondered if he's going to get the shock of his life when I take my helmet off and he sees the old duck revealing herself. Ah well. I don't mind. It's just... well, I feel sorry for them... probably getting their hopes up, thinking, ahhh here's a Sheila that doesn't mind riding her own bike.
However, I looked over his neat bike when he stopped on my right, which revealed...
the illawarrariders.com sticker on his swing arm... ahhh,
"I am ZX6R", I said, hoping that he'd know me from my posts.
He looked across at my bike and he nodded.
Yeah, I guess that's quite obvous, as it says it on my side panels in fairly large letters.
...and that's when I introduced myself, quickly mentioning that I too was a member of the same Association. Common ground!
That's when the large white four wheel drive turned up next to us and the little boy passenger started to wind down the window. I immediately knew what he wanted... he wanted to hear the engines of our bikes roar.
So I revved it a little and pointed at the little boy, who sat just behind eyeline of my new acquaintance.
I guess 'Dragon' missed all that and he must have been under the impression that I had just pointed at him, encouraging him to make a bit of noise too. He obliged. Nice guy I thought, as I cringed watching the young boy reaching out of the window, adjusting his dad's huge 4WD chrome mirror for him.
I know, I am a dag.
Once we got to our common destination we had a quick bit of sustainance and a chat.
Nice guy, well spoken and relaxed about himself, he was going to take the Bowral way back to Campbelltown, whilst I decided to take that goat track back to Jamberoo and then return home. For the first time in ages I got to make use of my maps, pointing him in the right direction. I introduced him to Will's motorcycling service, a visor cleaning station which is located on the wall in the disabled toilet and on the way out, I just had to show off my winning picture in the window display.
I sure am a dag.
Labels: Ride Report
HUSKISSON4BREKKY- Illawarra Riders
There were about thirty of us at the meeting point. Some of the ladies even rode along in cars and brought the dogs. The new Duke was amongst us.. until it started to sprinkle in Berry. That's when we lost a few, as they turned back towards bluer skyes. I did not realise that new Ducks are no longer made to be water resistant.
The Highway traffic was moving at a fine pace until, shortly before the turnoff to Huskisson, we encountered an increasing amount of vehicles flashing their lights at us.
The traffic came to a halt and I got a glimpse of a couple of tall, chestnut coloured horses swiftly disappearing into the woods and I was worried that we'd see an injured one lying by the roadside. Thank goodness we were spared that experience and all was ok. The riders had simply lost control of their animals and they did what came naturally: They just took off to find shelter. Good Luck with the chase!
We found shelter at the Promenade Cafe.
The smokers even had their own...
Eggs Benedict took my fancy, but even though I did get to order pretty much before the big rush, it turned out quite plain and disappointing. Meat eaters seemed to get a slightly better deal, by an additional slice of ham with each egg. The captain's brekky had the lot and made the grade... most got what they were looking forward to.
The drizzle started to set in and when one of the boys spoke to his wife on his mobile, who was sitting out in the sun in their backyard in Albion Park, I decided to head back with a small group of early leavers. Bulli Boy and I took off due north and once he'd turned off to drop off his mate, I was on my own again.
Thirroul after the accident will never be the same again. The spot where my bike came to grief seems haunted with its memory.
As I passed through, I encountered within a 100m stretch a car doing a U-turn right in front of me and another pulling out from a side street, narrowly avoiding my oncoming traffic and heading straight into my path, with his passenger panicking, arms up in front of her, sheltering herself from the possible impact. It was nice to have new brakes and a bit of accellaration at my fingertips to get me out of those tight corners.
Thirroul waves the red flag for me from here on in...
Labels: Ride Report
GRO- Kangaroo Valley ride report
Baby's back!
It'd been almost three months since I had participated in a GRO run. This one met at Loftus, but I decided that the Nasho wasn't for me on such a windy day and my bed was far too cosy to get out of in time to make the meet. The next stop was Bald Hill... I could cope with that.
There must have been about 200 bikes up there, double and triple parked, but GRO took a while longer than I had expected.
Some ANONers on a DIY ride met up there. Mark had an interesting tank bracket for his camera to play with and Tamsin overtook me later on the Pass and I thought I stood still. Brilliantly smooth!
Petrol was an issue for me, as I wondered if I'll make the ride down to Albion Park, so I decided to take myself off to the 'burgh to fill up. By the time I returned to the Hill, the group was taking off.
It was good to see Bronny on her new red terror. She looked so much more comfy and better suited to the new bike.
Albion Park was a quick stop for me, as I decided to take off on my own to conquer the Pass. Once up at the PieShop, I felt right at home again. Bulli Boy, Max and Tezza where there, making their way straight across the carpark to check out my bike, which seemed to meet their approval.
As I made my way into the Pie Shop, I saw my 'Photo of the Month' smack bang in the middle of The IllawarraRiders noticeboard. I got Tezza to take a picture of me in front of it (which will remain a private item). But here's the one I took... hmmmm... made me proud!
Max also made his way to Kangaroo Valley, but a little faster than most. His bike has a particular sound, which I have started to recognise. The guy who had bought his ex R6 was in our group too. Max told me that he had sold this bike to the bike shop where he bought his R1 and we all thought that the $8000 he'd got for it was a pretty good deal. When we heard how much they sold it for, we were amazed... $12000!!! A cool $4000 profit!! On that bike...I wonder how much they made on the new one...
The Tempura Fish was just a little dry, but the unusual taste of 'caper berries' had my full attention. Loved it!
The GRO gang felt a little distant today and I decided to take myself off home via Nowra. I had good fun taking on the descent all by myself. Here is a photo I took along the way...
Spot on!
Bomaderry/Nowra has this little Bus shelter, which doesn't have any graffity on it, but features a heart for its design...
Heart filled shelter; an ideal background for my ZX6R.
Making my way back home I decided to have a stopover at Skipp's and Joey's to catch up and see how Skipp's broken foot is going. Guess who was there...Max of cause! Seems like we were chasing each other all day! Very funny!
Here are some more pictures for you:
Baby's back!
Spot on!
Heart filled shelter; an ideal background for my ZX6R.
