Ninja Days

ATHOL'S BIRTHDAY-WISEMAN'S FERRY 3/3/07

Mark Guitar and Athol

It wasn't easy to leave the house that day, as EVERYTHING was covered in a layer of fine white dust. The plasterer's present to us, just in case we have nothing else to do on a sunny weekend...the pleasures of adding new comfort space. It was hot and humid and Athol's Birthday. Escaping Mardi Gras weekend, he had been kidnapped by Mark and Robyn, to stay at their weekend retreat in Spencer, a small village 25min down the Hawksbury river from Wiseman's.

Riding feels different since I know about Gina's fatal accident as a pillion passenger. I am much more reluctant to take the man (or myself!) to the edge and there is a heavy sense of responsibility on my shoulders.

The man makes our life beautiful.

By the way: The child has not mentioned riding since she heard of the accident and I doubt that she ever will...

However, we made it through the traffic...aaarrrgh, the trrraffic! It was good to get through the last 'bumper to bumper' at Cherrybrook and hit the open road just out of Dural. A little underfuelled, I panicked about 20ks from our target and found, just off the mainroad a local petrol station. The man was a little worried about the quality, but I figured, I'll take that risk...and relax around the bends. A toilet would have been good too...

Wiseman's Ferry Hotel was busy as usual, just not a lot of bikes around when we were there. Loads of flies swarming around our food and the qarbel of the magpies made it an all Australian get together.

Happy Birthday Athol! I wish you many happy returns! (I am soooo selfish!)

Birthday-boy Athol


Mark and Robyn offered for us to stay, as my next ride was only one sleep away and we were to head out that way again. (More about the Mt White trip in the next report...) We declined. It was very tempting though, but I needed to be level headed that next morning, just to keep the balance.

The man felt pretty good on the back of the Ninja, even throughout the hairpins. The only trouble I have is dealing with sudden stops, red lights after an hour or so of traffic and the odd weirdo heading towards us...

On our way back we were confronted by a GhostDriver heading straight for us, since we must have represented the least impact, compared to the ute, the van approaching in the neighbouring lanes and the Chrysler right behind us. I hit all available breaks and fishtailed, swearing loudly and repeatedly, towards the car, whose driver then decided to steer straight across to the next two lanes. prompting a hooting concert. I was surprised nobody got out of their cars to abuse the driver. But then, I did not feel the need to stick around. It was hot enough in my leathers.

The pool was all I could think of for the remaining 10 km. When we arrived home, we had to peel the leathers off our limbs.

Completely exhausted and asleep by 8pm.

Labels: Ride Report

posted by The '95 Ninja ZX6R @ 5.3.07