Jeremy Blomley R.I.P.
I have just been informed that our good friend Jeremy had a heart attack this afternoon and did not make it. This is just such sad, sad news.Only today I thought of him as I walked along our Art Department's corridor. Recalling the day we visited him at Umina many years ago, before he went to the States and he showed me a surfboard he had embellished with his most creative awesome artwork. I wanted to buy it there and then, but he insisted that it was obviously not finished yet...
Tathra Pub for lunch 22 April
ILLAWARRA RIDERS and RATs- Tathra Pub Ride
The last day of the Easter holidays was certainly a day to look forward to. It started early on a patchy morning, which prompted an immediate check of the weather forecast. Not much rain on the radar, but I decided to wear the 'wets', the wet weather gear on my way to Albion Park Maccas. Better safe than wet, starting a whole day's ride to Tathra and back.
Most riders had already arrived by the time the green machine rolled up to the carpark. There were some drops not far from home and then another sprinkle on the highway, but not enough serious discomfort to really justify my 'wets, but I decided to keep wearing them. Unfortunately that did not keep the rain at bay, as it so often does...
7am meet @ Albion Park MaccasThe group took off towards the darkening horizon. The roads were quite deserted for the last day of the NSW holidays and the Kiama bends made a good start to the day. Bewong Roadhouse, Bateman's Bay Caltex, Bermagui, then another 50 km to the Tathra Pub, where we had some nice chats and a fair bistro meal.
Tathra PubUnfortunately the further south we came, the more wet roads we had to conquer. Despite that there were some amazing visual moments along the way. Ulladulla's water ways were the most beautiful green colour. Emerald?!
There was that moment of recognition at Wallaga Lake, where we once stayed when the child was still in a pouch. Dromedar Rock by the surf beach on the other side of the road... one way bridges... pelicans on beaches... boats in harbours...
Back to the pub. I was pleased to see that the closest anyone came to alcohol was a 'lemon lime and bitters'. Nobody had anything to prove and so much to experience. I always look at the ride as a personal challenge, getting better at it, achieving the personal best, best line, best angle, speed, control. Those wet roads were quite slippery and I conquered my fear throughout each corner. About 2 1/2 hours into the ride my shoulders, neck, arms and wrist started to get tight and I was getting tired.
Blue and Green should never be seen... NOT!On our way home we were joined by a silver merc, whose driver also stopped over at the Bateman's Bay Caltex. Apparently he complimented the group on the skills and unity, which was a nice thing to hear for a change!
The Highway was closed at Berry and we had to detour via Gerringong where the torrential rain took its toll on all of us riders and drivers alike. At times there was less than 10 m visibility ahead. In the dark, whith oncoming traffic, drips on glasses and scratches on visor, with little indication as to where the shoulder or centre line may be located I thought of stopping under the very next bridge, but immediately dismissed that idea for fear that someone would run me over. The Moto Guzzi in front of me was like a guiding light. I stuck to him like glue. He was a kind man! (Ironically that particular model Moto Guzzi is named 'dark'...)
Albion Park towards Dapto started to be fairly dry and that was my cue to take off. The thought of arriving HOME made everything bareable... a hot shower and a cold beer...
The Green Machine in front of the Tathra HotelIt was quite an insight for me to ride so intently all day during daylight hours. Checking the road for hazzards, for dangerous surface, trying to avoid pot holes, patches, bumps, adjusting the line to gain the ideal balance...
At night in that wet weather all there was left to do was to trust that it'll be alright and that the skill and experience would automatically be there when things go wrong.
We were lucky.
Labels: Ride Report
ILLAWARRA RIDERS- Take 'C' to work ride
'The Take 'C' To Work Ride' met at 10:15am at the Service Station cnr Northcliffe Drive and Nolan St., Lake Heights/Unanderra.
We rode up the Macquarry Pass and stopped over at the Pieshop, then on to Berry for a little more lunch but no shops... hmmm, nice ride... a Sunday morning cruise (as I have been assured).
Labels: Ride Report
DON GUNN - Sadly missed.
Two years ago today, Don rode out and never made it home again. He is sadly missed by all of us. There is no substitute.
To fill the hole in my heart I planned to take a ride to the place where he had the accident. Turning off at Yanko Road towards Pymble, Lindy and I rode past the spot and enjoyed a freshly sealed road with too much traffic to get tempted by the twisties.
Lindy's new red and black ZX6R looks awesome and gave me a fair dose of 'gadget lust', but my baby is good looking too, especially for her age!
Don would have been proud of us...even though we never did get 'Ducati-fied'.
Thanks Lindy, for taking that ride with me!
Labels: Ride Report
DINNER Ride to Dapto TONIGHT
I even polished the kwaka...
Must scrub the paint remnants off my fingers. Have not been to a Girls Nite Out with the Illawarra Rider lasses. Should I do my hair? It'll just be 'hair by helmet' (that's the brain bucket, not Helmut the blonde warrior who serves you a cappucchino as he prepares for the streaks...I wish!!)
Peerless.
O.K. - better go...
To Be Continued...
Well, the temperature was perfect for a night ride and the traffic not too bad down the express way. Most drivers were curteous and things flowed along...of cause I did not bother to check the street directory, so I followed that marvellous instinct of mine and found an Indian restaurant with a couple of waving ladies standing outside it. Having missed the turn off I pulled over and did a U-turn to find a well lit parking lot right next to a pharmacy.
The Mexican restaurant was closed, but the Indian was ready to take our business. A funny place! Bollywood music video streamed from a ceiling mounted data projector onto a gigantic wall-screen. Music blaring...even after my request to turn it down a little...it crept back up.
Guess who was the only 'Rider' that night. Ahh well, there is no second chance to make a first impression...and by then I had already made it, up on that pass in my raingear, dripping, fogged up spectacles, asking: "are you my guys?" Wrong group...
That day I rode with The Rats, not the Illawarra Riders... but what a coincidence! Here was the group I had intended to join for a ride for quite a while now.
Back to the Indian... of cause the ladies looked beautiful and I felt like a dill in my leathers, but it did not matter in the end.
Since I had been on the forum for a while, I was able to make some sense, some connections on the basis of their post names and some of the facts that I had pieced together and so I did not feel too much a stranger. Jo seemed to hold the threads together. I guess she's been with them from the start.
Well then, after dinner it was coffee time at Warrawong Maccas. Narrowly missed the camera on the way...since when was that a 60 zone????! I guess I got lucky.
Returning home was fun too, as Wendy made her way towards the northern subs too and she kept dragging me in her ute. Yep, good night! Hope to have more of these.
Labels: Ride Report
Tathra Pub for lunch 22 April
Euro Trash
Is this an April Fools joke?
Reading the German forums I came across this little beauty:
The European Union countries will enforce a law which post 2008 insists on new Motorcycles to have four mirrors. Two of them must be adjustable to view at least 2 m behind the rider and each one should be at least 10x10 cm in size.
I certainly hope that this is a joke, as it has got to impact on the design of new bikes and whilst we are a long way from the EU, sooner or later we will not be able to avoid it over this way.
And what is the motivation behind a law like that?
Sure, there is the safety aspect. A rider doing sweet 220km/h on the Autobahn should not have to turn his head to ensure wether he is being tailgated, eh? Yep! ...and when you reverse at speed... ahhh pull the other one!
That certainly lets those drivers that tailgate off the hook in terms of endangerment...'why officer, he should have seen me...'
...and what about lane splitting? Two more mirrors sticking out at that angle will certainly take its toll.
Ahh...wait and see. Let's hope it was only a joke.
Dave sent me this alternative:
It'll be a pain to keep clean, but I'd love to get that done to my ZX6Rrrrrr
MT VICTORIA - GRO 6th Anniversary Ride
A Stop-Over at Lithgow
Mt Victoria-The Imperial Hotel
The Music Room at the Imperial HotelDate: Sunday 1st April, 2007
Destination : Mt Victoria via Lithgow
Meet Point: McDonald's Richmond cnr East Market & March St
Time: 9.30am for 10.00am start
Ride Route:
Follow March Street west, changes to Kurrajong Road then to Bells Line of Road
Follow to Lithgow
Turn left at Hartley Vale Road
Turn left onto The Gap Rd, follow the Gap Road to the first fork and carry along to your right ), at the second fork, veer to the right, this will take you to the Great Western Highway.
Turn left onto the Great Western Highway and follow to Mount Victoria.
Ahhhh! What a great day THAT was! Perfect weather, although a little nippy at first (my fingertips experienced some sensory deprivation...and I wasn't even drinking!), as I took off via Bulli Pass, Appin Rd, Narellen way, The Northern Road.
I'll never get sick of the Northern Road, especially not early in the morning when the mist is still in the air. Everything is so nice and lush at the moment and the brisk air makes me feel wide awake and ready for action. Riding past Oran Park,I thought of the people racing there today, as many of the clubs I belong to had a booking for it. Ah well, once I had my brakes done, I'll be having a go at the track.
I arrived first at Richmond Maccas and ordered myself a nice hot Moccha, sat in a sunny spot and enjoyed the break. It did not take long before people started to arrive. I met a new couple, thinking 'they are so much like US' except that Ian, her man (I wished I had remembered her name too), rides as well.
Rachael and Andre were next. It's always nice to catch up with those two. I wished they lived closer. Rachael has got herself a little racer, a 250 twostroke rocket. She is so light, she must be doing well around corners. Good on her! She has only been riding for a year and has done so well for herself. I am impressed!
...and Andre did a fabulous job fixing up that bike of his. It looks real smick- a black beauty.
Selena and Terry, Trish, our fearless leader, Bronny, Jackster and lots of people I've met or at least seen before. My name memory is shot to pieces, so forgive me if you come across this and yours has not been mentioned... ahh yes, Martin on his Beemer Spaceship.
Selena handed out the annual Bathurst or Bust flyer. Last year was such a blast, I want to do it all over again! So count me in on that one.
The ride had a really nice pace today. It was the best GRO ride I have ever done. That left turn at Lithgow took us into God's country! Ahhhh! I could hardly concentrate on the road. the views were magnificent and I promised myself that Iwill take that route again, on my own with my camera. Simply stunning!
We only lost two this time, but they did turn up again at the 'Imperial'.
Imperial Hotel - LobbyThe pub at Mt Victoria is most charming and it had a happy atmosphere in the beergarden, smiling faces everywhere, lots of different groups, Harley riders (loved Terry's baby!), even saw a marone, spotless Katana, some Vintage bikes (that Guzzi was a fine specimen!), some Space Age -and everyone looked as if they had the perfect day out.
Moto GuzziSo, what's an anniversary without the cake? The cheesecake did not cope well with the twisties at the Bells Line of Road and sadly it became second choice, but the chocolate cake with the 6th Anniversary plaque was a real hit with everyone.
Happy 6th Anniversary
Our Lopsided Cheese CakeThanks to the GRO comittee for making us all feel special and treating us to the good things in life!
About eight of us made our way back down the hill. Traffic was getting a little more intense and Bronny made me go first. We took off and got separated from the rest of the group. Must have been the traffic lights... We decided not to wait, because the group was going to get fragmented, going off in all directions in the end anyway.
I really enjoyed the ride back on my own at my own pace, enjoying the sunshine, thinking of Oggy Knobs for the track and getting my new rotors. Tuesday is Service day...almost clicked over the 32000 mark today...not bad for a 1995 model...
Labels: Ride Report
