Sunday, April 15, 2012

Just the best day.

The weather of late has been stunning , very unusual for April.  Easter was perhaps one of the best we have ever had.  Saturday just gone was no exception.  I set off early with Taylor on the back of the Sprint.  I had been unhappy for some time with the BT 023's that were on there.  There performance in the dry was OK, but in the wet I had suffered a few slides and loss of grip at the back.  I have gone with Michelin PR3's.  I know a few people running these and everyone I speak to are happy with them, especially there wet weather performance.

After the new tires were on, we  headed west.  The week previous I had gone out to Awhitu with Richard and Andy.   I wanted to show Taylor the light house and have a bit of an explore around the place.  I took it very easy with the new rubber, but it didn't take long before I could feel some nice grip and responsiveness coming from the front especially.

The ride out to the Manukau Heads (also the scene of one of NZ's most disastrous ship wrecks) is a nice one.  The first time I had actually done it was just the week before. The road down to the light house is one that demands respect, lots of off camber, gravel bits, cow poooos....kind of every thing you can think of really.  Geoff also has an excellent blog about the place here


Once down there we were lucky that we had planned our arrival the same time as the women who lives there was also arriving.  Her husbands job is to help guide the ships through the treacherousness entrance to the harbor. She kindly opened the gate and let us ride the bike all the way to the top....I suspect there wont be many pics with a motorbike at the top. So we were lucky, and it saved a nice long walk. (Not that I don't need the exercise)!









We spent a bit of time there before heading back to Waiuku to have that fabulous kiwi delicacy...... a meat pie. Nothing like a nice mince and cheese pie!  mmmmmm. Much to my surprise Taylor was still keen for some more riding so we headed out east for a bit more, before stopping on the coast at Pine Harbor marina for a drink.





The other highlight of the day was trying out the new SENA SMH10 communication unit that I had purchased from the states.  It had arrived only a few days before.  I brought this one on Geoff s advice, and I am hopeful I can drag him out of blogging retirement to do a review about them.   This is the first unit I have ever used, so I am not in a position to really offer comparisons.  Saying that, what I can tell you is I found the unit excellent. It is easy to install, clear as a bell, easy to use, I had no trouble answering even my phone when riding.  I think Taylor really enjoyed the opportunity
 to have a  chat occasionally.  The whole system is wireless.



We ended up  spending most of the day on and off the bike.   Heaps of fun and laughs. Taylor has really surprised me this year.  Up to about 12 months ago she wasn't that keen to come riding with me, now she is jumping on the back every chance she gets.  She is even talking about getting her bike license the same time she gets her car one (in about two years)....not sure I am ready for that, gulp...I some times wish she would just stop growing up. 

Words don't do it justice though, it was just the best day!



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28 comments:

  1. Rog, what an awesome trip, I like the pic with the bike in front of the lighthouse the most. I certainly will put this on my list of things to see when back down under. I guess you're in trouble, man. The young lady is gonna growing into a serious biker chick. Good for her!

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    1. Thanks Hon, She has indeed turned in to the real biker babe! If you do ever get down here i am going to show you all the great places....and food!!!!!

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  2. The one thing I love about Australia and New Zealand is that it easy to find a great meat pie which is my achillies heal.

    Heh heh you are in trouble now she's looking at getting a bike.

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  3. Mate you have it all ahead of you! Yeah, I love a meat pie.......makes me hungry just mentioneing it.

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  4. They do indeed grow up fast. And, there is nothing you can do except enjoy the time you have together.

    Great photos.
    ~k

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    1. So true Keith...nothing I can do but watch and enjoy.

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  5. Nice pictures, great contrast of the red in a sea of green. Mine is 15, she loves the lime green Kawasaki Ninja, yea, we in trouble once they reach the boyfriend and riding/driving age ;-)

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    1. Thanks George, Taylor all ready has a boy friend...sigh....once she does get a license i don't think I will ever see her again! She is a little socialite.

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  6. What an awesome day Roger. I am so happy that Taylor is getting bit by the riding but early. I sure wish I'd started earlier.

    And yeah, get that shotgun ready. The boys will already flock around her because she is so pretty, but add a bike into the mix and they'll never leave her alone.

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    1. Brandy: I have very mixed feelings about Taylor riding a bike, I suppose any dad would. She all ready seems have more friends..and boys chasing her. Maybe I need to get a harley to scare them away.

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    2. Nah, a Harley won't work. Her friends and boyfriend know you ride so they already know you are a cool Dad.

      You can always start Taylor out on a scooter and shee how she likes it. Or a little dirt bike, far away from traffic.

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    3. A Scooter might be the plan...only two years and she can get her license.

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  7. Wonderful pictures. I like lighthouses...

    And it's great being able to spend riding time with your daughter. I took up riding too late for my kids to show any interest.

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    1. Thanks Mate, I like light houses too, some thing fascinating about them.

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  8. Taylor had gorgeous eyes. Yep. You will have problems with her. :). The day looked perfect. And the images of the bike and lighthouse are keepers. Good luck getting that again.

    We just purchased the Sena's to replace or Scala G4's. Agree that the clarity is better, but the range isn't quite as good. Though as a passenger I don't think you will have a problem.

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    1. Lori: Thanks for reminding me......

      I am hopeful the unit will be OK for when I start observing with IAM, Geoff has tried his and seems happy. Just need to keep close anyway.

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  9. hey mate, Andy here.

    heres a vid of Awhitu that Richard shot of Jacqui and I, her first bike ride, hence title.

    http://contour.com/stories/the-unwilling-victim-the-movie

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    1. Cheers mate. Richard sent it to me..I thought it was Taylor on the back for a minute!

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  10. Roger:

    it was luck that you managed to ride nearly to the lighthouse. Cherish your time with Taylor, soon she will be too busy with other "things" . . .

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    1. Thanks Bob....yes it was luck, glad we did though it was neat. Every moment with either of my kids is cherished I can assure you.

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  11. Hi Rog,
    "A scooter might be the answer..." - of course it is, a decent sized one too. I shall have to remember that comment and remind you of one day!

    Great ride and loved the pics.
    Cheers,
    Mark

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  12. Better to start her riding willingly than have her riding out of rebellion. Get her out on a dirt bike and she can follow you on the GS.

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    1. We are looking at it at the moment. But she is a busy we thing....

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  13. A up Roger,

    Looks like you had a great trip with Taylor.
    The shots of the St are great.

    I really need to share something with you but cannot find the words.
    LOL watch this space or my blog !!!!!!

    All the best from a very very Rainy UK. TT

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    1. I am envious of you......will have to spend a lo of my summer riding and psoting pics so I can annoy you.

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  14. A very nice story; lucky you to get inside the gate for the pictures at the top!
    And thanks for checking in on me....life is good. :)

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