Bloody Hell Bob!

Bloody hell Bob you've gone.

You are going to be missed by many in the blogosphere!  .You were a good guy mate, Any one that that travels from Vancouver to San Francisco just to see me will always be held in high regard in my books.

You were a interesting guy!  Once I managed to get you to stop taking my photo and could get to know you, you had a interesting story to tell.  You had a heart of gold, loved motorcycling..and gadgets.....god did you love gadgets.

 You never did make in it down under, but I am sure that where you are now the scenery is better!

You  were the cornerstone of motor blogger world, and every one knew Bob.

Will miss you mate, and your blogs about bloody crocs...pink ones at that.

Where ever you are Bob, I hope that your camera is always charged, the road always windy and the gas tank always full!

My Aroha goes out to Yvonne and your family.

Roger.

Wonderful Achievement.

Here is a link to a nice little article about Taylor's school team winning the Counties Manukau Schools title. It was a wonderful achievement

You can read it here.

The final game they played was an absolute cracker and Taylor was the Captain for the day.  She is normally Vice Captain anyway but there captain was off injured.  Man I was   (as most parents were) a wee bit vocal. It was seriously thrilling and one of the games of the year for me personally, and trust me I have sat through a few!.

As anything with sports there are ups and downs and the following week with Taylor taking part in Auckland Trials she injured her leg in the game the day before and couldn't partake.  Thankfully she gets another chance next Monday.

It is great to see Taylor be a part of some great teams, creating memories for the future. Knowing what it feels like to be apart t of a team spirit, as well as  accepting the good, and the some times heart breaking experiences.  She is developing life long friends. And a passion for excellence.  

Of course the upside for me is that while she is  busy with football she has no time for boy friends...which is good cause I haven't got around to getting my gun license yet.

A view point.

I tend to keep my social commentary and personal points of view on sensitive topic to myself.

But a few days ago I found this open letter to the IOC penned by Stephen Fry.  It is well written and I think it is true.

I found it touched a relevant nerve.

There is an element of truth to what he says.

You can read his brilliant article here..Stephen Fry

I hope he does not mind me posting it!

Personally though,  the only effect a boycott would have, would be to punish the athletes who have worked so hard to get there.  

It is ironic when I think back to the Moscow boycott of 1980.....initiated by the USA opposing the Soviet  invasion of Afghanistan...

Overall, as much as I agreee with his thoughts, I would rather see sports and politcis not mixing.

Feel freee to voice an opinion..

The Perfect Corner.

Sunday once again was a wonderful day.  With winter all but non existent it was decided that a few of us would go for a social ride.  Andy on his k1300 r (affectionately called Brutus), Bruce on his VFR 800 ( affectionately called ..."underpowered"), a couple of other guys from IAM and Myself.  Andy is an observer and Bruce is all but, Brett and Peter, although yet to pass there test are both excellent riders.  

So all of us are heavily influenced by our IAM training, or more specifically "Road craft".

It was a day for just riding, no observing or debriefs, just a good ole fashion ride around some of the wonderful roads the west coast has to offer. 

It was while we were riding , and while I was following Bruce that we began to discuss the perfect corner.  The beauty of intercoms allowed us to discuss a few things while riding.

Bruce is a very talented rider, who demonstrates the art of cornering so precisely and elegantly it is  a pleasure to watch.  Of course it is a continuing process for all of us.  But from where I looked, when it is done well, it is a pure art form and a beautiful thing to behold.  Bruce is very very precise and carries excellent corner speed.  

It got me to thinking how much my riding has changed over the last few years. How my desire for smoothness, precision and perfection seems to encompass my riding so much now.  And I don't just mean when the roads are dry and the camber perfect.  

I mean when you come into a off camber, wet, shiny corner and and yet put your bike around it perfectly, exiting under throttle and feeling the bike drive out.  It is a wonderful feeling.  More importantly knowing why it felt good and being able to rinse and repeat at will.

Cornering on a bike, is one of my life's greatest pleasures.  It is why I ride.  I never perfect every corner exactly as I would like all the time, ...but that doesn't stop me from trying.  

On our way back Bruce was leading with me tucked in behind.  We managed to put a bit of distance between us and the others, but i warned Bruce that Andy loves a challenge and would only give us a few minutes before he would attempt to chase us down.....six minutes later Andy 's light appears in our mirrors....I love motorbikes.   

Winter?

July, supposedly one of our wettest and coldest months down under has been any thing but.

Warm, mild temperatures in the mid teens (Celsius).  And dry, with nothing but the odd shower.

Of course this has meant some decent weather for riding, nothing big. No big tours but  good riding weather none the less.

Sunday was to be no different.

The IAM Sunday ride falls on the last Sunday of the month, but I decided to play hooky today and go for a ride with Nathan.  I have done a lot of IAM stuff of late, as well as running around after Taylor and her endless football demands.  All of that is good, but it was time for me to do some thing with my son.

So with Taylor  at her game, I headed out with Nat on the back.  To be honest I wasn't sure  where we were going to go, but it occurred to me as we were leaving that I had never taken him to Muriwai. I have taken Taylor before but not Nat.

We are so blessed here in this country to have easy access to some wonderful marine parks, beaches and reserves. All with  easy access and a short ride.  Muriwai is one of Auckland's wonderful West coach beaches.  In New Zealand the West coast is considered the rougher side.  But that has its advantages and disadvantages....surfers love it...but dangerous swimming.

As u can see it  was a lovely ride.  With some great pic's of a guy  paragliding by the gannet colony, as well as great views.  Coffee was  brilliant and the food from the local cafe exceptional.  So we were only out for a few hours but it was just a great day.

Meanwhile downunder....

It has been raining a lot.  Did I say a lot?  Yes a lot. I don't think I have ever seen it as wet as it has been the last couple of months, we may have had an awesome summer but we are making up for it now.

Normally our winters aren't to bad.  Certainly motorbike riding is  not out of the question.  But the roads have not had a chance to dry out and it is evident by some slippery and slimy roads.  Geoff was talking the other day about taking a couple of associates out for IAM and both had traction issues.

So apart from a few IAM runs my motorbiking has been limited.  This has of course given me the opportunity to settle into the new house, set up my we man cave and do a few things to the bikes.  Finally getting around to setting up the GPS on the 650 and other electrical gadgets on the k1200.....u know what I mean, fish finders and the like!  It is also a good time to sit down and start planning a few bike trips.  Very keen to hit the South Island again this year on the 650 so I can explore some of the great back road leading up to the high country.  Roads like the Molesworth road  are places I haven't seen or ridden. I want to concentrate on the upper South Island taking in the Nelson lakes etc.

There is something to be said for a small home. Easy to manage and run.  Very happy I must say.

The Captain.

Notice the Team oreon cap....xx

With the soccer season in full swing,   the week with the kids is taken up with endless football training's and games for Taylor.  Meanwhile Nat has joined the sea scouts and decided mountain biking is what he wants to do...which means Dad has to do it to....shit.  Should be fun I suppose and we do have some decent tracks close by.  I just do prefer an engine when sitting on two wheels.

Hopefully some decent motorbike blods to follow soon.....as soon as spring gets here!

The K1200s

Since I have got back into bikes there have been only one that really touched my soul.  It was my Daytona 955i.  It had a beauty of a engine,  sounded like it was on steroids and handled well.  It just has some thing.   There has been nothing wrong with any of the other bikes I have owned, but none of them moved me the way the 955 did.  The sprint was great did every thing right..but it never really stirred me.

So along comes  this BMW K1200s.  Splendid in black with an aftermarket exhaust, and I knew the instant I started it up that we were going to have a beautiful relationship.  The throaty growl from the twin brothers aftermarket exhaust just enhances the thrill of  the in line four, it really does sound like a turbine engine eating cocaine.  

Like most BMW's it came pretty specked up.   Heated grips, Electronic Suspension adjustment, traction control, luggage...and attitude, and did I say it looks good!

The biggest bonus of this bike is it's handling. The ESA has an arrange of options which are easily adjusted by the button on the bars.  Stroll through I can adjust when I have a pillion, or carrying luggage, or if I just want a "quick" bit of fun.

Which brings me to the word quick.......

quick

  [kwik]  Show IPA adjective, quick·er, quick·est, noun, adverb, quick·er, quick·est.

adjective

1.

done, proceeding, or occurring with promptness or rapidity, as an action, process, etc.; prompt;immediate: a quick response.

2.

that is over or completed within a short interval of time: a quick shower.

3.

moving, or able to move, with speed: a quick fox; a quick train.

4.

swift or rapid, as motion: a quick flick of the wrist.

5.

easily provoked or excited; hasty: a quick temper.

For me...point number four seems the correct definition.

This bike is an absolute weapon to ride.  It is incredible responsive and has far more usable power than I think I will be ever able to use, saying that though I am keen to at least try.  0-100kms in 2.8secs....big grin factor,  just need to remind my pillion before I open the throttle.  

The biggest surprise for me was how comfy the bike is to ride, it's barely different to the Sprint.  I think its title of hyper sports tourer seems pretty correct.  I am not a small guy and it is very comfy for me.  European bike built for Europeans...best sums it up.

Of course with any new bike purchase, it is essential that 'we'personlise it...bling bling bling..

So I have added a carbon fibre centre piece and battery cover, have to say looks the shits!  whooo

Also, have added a tank bag which just clicks to the fuel tank, no straps, tidy and simple.  Never been a fan of tank bags as a rule but pretty impressed with this one I got from Pirates Lair in the states.   While I am at it,  Can't speak highly enough of these guys an girls, very helpful and a delight to deal with.  Always scary when buying stuff from over seas but extremely happy with the result and service.  

Having just moved into a new smaller  home I have created a nice little man cave for me and the bikes, I even have a wee work bench, and I feel like quite the straight guy.  So to help move the bikes around I purchased a Motorcycle trolley dolly, just flick the bike on to it with the centre stand and presto, piece of piss to move stuff around.  I can more the bikes over to the corners and move them around depending on which one I am playing with.  brilliant....now just looking for a nice little beer fridge to fit under my table and I have a place of refuge.

Sorry about he pics, camera was flat so just used my phone.