lindsaymac
29-11-2009, 04:08 PM
It's just such a good ride. About half past eight last night the phone rings and it's my mate, Terry:
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I dunno, not much."
"Feel like a run around the block?"
"Hang on, I'll check with the social secretary" *brief pause* ".....nuthin', I'm in."
"We're meeting Richard at Nana Glen, at 08:00, get an early start and beat the heat; see ya there."
"Cool!"
07:25 and I'm coasting down the hill past the Big Windmill towards the servo, for some fuel and air and I spot Terry and Karen heading in the opposite direction; at least I'm not going to be late.
Tank filled and paid for and I've just finished adding some air to the front tyre, when old mate wobbles over from his electric "gopher".
"Are you in a hurry?" he asks.
"No, not really, what's your problem?"
"I need to check the air in my tyres, but I cam't bend down to do it."
"No worries," I reply, "bring it over."
He wobbles over on his walking stick and brings the little electric jigger over.
"How much air do you put in them?"
"About 41psi" he says.
I quickly check all four tyres and they vary from 10psi to 36psi; all set at 41 and I bid him good day. He's on for a bit of a chat, but I have an appointment at Nana Glen.
Doesn't take long to get there and Terry and Karen are parked in the bus stop, outside the school; no sign of Richard, yet.
Karen, with her white Gix Sen-fitty at the head of the cue.....and wanting to get going.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009003Large.jpg
We swap small talk for about ten minutes and then the rumble of the Tricolore is heard and Richard arrives shortly after. Even at this early stage, the temperature is starting to climb and after a bit of chit-chat, we head for Coutts Crossing.
There is ample evidence of the ferocity of the storms the night before, with plenty of green leaf litter along each side of the road and quite a few small branches scattered among the. Occasionally, there are some larger branches, with their ends protruding onto the roadway; glad I wasn't riding through that, I thought.
Traffic is light and we're cruising along at around the $1.10 - $1.20 mark, when we approach the Braunstone esses. There is a Rav4 dawdling along in front of us, but a quick flick of he throttle sees him banished to the rear view mirrors.
I was wanting to have a decent run at these corners, as I'd been fiddling with the damping in front & rear suspension and wanted to see what difference I'd made, if any. Speed was dialled up to the $1.60 mark and a clean run through ensued. Still feels a little vague in the front, coming off the turns, but a definite inprovement. All good there.
As we pull into the Coutts Crossing servo, there is a lass there fuelling her R1200GS. I say g'day and a bit of conversation, while she finishes the task at hand, reveals she's from Nambucca Heads and is doing the same as us - a lap of the block.
Getting a bit too popular this road, might have to find another one. :lol:
We're all re-fuelled and back on the track by just after 09:00 and the road is exceptionally clean, from the previous nights rain. The run up the Nymboida hill is brilliant; no crap on the corners, no wandering cattle and no trucks. So we turn around at the top and run down for a second go. :D
The heat is starting to build up, so we decide to head for Dorrigo and the shade of Juan's Cafe - The World's Smallest Motorcycle Museum". I have the lead and Terry takes up station just behind, while Richard and Karen dwindle in our mirrors. Richard has a dodgy back and can't push it too much on the tighter, rougher sections, while Karen is still regaining her confidence, after a fairly recent oopsie. Since then, she's completed a couple of track days and just rides within her comfort zone; although, she's anything but slow. :up:
Once past Tyringham and onto the North Dorigo road I tell myself, "Don't forget the old bus".
"Bus?"
Yep, someone decided to build their own Winnebago. Got 'emselves an old bus and went to work. It was an interesting concept and would have looked quite impressive, but, I dunno...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009007Large.jpg
Lot of work must have gone into it, though....and yes, those are wooden planks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009009Large.jpg
The poor buggers in the Mitsubishi 380 must have thought we were mad. We'd passed them going up the hill, then again as we went back down. Caught them and re-passed them again, after turning around at the bottom and re-climbing the hill. Then they passed us, while we waited for the other two, at the Tyringham turn off. We re-caught and re-passed them again, only for them to re-pass us, when I stopped to take the bus photo's. So, Terry and I re-re-passed them, when we set off after Richard and Karen, again.
My head is starting to hurt...ah, yes, in the midst of this,
After our second run up the hill, we'd just completed the last of the more open corners and were getting on to the "old" part of the seal, where the road starts to narrow. Coming out of a left hander I noticed a branch about 2 metres long and around 50mm thick, laying across the opposite lane. with one end just over the centreline. Meh...no biggy, pointed my foot at it, for Terry's benefit.
At the same time, a newish Nissan Patrol passes the other way and, as I watch in my mirrors, runs over the end of the branch, flicking it sideways...straight across in front of Terry. :shock:
Luckily, he avoids it and his heart rate had settled considerably, by the time we got to Dorrigo. :smile:
We take it easy through the tighter section, as there is a bit more traffic than is usual (Dorrigo Show was on this week-end). Terry and I pull up and wait for Richard and Karen, just before Billy's Creek, and we give Karen the lead; she knows this road quite well and feels comfortable on it. Her resolve was tested about 3klms later, however, on a tight-ish right-hander. She's lined it up, comitted and tipped in.......when a 63 seater coach appears, around the immediately following, (blind) sharp left. :Astonished:
Doesn't faze her in the slightest, adjusts her line slightly and continues on past the bus, as if nothing had happened. :Dancing:
All four cruise into Dorrigo and find parking in front of the caffeine dispensary. We elected to sit inside today, as it was a lot cooler then out the front, under the umbrella's. The mixed berry pie, with fresh cream, was worth every cent of the $4.50 I paid for it and the coffee didn't taste too bad, either. :smile:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009011Large.jpg
The run down the raceway was perfect; no cars in front, until the traffic light. Jump to the front and an uninterrupted run to the bottom, on a nice clean surface. :shades:
Maybe there is a god?
That was soooo good, We were quite happy to cruise the rest of the way onto Bellingen....except for the sweeping left at Boggy Creek. Hard on it coming out in 3rd when I realise that $1.60 is where it hits the limiter.....and we're closing on $1.58. :oops: I watch the snout of the Tricolore loom large in the mirrors, until Richard realises I've stopped accelerating and he has to back it off. Sorry mate. 8-[ I slow it from there as, just up the road is where the old bloke pulled out of his driveway last week, nearly taking darren out.
Bellingen comes and goes, and we have a bit more traffic to deal with, between there and the highway. In fact, Bellingen seemed to quite busy, for a Sunday, maybe some more Dorrigo Show punters. :think: We settle in to a leisurely cruise for the run back to Coffs; it's getting too hot for much else.
A last chat with the two Gixxers, while we fill the bikes and then home, to an ice cold beer.
And ya know what's given me the most satisfaction today?
Nope,
.....it was doin' the old bloke's tyres for him.
:happi:
*Hope it's still that clean next Sunday.* :grin2:
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I dunno, not much."
"Feel like a run around the block?"
"Hang on, I'll check with the social secretary" *brief pause* ".....nuthin', I'm in."
"We're meeting Richard at Nana Glen, at 08:00, get an early start and beat the heat; see ya there."
"Cool!"
07:25 and I'm coasting down the hill past the Big Windmill towards the servo, for some fuel and air and I spot Terry and Karen heading in the opposite direction; at least I'm not going to be late.
Tank filled and paid for and I've just finished adding some air to the front tyre, when old mate wobbles over from his electric "gopher".
"Are you in a hurry?" he asks.
"No, not really, what's your problem?"
"I need to check the air in my tyres, but I cam't bend down to do it."
"No worries," I reply, "bring it over."
He wobbles over on his walking stick and brings the little electric jigger over.
"How much air do you put in them?"
"About 41psi" he says.
I quickly check all four tyres and they vary from 10psi to 36psi; all set at 41 and I bid him good day. He's on for a bit of a chat, but I have an appointment at Nana Glen.
Doesn't take long to get there and Terry and Karen are parked in the bus stop, outside the school; no sign of Richard, yet.
Karen, with her white Gix Sen-fitty at the head of the cue.....and wanting to get going.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009003Large.jpg
We swap small talk for about ten minutes and then the rumble of the Tricolore is heard and Richard arrives shortly after. Even at this early stage, the temperature is starting to climb and after a bit of chit-chat, we head for Coutts Crossing.
There is ample evidence of the ferocity of the storms the night before, with plenty of green leaf litter along each side of the road and quite a few small branches scattered among the. Occasionally, there are some larger branches, with their ends protruding onto the roadway; glad I wasn't riding through that, I thought.
Traffic is light and we're cruising along at around the $1.10 - $1.20 mark, when we approach the Braunstone esses. There is a Rav4 dawdling along in front of us, but a quick flick of he throttle sees him banished to the rear view mirrors.
I was wanting to have a decent run at these corners, as I'd been fiddling with the damping in front & rear suspension and wanted to see what difference I'd made, if any. Speed was dialled up to the $1.60 mark and a clean run through ensued. Still feels a little vague in the front, coming off the turns, but a definite inprovement. All good there.
As we pull into the Coutts Crossing servo, there is a lass there fuelling her R1200GS. I say g'day and a bit of conversation, while she finishes the task at hand, reveals she's from Nambucca Heads and is doing the same as us - a lap of the block.
Getting a bit too popular this road, might have to find another one. :lol:
We're all re-fuelled and back on the track by just after 09:00 and the road is exceptionally clean, from the previous nights rain. The run up the Nymboida hill is brilliant; no crap on the corners, no wandering cattle and no trucks. So we turn around at the top and run down for a second go. :D
The heat is starting to build up, so we decide to head for Dorrigo and the shade of Juan's Cafe - The World's Smallest Motorcycle Museum". I have the lead and Terry takes up station just behind, while Richard and Karen dwindle in our mirrors. Richard has a dodgy back and can't push it too much on the tighter, rougher sections, while Karen is still regaining her confidence, after a fairly recent oopsie. Since then, she's completed a couple of track days and just rides within her comfort zone; although, she's anything but slow. :up:
Once past Tyringham and onto the North Dorigo road I tell myself, "Don't forget the old bus".
"Bus?"
Yep, someone decided to build their own Winnebago. Got 'emselves an old bus and went to work. It was an interesting concept and would have looked quite impressive, but, I dunno...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009007Large.jpg
Lot of work must have gone into it, though....and yes, those are wooden planks.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009009Large.jpg
The poor buggers in the Mitsubishi 380 must have thought we were mad. We'd passed them going up the hill, then again as we went back down. Caught them and re-passed them again, after turning around at the bottom and re-climbing the hill. Then they passed us, while we waited for the other two, at the Tyringham turn off. We re-caught and re-passed them again, only for them to re-pass us, when I stopped to take the bus photo's. So, Terry and I re-re-passed them, when we set off after Richard and Karen, again.
My head is starting to hurt...ah, yes, in the midst of this,
After our second run up the hill, we'd just completed the last of the more open corners and were getting on to the "old" part of the seal, where the road starts to narrow. Coming out of a left hander I noticed a branch about 2 metres long and around 50mm thick, laying across the opposite lane. with one end just over the centreline. Meh...no biggy, pointed my foot at it, for Terry's benefit.
At the same time, a newish Nissan Patrol passes the other way and, as I watch in my mirrors, runs over the end of the branch, flicking it sideways...straight across in front of Terry. :shock:
Luckily, he avoids it and his heart rate had settled considerably, by the time we got to Dorrigo. :smile:
We take it easy through the tighter section, as there is a bit more traffic than is usual (Dorrigo Show was on this week-end). Terry and I pull up and wait for Richard and Karen, just before Billy's Creek, and we give Karen the lead; she knows this road quite well and feels comfortable on it. Her resolve was tested about 3klms later, however, on a tight-ish right-hander. She's lined it up, comitted and tipped in.......when a 63 seater coach appears, around the immediately following, (blind) sharp left. :Astonished:
Doesn't faze her in the slightest, adjusts her line slightly and continues on past the bus, as if nothing had happened. :Dancing:
All four cruise into Dorrigo and find parking in front of the caffeine dispensary. We elected to sit inside today, as it was a lot cooler then out the front, under the umbrella's. The mixed berry pie, with fresh cream, was worth every cent of the $4.50 I paid for it and the coffee didn't taste too bad, either. :smile:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/earlgrey/Nymboida%20Loop%2029Nov2009/NymboidaLoop29Nov2009011Large.jpg
The run down the raceway was perfect; no cars in front, until the traffic light. Jump to the front and an uninterrupted run to the bottom, on a nice clean surface. :shades:
Maybe there is a god?
That was soooo good, We were quite happy to cruise the rest of the way onto Bellingen....except for the sweeping left at Boggy Creek. Hard on it coming out in 3rd when I realise that $1.60 is where it hits the limiter.....and we're closing on $1.58. :oops: I watch the snout of the Tricolore loom large in the mirrors, until Richard realises I've stopped accelerating and he has to back it off. Sorry mate. 8-[ I slow it from there as, just up the road is where the old bloke pulled out of his driveway last week, nearly taking darren out.
Bellingen comes and goes, and we have a bit more traffic to deal with, between there and the highway. In fact, Bellingen seemed to quite busy, for a Sunday, maybe some more Dorrigo Show punters. :think: We settle in to a leisurely cruise for the run back to Coffs; it's getting too hot for much else.
A last chat with the two Gixxers, while we fill the bikes and then home, to an ice cold beer.
And ya know what's given me the most satisfaction today?
Nope,
.....it was doin' the old bloke's tyres for him.
:happi:
*Hope it's still that clean next Sunday.* :grin2: