Tour de France Bikes

Been following the TdF, mySky each stage live overnight, then get on my stationary trainer, ride with them next day
an hour or more before breakfast, half or so at lunchtime, finish off in the evening, whenever I can fit a bit in
with them on the climbs and descents, and stretches between till the finish line,
but I have a few more drink stops.... lol

Grand Alps 2011

Going downhill is amazing, theyre doing up to 90 kph
got me to wondering, having ridden those roads last year on the Suzi Bandit
I know I'm not the fastest thing on a motocycle,
but maintaining that sort of speed in the Alps is a real stretch on a moto, let alone on a push-bike
and there are the press corp, threading through the field, at times passing the peloton, two up with the cameraman on the back

So researched a bit more...
the roads are not so much closed, as declared a sort of national territory
such is the French support of a sporting spectacle that's become a national treasure
The policing is done by the motorcycle division of the Republican Guard, an elite corp that among other duties protects the President,
escorting high ranking motorcades etc
European police motorcycle skill is legendary, look up on You-Tube
They ride mostly BMW's and Yamaha FJR, and have been doing TdF support so long, their knowledge how to fit around the cycling field is part of the landscape 

Ditto with the press corps whose official mount is...., wait for it Geoff..... Kwaka Concours
I spotted a beaut yesterday, white, with red flash-work
There's as many motorcycles involved in total, police and press, as push-bikes, around 200
the TV live-coverage is high level art work synchronising roadside cameras, pillion cameras, and two helicopters in the air full-time
fed to 290 TV outlets world-wide, they estimate 3.5 billion people see at least a part of the 3 week race

Fantastic tourism promotion for France......
and me just one tourist lured there last year
France takes its road safety issues in quite a nice way
you see motorcycle schools all over the place
its compulsory to carry an approved breath-tester in your car

Practical Francais

A note in yesterdays Dompost reminded visitors to the Olympic Games, who were thinking of slipping over to France for a drive around, that its compulsory to have in the car an approved breath-testing device.
On last years tour I found the driving environment most amenable, the signage was helpful and expressive of concern for your safety, rather than heavy fist of the law stuff like here.
I dont doubt however that it could be, the fines for DIC are pretty substantial, but a glass of wine with a meal is part of the nations fine culture, and the carrying of the breath testing device an elegant solution.

That motorists are given, and take, responsibility for their own actions is a nice touch

ANZA - Giving credit where its due

Took the Dyna in for its 6000 mile service yesterday, the first since I bought it 3000 miles ago.
Stu did the workshop stuff, and obviously a tune up, because on the way home, it felt like it had found another gear, and low down running in the higher gears was much improved.
I was so impressed I phoned them soon as I got home to compliment them on their work.
The cost including a WOF, was very reasonable, and the wash-down before pick-up was appreciated too.

New Road Rules

Four days in, and everythings going pretty well I'd say.
On the face of it, the only obvious difference is being able to keep going when you're in the left lane.
Fantastic. No hold up for through traffic, just stay in the left lane.
This rule change is just so obviously good for our modest NZ roads and streets where 2 lanes approaching an intersection is all you're most likely to get.
There'll probably be some inconvenience surface having to sit out in the right lane waiting for a chance to proceed, but around city blocks a little bit of fore-thought on the route, to avoid right-hand turns, will be useful.
Certainly, the increased circumstance to sit out in the middle lane on a bike, waiting for a right turn, is something to be avoided.
Riding USA and Europe has been an edifying experience. In UK you find the old right hand rule, which we've just changed back to, has persisted, and driving on the right hand side of the road in USA and France is the same, but round the other way as a left hand rule, except dear old France have one zany exception, vehicles coming in on your right have the right of way!
I think our authorities have covered this pretty well by giving priority to through-traffic at T junctions, "top of the T goes before me".

BRONZ and ACC have put out a very useful website for motorcyclists, recommend it highly.

http://www.rideforever.co.nz/

Wairarapa

We havent had a decent summer but this week's been as good a spell of weather as we've had, and the 400 km swoop down to Tauherenikau on the CB today, to watch one of the nags run was total joy.
Southern Wairarapa's really swinging as a tourist destination, sign-posts point the way to a multitude of off-highway diversions, including local museums, wineries, farmy stuff, and even NZ's own Aotearoa Stonehenge, a plywood mock-up.
Carterton, Featherston, Greytown, and Martinborough have pursued the boutique shopping/cafe experience, and even for a Monday, were quite busy.
Going over there feels like a trip to another country, its got that Canterbury feel about it, without the South Island extensiveness. Its looking a picture this year, having got its share of the good rainfall the country's had.
Well worth a long weekend.
Or two.

Redeemer

The night in Wellie wasnt a write-off by any means.
Great company, with a quick redeemer dinner at Hummingbird, lamb shoulder, maybe a little tough but flavour just right with nice vegies, and the seafood platter at $30 odd, scallops, mussels and shrimp mostly, a grand enough meal that alone would do for two. And you could skip the bread and dips appetiser.
Wellington was pretty much booked out with last weekend of the Arts Festival, and the Hurricanes playing Highlanders same night, but through stalwart booking.com got one of the last rooms at Century Apartments, Tory St, smart room at a very reasonable price, and drive-in parking building adjacent.
Eventful trip home too.
Police breath-test road block at 7am along the waterfront, detour from Mana over Paekakariki Hill due to a fatal at Pukerua Bay, but at Levin, Raewyn's Cafe was open for a 'small' steak and eggs, one of the best steaks you can get in NZ, but be careful to be super hungry if you order the 'large'. She's open about 6 am weekends, and 2am week-days, closes around 2pm, best breakfast place, down-home quality, serve size, menu, and value, in NZ in my book.
Another detour around central Levin, big shop fire, and another police road-block in Sanson for rego/wof check, drop off mate, and back over the Saddle Road to Woodville Clay Target range for the bi-annual match between Wanganui and Wairarapa Ulysses, with a big thanks to Woodville for their assistance with the shooting, and a top cold beef, salad, spud and peas lunch.
Quick look at the windmill power farm on the way home, hundreds up there now, hard to believe all these stories you read about the technology being suspect, more nimby drivel I suspect.
Top weekend.

Smash Safety

When you were a kid, playing games in the car helped to pass the time of the journey, I Spy, Beaver, spot the horse, etc
Now, on the bike, the name of the game, aside from enjoying the ride, is staying alive.
Good article in yesterday's DomPost summarising road accident stats in the lower NI region.
21%, one in 5, of fatal and serious accidents involve motorcycles and mopeds, and the proportion is picked to grow with the increase in interest in 2 wheel transport.
The article lists the dangerous scenarios.
1. Riders aged between 19 and 24 are over-represented in the stats
2. A quarter of the crashes happen at night
3. 11% involve travelling too fast for the conditions, not necessarily faster than the local speed limit either
4. 14% ditto on the open road state highways
5. Crashes on local roads most commonly occur when crossing and turning, and on open roads, losing control and crashing on bends.

Obviously, continuous care and judgement are the necessaries, I enjoy the challenge of having to keep mind on the job, and am sure my car-driving has benefitted from the motorcycling experience.
I avoid biking at night too.
Wearing fancy protective clothing and helmets, are only ambulance at the bottom the cliff measures, not a license to hoon around at what one considers normal pace.
Making us farmers wear helmets at all times on the farm, wont reduce serious accidents significantly either, I bet.
Generally, I think there is a noticeable difference in the way people are driving more carefully on the roads these days, but there's still a gulf in awareness and acceptance of motorcycles compared with USA, and even Europe. For some reason the NZ motorist has got into a very arrogant position regarding his/her place in the sun.
I dont think our no fault accident compensation system, and social welfare in general, does us any favours in the responsibility department. Bowl a pedestrian or a child in USA, or a motorcyclist for that matter, and see where that gets you.
In the old days here on this rural road, if your dog got bowled, the motorist offered to pay for a replacement, get in the same situation now, you'll just as likely get sued for damage to the car.

Ulysses Economy Run

Took the CB and joined a handful of bikes on the Ulysses Economy Run up the Parapara, today organised by Lloyd, to Ohakune Station, where we stopped for lunch.

View across OreOre, Ruapehu just visble

Gusting heavily between Raetihi and Ohakune, but mostly fine to overcast, and warm down in the gulleys the rest of the way.
I was interested to try the CB out, serious, coast down the hills, and keep to a rev limit of 2000 rpm, which I soon found pretty ho-hum and upped to 3000. Stayed in top gear most of the way, which the torquey 1300 handled no problem.
Was tail-end-charlie first aid kit carrier for the day, and was soon left behind with that sort of discipline.
Took 9.46 litres for the 210km, but was well caned by Neville on an 850 Beamer at 6.something, plus by a couple of Suzuki Bandits.
It was interesting to overhear others comment they went for a lower gear immediately they sensed the load of a hill-climb, and I'm inclined to agree. Even though engines like the CB can work relatively low in the rev range, you probably get better efficiency the closer you are to the optimum power and torque points, and consequently get from A to B quicker so the engines running less time.
Of course my other feeble excuse is Nev's probably 75kg lighter than me!
The tucker at the Ohakune Station Cafe isnt to be sniffed at, 9/10, we just managed to get clear before a train-load of 160 excursioners pulled in. One of them told me they did Auckland to Wellington behind a steam loco on Friday, the Masterton, Manawatu Gorge, Wellington loop Saturday, and were now on their way home behind the diesel loco'd Overlander.

Fields Track

Homeward to Wanganui we came down Field's Track, rejoining the Parapara at Kakatahi, hardly any traffic along an autumn coloured ribbon of road.
Nice ride, particularly at the sedate economy-run pace.

Holiday Rides

Before I forget, 1200km on the CB between Boxing Day and New Year.
First to Wellington, stopping off for all-day b/f at Beachcomber Cafe, Waitarere Beach.
Worth the 5km diversion off the main drag, keeps good hours, good off-street parking, nice outdoors tabling for fine days, and wholesome tucker. 9/10.
Then on to Upper Hutt. Gave the Akatarawa road in from Waikanae a miss, nearly got bowled twice last time I tried it.


View from Paekakariki Hill


Just as an aside comment, I'm finding Subaru's the biggest vehicular road hazard to my biking. Is it something to do with financial availability to the not so mentally well-endowed? Could I make the same observation to next in line XR Falcons with their market-leading lease policies.
The Paekakariki Hill has something of the same rep with some bikers, but I think its an OK ride.

Overnight hospitality with US trip roomie Richard and 'Cinta, meeting up with Roger and Robyn for a decko at the European Masters Exhibition at Te Papa, (while Roger and Richard waited out at the Brewery place next-door), great to be able to spot a Monet, a Degas, and a Van Gogh, all from the same vantage point, privilege.......

On way home stopped at Red House Cafe, Te Horo. On sighting this place up on Google Maps once I'd got home, was somewhat surprised to see comments bagging it, some people are right hard to satisfy toss-pots.
Sure it wasnt hash-foundry cheap, but contrary to the comment, I thought the service was the equal of any city, and certainly more than I expected for a wayside inn, the menu was fine dining standard, and they "no problem" made up a special salad to order for me, as I only wanted to eat light on that occasion. 8/10 on JReb's scale.

Raukawa Falls, Parapara

Next day, it was saddle up again, heading for Tauranga to scope up a farm ute prospect, a glorious morning ride up the ParaPara,  TePonanga Saddle, Western Taupo, for a b/f stop at Whakamaru. Dunno the name of the cafe, but its on the right as you turn right towards the dam, and worth pulling into. 8/10 on this one.

Mt Ruapehu

Did the deal on the ute, and home again, jiggedy-jig.

...to Pies

On the road victualling is very important!
In the news yesterday of significance is Pete, of Pete's Pies, formerly of Carlton Av at the Alma Rd roundabout, is opening up for business again.
Beaut.
Pete made the best pies in Wangas, and I went into near withdrawal when the shop burned down earlier this year.
However, Pete's Pies is re-opening soon in Sanson, in what used to be the pet shop, approaching from the north, its on the left about opposite the Shell station. The daily 26,000 traffic through this SH1 burg will give him the patronage his product deserves. The news item stated the premises is much larger than the old place, so with a bit of luck, we might be able to get a coffee there too. Actually, it has a respectable size forecourt, lots of space for off-street bike parking, a great meet-up venue.
Also worth a mention in Sanson, is the fish and chip shop next to the pub. Top F&C's, big slices of decently fresh fish, nice batter, good helping of chips, and they're open well into the evening.
The home-made pie situation hasnt evaporated in Wangas either. Carlton Takeaways, 44 Liffiton, on the main drag just past the town end of the motorway bridge has stepped up to the plate with what I think are now the best pies in town.