My Girl Gets A New Voice

19/05/2012

One thing I've really missed on my new bike has been the roar of my old bike. Sure, it was only a little 250cc V-Star with standard exhaust, BUT, the previous owner removed the baffles before I bought it. It sounded much bigger than it was, with a deep, throaty roar whenever I took off, or dropped down a gear.

My new bikes exhaust system make the bike really quiet and it doesn't sound like a motorbike. As one of my acquaintences pointed out it, it sounds like a sewing machine. I didn't take it as an insult, just as a constructive comment.

I could live with it, but I had plans to replace the exhaust with something a little louder (for safety purposes, honestly). After the ANZAC Day ride with the Vietnam Vets, I decided I was going to have to do something about it as I was embarassed at how odd the bike sounded compared with all the other bikes.

Don't believe it sounds like a sewing machine, just click the video below for proof:

XVS650 V-Star with standard exhaust

Really impressive, huh

Mind made up, I contacted Dean at Express Motorcycles (www.expressmotorcycles.com.au) and organised a shiny new set of Vance & Hines pipes. Pipes fitted, and away we go.

First thing I had to do was take the bike out to the Centenary Highway Extension to see and hear for myself what difference the new pipes had made. Let's just say it's like a completely new bike. The bike now sounds like it has balls, and whereas before no-one would notice the bike, I now notice drivers looking in their mirrors and are well aware that I'm there.

Here's the sound of the bike, post transplant:

XVS650 with new Vance & Hines

Slight difference, huh. Now, I'm not sure if it's the pipes, or the fact that the sound makes the right hand twist harder, but the bike now seems to accelerate much quicker and reach the speed limit very quickly. I did manage to stretch the bikes legs for a few minutes and it didn't seem to have any difficulty reaching and passing my previous top speed, so I'll have to keep a little more control on the throttle from now on...don't want to attract too much attention from the Smurfs.

ANZAC Day 2012

25/04/2012

My family has a link to ANZAC Day (my great uncle was diverted from ANZAC Cove and spent most of World War 1 in Egypt and France). My dad (named after my great uncle) did 20 years in the Army, 12 months spent in Vietnam in the late 60’s, my older brother did 20 years in the Army and his daughter is currently in the Air Force. As you can see, I'm from a military family, and as such, the day has special meaning to my family. ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club “Bunker” has become a bit of a tradition for me.

For the past few years, I have made my way to the “Bunker”, usually with my daughter Ashleigh in tow, for the Dawn Service, breakfast with my parents, followed by the group ride into Brisbane for the ANZAC Day march. This year was a little different than usual. Unlike previous years, Ashleigh and I left home at the appointed hour (3:15AM) without the usual multiple layers of clothing. Normally we’d leave with 3 or 4 layers of clothing, thermal lined jackets, winter gloves and balaclavas. This year, the weather gods were kind to us, so with only a single layer of clothing and our summer safety gear on, we headed off to McDonalds Yamanto for our traditional ANZAC Day pre-ride coffee.

While drinking our coffees we chatted with several people who were on their way to the various ANZAC Day dawn services around the area. At our appointed departure time (4:30AM), we hopped onto the bike and made our way to Kingston, a short 30 minute ride away. Crusing down the Centenary Highway Extension at Ripley, I realised why I don’t normally go this way when it’s dark – lots of “mobile speed humps” (kangaroos) bouncing across the road, as well as “tin top drivers” who don’t know the difference between “low beam” and “HIGH BEAM”. I don’t know how many times I had to turn my head to the left to avoid losing my vision (not good when the roo’s are hopping all over the place) , and I think I might have worn out the HIGH/LOW switch on the bike flashing the oncoming traffic.

After getting off the Centenary Highway Extension, it was on to the Logan Motorway – divided highway at last and no kangaroos. Within a short time we were heading off at Loganlea and a few minutes later we pulled into the Bunker. We arrived at just after 5:00AM and there was already over 100 bikes and a few cars on site. Getting off the bike, I noticed my mum and dad had turned up (dad hasn’t been to a Dawn Service for almost 30 years, so to see him here was great).

The Dawn Service was emotional, though provoking and totally different to a "normal" Dawn Service. Yes, Dawn Service is about the sacrifices made on the beaches and cliffs of Gallippoli, however, this is the one Dawn Service I have been to that specifically mentions the sacrifices, both physically and emotionally, made by the Vientam Veterans. This is one of the reasons I keep coming back year after year... I've seen first hand the impact Vietnam services has had on my father and many of his comrades.

After the service, I caught up with Ashley & Mephisto. This is the once place I know I'll be able to catch Ashley as he now rides with another club and it's not often we get a chance to catch up. After a quick catchup and photo we said our farewells and each departed to do engage in our own ANZAC Day traditions. For Ashleigh and myself it was onto the bike for a quick ride over to Shailer Park for coffee at my parents place.

After coffee and general catchup, it's back on the bike, returning to the Vietnam Vets Bunker to catch the pre-ride briefing before the group ride into Brisbane. Leaving the Bunker, I was expecting to queue up on the road as usual, waiting for all bikes to leave as one group. This year everyone took off at a quick pace heading for the Pacific Motorway. Once we arrived at the Motorway, all the bike pulled over to the side of the road until the last bike arrived.

AND THEY'RE OFF

Hundreds of bikes fired up their engines and left as one, merging into the center lane of the motorway. I'm not sure how it looked to the spectators, but from my position (about mid pack) the stream of bikes heading down the highway was an awesome sight. The roar of a few hundred bikes cruising along the motorway was incredible. Being in the middle of the noise is enough of a reason to get up so early.

While it was not ment to be a race, at times my speedo was reading slightly above the posted speed limit. I'm the first to admit that it’s a little scary riding at about 100kph, a couple of meters from the bike in front of you, with another next to you, when a car tries to force it’s way in. A quick flash of light, a dirty look and a raised boot seems to be more than sufficient encouragement to make the car back off. (lucky for him as I haven’t had to kick a car door for a while and my steel capped boots were hungry).

Down the freeway and off ramp into Brisbane. The riders in front of us were separated from the main group and after taking a few “wrong” turns, we ended up in Elizabeth Street, taking up both sides of the road. I’m not sure how many bikes were on the ride, but the road was full on both sides, so I’m guessing somewhere in excess of 200 or so.

After catching up with family during the march, it was back on the bike, destination home.

Queensland Government Motorcycle Safety

25/05/2012
The Queensland Government has a web site dedicated to motorcycle safety and rider education.

The site is located at http://www.motorcyclesafety.qld.gov.au/index.php/qt/index/.

This web site contains lots of useful information for both novice and experienced riders.

Even if you've been riding for years, please make use of the site and resources it contains.

You never know, there could be something you find on the site that one day may save your life.

An Inspirational Old Biker

23/10/2011

I was invited by the members of the Albury/Wodonga Ulysses Club to help set up for the Bike Fest and to attend a "film night" with a special appearance by Doug Sunderland, an 87 year old biker, who was going to provide commentary to a couple of documentaries made about him and his "home video" of white water rafting down the Zambezi River.

Well, I'm in town & haven't been able to catch up with any of my old school friends (very few of them still live in the area, and those that do weren't allowed out to play with a silly old biker from Queensland) so I volunteered to help out for an hour or two and then settled down to videos and drinks under the "big top".

About a dozen people turned up to pack "sample bags" and set up for Sunday's event. After everything was completed, we all grabbed out seats, drinks, nibbles, etc and sat back for the next couple of hours with Doug providing commentary to the SBS special (Grey Voyagers - Born To Ride) about his bike trip through Nepal, the ABC special (Australian Story - On Your Bike) about his solo ride around Australia when he was 85 and his white water raft trip down the Zambezi River. Not sure how many of you have done any of these things, but this is only a small example of what he's done over the years. Doug was not in the best of health as he'd recently broken a hip, no, not from a bike fall, but a fall in the kitchen. Even though he was walking with the assistance of a crutch and was in great pain every time he sat down or got up from a chair, he refused any assistance. I found out the hard way that when he says he doesn't need a hand, he doesn't WANT a hand. Despite his pain and discomfort, he still made himself available for those who attended.

During the videos, Doug would stop the show, filling in details of what was going on at the time, making everyone feel that they were part of the shows, not just watching them. While the SBS and ABC shows were interesting, the really fun part of the night came when Doug started to show his Zambezi River trip. He provided background about how he managed to get to the Zambezi River (backpacking through Africa) and then let the video roll, stopping at each set of rapids and explaining what was dangerous about them and what to watch out for.

Watching the video and seeing everyone getting thrown around the raft, I was wondering how I'd handle the pummeling at my tender age, let alone how I'd go in another 40 years, To see Doug paddling down those rapids with everyone else was really inspiring. To see him fly out of the raft, get smashed against the rocks and then washed down the river was disturbing & to find out the damage the rapids inflicted on him, yet didn't kill him, showed he's one tough person.

After his little excursion in the water, it was off to the "hospital" to have his smashed shoulder "attended to" (read left alone, no treatment, no drugs, nothing). To find out he checked himself out of the hospital a few days later & then flew home to Australia before seeing a real doctor, shows the guys not just tough, he's bloody unbreakable.

Doug's a real bloke..a spade is a spade, not an implement for digging, and if I could boil down his philosopy on life into a few words, it would be - GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND DO IT.

Not real subtle, but, then again, after talking to him for an hour on the Saturday night and another 30 minutes on the Sunday, there's nothing subtle about Doug.

When talking to him on Saturday night, I mentioned I'd ridden down from Brisbane to attend the Bike Fest and was heading back on Monday. I mentioned that lots of people I'd spoken to before I left suggested I should go home via the Snowy and Blue mountains, go here, go there. I asked him what he thought was worth doing, where he recommened I should go. He looked me in the eye and gave me the most inspirational and honest words I've ever been the recepient of.

His words were : "F... where other people say you should go. Go where you want, when you want, the way you want."

This comment really sums up Doug..he's nobody's person except his own and if he's doesn't want to do something, he'll sure as hell let you know.

I feel honoured to have spent some time with Doug and cannot wait to catch up with him again.

If you want to find other peoples reactions to having a close encounter with Doug, check out the following pages:

The Old Bloke

Cavalry Of One

If you want a deeper insight into how Doug thinks, I'd recommend to check out his submission to the Victorian Parliament's Road Safety Advisory Council.

Doug's Submission

Extra Short Ride - Day 6

25/10/2011
Today was my last planned day of riding. I had over 800km to ride today and the weather when I woke up did not look promising.

The rain from overnight had cleared, however, the sky to the south (where the weather was coming from) was pitch black. With no time to waste, I got organised, threw down a quick coffee and headed off, trying to stay ahead of the approaching storms.

I’d heard a lot about how bad the coast road was north of Raymond Terrace. I’m sorry but I must have been on a different road, because the surface was fine, very few potholes and I was easily able to keep to the speed limit. There were the occasional road works and detours through side tracks, but other than that, I wish the roads back home were half as good as what I was on.

2 hours and 150km after leaving Raymond Terrace, it was time for breakfast and a refuel at Taree. I wasted a bit of time over breakfast making sure the bike was in tip top shape and all bolts were tightened. Before I knew it, the rain started again, so it was back on the bike and keep heading north to try to outrun the rain. 30 minutes later I was forced to pull over as I had outrun the rain and was now confronted with clear skys and temperatures near 30 degrees….not bad riding conditions, except I still had my wet weather gear on. Getting out of the wets, the bike was repacked and it was off north again.

The highway between Taree and Kempsey is one of the more interesting roads to ride. The road winds up and down hills and the landscape changes from open grazing land to thick eucalypt forest on a regular basis. Arriving at Kempsey, I stopped off at one of the parks that have been set aside for travellers. All up, there was about 40 caravans/campervans in the car park. Obviously I’d stumbled upon a Grey Nomad meeting place. I managed to talk one of the nomads into making me a coffee and ended up having lunch with them. Funny what you can get out of people if you just ask.

Well fed and rested, it was time for a quick refuel and then I was off again. By now the temperature was getting even warmer and I was tempted to pack away my jacket and pants and just ride in t-shirt and jeans. I decided against it and kept going. No more than 15 minutes later, I’m glad I did. I caught up to a gravel truck and as I was preparing to pass him I was hit by 3 pieces of gravel..one in the helmet, one in the arm and one in the chest. If I didn’t have my jacket on, I’d have been in a world of pain. As it was I ended up with a small bruise on my chest. Without the jacket, it probably would have broken a rib, or worse.

Approaching Coffs Harbour, the heat was getting unbearable when all of a sudden, I caught the first wiff of a sea breeze. The temperature felt like it had dropped 10 degrees and I was feeling quite cool. The change in temperature really lifted my spirits. Feeling more comfortable, I stopped in to the Big Banana to get the blood flowing in my legs for a while, partake in a cold drink and take a few photos (hey, I’m on holidays, and as such, I’m allowed to be a tourist).

Refreshed and able to feel the seat again, I headed north, next stop Grafton. Not much to report on this leg of the trip, just the occassional roadworks and views of the surf disappearing behind hills. It was very tempting to call it a day and spend a few hours at the beach, but I had a goal of making it home today, so onwards I went.

Arriving at Grafton, it's food and fuel AGAIN (I don't want to go near a McDonalds for a long time). Leaving Grafton, trees and hills are replaced by the floodplains and sugar cane fields along side the Clarence River. The scenery was spectacular as the cane harvest was in full swing, trucks and cane waste everywhere. The road on this stretch was really bad, potholes, rough surfaces and small towns with the local Smurf’s taking photos. I had to really concentrate on my riding as I hadn’t ridden all this way to have an accident within sight of the finish line.

Just prior to leaving the Clarence River, I stopped in at the Ferry Park Cafe at the Clarence Coast Visitors Center for a snack and coffee overlooking the south arm of the Clarence River. Having a coffee on the deck overlooking the Clarence River South Arm was one of the most enjoyable things I've done on this trip. I’ve stopped here several times over the years and I'd strongly recommend if you are down this way to drop in and have a break here. The food and coffee are great and the deck is a very relaxing place to chill out. To me it signifies the last of the “country riding” is over and it’s time to get ready for “motorway riding” – multi lane roads, off ramps…basically the end of the “fun” part of the trip.

Full of sugar and caffine, it’s off to fight the traffic and roadworks that are Ballina. It’s just before 5:00pm when I reach Ballina – peak hour. Peak hour traffic and roadworks at the Shopping Centre’s on either side of the Pacific “Highway” were terrible and it took a good 15 minutes to go 2kms. Unfortunately, this ment that by the time I arrive at the “castle” it had already closed so I was unable to pick up a little present from the family – they LOVE their macadamia nuts.

Open the throttle over the top of the hills then down the range towards Byron Bay. The view from the top of the range is incredible and the road would be quite dangerous if it wasn’t for the 60kph speed limit and the local Smurfs who were out making sure everyone complied. One day I’m going to ride that piece of road in the wet – just to see if it’s as scary as I think it would be.

Past Byron Bay, we are well and truly on to divided highway – riding through tunnels and farmland with the occasional “furry speed hump” out feasting on some poor farmers crop.

I’m sure the NSW Main Roads Department (or whatever they are called) has made a conscious decision to ensure that all drivers heading to the Gold Coast arrive there stressed out and as late as possible. The roadworks approaching Tweed Heads were something to see..10km of single lane (on a multi-lane road… OF COURSE). Someone must have thought it a good idea to have everyone travel in the left lane for 200 meters, then swap to the right, then back to the center, and so on. This continued all the way to the Seagulls turn-off. After 30 minutes crawling along and swapping back and forwards, I decided it was time for a break and a last fuel-up before home, so I took the Seagulls turnoff and eventually located a petrol station.

Fueled up and fed and it’s time to point the bike north again for the last sprint home.

The ride from Tweed Heads (or there abouts) was a breeze. Under the runway and back into QLD – time to turn your watch back and gain an hour (I’m going to need the extra hour as I’m already running about 2 hours behind schedule) Scooting along at “about” the speed limit, I was through the back of the Gold Coast and onto the main part of the “Gold Coast Speedway” in no time. I’m sure there is no speed limit on this road. I’m crusing along in the left lane, doing a little over the posted speed limit and everyone is flying past as if I’m sitting still. Even cars in the left lane are flashing me, trying to make me go faster. ”Who care’s when I get home” I thought, my only concern is getting home in one piece.

Passing Yatala I spotted the last of the “photographers”, checked my speed and touched the brakes a little to ensure I didn’t receive a “holiday snap” as a reminder of my trip. Over the Logan River and onto the Logan Motorway, my trip was almost at an end. From here on, I really had to concentrate. I’ve done this ride so many times I could do it with my eyes closed (and as I was starting to feel tired I was afraid I would).

Rather than tangle with the “mobile speed humps” on the Centenary Highway extension, I followed the motorway through to the Ipswich motorway and finally arrived home, late, exhausted and most importantly, in one piece. Looking back on my little adventure, I’ve realised I learned a lot about riding (and myself).

Here are the key things I learnt on my ride:

• DO NOT put new accessories on your bike just before leaving
• DO NOT expect to do unrealistic distances
• ALWAYS expect things to break/fall off
• DO carry a spare bottle of water
• DO talk to people when you have a break
• DO ride within your limits AT ALL TIMES
• DO stop when you need to, not when your itinnery says so
• ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings
• ALWAYS be prepared for changing weather conditions
• ALWAYS HAVE FUN

and of course

• KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP.