Crash's First Day Out

25/08/2013

I haven't had many opportunities to ride in the past 12 months due to work and family commitments. I haven't been on a branch ride for several months and I decide today I was getting out no matter what to join in with the rest of the branch on the inaugural Cartwheel Ride.

Ready to leave home, my work phone went off...another problem at work that needed attention. Picking up the phone, I knew I wasn't going on the ride.

Two hours later, the work issue was resolved and I was free again. Unfortunately, the ride had already left, so there was no way I could catch up, mainly due to the fact that I had no idea where they were going. I did, however, know where the ride was scheduled to finish, so I thought it would be a good chance to load up the trailer and take Crash out for a spin.

Loaded up with all the gear I was planning on taking to Tasmania in December (all 70kgs of it) I attached the trailer, performed some final checks and adjusted the tyre pressure, and I was off to Aratula, a short 30 minutes ride away.

Being the first time I'd taken the trailer out fully loaded, I was a little cautious leaving home, but slowly gained confidence. After working my way through the suburban roads, I entered the highway at Yamanto and merged in wth the traffic.

Starting off at about 80, I slowly increased my speed, constantly checking the trailer to make sure it wasn't swaying or bouncing around. Before too long, I was cruising along at 110 with the trailer sticking closely behind.  So far, so good.

Now for the next test. Four B-doubles were heading towards me, so I placed my foot over the brake in case the trailer started moving around as they passed. Turns out it wasn't necessary as Crash stayed straight and true, no buffeting from the passing trucks.  

Now that I was feeling more confident, it was time to push a little harder. I put the bike through several emergency stops and emergency evasion procedures. Not once did the bike feel out of control or unstable. Happy with the results so far, I sped up and headed to the Aratula Hotel to catch up with the rest of the branch.

I arrived at Aratula to find over one hundred bikes already there, with more arriving. Getting off the bike, I caught up with a few of the branch members and gave my apology for not joining in on the ride. 

Several soft drinks (and quite a few sausages later, I bid my farewells and got back on the road. Leaving the pub, I headed towards Moogerah Dam so I could take the trailer through its paces on roads similar to wheat I was expecting in Tasmania - rough narrow roads, semi-sealed tracks, steep inclines and declines, twisties and open highways.

No matter what type of road I went on, Crash held on, not complaining or causing any issues with the bikes handling. Heading home via Kalbar, I now felt confident enough that I could take on any road conditions (in the dry) without having to worry too much about having the trailer on the back.

Today's total mileage was 274k... not bad for a first day out.

I'm feeling a lot more confident towing the trailer, but I'll need to put on a few more K's before I head down to Tassie. Next trip, maybe Miles or Goondiwindi for an overnighter.

And there is a long weekend coming up soon - maybe a chance to do some real K's.

Until next time, ride safe.

Thursty