Another Ride That Never Was

12/10/2013

My luck with going on branch rides has struck again.

I was up early this morning, ready to join the branch on the ride to Warwick for the "Bikes Thru The Bar" ride.

As the ride was going to be "up" the range, I decided I'd take Crash out for a spin and get a few more K's under our belt before we head down to Tassie at the end of November. Trailer connected & plugged in, jacket and gloves on, I was ready to go. Turn the key and hit the starter..............nothing.

Checking the battery showed on 11.4 volts, not enough to start the bike.  Trailer disconnected, battery removed and charger fired up, I knew I'd be pushing to make the ride.

45 minutes later, battery fully charged and put back in the bike.  Starts first time so it didn't look like it was going to be too bad a day after all as I'd just be able to catch up with the branch before they left.  Connecting the trailer I noticed the wiring was a little loose, but didn't take any notice.  All dressed again, I started checking the lights, indicators and horn.....nothing. Bike runs but none of the electrics are working. I knew now todays ride wasn't going to happen.

Turning off the bike, I disconnected the trailer and opened up the battery box for a second time.  Checking the fuses I found 3 blown fuses - trailer wiring, indicators and headlight....strange. Checking my spare fuses, I found I was 2 spares short so it was a quick trip to the local bike shop to pick up sufficient fuses to replace the blown ones and a few spares incase they blew again. $24 dollars later, I was back home with 5 fuses, ready to get the bike back up and running.

As the trailer wiring fuse has blown, I checked the wiring to the trailer connector....there's my problem...all 7 wires had pulled loose from the connector. It was then I realised I must have been a little too aggressive when I relocated the wiring last weekend. Not a problem I thought, I'll just grab the wiring diagram I used when I installed the tow bar.....wrong. I had a clean up a few weeks ago and threw out the diagram as I didn't think I'd ever need it again.

A long searching session on google finally located the wiring diagram I needed and I was ready to connect the wires. Then I through - "Did I wire the connection up the same was as the diagram says?".  I was reasonably sure I had, so 5 minutes of wire trimming and screw tightening and I was ready to rock. Grabbing my volt meter, I checked everything and it seemed to be OK.  Fuses in & trailer connected, I restarted the bike.

Bike starts - check

Left Indicator - check

Right Indicator - check

Brake Light - check

Horn - check

Under Bike Lights and Driving Lights - check.

Problem resolved. 

Here's the plug wiring for my bike:

I was now ready to go for the ride. It's a pity it was now about midday and by the time I got to Warwick everyone would be heading home, so no ride to Warwick. Maybe next weekend...oh hang on, I'm On-Call next weekend, so I doubt I'll be able to get out, but you never know.....

Thursty

PS: I worked out why the battery went flat. It seems the loose wiring in the trailer plug created a circuit, allowing the charge to leak. I looks like this was the case for a week & when I attached the trailer plug it brought all the wires together, blowing the fuses. So I guess this means I butchered my bike....but don't tell anyone.

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

Fixing A Minor Fault

14/08/2013

The only issue I have with the trailer is the gas bottle holder on the draw bar.

It's a great idea to have a place to store the gas bottle outside of the trailer, unfortunately, it's just a little too small for gas bottles currently on the market.

The holder is designed for a 1kg Primus has bottle. These bottles were readily available until recently, however, they are no longer available in shops, and trying to obtain a secondhand one has proven impossible. I'm sure they are available, however, after searching for 2 months I haven't been able to find one, so it's time to have the little issue resolved.

I called into Sanjay Fabrications with the supplied gas bottle holder and a 1.25kg gas cylinder and said to them -"Make this fit into here".  No problem was their response.

A few weeks later I dropped in to see how the holder was coming along. The new holder was sitting there waiting to go off to the powder coaters.  Being impatient, I told them not to worry about the powder coating, I'll do it myself. Handing over the agreed cost, I grabbed the holder and gas bottle and headed home.

A quick sanding, undercoat and 3 coats of high gloss paint and the holder was ready for fitting.

Holder fitted and gas bottle installed, Crash is now ready to take out for a BBQ.

And here's the result...

I still have the original holder, so should I ever find a 1kg Primus gas bottle, I can refit the original holder or sell it with the gas bottle to someone.

I still have a few more things to do to Crash, but that's for another day.

Until next time...

Thursty

Introducing Crash

07/07/2013

 
My Short Ride to Wodonga in 2011 made me realise that travelling by bike is a great way to see the country, but you either have to spend a fortune on accommodation, or go without a lot of the comforts you take for granted.

With the Ulysses AGM in Maryborough 4 months away, I decided I didn't want to rough it, so I started researching motorcycle trailers.

There aren't that many choices for someone with a small bike and a tight budget. I was hoping to find a trailer for around $3,000, big enough to carry the essentials and a few luxuries, yet light enough to be towed behind my 650 cruiser.

I'd narrowed the choice down two manufacturers and started making enquiries. I received a lot of positive feedback about both, so it really boiled down to a fiberglass trailer with power assisted brakes vs lightweight aluminium without brakes.

I eventually ordered a trailer, 3 months before the AGM and decided to go fibreglass due to the suppliers great reputation and their guarantee the trailer would be ready in 6-8 weeks.

6 weeks later (6 weeks until the AGM), I rang the supplier - Yes the trailer should be ready in a few weeks.

2 weeks later (4 weeks before the AGM) I rang the supplier again - No trailer isn't ready and we don't know when it will be ready. I said thanks for nothing and promptly cancelled my order ( I met a couple at the AGM and they had the same issue...it seems 16 weeks wasn't enough notice to get a trailer built when the supplier quotes 6-8 weeks)

So here I was, 4 weeks from the AGM and no trailer. I scoured every bike site and yard, trying to locate a trailer (at this stage it didn't matter what brand, colour, condition) I just wanted a trailer to take to Maryborough. After 2 weeks I finally resigned myself to the fact I wasn't going to have a trailer to take with me, so off to the local camping shop I went to purchase some lightweight camping gear to replace the slightly bulky gear I planned to take with me.

Just before leaving for the AGM, I contacted Mal from Bandicoot Trailers. Their trailer was my preferred choice, but because I'd heard so much about the other manufacturer and very little about Bandicoots, I didn't go with them originally.
Talking to Mal set my mind at ease about the lack of power assisted brakes and I was seriously considering ordering one on the spot, sight unseen. I decided I was going to get myself a 'Coot, but first I had an AGM to attend.

Whilst at the AGM, I talked to a lot of people who had trailers, some from the manufacturer who let me down, some from other manufacturers, and one lone soul with a 'Coot.

The 'Coot owner let me hook it up to my bike and take it out for a short run. I couldn't believe how light it was and I only noticed it when taking off at the lights (that little clunk when you first take off still catches me out).
I was sold. It's small, light, maneuverable and you could fit a lot of gear inside it.

Once I got back home, I was straight onto the Bandicoot website (www.bandicoots.com.au) and ordered myself a shiny black Outback trailer with all the options.

Several weeks later, I received an email advising me of the status of my order and and estimated date for pickup.

When I finally received the phone call tp say my trailer was ready, I organise to ride out the next weekend to pick it up.

The day of pickup arrived. As with almost everything I organise, it started raining just after I let home and spent the next 45 minutes riding through rain until I reached Petrie.

As if by magic, the rain stopped completely as I reached Samford, the place to pickup my trailer. Arriving at Mal's place I crawled slowly up his very steep and slightly damp driveway to be greeted by the sight of my little 'Coot waiting patiently for me.

After checking out the trailer, fitting the license plate and rego sticker, adjusting the tyre pressure and connecting up and checking the trailer I was ready to head home when Mal asked if i'd like a coffee. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my coffee addiction, so the obvious answer was yes.

Sitting on Mal's veranda, we chatted for a while about where each of us had been and I was able to get a lot of helpful advice on towing and maintaining the trailer.

The sky cleared, the roads were drying and the coffe was gone, so time to get on the road and get my 'Coot home.

Leaving Mal's place was tricky, especially with the additional weight on the back of the bike and the steep driveway. As I was leaving, Mal told me to be careful going down the driveway as it would probably be slippery....just what I wanted to hear.

Slowly I went, barely walking pace, with the rear tyre sliding on a few occasions.  Safely on the road, I pulled over, double checked the coupling and lights and then I was off, slowly at first, gaining more confidence with every passing minute.

Passing through Samford, the trailer felt stable and now for the first real test - roundabout. I took the corner a little too close to the gutter and was greeted with the trailer bouncing off the gutter - note to self - with trailer on, you are wider than a bike.

That was the last surprise on the way home. Traffic lights, corners, roundabouts - placing the bike in the correct position became easy and the extra weight on the back was barely noticeable.

Arriving home, it was time for the mandatory photos, check to make sure nothing has fallen off and tighten up all the bolts, just as Mal suggested.

Now was time for a name. Having played a few computer games in my past, and the trailer being a Bandicoot, the obvious name came to mind - Crash.

Thus named, a beer was opened to wet the new baby's head.

Looking back at this whole exercise, I'm glad my first purchase wasn't able to be delivered. While I would have liked to have had a shiny fiberglass trailer, that fact that A LOT of people have them would have ment I'd just look like everyone else on the road.

I've barely seen another 'Coot on the road and whenever I stop, people come over to check out and ask lots of questions about my little Crash.

And the best thing about the 'Coot.... the "water carrier" at the back of the trailer can just fit a carton of beer...a major bonus in anyone's language.

Thursty

Crash Gets Some Bling

29/07/2013

After seeing the results I got from lighting up Irma, I decided it was time to give Crash a little bit of the same treatment, but with a twist.

Heading back to to the same site I obtained Irma's lights from, I decided to go a little bit over the top and give Crash a full lighting makeover.  For this I ordered the following:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11400.m1842.l3160/7?euid=5ef6773ef4d543a989349e1c772c8066&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D400198509874%26ssPageName%3DADME%3AL%3AOC%3AAU%3A3160.

The kit comes with a cigarette lighter attachment which will allow it to be connected a battery installed in the trailer, allowing me to run the lighting system without putting any strain on the bike's battery.

It also comes with a remote control, allowing the lights to be controlled either from on the bike, or more importantly, while off the bike. 

About a week after ordering, the light kit turned up. Compared to the kit I installed on Irma, this kit was a breeze to install. All wiring was "click fit". No cutting, stripping and joining wires...just work out where you want the lights fitted and snap on the appropriate length of wiring.

After working through a couple of different configurations, I settled on running the lights order the outside edge of the trailer. Configuring the lights this way, the maximum amount of light can be thrown around the edge of the trailer and all the wiring can be secured where it won't get caught on anything while loading and unloading the trailer.

One of the advantages of getting an Outback variant of the Bandicoot trailer is the water carrier on the back. Because of the carrier, the area where the number plate is usually fitted is moved, however, the original wiring hole is still available for use. This allows the wiring from the lights to be fed into the trailer body without any drilling, making it easy to connect the wiring to an internally installed battery.

Cover plate removed, wiring fed into the trailer and wiring joined to the cigarette lighter adapter, it was time to test the lights.

I don't know what you think but....

It will certainly make the trailer easy to find in the dark.

If this is too hard to find, what about this....

or maybe this...

.

All up 16 different colours, all able to be selected individually with a single click of the remote control.

If that's too boring, you can also select to scroll through each colour every second or so.

I that's too tame,  you could always select to scroll through all 16 colours in about 4 seconds.....probably not a good idea if the police are around or you suffer from seizures.

All up about $170 to put lights on the trailer and a battery to run them from.

Next step will be to work out some way of keeping the battery charge and to fit the battery permanently.

Thursty

Lighting up Irma

19/06/2013 

After a few near misses, I dedided it was about time I let everyone on the road know I was there.

I already had a bright red bike with loud exhaust, but obviously that wasn't enough.

Time to get serious about being more visible.

After having a few of the branch members given tickets last years because they were displaying coloured lights, I decided to play it safe and stick to non-flashing, white lights.

A quick search of the internet pointed me in the direction of the following kit:

 http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11400.m1842.l3160/7?euid=5ef6773ef4d543a989349e1c772c8066&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D260578939208%26ssPageName%3DADME%3AL%3AOC%3AAU%3A3160 ,

Nothing too flash, just an inexpensive kit to add a little bit of extra visibility to the bike, especially at night.

The kit arrived a few days later, so it was time to wire up the under bike lights and see how bright they were. Lights were losely fitted and connected to the cigarette lighter I have installed under the seat. With the garage lights on, I wasn't sure if the power was running through the lights.

Garage lights turned off, wow!!!

Now that I was aware of how bright the lights were and where they threw their light, I fixed the lights permanently.

Next step, front lights.

Once again, I was looking for something inexpensive that would do the required task and was easy to fit.

I decided to settle for a set of these:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11400.m1842.l3160/7?euid=6cea9fd52fe3424b852c774615c3efde&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D281075712931%26ssPageName%3DADME%3AL%3AOC%3AAU%3A3160

The fittings supplied with the lights were attached to the screen supports, giving a solid base to attach the lights to the bike. Unfortunately, they are a brass coloured aluminium, so some time in the future I'll have to arrange for better quality fittings, but for now they do their job.

Once the bases were fitted, installing the lights was a breeze. I joined the light's wiring into the recently installed under-bike light circuit to avoid any issues with the bikes electrical systems. It also gave me the ability to turn on the lights at my leisure.

Wired up and all bolts tightened, it was time to fire up the full lighting system.

Garage lights off, lighting switch turned on, and here's the result.

With standard lights:



With newly installed lights



Now that all the lights were fitted and working, I took the bike out to see how well they worked and adjust the newly installed front lights.

The under bike lights certainly make me highly visible on the road at night, and the new front lights increase the range of the headlight without blinding oncoming traffic.

I'm in the mood for a little more... wonder what I'll do next.........

Thursty

Been too busy to ride

31/10/2012

The Winter months tend to increase the amount of riding I do, mainly due to the crisp riding conditions and the brilliant weather.

Unfortunately, this winter has not been normal...training people to take over my job, starting a new job, sickness, holidays and general lack of time for anything other than living has ment I haven't been out on the bike for quite a few months.

I had to get the bike serviced in July, just to keep the warranty valid. I've done a total of 345km since then..most of that was on the Ulysses Memorial Ride.

Hopefully things will setting down at work and I'll be able to get out more often.
Until we next catch up, safe riding.

Thursty

My Boots Get A Feed

17/06/2012

I went out for a quick ride into Brisbane yesterday as I'd left a few documents I was working on at work.

Everything was going fine until I tried to merge from Coronation Drive onto North Quay. It's not the best intersection in the world..two lanes on the left wanting to merge right, one lane on the right wanting to merge left..a real pain.

Just as I was going through the merge section, an IDIOT in a wanna-be 4WD decided he wanted to merge to the right. He didn't look and almost ran over the top of me. I beeped my horn but he kept coming, so I did what I haven't had to do for a while..one left boot in the door. He soon noticed I was there and swerved left, almost hitting the car next to him. Dirty look from me and off I went. No damage to me, but I'm sure when he sees his door he'll remember to use his mirrors from now on.

I don't deliberately go out to kick car doors, but, when it's a case of do it, or get crushed, it's something you have to do.

I arrived at work in one piece, picked up what I needed and then headed back home.

Thinking the major scare for the day was over, I casually cruised back home via the Ipswich Motorway. Just my luck, the wanna-be 4WD IDIOTS were out in force. Cruising along, minding my own business, when ANOTHER 4WD (talking on his mobile phone, OF COURSE) decided his lane was too small so he started drifting into my lane. Same routine as before..horn blast, no response, another blast and he kept coming. This time, my right boot got a workout..slammed boot into door, still taking no notice.

Sick of this, and not wanting to die, I decided I needed to get his attention and get him off his phone, so I did what anyone who'd almost been run over by an ignorant W@#$ER would do, I dropped back behind him, accelerated quickly, and as I passed, made sure I'd get his attention by tapping his rear vision mirror...yeah that got his attention. Phone went down and he went back in his lane.

I tailed him for a few minutes, letting him know I was still there. When I was sure he'd learnt his lesson, I pulled up beside him, raised the front of my helmet, pointed at my eyes and mouthed a few well chosen words. I think the message got through well and clear.. when he gets home and sees the side of his 4WD, he'll probably keep is eyes open for bikes in the future.

Both of these incidents occurred in areas covered by video cameras, so I might receive a visit from the boys/girls in blue. If I do, I'll happily chat with them about the incidents and maybe, after viewing the video, they'll take it easy on me...maybe, maybe not.

I'm usually a calm person, but sometimes, you have to get aggressive if you want to stay alive. If both of these IDIOTS learn something from this, and maybe mention what happened to their friends, the roads might be a little safer for those of us who prefer to travel on two wheels...we can only hope.

Thursty

Location:Brisbane

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.