johnnyfive

Do they expect us to starve?

Always got space for those passing through to pitch a tent etc. On that note, whats everyones travel plans for pre and post ride?

@BLIZZO & co

I have done 100% of nothing in preparation. Fuuu

Yeah I figure accommodation and possibly travel arrangements are about the only things that people will have to worry about cancelling etc so it's not like any one person is going to be lumped with a burden cost etc

Just refreshing myself with the restrictions as they sit currently. So level 1 obviously great, lets go. Level 2, proceed with caution. Levels 3 & 4, yeah / nah. Its possible that some of us are able to carry on, and others will be stuck in their regions. I'll probably still try and get out there, even if its just the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne in level 2 alone (unlikely), but we could end up missing quite a few people, unfortunate. I guess we just wait and see how the next couple weeks pan out

Should probably talk about contingency and attendance through the different covid levels too, thoughts?

Te Araroa at the end of day 2 delivers though if you can get into the RSA. Has a sports club also

Yeah that's a bit balls. It's not on this year's route, but a loss for sure. I don't think Ruatoria has any similar establishments open either for day 2. And there's not much on day one except Motu cafe and Matawai grease shack.

Entrants in first post updated. Good to see @datlow @64valiant & @keltik in there, excellent

This makes me yearn for my old RMX very badly. I regret selling it quite a bit, even though in reality it had a less than ideal life with me. Really enjoying your line of attack with this though

I believe I do!

It'll be fine

I haven't touched CRM since last year

Probably available at farmlands or wrightsons etc also

https://store.nzfarmsource.co.nz/catalog/ecolab-dairy-adhesive-thermometer-3-pack/247166 I didn't realise these were so expensive

One of these days I'll update the first post with the newer attendees.

Boo-urns. But understandable.

I'm not mad just disappointed

IMG_20210720_081438_1 by John Bell, on Flickr So yeah because the side panels had in coloured segments sanded and painted by a previous owner, I thought I'd whack some coloured vinyl on there and the new headlight to get it all matchy matchy. Had to try colour match to the slightly incorrect coloured tank bag. @Archetype was kind enough to send some off cut vinyl for me to simply stick on and trim out. Except I'm a talentless hack, and where the side panels have been sanded, it shows, and I struggled with creases and getting the shape cut tidily. So like most of what I touch it looks good from a far, but far from good. Good enough though. But yeah, did a trail ride a few weekends ago and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Bike out performs me, even had a very amateurish jam on their MX track and managed to stay on the bike, and even clear one or two jumps (and absolutely ruin myself on the rest)

Added entrants to first post. Is there anything I'm missing? How is everyone getting on for accommodation?

Yeah I'm pretty sure the CT had a sticking rear brake that entire ride sorry. Has new reflector and straightened number plate now . Might even fix the exhaust leak for whomever is lucky enough to pilot it this year. That bikes been an attendee every year now.

What a gem!

On second read, man, am I trying to shirk responsibility or what! Added recent entrants

I get its just 'banter', but to be clear, ride what you like, the attitude you bring is more important. Obviously though the bikes with a bit more poke might have to show some respect and restraint, not to keep passing everyone incessantly and roosting the shit out of the slower ones. I have no concern about any of you in this regard, anyway, its a public road, anyone can ride it, you're all adults, I'm just out for a ride. Other topic of note, before we get too many pages ahead is the drinking thing. Obviously many of the attendees are likely to enjoy their favourite refreshment. I had heard reports of perhaps a few people overdoing it, and while I don't doubt this, I don't remember actively seeing signs of excess myself. I'm a terrible judge of inebriation, and my jobs not law enforcement, I'm just out for a ride. Sticking out near the front of the pack predominantly, I'm only seeing most riders while parked up collectively, and many are indulging in refreshments to their taste. There's no way I can keep a tally on who has had how many units, (bikes and support vehicles for that matter). If its something people are legitimately concerned about, the only thing I could practically do is say no booze or similar, while that would be fine with me, I imagine it would upset many others. Who am I to specify that? I'm just out for a ride. Don't misinterpret this as an endorsement for impaired driving, but on these roads, I don't consider inebriated riders the biggest danger to me, my biggest concerns are my own riding, and oncoming vehicles. Again, not an endorsement for impaired driving, but (the only?) two instances of bike on bike violence I can think of were from sober people. This is a complete cop out, I know, I will alter the entry form to state that this isn't a piss trip, but I'm not particularly interested in being the one to have to draw that line or enforce anything. I'm just a guy on a shitty bike out for a ride. Slight side note, although its publicly accessible, I gather these guys aren't OS regulars, I figure someone must like them enough to keep telling them about it each year? OS tends to weed out irritants one way or another. I'm not trying to convince anyone one way or another, trying to share my viewpoint at least though. There may not be anymore to add to this one, but feel free, its more constructive than most of the spam LOL. Something that does need sorting out is a sticker I guess, where you creative peeps at?