| Hi achternaam, The coming of winter in our latitudes means many things to the riders of Oz. From those who put their bikes away like our Northern Hemisphere cousins to the Desert rats who start to prepare to head beyond the black stumps, yep, I have it on authority that there is more than one. Never one to let the cold and wet slow me down I generally look forward to Autumn and Winter riding. I'm never tempted to take short cuts on clobber and protection. And to a point it's easier to get warmed up than cooled down. On our recent trip to WA, we got lucky and missed the really hot, late Summer heatwave the Sandgropers get. There were a few days when it was a "bang to rights" decision to borrow a car than a bike though. How did I ever ride a bike all year 'round in Perth. I remember riding to work in a set of overalls with a wet singlet on... that's how. Them was the days when my Nursing uniform was supplied, laundered and delivered to the locker room. I've commented on the generosity of people within the bike community before. This time we stayed with long time mates and they not only kept the home brew flowing but loaned Mrs Strapz and I a couple of bikes for a few days tooling about in the South West. 
What a memorable trip! A Monster 900 and a 916 to explore that wonderful part of the world. Thanks again to Spaz and Pinky. Ms J is a native plant freak and got to experience a once in a lifetime Marri Tree mega-bloom and the white sandy wild coasts. Not only did I get a punt on a Ducati 916, Spaz took pity on my aching bones on the way home from a Sunday breakfast ride out to the Coca Cola Cafe in Toodyay. He set me loose on his Diavel. Geez, what a weapon! I got to bow at the Brocky Memorial on the way. |
An Old Blokes (Interesting) Rant Hi Andy, Always good to read your blog. You mentioning your Dad's 80th has had me thinking of my own ageing and how it will/is affecting my motorcycling activities. I am seventy seven and a bit, I have been riding since I was fifteen and always had a bike and sometimes two. Some of the more notable are a 1959 DBD34 Gold Star, 250 cc Husqvarna Moto Cross, 250 Greeves Griffon, PE 250 Suzuki, IT 250 Yamaha, 750 Honda Four, TS 400 Suzuki, G 80S Matchless, Triumph Tiger Cub (Trials) Triumph Bonneville (Speed Hill Climbs, XR 250 Honda, Yamaha XT 600, Royal Enfield 350 Bullet (of the Indian variety) and a Honda NX 650. The BMW K 100. That was the Krauser with a bikini fairing, panniers and tank bag, which was quite a good deal. My first bike was a 1934 Royal Enfield 225cc two stroke with an outside flywheel, hand change gears, and girder forks. My last bike to date is a much customised 900cc Triumph Trident which I bought from new in 1994. I have been involved as a competitor and club member in Road Racing, Trials, Motocross, Enduro and Speed Hill Climbs. This has been in the UK, Africa, New Zealand and Australia. I have also been and still am a road rider. As previously mentioned, I have a highly customised Triumph Trident which I bought new in 1994. It is getting rather heavy for me and although once I'm on the open road it is still a joy to ride. But I must face facts and I feel that to minimise the risk factor to myself, other road users and my family I should let it go and purchase something more suitable. I want to get a Honda 500 GB TT to have as a project bike and something I can eventually pass on to my Grandsons. But where are they? I have searched all the publications and websites that I know of to no avail. Oh well I will just have to be patient. 
As you can imagine I have met many fine people in the motorcycle world; notables would be Mike Hailwood, Frank Perris and Fumio Ito of Suzuki fame, he is the guy who was instrumental in getting Ernst Degner out of East Germany and helped Suzuki with their development of their two stroke engines. I think I have the story right, I first met him at the Tokyo Motor Show and later in New Zealand. He organised a day at their Hamamatsu Moto Cross circuit for me to test ride a works TM 400 Moto Cross bike, this was a few days after the legendary Rodger De Costa had been testing, I think I doubled his lap times and I fell off! Gear shift on the wrong side was my excuse to myself. Apart from the names, my motorcycle mates from all the countries mentioned have all be great people. Notable road and Outback trips have been Sydney to Melbourne on my BMW to attend my Son's wedding. A ten day bush tour of Bourke to Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Cameron's Corner, White Cliffs and Wilcannia on my XR 250. An organised trip across the Simpson Desert that was brought to a standstill at Cameron's Corner due to unseasonable rain. On my Triumph – for my retirement present in 2000 to myself, I went from home in Sydney to Bowen a three day trip there, two days rained in, a three day trip back to Sydney, all in the rain. But as they say better a wet ride than no ride. Also a months ride on the 750 four from Sydney to the Daintree which unfortunately came a gutser on the way home when I came into contact with a cane hauling tractor which put my partner into hospital with a compound leg fracture. Not good! As you can see I have had a wonderful motorcycle journey and I aim to keep it going for some years to come. I was never a "Star" but always a responsible rider and Clubman. My only regrets are to have never been a swinger in a racing sidecar outfit, either Road Racing or Moto Cross, as I found the camaraderie of the outfit boys to be tops as opposed to solo riders who were rather insular. Still good blokes though. I hope I have not bored the socks of you, just a rant of an ageing motorcyclist. Rob Coulson  |
