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Frogfoot

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  1. Frogfoot

    First Post

    By Frogfoot,

    Okay, like others here I'll make this bike focused. I'm going to start with a bit of catching up, why a VFR, earlier rides etc. Then I'll add in others rides as I do them, but I'll try to put a little more than that. However don't expect much posting because these days with work and two little girls, going for "rides" doesn't get high on my list of things I have to do each weekend. It's pretty high on my want to do list, but the two lists are a lot more different from each other at the moment! In a few years things should turn around. And in a few more perhaps they will be coming too
  2. Frogfoot

    Warm enough for ya

    By Frogfoot,

    A couple of hot ones here with more on the way, and summer is still officially two weeks away. 42C on the way home. Equal hottest I have ever ridden in. Luckily the dramas from last week seem to have gone away (see here) and made it home safe & sound.
    Been an interesting couple of days on the commute. Traffic blocked up on the way in with a truck parked at an angle across two lanes. Driver digging through his toolkit beside it. Hit the onramp to change freeways as normal, only to have to avoid someone reversing back up it (just go to the next off ramp!!). The day before I caught up to a guy towing a racecar on a trailer. Was alongside when I realised there was people riding in it!! Oh actually no, he has two manikins sitting in the seats. Bit of laugh to brighten the day!
    Even passed a fire engine. His lights and all were on but he wasn't speeding. Sat behind him for a little bit, but figured as long as I don't speed who can say I'm in the wrong. I think he was a little surprised and sped up. Then there was a red light and that was all his...
  3. Frogfoot

    Burning Up

    By Frogfoot,

    No luck on the parking ticket. It gets whisked straight off to State Debt Recovery... ah well. I was in the wrong, so not really a lot to argue over. Just have to remember that for this area, bikes don't get any lenancy.
    Summer has struck, 40C the last two days with 42C today. Warmish on the way home. Already had two bush fires in the local area. Luckily not a lot of damage (unlike Victoria last summer) but its only December and there's at least 2 months of the fire season to come.
    Here's a picture I took on the way home today. I'm actually about 20km from the fire by this time but the sun was in the right spot. Yesterday there were diversions in place and some of my staff watched the bush burn, across the street from their homes.

    Bike wise - so far no repeats of my strange cut outs. That's good. Perhaps it was the idle and the battery.
  4. Frogfoot

    Six Figures

    By Frogfoot,

    Well a small event in the bikes history took place as I rode to work last week. As you can see from the picture I've hit the 6 figure mark. 100,000km. I can't say they've been trouble free, but its been pretty close to that. So here's some pictures of the event from my phone.
    one km to go

    There it is 100000km

    The location!

    Will it be around for another 100000, who knows.
  5. Frogfoot

    Seventh Gen

    By Frogfoot,

    I was in a local dealer a couple of weeks back and they mentioned they would have a couple about now, so with an early release from work (due to Easter coming up) I accidently found myself riding past the dealers, not really sure how that happened. Parked there, got off the bike. Left my helmet on promising that it wasn't there I wouldn't stop.
    It was parked in the doorway.
    It looks a lot nicer in the flesh. That pipe doesn't seem to stand out as much, and it is a lot smaller than I thought. Asked if I could ride it... sure... if I was seriously looking at buying it.... I asked the price. Close to AU$26,000 on road (includes govt charges etc) I told him I wasn't that interested anymore.
    They did let me sit on it and I found it very comfortable and it didn't seem heavy. The position seemed a lot like my sixth gen. They have a gray/silver one and a red one, so I presume that's our choices here. Like the gray one actually a lot more than I normally like gray bikes.
    So overall I am more interested than I thought I would be, but at that price I can't.
    Then after I get home, the Mrs says she'll buy me one...... what's the catch!
  6. Frogfoot
    Ok, I'm not going to as why you say Arkansaw and not Arkansas and I was going to open with something along the lines of ... After flying XX,xxx kms to get to Arkansas only to find I would miss a ride, due to work commitments so I plugged the two locations into Google maps for a laugh - turns out it's a 25,000km trip and I need to drive all the way to Darwin, kayak to Japan, Hawaii and Washington, before driving across America. Sounds like a great trip, ask me sometime about the adventure it was!! Actually work flew me non stop to LA, missed my connection to Dallas, get rebooked, made it to Dallas and eventually Little Rock. Where I was to spend the next three weeks working completely messed up days of naps and work for about 18-20 hours every day, for the whole time.
    I was actually going to try to drop in one of the nights of the ride, I even had a car available to me. But it turned out that even though it was towards the end of my trip it was about the busiest part as we prepared to come home again. So it would have been nice, but I'll have to wait until you all come down here! -- and then I'll miss it due to having to look after the kids or something :)
    So while you lot were out enjoying a very nice part of Arkansas in the sun and the rain, I was not that far away, stuffing about with work (outside in that sun and rain). I didn't see many bikes about (didn't seem to be a lot of commuters on bikes in LR, though my hours were a bit unusual). I did happen across Thursday night, Bike night at Hooters, totally by accident. Organised by the A-State Boys (whom I know nothing about) it seemed a fairly friendly gathering of all kinds of riders on all kinds of machines from across the city. A lot more custom paint jobs and more lengthened swing arms than I've ever seen in one place before. Some nice jobs and some that didn't appeal personally. Chatted to a couple of guys and hung about, but without a bike and not even having my Casey Stoner cap with me (in possibly the only place I went all trip where wearing a hat with "Stoner" emblazoned across might actually have been understood, and not had any association with the non medicinal use of plants) I probably looked a fair bit out of place. And I'm sure the Camry I was driving helped the image :)

    Bit of everything at the gathering

    This kinda thing I don't see too often

    Some of our hosts

    Along without requiring a helmet, there seems to be pretty open regulations on noise in the state as well (I know other states are different)
  7. Frogfoot

    A new year

    By Frogfoot,

    I started a new position this year, at a different base. There is a large group of riders here who are keen to keep an active riding group going, and they had the first ride the other weekend. Got clearances from the other half (as the main surprise of the day!)
    A rather eclectic group met up in the morning. We had my VFR, a KLR, 2 learners on ZZR250 each, a Tiger 1050, an FJR and a ZZR600. Later a Royal Enfield (imported from India) joined us. We headed north to hit a popular route over the Blue Mountains, the Bell's Line of Road. This stretches into the hinterlands west of Sydney and is a popular ride.

    Royal Enfield (2009 model)
    An uneventful cruise up the road very soon reminded me that it had been a long time since I done other than commute (I later worked out it has been almost 3 years since my last ride) So my butt was a bit sore, and I was very out of practice. If it had been a busy or nearly clogged multilane I probably would have shone, as that's the only riding I've been doing.

    Stopped on Bells Line
    We headed up Bell's Line towards Katomba, which takes up over the Blue Mountains and down the other side. After Katomba we headed for a small town called Tanara for lunch. This stretch of road was great. With the terrain just as rolling as before, but being farms instead of bush, we could actually see several corners ahead. So confidence and smiles increased. A few potholes didn't dampen our spirits. I had started to get back into the groove for riding so loosened up a lot as well.
    We stopped at the Tanara pub for lunch, and we weren't disappointed. A great feed at a reasonable price. We were on a Saturday. On Sunday's you need to be there by 11 to get a seat!
    Outside of Tanara Hotel

    The back deck at Tanara
    After lunch we headed for Oberon and eventually the Great Western Highway headed home. The leg from Tanara to Oberon was equally enjoyable.
    We turned onto the Highway and headed home. The Great Western Highway used to be a reasonable road, however it's currently undergoing a lengthy program to add extra lanes and the like, so is about 2 hours of roadworks.
    With a deadline approaching for hometime (Mrs was headed out this evening) I waved goodbye to my coworkers and headed straight home, only stopping for fuel.
    Overall, about 5 hours of riding, nice weather (not the 40C that plagued us for the next week or more), nice lunch and good company. It was a really nice day.
    Now two weeks later, we're all eyeing the weather report for tomorrow's ride, headed slightly up Bells line and then north (instead of south)
    Sounds like a challenge to me .....
  8. Frogfoot

    A Wiseman says

    By Frogfoot,

    The previous run was a washout. I didn't even bother riding to the meeting place and the others decided to quit about 5 mins after leaving and returned home.
    This weekend was warm (about 28C) and sunny. Perfect. Once again we gathered at work, a few different riders and again a different bunch of bikes. A GSX1250F (a Bandit in full clothes), a Boulevard, a Street Triple, and an F800ST were new showings.

    The VFR lines up at work
    We headed up through Windsor, turning left at McGrath's Hill towards Wiseman's Ferry. Quickly onto country roads, it's about 50km to Wisemans and is a pretty good run of sweepers as you head north towards the Nepean River. Once you're almost on top of the river there is a rapid descent down the side of the hills into Wisemans culminating in a string of 25 or 15km/h corners.
    We stopped at the Hotel. They have an annual fundraising event where you can ride your bike through the bar. Haven't been to one, but there are plenty who do. I don't think you can buy while riding through though!

    Lined up at the Wisemans Hotel
    From here the group headed to the ferry. This is a small cable ferry that runs about every twenty minutes most of the day taking you across the river. From the other side you head north and there are several options. Some I've ridden (North to Newcastle, back to Sydney via the Putty or via the Old Pacific Hwy), see my other entries.

    The ferry leaving with the others.

    View across the river. Wiseman is around the bend seen in the picture
    I had only a short time so turned for home after getting pictures as they left the carpark.

    Have a good run all :)
    I really enjoyed my solo ride home. I'm starting to think I might enjoy it more if I went and did some solo rides instead of group ones. It is a little more dangerous though. (and harder to convince the other half not to worry)

    Homeward Bound
  9. Frogfoot

    Report Card Time

    By Frogfoot,

    This week I took my VFR in for a major service. I've been after a "second opinion" for a while. It's not that I'm not happy with the place I normally take it, but I've never heard anything good about the place, though no one can give me specifics.

    A mate offered to pick me up and drop me off so I booked her into a smaller workshop that has a very high reputation. The bike has 116,000km on it and it has been a fair while (time wise) since it's last major service.

    Late afternoon the shop called. I don't know about others, but I always get a little nervous when the shop calls in, you never know what they will say. Though normally if its late afternoon, its all done with nothing to report.

    So it was with a little concern that I answered. The shop guy asked what I've been doing to maintain it. I was honest and told him that I do little more than lube the chain and check the tyre pressures. I am totally lost mechanically so I just make sure that it's clean and serviced regularly. He replied, well keep doing what your doing as your bike is fantastic shape considering its age. I was very happy with that comment.

    He said it had been in need of a tune (as expected), the pads will be due about the next service or a little before but otherwise all good.

    I got to the shop and was taken aback at how the guys couldn't stop raving about its condition. They said there is often a little trepidation when test riding a bike with this amount of kms on it as you never really know what shape its really in. Apparently the main mechanic got back from the test ride and told the boss he should have a ride.

    If that's not an endorsement of my bike I don't know what is. I have to say I am still chuffed at such glowing praise of my bike and even the way I've been looking after it.

    Now hopefully after a long period of ride absence (apart from the commute) I'll be able to report again in a fortnight or so following a ride. My wife's been filling in for some broken staff at work the past weekends, so it's been a month or more of chasing the kids about instead of riding. I'm in two minds whether to join a short city fund raising ride or to go for a solo proper one. I'm starting to think the second.


  10. Frogfoot
    I needed to complete some photo work for my course, and the final round of the Australian Superbikes was about 10 mins from my house, so bright and early on Sunday I headed for the track.
    I was about halfway there when I realised exactly how bright and how early it was.... about 0630. I started to wonder if the track would even be unlocked when I got there. As it was I did get in, about the same time that the first mechanics arrived to start work.




    As you can see it was a bit of a ghost town.
    Even though it's Australia's premier category they have open pits, so included in the entry is the ability to hang about in the pits all day. And as I was about the only spectator and the only photographer about at the time, most of the garages were really friendly and let me get up close and personal with the bikes. A fascinating range of machines and budgets were on display.





















    I hung around until the start of the final practice, but then had to leave to get home before the Mrs left for work. I sure hope the crowds picked up a little!
  11. Frogfoot
    Well January is almost finished and since the work ride I haven't had a chance to go for a ride. Sure I've done my normal commutes, but no recreational rides.
    Christmas Holidays wasn't really a good time, my Mrs worked most of it, so I was looking after the kids... they are several years from being old enough to be left on their own. Secondly, the police runs a double demerit point system in most holiday periods so whilst the chance of a ticket is small the way I ride the repercussions are severe in the holidays.
    So I stayed home.
    Now well into January we've been having a most peculiar summer. It's been wet and not just the odd rainy day, we've had weeks of rain, showers, drizzle, overcast, high twenty temps. Normally we're having sun, bush fires and mid thirties and forties. The long range outlook is the same.
    So no rides. So no posts for you all.
    On then to a goal I have set myself. I'm considering getting a second bike. Mrs says it will replace the VFR, but I'd like to keep it. And in reality selling the bike would get me very very little money and trading it in would get me even less. With 120,000kms, two crashes (albeit minor ones) a heavily scratched top box, ridden and left out in all weathers (though normally garaged at home, at work or away it misses out) it doesn't sound like a great buy for anyone shopping.
    So my second bike - I have a very short list (currently a leading contender with a couple of reserve choices). It won't be a VFR12 - bigger than I want, way too expensive here, and really much the same style of bike as my VFR8. No I want something different. And about the same size (capacity) as my VFR. There aren't a lot in the 750-850 range to choose from.
    Hopefully by about late in this year I'll be able to purchase it. Just in time for next summer which I hope, is a lot nicer than this one.
    .... which probably means we'll have no end of bush fires next summer :(
    Oh, here's a little tease of the leading contender....

  12. Frogfoot
    So if you're going to break down somewhere, where could be better than at the mechanics....
    My VFR is due for rego this coming week which in NSW requires an inspection. These are done at basically almost any car related place. Most mechanics (car, bike, truck) and tyre shops are accredited inspectors. They plug some details into a website and the 1 of three parts of your renewal is complete.
    Been raining almost non stop since tuesday with much the same last week and more of the same expected next week (Hows that summer eh!) so it was a rainy lunchtime that I rocked up a the nearest bike shop (these guys have serviced the VFR often, so they are a known factor) to get checked. It takes about 15mins and is pretty painless. For any regularly maintained and serviced vehicle you'd be pretty unlucky to fail. Passed no worries.
    Stood in the garage doorway gearing back up to head out again in the rain. Pushed it out, turned the key hit the starter... it tried and nothing, and a couple more times.... nothing.
    Pushed it back in. They checked the voltages and under load and it was quite clear that the battery had given up. Thinking back I have had a couple of failed starts in the past week so it shouldn't have been a surprise.
    Now the dilemma - I can't leave the bike as I won't be back for several days. I can't wait long as I have to get home to mind the kids as Mrs has to work. A brief discussion ensues and the plan is to swap the battery and I go for a ride for an hour to get some charge into it. Then I go again tomorrow (that's today) to top it up.
    I look out at the rain coming down, shrug my shoulders and decide that there really isn't any choice as I don't have a charger at home.
    That battery has lasted 3 to 4 years so I'm not unhappy. I think the new one in the bike now is maybe the third one (in 8 years).
    So I spent an hour in the rain cruising up and down the freeway charging the bike. 24 hours later and its a beautiful 26C and I'm doing the same thing. Fingers crossed it will start and be ok on Wednesday.
    But I guess I broke down in the most fortunate place. I think the last breakdown I made to a bike shop eventually before it all went quiet as well. The VFR is always looking after me even when it's not feeling too good.
    So if you're going to breakdown, do it at the bike shop :)
    Random pic of bike not related to story.
  13. Frogfoot
    My previous post talked about how confused I was when I stepped off the Ducati. I am now thinking that it wasn't the kind of bike I was looking for.
    This afternoon I stepped off another test ride, this time something a little less exotic - a Suzuki GSXR-600. This was a 2012 version, I have also ridden a 2006 version a few years ago (that wasn't a test ride, it was a loaner bike), and the feeling I had on that was sort of the feeling I expected on the Ducati, but didn't.
    The 2012 bike gave me more of that feeling that I was looking for and I stepped off the test ride today with a big grin and a happy contented feeling. A promising start.
    I'm actually interested in the GSXR-750, but the shop didn't have one to ride. However they did have the 600 and that and the 750 are physically the same size (from a riders perspective), so it was a good place to start.
    Much smaller, and felt like I could throw it about a lot easier. I'm sure that kind of comment is no surprise to most. The seating position was very different, however I felt confident as I had good grip with my thighs, not much weight on my wrists and whilst the pegs were far up by comparison I normally ride the VFR with my toes on the pegs not my instep, so sort of the same. The lack of anything to grip with my thighs was one of the real down points on the Duc.
    Engine was good and brakes were fine. The 2012 has Brembo stoppers, like the Duc. I really enjoyed the test ride as I rode places I knew, so I could concentrate on the ride and the bike.
    I half feel like I should give the Duc a second chance, but sort of not. I may have a second option at the Duc instead.
    As I don't really want a 600, there aren't a lot of choices, but the Ducati 848 is a clear option to consider. I can't think of any other 750-850 sized sports bikes, oh actually the MV Agusta F3, but that's even more exotic than the Duc. The Triumph 675 is a bit less than I want. Open to suggestions.
    Something else that put these two (the GSXR and the 848) high in the running as there are excellent examples of both up for sale at work. Second hand, but great condition, both with a bunch of extra goodies (bags, exhausts etc) included.
  14. Frogfoot
    Once again, work had sent me to Canberra and once again it works out a lot more convenient for me to get myself there... and that means a ride. And once again, the weather was doing its crazy thing. Summer here was complete washout, but Autumn had been pretty nice. Warm, not hot, not much rain... perfect. But of course the weather changed as the ride drew closer.

    I left on Tuesday. On Monday they were warning us about flash flooding and downpours for the next few days. If it rained, whilst I could still ride, it wouldn't be as much fun and I may be tempted to slab it. I was already planning to slab it home anyway due to time constraints again. If the weather meant slabbing both ways it would be a real disappointment.

    As I had all day and generally it takes me about 5-6 hours to get to Canberra the scenic route, I planned to leave about 9am. However 6am the dark clouds were getting ominous and the weather radar was starting to show lots of pretty colours. I hit the road.

    The rain was costal initially, the opposite way to Canberra. A dash from the city limits was decided, and then from there I would take it as it comes. My routes to Canberra do generally give me an option to change to slab about every hour or so.

    Down the M7, then the M5, which becomes the Hume Highway (31) and rolls all the way to Melbourne. I arrived a the Picton turn off, still having avoided the rain and decided that it was time for some fun. I followed the road up into Picton, then a pleasant 30 mins or so along the road, headed towards Mittagong. This eventually lead me back to the Hume.




    Now my previous few runs down here, I've turned off at Mittagong and wound my way through the small towns, before reaching Moss Vale and eventually turning up towards the good bit along the Highland Way. Over the years these towns have grown so that they almost merge together and the ride becomes a stretch of slow speeds, traffic and towns. Not a lot of fun.

    So something I planned last time, but missed the turn. This time, from the other direction it was a lot easier. I slabbed along until the turn for Sutton Forest. This got me back on the back roads, but skipped Mittagong - Moss Vale. I'd been on the road for something over an hour and hadn't even had breakfast so I stopped to take a break and eat the sandwiches I'd packed. As I stood around munching away, the rain slowly started. I geared up and headed off. A few shaky moments as I settled into the wet roads, and my wet gear again. I'm sure the car caught up behind me was shaking their head.


    In Bundanoon I stopped for fuel and the shop owner described the wet weather chaos I had left behind, third hand from callers to the radio station. Sounded like I got out of there just in time as the rain was only light here. On the move the rain swiftly dissipated until and for the remainder of the ride I had a mix of overcast or broken clouds but no more rain. The wet weather gear stayed on for a long while just in case.

    I cruised along what was fast becoming one of my favourite rides, the Highland Way. Nearly no traffic, mostly 100 limits, good condition road, though not always a full two lanes of seal. An hour or so later I arrived back at the Hume. Another quick bite and took off.

    This time for something new. I had been browsing Google Maps a few days back and hit on a new route, which I asked some other trusty explorers I know about the condition. It came as a recommended option. Turning at Jerrara Road, towards Bungonia (don't you love Aussie place names!) then on through Windellama (or Windy Llama!) before turning west again towards Tarago, Bungendore and eventually Canberra. That was the plan.

    And I almost stuffed it. Whilst on the short stretch of Hume towards Jerrara Rd I came across road works where they were building a new overpass/on ramp. The signs read "South Marulen Rd" but as I passed the new overpass the old road appeared just past it. I spotted a sign down the road JERRARA RD. Crap, the turn off. Luckily we're still in the construction zone so I braked and veered into the cones. in the relative safety of the cones I did the most insane thing, turning around and heading the wrong way up the freeway. Inside the cones or not, any copper gong past would certainly come over to have a quiet word. About 5 metres later I turned up the road.




    This road wasn't as quite the same build standard as the Highland Way, but it was in good shape and flowed nicely at 100 (or a little more) So another hour or passed smoothly as I wound my way south and then west. Eventually I passed through Bungendore and into Queenbeyan and finally Canberra.






    Overall several pleasant hours winding away at a brisk and not usually licensing worrying speed through the countryside. I even arrived in Canberra in time to catch a movie on cheap Tuesday (Tuesdays the cinemas traditionally have almost 50% discounts)

    The route on Google

    Day Two

    My meeting was scheduled for the morning, and it turner out that the drizzle and rain finally caught up to me so Canberra awoke to some light rain. I wasn't too disappointed as the return trip was always going to be Hume Hwy the whole way.

    Gearing up I was on the road with about 90mins of extra time up my sleeve. The rain though got steadily more constant and steadily heavier, until I'd been riding in rain for about 3 of my 3hrs and 30 min trip. My visor completely lost the plot when I hit the city freeway traffic, no idea why, but it made for a very nervous rider as cars appeared out of the gloom. Sadly my rain gear didn't quite live up to its own previous standard and I was very wet in some areas. Though I'm not sure any rain gear would have held up, I was wet, but not cold so it was alright.

    But slabbing is absolutely no fun at all!!!

    I have to go back to Canberra in May too..... hmm
  15. Frogfoot
    I put the VFR in for its service today to the usual shop. I had also booked the loaner, a old, but smooth running CB250, that is a bit of fun. 124,000km - a minor service as I got out of sync a bit by doing my last major about 3000 early.
    The loaner was still out with one of the other mechanics and not due back. They were apologetic but the service manager set off to find another bike. He came back with...
    "How are you with larger bikes" - the VFR is pretty much the biggest bike I've ridden, with only the Streetfighter 848 any bigger in capacity and nothing heavier. I was a bit concerned as I expected him to rock up with a Boulevard or something.
    "Uh.. ok... I guess", trying to figure out what he meant - higher capacity just means being sensible with the right wrist. A cruiser or something means a whole different style.
    He led me out to the lot, "Because I was going to let you take this" He pointed to a 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa.
    I swallowed ... that's a lot of bike. "Ok, I should be fine." I must have been convincing, but I have heard that it's a pretty nice bike to ride, makes a great sports tourer and I figure its about the same weight with a lot more go, and that just means sensible with the wrist. I can do sensible :)
    So without further ado (well ok there was still the copy of the licence, sign away my life on the paperwork etc) I was away.
    Work is about 5 mins from the shop, so by the time I was rolling in the gate it had likely barely warmed up. I came back out at lunch and set off for a short ride.
    I rode down the freeway for several kilometres playing with the gears and roll on accelerations. Pretty nice pickup and a great sound from the Yoshi pipe that seems almost derigeur for most Suzuki sports bikes.
    I turned off and headed back into the local shopping precinct, to see what its like through traffic. On the less busy back streets I found it pretty docile, but ready to roar with a small twist. But a nice linear pull away.
    After several blocks of first gear slow riding it started to warm up. Whilst the temps didn't climb much my legs were starting to get very warm as the fans blew the air from the radiators over them. Uncomfortably warm actually and I was glad to roll up the on ramp (passing a bunch of cars as I did, grin) and get the airflow. Back to work.
    Overall, I did think it was a nice bike. A lot more power than my VFR, very rideable though and easy to control. I don't think I'll rush out and buy one though. Still nice to say I have ridden one and happy to ride one again. Just didn't step of it with the silly grin that I did with the -600.
    Might have to look into pipes for the VFR though.
    Oh, the service ... found out my licence plate globe holder has burnt itself out. I've been suspicious of this for some time as the last 2 registration renewals have commented the globe was out and I was testing to see if it was bulb life or something worse. Bit strange, perhaps related to either the wiring recall work or the alternator failure. The part is on order.
    Here's to the next 125,000 :tour:




  16. Frogfoot

    Winter is over

    By Frogfoot,

    The weather has been really mild this winter, but the Mrs has been putting in a lot of shifts over the weekends, so no opportunity to ride. However today was different and she took the kids to the gym, whilst I went off for a ride. I wasn't actually sure where I wanted to go. I didn't feel like an all day one, so the Putty/Wiseman's was out. I was torn between riding somewhere new, or picking somewhere close and staking out a photo spot to catch whoever might come past.

    I decided to head to somewhere new, and a loop from home down Mt Keira and then back up the (famous) Macquarie Pass, both of which were new to me, seemed like a good idea. Mrs headed to the gym about 8am and I was on the road shortly after. I headed south on the freeway to the Picton exit. Instead of turning north to Picton, I turned south to Wollongong.

    Not long before the descent out of the tablelands, I hit the turn off for Mt Keira and headed down. The road here was very much a third level road (and quickly turned into a paved one and half lane one). I immediately felt unsettled. I had been struggling all morning with turning the bike and the narrow technical road I was on only made it worse. Of course, I really hate down hill too! One thought is that having spent weeks hundreds of kilometres on a straight run along the freeway the front was probably very square, which would't help turn in. But at this stage I don't really know what was happening I was just feeling a strong lack of confidence in the bike so I took it real slow.

    I stopped at a lookout at the top, taking this series of photos

    (Of note, this shows the place where I joined up with the Charlie Boorman ride several years ago)




    (I also suspected the front for being slightly overinflated, so made a small adjustment here)


    I got back on the road and felt a bit better. I wandered slowly down the hill and reached Wollongong before long. At this point I was really not interested in continuing to Mac Pass, but still had to get home. I fuelled up, turned around and headed back up the hill.



    I explored a couple of other roads briefly as I headed back up the hill, before eventually picking one and heading to intercept the Princes Freeway rather than the Hume Highway for the leg home. I managed a stop before I got onto the major roads for a little photo session.







    Coming home on the freeway it was clear that I wasn't riding right. I struggled with confidence even on this flat top and was slower than much of the traffic on several parts of the freeway. I was feeling very unhappy.

    After a total of about 3 hours I arrived home safely. And to be honest after the way my ride went, that is probably the high point of the day.... making it home safe and sound.

    So what happened in the ride? Apart from the idea of the square front with a little overinflation (I'm talking a single psi or two) I think my own state was a major player. I realise that I'm actually really tired, I didn't feel it when I woke up, being fresh and awake with a good breakfast. Its also been several weeks since my last ride, so some skills perhaps a little stale. I'm glad I cut it short, but I probably shouldn't have left in the first place.

    Still haven't ridden Mac Pass!
  17. Frogfoot

    Off The Road

    By Frogfoot,

    Took the bike in for a service today and rolled out with bad news. The water pump and the fork seals need replacing and they didn't have the part to complete that today. So I've ridden home, with one eye on the temperature, to put the VFR in the garage and walked away for a while. So for a couple of weeks I'm going to be driving to work. The part is in stock locally, but the shop is having some staff issues as well as I have a busy calendar making it hard to drop off.
    I'm thinking about what I might have noticed that could have indicated these to me. I haven't noticed anything on the floor of the garage to indicate leaks where I park the bike. I don't remember noticing anything whilst washing the bike either.
    Did it ride different? Not that I noticed, but with my benign riding style, I'm not really surprised, especially with the simple commute up the freeway. And the daily temperatures have been cold, helping the water temp stay in normal limits.
    And I'm positive that the temperature has never spiked or overheated, so no worries about further damage. I've previously ridden a bike without coolant and the speed at which a bike will heat up is extreme and very noticeable.
    I do think I have been hearing the pump, perhaps, but the sound I occasionally hear, I put down to the CCTs needing replacing soon and I've been waiting for the occasional little sound to get constant and louder as they deteriorate. My original CCT were replaced around the 55,000km mark and I've not had a problem since. However as the current ones have over 70,000km I've been expecting to replace them sometime. Maybe the sound was the pump, not the CCT, but my lack of experience, and lack of other indications meant I assumed it was the CCT.
    Still I think 130,000 out of those is nothing to be too worried about. If it was 13,000 I'd be worried, instead I'm just sad :(
  18. Frogfoot
    The bike was in the shop yesterday getting its new pieces, water pump and they refreshed the fork oil and replaced the seals.
    Honestly I can't really feel the difference, but I've only ridden up the freeway a couple of times. Not much opportunity to test it out there.
    Back on the bike ... and that's the best bit.
  19. Frogfoot
    Christmas and New Years are gone and my holidays are almost finished. The wife starts back tomorrow, so today, my last chance, I got away for a ride. I decided to head north up Wiseman's Ferry. I wasn't sure if I would come back on the Old Pacific Highway or the Putty Rd, or even just back on Wiseman's, but I headed out about 0730 with the day free before me. I could have called up a few guys to join me, but decided that I really wanted the flexibility of a solo ride and some time to myself.

    It was somewhat cloudy to start, but the forecast was for it to continue clearing with a top of about 25C. Sounded perfect. First place to head for was McGrath's Hill, the launch point really. Fuelled up here and turned up the road to Pitt Town and Wiseman's.

    The trip to the ferry was a nice ride, only the last bit was a little annoying as myself and a couple of cars got held up behind some cyclists. There was no shoulder or straights, so we crawled along behind them for a while. They didn't have the grace to stop and pull off either. Interestingly as we hit the last downhill into Wiseman's they disappeared off the front. They had raced off down the hill faster than the car following dared. Crazy cyclists!


    I was first off the ferry but pulled over to let all the cars go in front. Yes, I know that sounds weird, why would I want to be held up by all the cars you ask..

    First up, at 0900 on a Thursday, they're likely to be locals and therefore faster than average cars. I also knew the road was a bit rough to go very quickly on a bike. Lastly, I knew I would be cautious as I was on my own, it had been a long time since I'd ridden here and I planned to practice technique and didn't want the pressure of the cars behind me.


    It was rougher than I remember almost to Wollombi. It's still fine to ride, but not a sweet smooth surface. I stopped partway at a place called Spencer, where I found their General Store and got something to munch on. Chatted to the shopkeeper about the road conditions as it has been several years since I came this way. The Government is apparently promising some work to smooth it out... I won't hold my breath.


    After the break I rode on to Wollombi where I stopped for lunch. This is a favourite bike hangout, but there were never more than ten bikes there while I was stopped. I even managed this shot with mine the only bike stopped at the Pub. What a difference from the weekends!


    Leaving Wollombi after a large burger, I headed to Broke. The first part out of Wollombi to Broke used to have a stretch of dirt on it, but that's been sealed sometime in the past few years (update: It's been about OMG 2007 when I last rode through here). Broke still has fuel which was nice, topped up the tanks for the Putty Rd.


    The Putty is one of the best rides this close to Sydney. Its far better than the Old Pacific Highway especially since that road has had lots of speed limit changes and such. The Putty is also in very good condition and is more than 50km long, though not all of that is twisty roads.

    It is popular, occasionally dangerous and in the weekend strongly policed.

    In the middle of the day, on Thursday it was pretty empty (still dangerous) and no cops to be seen.

    Partway down the Putty there used to be a coffee shop, I forget the name, but its long gone now, burnt out and not reopened I think. A little further towards Windsor though is the Grey Gums Cafe which has replaced it. It has free wifi and concrete parking that is exclusively for the bikes (cars etc have to park in the gravel carpark). I stopped for an ice cream and a bottle of water before setting off on the last bit home.


    I had a really good day. I'm definitely enjoying these a solo adventures a lot more. It fits my timetable better and the rides are more flexible. And I don't lose three hours riding to the meeting spot, waiting for an hour for everyone etc etc. In three hours today I was halfway down the Wiseman's Ferry road to Wollombi.

    Spotted some kangaroos crossing ahead of me today too - never actually had that happen before. Luckily the mob (that's the correct term for a group of roos) crossed well in advance and were lost in the vineyards by the time I was close, little chance of one trying to kill me.

    I also had something fly in through under the chin of my helmet. I whipped open the visor which seemed to clear it, but I stopped very rapidly and took it off to check. That was definitely a new experience!




  20. Frogfoot

    O Canada

    By Frogfoot,

    Down under is currently hosting Pat, otherwise known on this forum as dunn2007. He's been here a week and already clocked up 2000km on the 2000 VFR that he procured for his time here. Go Pat!

    I spent the week trying to pick a day to take off and go for a ride with him, but work commitments made it impossible. I suggested we catch up on Saturday for a short ride up the Putty to the Grey Gums. While the weather initially was forecast as showers, I was convinced it would be clear by Saturday. I invited some of the regulars from work, but with the short notice and they didn't believe me regarding the weather, only two turned up.

    Of course it dawned a little cloudy, but the kind you know is going to burn away leaving only sunshine... perfect. We left Windsor with me leading. My first time leading a group and while I kind of enjoyed not playing catch up the whole time, I didn't really like it. So it was a easy ride up to the Grey Gums Cafe.



    We stopped here for a coffee break. The plan was to head back again down the Putty and home. However we pulled out a map I had brought along and started talking with Pat about where he wanted to head and what his plans were. Turned out he really wanted to head north, ending up near Brisbane.

    Well, says we, you're already a couple of hours on your way. With some of the best roads around stretching north towards Brisbane it was suggested that he head north from Grey Gums. It was only about 10am so he had a lot of (very nice) daylight to use up.


    So I bid farewell to Pat and turned to follow the others home.

    We headed almost the same way home, with a little detour to the Sackville Ferry. There's another ferry on the river, I didn't know about this one either. It wasn't really a great detour as the road wasn't in the best shape. Though much nicer than the north side of Wiseman's!





    I arrived home sometime around 1pm. As I write this, I presume Pat is winding away north, enjoying roads such as Thunderbolt's Way. I hope to catch up with him on his return this way.
  21. Frogfoot

    Spring Is Here

    By Frogfoot,

    Oh dear, it's September and I haven't posted for months. Yes I have been riding, I am back to commuting everyday due to some child care changes :) And we've had this crazy warmish, sunny August (and really Winter was pretty tame even for here).

    The VFR gets ridden most days, but I make sure the Daytona gets out once a week. That new bike has been kind of a pain as it's had several factory recalls - great they're proactive about fixing things, annoying as its been in the shop several times.

    While the weather has been nice, my wife's schedule has not been so well timed, so getting out for a ride other than a commute has been problematic.

    I did get the VFR up the Putty, where I spent the morning practicing my photography on passing bikes. Need a lot more practice.








    The Daytona is proving a really sweet ride. Initially I was starting to think I would actually get rid of the VFR but the VFR comes into her own on the commute, and about town far better than the Daytona at that. I'll also be doing lots of Sydney Canberra trips next year and she will shine on that too. So happy to keep them both.

    However, get the Daytona on the open winding road and she is just fantastic. I have managed one full day ride of about 350km trip and had a ball. Definitely no regrets there.









    I've upgraded my gear as well, with a jacket and pants from Berek, new boots to fit. Never had full leathers and they are way more comfortable than I expected and kinda confidence boosting too. Still it may be a long time before the knee sliders get any scratches, I just don't ride like that.

    In other news, my 70 year old dad has dug up his licence and bought a KTM 690 Duke in order to get some practice in - I think his idea is that next time he comes over (he lives in NZ not AUS), we can go for a ride together. He'll ride my VFR and I'll take the Daytona. What a cool idea. (oh and if you're worried about his age... he took up mountain biking at 60 and last year completed a 100km single track mountain bike race so he's no slouch)

    I may get out this Sunday and can post after that. Are you interested even if it's not VFR rides?

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