Sometimes, Fate bowls you a straight ball. We've approached all kinds of people over the past six months, trying to source fun things for the members to see and do during this year's rally, and some of that hunting has paid off at the eleventh hour. As someone with a bung back, a dodgy hip and a wonky knee, Kate's personally all too aware that despite Miss Scarlett's many charms, she's finding it harder and harder to clamber aboard the joy machine, and that one day in the not so distant future, it'll be time to call it a day.
Or find the Next Thing.We looked at 'Wings, thinking that the lounging throne on the back might do the trick, but the sheer expense of getting them serviced or fixed has put us off that. Quite early in the game, we looked at the CanAm Spyder, the RT version with the touring pack of capacious panniers, top box and throne. It drives differently from a bike, and it's pretty pricey, but it is very, very comfy... Anyway, we asked Phoenix Powersports, the CanAm dealers in Mackay, if there was any way to get a couple over for the members to look at during the course of the rally. They offered to forward an invitation to some of their owners to come and show their bikes on Saturday afternoon at the rally. For a long time, we heard nothing, but now, two or three have come forward to say they'll be along, so you'll be able to look over, ask questions and sit on.
But that, as they say in the ads, is not all. Phoenix Powersports are taking a delivery of a brand new one and will be putting it together on Friday.
If ready in time, they'll bring it over on Friday during the BBQ. And for one (plus pillion) of you, there'll be an opportunity to ride it
ON THE SATURDAY RTE.
You'd need to sign an indemnity form of course, but seriously, you wouldn't expect them to let you take it on a 170km round trip without, would you?
And just so you know, they're selling 2017 models at somewhere around $5,000 off....
So there you are. One final fun thing for NR2018.