Ebor - A Dragon's TaleThe day b4 takeoff to Ebor, I attempted to get my rear tyre off with this levered setup. It failed. I would do one side, rotate to do the next bit and the first part would pop back on. A2Z was helping but we couldn't get the tyre off. Must ask Saaz how he gets his tyres off. Turns out he has a machine. Anyway, the dealer popped the new tyre on the rim and b4 nightfall I had the new PR3 ready to go with balancing beads in both tyres thanx to Saaz.
After an eventful day where I found out late that Abe wasn't coming, A2Z and I were separated in Sydney traffic and Saaz was held up in motorway traffic. We all met up again about 40kms from Ebor. Found the Ebor Falls Hotel/Motel. The room was spacious and clean.
Next morn, ST2UP and PocketSTOCker arrived to take myself, Saaz and A2Z for some mountain rides and views. I learnt a lot about riding the ST that day by watching longtime riders like ST2UP and Saaz get round the bendies with minimum effort and maximum progress. There they were: Conjoined twins ST2UP and Pockie leaning back like "Easy Riders", feet up on the cruiser pegs and I'm thinking they should name their STeed "Peter Fonda" and wear bandannas as helmet liners! NuckNuckNuck. Buzzinga! A2Z was following them smoothly as well and Saaz is a master at riding the speed limit and using the lean of his STeed to get him thru the windeys with minimum fuss. Meanwhile I was fussing over the right gear to be in, trying different lines thru different corners, accelerating up the straights and eventually giving up the chase and enjoying the views.
Here's Saaz taking fotos on the Skywalk at the Dorrigo Nature Reserve and restaurant.
Really like this foto taken by Saaz who got ahead of the group in time to set up the scene. U can see Wyvern the Dragon's eyes concentrating on any traffic that dares to cross his path. Getting the file from Saaz to print and frame.
Tipsy, from Qld was one of the first to arrive on Saturday afternoon.
Steveo and Wendy were there from relatively nearby Tamworth. Had a nice snack with them at the Kentucky Cafe.
Brad and Karen Bluehonda came from the Taree area on their Black STeed that was Jack Frost White for their ride home with TC who was laid up in hospital overnight with a sudden gastro infection. Apparently Brad and Karen got Terry back on his ST for a steady ride back home. I shared accom with Brad and Karen and enjoyed their company immensely. Brad, a motorcycle advanced riding instructor, like me, enjoys being at the back of the pack with a more defensive riding style.
This cheerful man, known sometimes as "The Traveller", I got into a conversation with during the previous night's entertainment was Jochen50's riding buddy. TT told me a fascinating story of how well he came out of a breakdown incident way out in the sticks, where, by freakish good luck a mobile phone tower was within sight. A call to NRMA Platinum Roadside Assistance got his stricken bike trailered to a repair shop and accommodation provided. Best $200 he has ever spent, he said. Jochen was there and signed up himself straight away.
A close look at Jochen50's black ST revealed that it has also a golden fleck metallic paint identical to ST2UP's STeed. I saw ST2UP's reaction to this where he was seen shaking his head in disbelief, jaw on the ground digging a furrow and murmuring and weeping and slobbering out the words "There can't be another one like mine, not with the golden flecks, can't be ... Pockie, come here, I need u darlin'".
Anyway there were serious consequences, as A2Z was backing his red dragon 1300 to what he thought was clear space, and, you guessed it, he hit the furrow that Chris's jaw had just dug and down he went again. Pockie was there to help. NuckNuckNuck. Buzzinga!
