Cold

Winter is kicking in.......big time.

Now - for the European, Canadian and North American readers I might sound a little soft........but bugger me - it was bloody cold this morning! Australian's don't like it cold........

Just as I was heading out the door ........outside it was the coldest temperature recorded for the day....2.4C - that's about 36F.....


Not only was this the coldest temperature for the day.....it's currently the coldest recorded temperature for Melbourne this year.....


Great......



I hadn't got far down the road until I realised that the "fog" on my ugly-fish riding glasses was not fog......it was ice.....bah! I took the first side street....took them off and stuffed them in my pocket.......hitched my neck-sock over my mouth and nose like a balaclava......keep going...

Then my hands started to freeze......literally. My fingers were like dead, white, blocks of wood - no feeling - minimal use for clutch and front brake.........bugger.

Over the years of winter riding and commuting you learn little tricks to keep your hands warm, mobile and tactile......

Of course you could always just pony
up the dough and get heated hand grips......but for the majority of the Australian winter they are really not NEEDED.....they are NICE....but not essential.

My little "keep warm trick" is to stuff my hands under the seat - into the gap above the trellis-frame......onto a nice, warm, rear cylinder head.......

ahhhhhh - that's better!

The only downside? I do get some strange looks from Cagers when I'm stopped at a set of traffic lights, slumped forward over the tank......giving the Ape a hug.......

But hell..........who cares what Cagers think......for that matter.....I'm not sure Cagers do think.....

\BitSar
--hugging his Ape

Anti-SMIDSY campaign

Unfortunately I had a great SMIDSY this morning...............I can't believe how some people react when they've committed the SMIDSY sin......

I was waiting to turn right through a busy CBD intersection, I had a large queue of cars behind me also wanting to turn right.......

The on-coming traffic was very heavy, so much so that the intersection was barely clear........

The lights turn from green to amber......I creep forward, stand the bike up and balance her through rear brake, throttle and clutch manipulation......rocking, rocking, rocking.....

I see a woman in a Silver Astra hatchback entering the intersection.......no intention of stopping......I'm still balancing and edging forward VERY slowly as I rock the bike......I catch her eye to eye.......she SMILES!? and waves......the lights turn from amber to red......the bonnet lifts......she's on the gas...........slams on through intersection.....running the red.......

Shaking my head and thinking what hope do we have I continue my LEGAL turn through the intersection......live to fight, and ride, another day.......

What really gets me about this is the driver attitude........She clearly saw me and had time to smile and wave.....as if to say "I know, I'm sorry I'm performing a potentially deadly manoeuvre..........I'm sorry you might not get home tonight to see the Missus.......but I've REALLY got to make this light.....you understand, right?"

Wrong.......

The silver lining to my rant?..........................Over the last couple of years a prominent Law firm, Maurice Blackburn, have been campaigning against the SMIDSY killer........

Each year I buy a couple of T-Shirts for myself and fellow riding buddies.....all proceeds go to supporting riders and their families with Pro-Bono legal fees etc.......

Maurice Blackburn are also doing a fantastic job with some very simple, effective and meaningful ad instalments in response the recent almost fraudulent TAC campaign.......

C'mon guys........stop the SMIDSY

\BitSar

Hero Shot

I needed to blow of some steam last night..............a little Motorcycle therapy was in order........

It was just after 7pm - the traffic was thinning out and the Sun was still bright..........throw a leg over and have a blat for an hour eh.......

One of the things I enjoy most about solo riding is being able to stop wherever you choose to take time out..........or......to take some Hero Shots........

The Ape is a seriously fun bike to ride.....she is nimble, torquey and has attitude and presence.......I really love this bike more and more with time spent......

What a beautiful night..............a beautiful backdrop..........and a beautiful bike........

There's something about this nostalgic/poster type effect which gives the Ape an old classic look......a real couple of Hero Shots.....

\BitSar

WTF - When Thought Fails........AKA - What The F^ck?

Sooo.........this is a mini rage post.................unfortunately this rage is directed at another rider......yes - it's sad but true.......ahhhhhhh - here goes......

At the office we are lucky enough to have dedicated bike parking which is undercover, out of harms way and secure...........we appreciate this.......well - most of us do.....

At a squeeze you'd get 6 VERY WELL PARKED bikes in here.........the only requirement is parking tail in.....and STRAIGHT........who would've thunk it eh?

Well then.....this morning I arrive and see this POS Honda-Davidson parked front in taking up at least 3 Moto spaces.......I mean dude.....WTF?

Adding insult to injury.....this is the first time I've seen this bike in here........a nice sunny day and a Solar-Powered inconsiderate rider......on a POS cruiser decides to grace us with their presence.........A little birdy tells me this bike will NOT be seen here again........well - at least not parked like this.........

\Lost a little more respect for humanity........

<cries_a_little>I didn't think it was even possible........</cries_a_little>

First

I'm new to this - I don't know if I'll like it.......................

FIRST
The first post - this is Genesis 

printf("Hello world \n");

...........only kidding........

HISTORY:
First rode a MOTO at age of 6, it was a PW50 - it was amazing
Cycling for > 15 years - MTB and Road - still ride road to this day

BIKES:

Learner = Honda VTR250

Teacher = Kawasaki Er6n Factory Full

Current = Aprilia Shiver 750

INF:

I am a commuter, weekend scratcher and try to complete a multi-day tour at least once per year. 

I ride minimum 6 days per week - rain or shine.........I wouldn't have it any other way.

As a commuter I am greatly dependant on my bike - treat her right and she treats me right - I love my Ape.

BLOG:

Herein you shall find my rants at Cagers, day to day riding observations, thoughts on roadcraft, the plod and inconsiderate road usage etc....

However - my key is to record (mostly for my own indulgence) the rides that make me smile...........the ones that you relive a day later sipping on a beer while you recount that set of twisties which opened up to fast sweepers just when the tires were nice and sticky......

That is riding - and that is why I love it......

\BitSar

My Ape:

Previous Bikes: