Saturday, March 07, 2009
Friday Night Ride
I had two extra reasons for going on the Friday night ride last night, the first being new tyres on the Connie and the second to try out my new video camera and mounts bought for the Southern Cross.
6:30 saw somewhere around 15 bikes heading out Pohangina Valley East Road and I kicked the camera into life while somewhere near the back of the back so that I could hopefully get some good footage of everyone as we wound our way through the valley. Soon I was sneaking through so I could make stars of everyone and really starting to enjoy the ride and in particular the new tyres.
Suffice it to say but the ride was fantastic with just one little stretch of new seal to slow things down and it was great fun playing camera man. We ended up in Fielding for a drink and some fantastic wedges before everyone made their way home buzzing after another great Friday night ride.
6:30 saw somewhere around 15 bikes heading out Pohangina Valley East Road and I kicked the camera into life while somewhere near the back of the back so that I could hopefully get some good footage of everyone as we wound our way through the valley. Soon I was sneaking through so I could make stars of everyone and really starting to enjoy the ride and in particular the new tyres.
Suffice it to say but the ride was fantastic with just one little stretch of new seal to slow things down and it was great fun playing camera man. We ended up in Fielding for a drink and some fantastic wedges before everyone made their way home buzzing after another great Friday night ride.
New Rubber
Finally got the old Stradas off the Connie and I've replaced them with some Michelin Pilot Road 2CT's. I've heard nothing but good news about the new rubber although have been concerned that perhaps the extra weight of the Connie may mean not so great tyre wear - although comments on the Concours forum suggest all sorts of fantastic mileage figures. I'm just going to have to wait and see how they go with my riding style etc.
But what I can confirm is that they feel absolutely great! I went out on the Friday night ride to scrub them in and they felt fantastic from the very first few kms. Personally I've felt that with both the original Bridgestones and the Stradas there is not very much feel or feedback from the front end. There was nothing wrong with the way the bike handled and the tyres stuck to the road as they should but there just wasn't that hard to define "feel". After last night I would have to say that that has changed and the bike felt simply fantastic through some tight & twisty roads.
So far it's all good - the Southern Cross is bound to test the Michelin's wet weather performance and after 6,500km or so I should have a reasonable idea on their expected life. So check back in about 4 weeks for another 2CT report...
But what I can confirm is that they feel absolutely great! I went out on the Friday night ride to scrub them in and they felt fantastic from the very first few kms. Personally I've felt that with both the original Bridgestones and the Stradas there is not very much feel or feedback from the front end. There was nothing wrong with the way the bike handled and the tyres stuck to the road as they should but there just wasn't that hard to define "feel". After last night I would have to say that that has changed and the bike felt simply fantastic through some tight & twisty roads.
So far it's all good - the Southern Cross is bound to test the Michelin's wet weather performance and after 6,500km or so I should have a reasonable idea on their expected life. So check back in about 4 weeks for another 2CT report...
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Southern Cross Routes
Mark & I had a planning session to night and finalised our routes for the Southern Cross. We've drawn them up in Mapsource and they're loaded onto the GPS - 6,530km all up. Only a few chores and a few weeks to go until we're off! Can't wait!
Just how hot is it?
After sweating it out in over 30 degree temperatures on the Coro Loop & East Cape I thought it would be nice to know what the temperature really is as you're sweating away so I've just added an Oxford temperature gauge to the mighty Connie
It can display the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit or the time. The date is always displayed and there is also a little indicator that shows if the temperature is on the way up or down. Another feature is an ice warning when the temperature gets below 3 degrees Celsius so that could also come in handy.
After sticking it on I had a few issues with it turning itself off on me and I wondered if I had a dud one or if both batteries (comes with a spare) were poked. After playing around with it I decided that the battery must not have been making proper contact so I packed it out a little with some cardboard and it seems to be ok now.
Yep, I like gadgets!
It can display the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit or the time. The date is always displayed and there is also a little indicator that shows if the temperature is on the way up or down. Another feature is an ice warning when the temperature gets below 3 degrees Celsius so that could also come in handy.
After sticking it on I had a few issues with it turning itself off on me and I wondered if I had a dud one or if both batteries (comes with a spare) were poked. After playing around with it I decided that the battery must not have been making proper contact so I packed it out a little with some cardboard and it seems to be ok now.
Yep, I like gadgets!
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