Lunch at the Salty Dog (again)

[Anonymous]

#3710

The golden weather of the last few days went AWOL in a hurry this morning, and by the time ten o'clock rolled around the sky was starting to look threatening.  Because we had an unexpectedly large turn out for a little and local I nominated the Salty Dog for lunch, as they somehow always manage to produce very good grub in a very short time.We left Westgate with Rob leading, with his hat this week standing for "Rather Interesting Conditions".  It pissed down!  We definitely shoulda gone south.  But never mind, we all enjoyed some durn good vittles at Snell's Beach again. (Once we all arrived - we had a bit of drama caused by the change of traffic lights at Warkworth, whereby the tail end arrived at the Salty Dog before the front markers!  And left stranded, along the long way round, marking a corner waiting for TEC that never went that way, was the Dysmapsic Wizzard, Rincewind.  When I realised he was adrift I had to shoot back round the block quick to collect the stranded corner marshalls.)Some folk don't mind the weather, in good company, and some got even wetter than us: check these guys wind-bagging at Orewa.  Very heavy traffic, but we saw no collisions or crossed lines, well done them.

[Dave Morris]

#15354

brass monke=ry down this way today

[Anonymous]

#15355

A very good turnout today, sixteen bikes (seventeen by Wendy's count) with at least 3 pillions (did I miss one?) and two cling-on cage riders joining us for lunch, so that made 21 if my 3rd form maths hasn't let me down. Bwucie nominated me as RIC just before we headed off and I got two things wrong. First I lead us into the rain.  Actually the rain was only moderately annoying, just a passing shower or two really, but it seems that every time I'm RIC it rains. So if you want to practice your wet-road skills, pick me. Then I managed to loose half the riders at Warkworth. Actually I could blame Uncamoose for following his instincts instead of his nose, but that would be unfair. It was a good lesson for an RIC in training. Never assume those following will follow the main road when there is a more logical way to go. I should have placed a marker rider by the turn-off, but as Bwucie explained, we all arrived at the same place at the same time. Only The Red Baron and Rincewind were absent, faithfully waiting at intersections for riders who were never going to pass by. We were going to leave them there until after lunch until we figured out that someone else would have to buy Frau Red Baron and Mrs Rincewind lunch, so Bwucie went off to retrieve them.I didn't hear any complaints about the food at Salty Dog (although Young Jim wasn't there) and the service was cheerful and prompt. Uncamoose took over as RIC for the ride down to Orewa. He did a much better job than me with the weather and keeping everyone together. After desert a few of us followed Shah down through the east Coast Bays to Bayswater. A very pleasant little ride in pleasant sunshine, and he didn't loose anyone either. From Shah's house we could see southbound traffic backed up and crawling on the motorway, and assumed that Bwucie must be holding things up on his little scooter. I stopped for fuel just before I arrived home and put 16.27 litres in my 17 litre tank. Just shows that you shouldn't ignore that low-fuel light for too long.Yet another very enjoyable day with a great group of people. It was good to see some new faces along today, as well as the familiar ones.

[Anonymous]

#15356

rats…now i can't say “i don't ride in the wet” anymore. actually it was quite enjoyable. and, of course, the company was great. so was lunch.should have worn my waterproof threads instead of my leathers though. now i'll have to wait 3 days for them to dry out. a bright sunny day indeed!

[Anonymous]

#15357

Shah don,t you know that the best way to dry your leathers is to 'air dry' them.  Today would be a good day to put them back on and go for a ride to send the wind through and chase the water out!  On the other hand the weather coming over the next week is supposed to be bad.  Your gear will have time to dry out if you revert to your old habit of 'fair weather' riding.Cheers Adrianne

[Anonymous]

#15358

For me plan A was to stay in touch with the group through the damp twisty Woodcocks Road and this was achieved quite comfortably with thanks to Rob (RIC) riding at a safe legal pace. I followed the first group through the lights at the SH1 and Warkworth junction and after following the line of least deviation (as you do) enjoyed a pleasant run before turning right at Rincewind's right hander. I then marshalled the next junction but after waiting 10 mins at my designated corner and seeing no one decided to back track to Rincewind's corner only to hear he had not seen the pack either. Not long into our discussions of the merits of countersteering in adverse conditions TEC (Bwucie) rescued us and led us back to the Salty Dog for a lovely lunch. Seems Uncamoose had taken offence at missing out on RIC duties and decided to form his own satellite group at the Warkworth intersection. Frau Baron and Babzee met up with us for lunch with Frau Baron enjoying the Mussell Fritters on Shah's recommendation, Rincewind and Babzee ripped into a nice looking seafood cocktail while I devoured a fresh green salad “yeah right”. Weather improved after lunch and our stop at Orewa for dessert is always well received by everyone. Big thanks to Shah for taking us on a tour of the local northern beaches and Geok Lee for providing the usual troublemakers with a nice spicy liquid refreshment to complete a memorable day.

[Anonymous]

#15359

Well yet again I manage to get a mention in the ride report,seems anonymity is just not my thing, I will expect no less than a chocholate fish from our ilustrious leader on my birthday for not deserting my corner post……no doubt the Red Barron will require the same…..which brings me to ask the question, how long should you wait before deserting your corner post….and after you have had a short kip smoked a  couple of fags or read the newspaper,how far back down the road from whence you came should you go before giving up and going home/to the pub/to the beach/ or in my case…..getting lost.(answers on a post card please)(or use the forum)All things aside and considering this was the first time I have saddled up Binky for a month since injuring my back it was a great day out, (I have paid for it a bit today though).Thanks Rob for leading the pack,once again I have travelled some roads I have never travelled before and they will no doubt be new to me the next time I travel them.....I am so dreading taking the lead in two weeks time....seriously folks you do not know how serious dysmapsia is, I'm sweating just thinking aboute the route...I will never remember the way, I'm considering paying a guide !!!! please don't make me do this I'm a bloody wreck already and its two weeks away.RegardsRincewind

[Anonymous]

#15360

Dave, I thought you and Alex did just the right thing: you stayed on the route you had been on, where you could be contacted by the concerned shepherds.It always takes a few minutes to count the sheep, sort out who is missing, and then work out the quickest way to reach them.  If you are on the side of the road in crook weather it seems forever.  It seems that way when you are trying to punt a scoot with a side like a Korean car-carrier ship across a wet, slippery ridge in a strong crosswind too - I did my best to hurry, but my survival instinct asserted itself and told me it didn't really matter if you and the Red Baron got a wee bit wetter: I would have been dead when I got home if I'd put the Librarian's scoot in the bin.Grab the RIC and TEC's cell numbers is always a good trick, too.  If you do move away from the route, leave them a message so they know.And you may get several choccy fish if you get us to Morris and James OK _ given your dysmapsia it's definitely worth more than one.

[Jim Young]

#15361

While you lot were away enjoying yourselves playing musical corners, I had a most enjoyable day with the family celebrating she who must be obeyed's birthday.It was only spoiled be the worst big breakfast (and most expensive one at $22.50 ) and other brunches that any of us in the party had ever had.The only redeeming highlight was when our Daughter picked up the bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!So if any of you don't want the same experience stay away from the stone cottage (Macca) at mission bay.I also got wet but by the spray from the fountain which the kids couldnt keep away from and muggins was pressganged into supervising.  ;D

[Anonymous]

#15362

we learn something new everyday, eh, Adrianne. eventhough some advice can sound abit dodgy. lol.

Shah don,t you know that the best way to dry your leathers is to 'air dry' them.  Today would be a good day to put them back on and go for a ride to send the wind through and chase the water out!  On the other hand the weather coming over the next week is supposed to be bad.  Your gear will have time to dry out if you revert to your old habit of 'fair weather' riding.Cheers Adrianne

[Anonymous]

#15363

While you lot were away enjoying yourselves playing musical corners, I had a most enjoyable day with the family celebrating she who must be obeyed's birthday.It was only spoiled be the worst big breakfast (and most expensive one at $22.50 ) and other brunches that any of us in the party had ever had.The only redeeming highlight was when our Daughter picked up the bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!So if any of you don't want the same experience stay away from the stone cottage (Macca) at mission bay.I also got wet but by the spray from the fountain which the kids couldnt keep away from and muggins was pressganged into supervising.   ;D

I think you should compose the 101 places not to eat an all day breakfast Jim...and set an EGSAMPLE of all the places that make a HASH of it,a simple list of all the places you have BEAN with your recomendations of how to get BACON the right track...good luck with that...may the sauce be with you !!!

[Anonymous]

#15364

Stoppit I say, Rincewind!  I had a headache before I read that, now I've got a bad headache.Even going out to the garage and giving the Sex Toy a cuddle (yes, it is back home) didn't help the head one bit.

[Jim Young]

#15365

Hooray, glad to hear it's back home again, hope the tyres arn't perished through lack of use  ::)

[Anonymous]

#15366

Stoppit I say, Rincewind!  I had a headache before I read that, now I've got a bad headache.Even going out to the garage and giving the Sex Toy a cuddle (yes, it is back home) didn't help the head one bit.

Glad to see you have your steed back Mr C, the Germans must be delivering parts using back packers these days.....how else could it take so long to get a bit of metal from Bavaria to the Godzone.Sorry to have given you a headache...I take PILLS for mine...or STELLA both seem to work Ha Ha

[Anonymous]

#15367

This is fast becoming a CEREAL gag, which goes against the GRAIN.  Please use the MILK of human kindness and spare us any more.

[Author]

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