Sunny Qld

[Anonymous]

#3622

I've just spend a few days over in sunny Queensland (where it rained a bit and I missed a bloody good ride – DAM!) but I thought the following interesting:Not a lot of bikers seem to go weekend riding. I drove nearly 1,000 kms on all sorts of roads including up around the hills on great bike roads and saw only a couple of groups of bikes.Quite a few bikers don't wear jackets, just ride in T-Shirts. Some even just in shorts and T-Shirts. I guess the road surface is a lot softer there (Yeah Right)I saw very few BMW's, actually almost more Spyders (3) than BMW's (4) A lot of HD's and quite a number of Triumphs, especially the classic style modelsBike cops don't wear Hi-Viz gear. With their black jackets and blue/white bikes they certainly don't stand out. Actually I didn't see any biker in Hi-Viz gear.By comparison, Speed Camera vehicles are sign written "Speed Camera" in big letters. They even put a sign-board up that says "Speed Camera" just before you get to them (they still catch Aussies tho :). But then I'm pretty sure I saw a very nondescript one half in the bushes as well.They are building roads and tunnels like crazy all around and under Brisbane. All new roads seem to be tolled and bikes pay half car toll. Despite all the new roads, it's really hard finding somewhere to park anywhere near the city, and paid parking is expensive, even in weekends.In fact, apart from petrol and beer, everything was expensive, around 10% to 20% more than here without taking the exch rate into account.

[Richard Kuysten]

#15029

I saw very few BMW's, actually almost more Spyders (3) than BMW's (4) A lot of HD's and quite a number of Triumphs, especially the classic style modelsHi Rob, didn't know you were away hope it was a break not work 🙂  Your observations are interesting, particularly the one about the Spyder v other bikes - I guess you'll have caught up with the posts here re the Spyder and on the CR list.  Definitely not a motorbike but I'd have one if I could afford another machine.So if you had the choice  would you live in  Queensland or Auckland?  I don't suppose you were able to find out relative wage levels to get a good idea if they are actually better off than us.  We too missed the ride on Sunday, trying to get as  much time on the water prior to our Easter sojourn on the Whanganui.  Also missed the meeting last night as we had a briefing at Canoe and Kayak. I must say I wonder what we've let ourselves in for.  Some of the rapids looked pretty torrid for a paddle that is supposed to be OK for "competent beginners".  I'm sure we'll have a ball even if a very wet one.There is an ACC sponsored breakfast at the Onepoto Basin from 6.30am tomorrow.  I plan to be there just to get some of my levies back in food and drink  😛 You pass by on your way to work don't you, might see you there eh.

[Anonymous]

#15030

Hi Malcolm,Yes I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to the Spyder test rides, I would have been interested to try one. There's no spare space in my garage at the moment though 🙂Regarding Qld vs Auck, I'm very happy here. Qld used to be a quiet place and Brisbane was a low-key city but not now. There are just so many people now, all the way from Brisbane to the coast. The cost of living is certainly higher than here and the quality of life is not as good. Then there are all those bitey, stingy, nasty poisonous things (and that's just the Australians let alone the snakes, spiders and sharks) Maybe you can earn more money there but I think we are very lucky indeed being here. Thanks for the reminder about the ACC breakfast. I'll be there early and it looks like it will be a nice day to ride to work 🙂

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