Wednesday, September 5, 2012

What have I gone and done now?

As I mentioned in my last post there hasn't been much riding going on lately and I have just had my R1 serviced ready for the spring weather which has just rolled in nicely. It was 26°C here today and the weather ahead has been forecast for warm and no rain for the rest of the week. Woo Hoo motorcycling weather at its best. To top that off I've also just taken 3 weeks annual leave. Sounds like a match made in heaven for planning a motorcycle trip. I haven't been out for a ride in over a month.

There have been a few other developments around here of late as well which has hampered getting out for a ride. I have Phillip Island MotoGP coming up in about 7 weeks time which should be good and I have already organised leave with the Minister of Finance for a 4 day/3 night overnighter in November with Bushpig and a few friends. We will be riding down into the NSW Snowy mountains and Victorian Alps along some of Australia's best motorcycling roads with some like minded bikers and I am really looking forward to that ride as it could be the last for a little while.


Bushpig and Steve on the Bonang Hwy
 
Bushpig rang up a couple of weeks ago about a weekend ride coming up next weekend and asked if i'd be in. The conversation went something like this;
 
Bushpig: We got another overnighter coming up going to Rylestone again for the first ride of the spring. You coming.....
Chiller: When is it?
Bushpig:  The first weekend of September.
Chiller: Crap it, I can't make it.
Bushpig: HAHAHA that's right your f*cked now mate. Then lots of laughter down the phone.
 
Yeah thanks for that ya bastard, it's like you planned that just for me. So getting to the reasons why the riding around here has been pretty lack luster of late and is looking pretty bleak into the immediate future with the noted exception above.
 
Have I sold the bike? Am I giving up riding? Is the world falling apart?
No to all of the above with the exception of the last one, maybe.

One of the best things that has ever happened in my life happened last friday which is also the same reason for the death knell of my immediate riding future. At 12:33 our second daughter Olivia was born into the world weighing 3.5 kgs and 50cm long. Both mum and bub all doing well.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Georgia & Olivia

I have read a lot of other peoples blogs about how they got into motorcycling, and there were a lot of those riders that got out of riding when they had kids only to get back into it later on after the kids had grown up and moved out. I am really determined to not let this happen to me, as I really love riding and don't really know what I'd do without it. Yes there are family responsibility's now that needs attention especially with 2 little ones, 4 and under. Is it going to change how I ride. Well maybe it will.
 
Definitely there will probably be a lack of riding to start with, I'm ok with this as that's what happened with our first child, but I still will keep the bike and ride it when I can. Since our first daughter its always been in the back of my mind to take it a bit easy now and to a large extent I have done that. I think I have slowed myself down considerably when out riding. Am I still having fun? HELL YES is the simple answer. When I can't ride I can be enjoying all the fantastic blogs out there.

Does this mean I'm going to sell the R1 and buy a cruiser or tourer? HELL NO! I still have the inner hoon in me just waiting to get out. It's a bit like the Jekyll and Hyde thing. I was hoping to look at getting a new bike by next year for my 40th birthday but that is looking to be as shaky as Christchurch at the moment. I think I'd have a better chance of winning the lottery. Looking at all the new bikes in the dealers last week was very painful knowing what was coming. That second ball and chain will slow me down considerably.
 
Lets hope I can sneak in at least one ride whilst I am on annual leave to alleviate the frustrations. Stay safe everyone.
 


22 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your daughter. She's a cutie too just like Georgia. I can understand how that might put a cramp in riding for a bit. At least you have some quality time off with the family and have your November trip to look forward to.

    Can you carry diapers on the R1? A good excuse for a ride right there.... just sayin'

    On a side note........One of the perks in choosing not to have children is having more toys. Ask me how i know?

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    1. Thanks Brandy. I guess an R1 could be used for nappy transport. Lol.

      I have seen all your toys of late which included the bonneville.

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  2. Congrats little Bro. She is a cutie and that is a great photo of her and Georgie. Just take it easy on that ride. :)

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    1. Thanks although you knew before everyone else with your insider info and all.

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    2. Hmmmm...thinking about it a bit more....Mrs Chiller got an new baby....maybe you should get a new baby too? Juz sayin'.

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    3. That sounds like a great idea. Let me get my armoured jacket out before I ask hey!

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  3. Good news on not selling the R! for a crusier, you had me worried for a minute!

    Oh nearly forgot, well done on the gorgeous daughter. Fantastic. Have you ever seen the thread on Adventure forum 'Father Daughter pics" it is brilliant I will send you the link if yo u haven't seen it. Well done mate well done. (and your missus to)

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    1. Thanks Rog, I don't think I could trade it on a cruiser. I still have to much hoon element for that just yet.

      Can you send me the link and i'll take a look, sounds interesting.

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  4. Warmest congratulations Steve, that's wonderful news mate! Two daughters to wrap Dad round their little fingers. Ours is 29 now and she can still do it with alarming ease which drives Jennie and our 2 boys nuts. You're royally screwed mate!

    Kids..... just great to have around!

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    1. Hahaha thanks Geoff.

      What is it with little girls and their fathers, they seem to be able to get away with blue murder at times.

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!

    That's wonderful news.Providing a solid foundation for your family is a far greater achievement than riding motorcycles at will. Trust me, there's plenty of riding ahead in your future and they grow up in the blink of an eye.

    Best wishes Jules.

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    1. Thanks Jules. Family do tend to put the squeeze on the riding time. But its all good, family first though.

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  6. hi Chillertek,
    what can i say been there done that but a quick note that they do still have you wrapped around there little finger just a quick smile and you are gone as for the riding as you know thats what happen to me but would not change a thing or maybe one thing new bike?

    ps Georgie will be a good sister for Oliva.

    regards

    VTRMAN

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    1. Thanks mate. A new/er bike would be good. Georgia is alkready helping us out with the baby. I wonder how long that will last?

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  7. Cute little bits you have there. It is always good to re-assess priorities and family is a big responsibility.

    But why giving up on riding? Stick to it when ever and where ever you can, just make sure to keep that inner hooligan in check. Oh yeah, and make sure the life insurance is up to date ;-)

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    1. Yes they are cute. You may have got the wrong idea, i'm not giving riding up, and trust me every oportunity I get I'll be taking to get out there. But I know from our last little one riding took a bit of a back seat for a while. Mmm life insurance, never put any though into that really....

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  8. Newer will do. just like a good big sister.

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    1. If only, wanna by a slightly used R1 only ridden to church on sundays.....

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  9. Congrats Steve! Two girls should keep ya busy for a while - don't worry, I get some riding in for ya!

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    1. Thanks mate, I'm busy already and it's only been a couple of days in.

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  10. Congratulations! They are both beautiful!

    Just for the record, I see no problems with trading up to a cruiser ... oh dear am I gonna get hurt for saying that here? .... :D

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    1. Thanks Brenda. We won't beat you round the head and body to much. Just kidding. Each to their own I say. If you like cruisers its pointless to ride a sportsbike and same in reverse. Just as long as you are having fun doing it.

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