Tearing Down the Wall 16/4/04

We had a great turnout to our 'Tear Down the Wall' fundraising organised by Jack Swart tonight. About twelve people turned up to help Jack demolish the wall at the end of the Waikato Motor Group's workshop. A great turnout for such short notice. By the time I arrived just before 6, the wall was down and the Bobcat was busy clearing the bricks away. Garry Gallagher got there at 5:20 and told me it was pretty much down then. Anyway, we all got stuck in and helped clear away the rubble. I lot of us took on the supervision role. Cliffy Whittaker would have been proud, we looked just like council workers; leaning on our shovels offering advice to anyone within earshot.

Blyth's trackie legs - scary! A rare sight, a banker getting his hands dirty




Jack learning how to drive the Bobcat(we tried to offer advice but for some reason he wasn't interested)








Another rare sight Garry Gallagher doing some work

I'll post a few more photos on the website. We all had a great time, raised some money for the club and drank a couple of beers (except for Trevor Foley, who drank more than a couple of beers!!). So, thanks to everyone who turned up.

So, what else has happened?

I don't think we did all that well at the Masters Nationals. From what I heard Harry came back with two bronze medals and that was about it. Harry tells me that he was a bit low on bronzes in his medal cupboard, so this will help. I heard that Bob Puru got two fourth places in his races, and I did hear a rumour that he got into an altercation with Paul Ritchie for sitting on Paul's tail. Now that is not like our Bob...the bit about sitting on, I mean. Getting into an altercation, I can believe, but usually it is Bob doing the altercating!! That reminds me of a story!

Last year Bob and I were racing in the Hamilton Open and he recognised someone in our group.

"See that bastard over there?" he asks, pointing to some guy in front of us.

"Yeah" I answer

"That little shit sat on my wheel at the Tauranga Open last year and sprinted me at the finish. Did no work through the whole race and then had the nerve to sprint! Well there is no bloody way he's going to do that to me again!"

About then I realised two things about Bob. Firstly, that he didn't like people sitting on and secondly, that he didn't forget easily.

A little way into the race, I saw Bob up the front with this guy beside him. Then I saw Bob talking to the guy.

"Oh oh", I thought, "what is Bob saying to the guy?"

A few minutes later the guys came back and asked me if I knew Bob.

"Yeah, we ride together a bit" I answered cagely, unsure whether admitting to knowing Bob at this time was the smartest thing in the world.

"Jees, he's a grumpy bugger isn't he?"

"Why what did he say to you?" I gave another non-committal answer (heart of a chicken, I have)

"He told me that I'd sat on his wheel at the Tauranga Open and there was no bloody way, I was going to get away with it again. so, I'd better do some work this time round!"

So, bad luck Bobbie. Just remember, we all love you (or at least that is what Blyth said to tell you).

Last Sunday, I went out with the 8 o'clock bunch around Little Naike. We started off with Miles Watson and Dave Mann on the front at about 36 km/h leaving town. Yours truly, was second wheel when they turned off on the Te Kowhai Road (lucky, lucky, lucky me).

So, I carry on for the next few km at the same pace, with a guy from Cambridge beside me. All the time, I'm thinking, "How the hell am I going to maintain this pace?" Just before my legs turned into complete lumps of jelly, I managed to pull off and then someone punctured so we all got a breather on the side of the road.

Jack and some of the others came up and were saying things like, "That was a bloody good pace, for someone who hasn't been on the bike for a while."

I'm thinking, "Bugger, you mean that wasn't your normal pace?" (I didn't have enough breath left to talk at the time)

About that time I realised that Dumb and Dumber were in the group. Miles Watson is Dumb, because he likes to hammer all day - but Miles is young.. he's supposed to be dumb (you know the saying, young, dumb and full of ....). I am Dumber, if I think I can match Miles after being off the bike for more than six months!

But Little Naike was fun, sort of. I managed to hang in there for a 32 plus average (even though, I was fried at the end). And we all got down that treacherous drop on the Rotowaro Road (although, Dave Mann tried to pretend he was a motocross rider and managed to hang the arse end of his bike out round the corner. Kerry Evans and I went past Dave about 500m later and he was looking just a tad pale) without requiring an ambulance.

Speaking of Dave, I thought I should share a tale with you.

Our Dave can be a bit forgetful at times. He was telling us that last Saturday night he went on an errand to get pizzas for the family. He returns with the pizzas and rushes out of the car hurrying to get the food to his starving family. Next morning, he goes out to the garage to get his bike for the ride. He opens the door and his first thought is, "Shit, someone is trying to commit suicide in here."

The garage is full of fumes and the car engine is running! A split second later he realises that he had forgotten to turn the engine off when he came back with the pizzas! Good one, Dave!

By the way, some of would be pleased to know that Dave was toasted at the end of the ride too. Kerry Evans tells me that after they turned off Dave went verrrrry sloooowly up the Duck Rd hill. Unfortunately, those who have ridden with Dave over the years will know that we only have a three week window of opportunity before he gets his legs back. After that we're toast. Oh, and Dave doesn't forget anyone who took advantage of him during that time either! So, if you feel like it, have a go, but I promise you, you will regret it!

Mentioned in Dispatches

About now our own Sonnie Witana will be recovering from his operation. I asked the surgeons to sew his lips closed enough so he couldn't talk, but could still sip through a straw. We can't have Sonnie getting too skinny, he might be able to beat me up the hills then!

I forgot to mention Greg Gillard last week. Greg gets the "You Unlucky Bastard Award". He manages to get through the Rotorua Flyer without injury, unlike the other 80% of riders!! After the ride Greg and his family stayed overnight in Taupo. The next day the family drive into town for a feed before heading off home. They have their feed, pile into the car and start to drive off, when another car shunts them from behind! You guessed it, Greg's precious bike is hanging on the bike rack on the back and gets a good munting from the 4WD trying to occupy the same space they were in. "Golly, gosh, my bike is damaged" says Greg (or words to that effect). So, bad luck Greg. I haven't heard what's happened since, but I think he's in for a new frame. (It would look great with some used Dura Ace on it Greg).

And Roger Leaf gets the "Slimey Dog Award". He asks me to ring him on Monday so we can go on a slow(???) ride. As per instructions, I ring Roger on Monday morning only for him to tell me that he had a rough night last night and can't come out (to play). Fair enough, I think and offer my condolences. I hear tonight that good old Rog turned up a Kerry Evan's place later that morning - yes, folks he'd ridden over!! See, didn't I tell you last week what he was like...untrustworthy, cunning!! I even hear he's been out on his bike training every day this week!!! Be warned fellow riders, don't say you weren't warned.

Anyway that's it from me. Have a good week and, weather permitting I'll see you all out on Sunday morning.

Michael