Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Back from NZ

Sunday, 11 January 2009 23:30

The 2009 Yamaha Hanmer Springs Safari was everything I hoped it'd be. The riding was fabulous, the scenery impossibly spectacular, the riders were all good fun and nice folks, and the Yamaha WR250R is fast becoming one of my favourite bikes.

So now it's back to business. With Christmas and New Year behind us it's time to settle back into a routine and get these magazines out there (and these blogs back on schedule). It would've been good if I'd hit the deadline for the next issue last Monday, I suppose, just to kick the year off.

She'll be right, but.

Issue #26 is the mag in question, and it looks as though I'm going to miss out on the Husaberg. I've been trying to get that bike since last October, and it always seems to be wrenched from under me at the last moment. All is not lost for this issue, but it's not looking good either.

Meanwhile, the Longest Day 4 article is written at last. It's the third time I've written it, and I was worried about coming up with a fresh view. As it turns out, it was no problem. For starters the ride's different every year. Secondly, this year I soft-cocked the finish, so I let the guys tell their individual stories. It's an interesting read.

The issue also has the review on trailriding on motocrossers, fitting a steering damper (finally) and hopefully a round up of hydration packs.

The CRF is back on the main jet, still not entirely right, but getting closer. The XR is sitting beside it in the shed, ready to do the bizzo, and I'm taking the mighty DR650 out to Cameron Corner again this weekend. You'd reckon I'd had enough of that ride by now, but after my shameful non-result on the December 2008 ride, I obviously need to do the trip a whole lot more.

That's probably a new record: beginning the pre-ride for Longest Day 5 in January, nearly 12 months before.

Just in case you think I'm taking things too seriously, Mick Crutch and Boris Everson will be there too. Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-40s, so that might make things a little interesting.

There's a taster for the Hanmer Springs Safari at the top of this blog. It'll be on the next DVD.

More on Monday!

TF