PhilJet09
Nondescript FJR Hierarchy Displayed
Riding the Blue Mountains of Australia
Early this year a week long trip to Australia came in to our office, but this one was different. We are often "on the road" anywhere from one to three weeks at a time and its common to not stay in any city longer than a day, sometimes only a few hours per city. The company jet is a business tool and our execs often utilize it to the max extent of our flight and duty limitations. This trip, however, was to sit in Sydney for a full week. Awesome! I have enough seniority that I was given the choice of a few days in Hawaii (relief crew for the way home) or Sydney...easy choice.
I posted on here looking for advice on bike rentals and things to do. Surly helped me out by posting the same on the Australia forum. A member named Phil replied and we started making arrangements to meet and spend a day riding around where he lives, the Blue Mountains...lucky buggar. Surly lives on the west coast and apparently didn't want to ride clear across the country to meet me and only ride for one day, sheesh.
Phil and I spoke several times on facebook and found out that we share many common interests. Without ever meeting me in person, he made a very generous offer to let me ride his '08 FJR and stay at his house. I took him up on the lodging, but declined the use of his bike. I can't imagine how bad I'd feel if anything were to happen to his FJR while in my care.
There are several places to rent motorcycles around Sydney, so it came down to the type of bike I wanted. Not interested in a cruiser, standard or any BMW, I ended up at Sydney City Motorcyles in Kogarah. They had a 2010 VFR800...very sexy. I almost bought an '09 a few years ago. I emailed my request and the plan was made to pick the bike up late Monday, ride it all day Tuesday and drop it off early Wednesday, for the price of a two-day rental. Seems pretty reasonable to me.
As the date got closer, I started studying the weather. All I can say is that the forecast changes for Sydney...often...like a couple times a day. I called Mick at the bike shop and asked if it would be a problem to move the rental back if needed, due to weather. Not a problem, not many rentals during the week anyway. I'm noticing a pattern with Australians - they're pretty generous and easy-going.
Saturday's weather check prompted me to decide to move the ride back one day to Wednesday. Scattered showers were forecast for Tuesday, but Wednesday was looking great. Phil agreed and indicated that his work schedule was flexible and it wouldn't be a problem...I'd find out later that he was making other sacrifices though.
We arrived in Sydney around lunch time on Monday and I was glad to not have to rush around and pick up the bike, let alone ride the darn thing, on the other side of the road, after that much flying. We (the flight crew) walked around the city like tourist zombies and took pictures.
Tuesday morning came and the plan was to cab it to the bike shop in the afternoon, then ride the 1:20 hrs to Phil's house to meet and spend the night. Sydney is a big city with lots of traffic. Combine that with the scattered showers, new bike, opposite side of the road and trying to navigate solely by GPS, I was getting a little nervous. After an expensive cab ride, I walked into SCM to find Phil standing there waiting for me with a big smile on his face. He rode his Gold Wing there to escort me back to his place...I'm saved! It was a spirited ride through heavy, stop-and-go city traffic about half of the way and I'm pretty sure Phil rides that Wing faster/better than I ride my FJR.
Eventually, we arrived at his house, parked the bikes in the garage, unloaded my gear, was greeted by a couple high-energy dogs and was treated to an excellent dinner by Phil's better half. A couple of beers (Coopers dark -excellent) and a game of pool and it was time to turn in for the night. Phil's an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy and I was jet lagged out of my mind.
5:20 am. "Hey mate, you awake?" Actually, I was. Sleep comes in strange patterns when you cross through 14 time zones and the international date line. A little coffe for me, I don't usually eat breakfast, and toast with Vegemite (I swear it's the truth) for Phil. Foggy and about 60 degrees outside, waiting for Phil's friend Pat to show up on his FJR. Pat shows up and he and Phil instantly go into picking on each other. You can tell these guys have been good friends for awhile. Gear up, time to ride!
The first part of our ride I spent trying to keep up with Phil while wiping the mist off my visor every ten seconds...I sure miss that big adjustable windscreen on my FJR. I'm starting to get the feel for the VFR though, kinda liking the light weight too and that engine sure has character. It has low throttle torque, but revs like a beast. The VTEC kicks in around 6500 rpms.
First stop - Pat darts in front of us and pulls into scenic lot. Turns out, Pat's quite a photographer. Most of the good pictures from here on were taken by him.
Take your damn helmets off so I can get a good picture!
Next stop for coffee and a snack in the middle of nowhere.
The fields next to this place were filled with these things...
More to come...
Early this year a week long trip to Australia came in to our office, but this one was different. We are often "on the road" anywhere from one to three weeks at a time and its common to not stay in any city longer than a day, sometimes only a few hours per city. The company jet is a business tool and our execs often utilize it to the max extent of our flight and duty limitations. This trip, however, was to sit in Sydney for a full week. Awesome! I have enough seniority that I was given the choice of a few days in Hawaii (relief crew for the way home) or Sydney...easy choice.
I posted on here looking for advice on bike rentals and things to do. Surly helped me out by posting the same on the Australia forum. A member named Phil replied and we started making arrangements to meet and spend a day riding around where he lives, the Blue Mountains...lucky buggar. Surly lives on the west coast and apparently didn't want to ride clear across the country to meet me and only ride for one day, sheesh.
Phil and I spoke several times on facebook and found out that we share many common interests. Without ever meeting me in person, he made a very generous offer to let me ride his '08 FJR and stay at his house. I took him up on the lodging, but declined the use of his bike. I can't imagine how bad I'd feel if anything were to happen to his FJR while in my care.
There are several places to rent motorcycles around Sydney, so it came down to the type of bike I wanted. Not interested in a cruiser, standard or any BMW, I ended up at Sydney City Motorcyles in Kogarah. They had a 2010 VFR800...very sexy. I almost bought an '09 a few years ago. I emailed my request and the plan was made to pick the bike up late Monday, ride it all day Tuesday and drop it off early Wednesday, for the price of a two-day rental. Seems pretty reasonable to me.
As the date got closer, I started studying the weather. All I can say is that the forecast changes for Sydney...often...like a couple times a day. I called Mick at the bike shop and asked if it would be a problem to move the rental back if needed, due to weather. Not a problem, not many rentals during the week anyway. I'm noticing a pattern with Australians - they're pretty generous and easy-going.
Saturday's weather check prompted me to decide to move the ride back one day to Wednesday. Scattered showers were forecast for Tuesday, but Wednesday was looking great. Phil agreed and indicated that his work schedule was flexible and it wouldn't be a problem...I'd find out later that he was making other sacrifices though.
We arrived in Sydney around lunch time on Monday and I was glad to not have to rush around and pick up the bike, let alone ride the darn thing, on the other side of the road, after that much flying. We (the flight crew) walked around the city like tourist zombies and took pictures.
Tuesday morning came and the plan was to cab it to the bike shop in the afternoon, then ride the 1:20 hrs to Phil's house to meet and spend the night. Sydney is a big city with lots of traffic. Combine that with the scattered showers, new bike, opposite side of the road and trying to navigate solely by GPS, I was getting a little nervous. After an expensive cab ride, I walked into SCM to find Phil standing there waiting for me with a big smile on his face. He rode his Gold Wing there to escort me back to his place...I'm saved! It was a spirited ride through heavy, stop-and-go city traffic about half of the way and I'm pretty sure Phil rides that Wing faster/better than I ride my FJR.
Eventually, we arrived at his house, parked the bikes in the garage, unloaded my gear, was greeted by a couple high-energy dogs and was treated to an excellent dinner by Phil's better half. A couple of beers (Coopers dark -excellent) and a game of pool and it was time to turn in for the night. Phil's an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy and I was jet lagged out of my mind.
5:20 am. "Hey mate, you awake?" Actually, I was. Sleep comes in strange patterns when you cross through 14 time zones and the international date line. A little coffe for me, I don't usually eat breakfast, and toast with Vegemite (I swear it's the truth) for Phil. Foggy and about 60 degrees outside, waiting for Phil's friend Pat to show up on his FJR. Pat shows up and he and Phil instantly go into picking on each other. You can tell these guys have been good friends for awhile. Gear up, time to ride!
The first part of our ride I spent trying to keep up with Phil while wiping the mist off my visor every ten seconds...I sure miss that big adjustable windscreen on my FJR. I'm starting to get the feel for the VFR though, kinda liking the light weight too and that engine sure has character. It has low throttle torque, but revs like a beast. The VTEC kicks in around 6500 rpms.
First stop - Pat darts in front of us and pulls into scenic lot. Turns out, Pat's quite a photographer. Most of the good pictures from here on were taken by him.
Take your damn helmets off so I can get a good picture!
Next stop for coffee and a snack in the middle of nowhere.
The fields next to this place were filled with these things...
More to come...
