Happy New Year everyone

I remember Don, very funny man

Just to "stray" slightly off track here for a wee moment. Ill tell you where the phrase "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" comes from:
Despite how it sounds, its not rude at all. On the old Gallion style war ships of long ago, the cast iron cannon balls were stored on 2 very long brass rails to make feeding the cannons during battle faster and easier, the pull a cannon ball off the rail and another one would roll into place (or something like that) these rails were called "Brass monkeys". when these ships ventured into extremely cold climates, the brass rails (very long im told) would shrink just enough to allow a cannon ball or two to drop off the end of the rail. Hence the phrase.

Another on that sounds crude, we've all heard the phrase, "he was going Balls Out" or "Driving Balls to the Wall". This phrase refers to the use of heavy metal balls on early engines that were suspended from a shaft and would spin outwards as the engine rev'd acting as a governor or flywheel, the faster the engine rev'd the further out the balls would spin...hence "Balls Out"

Here Endeth the history lesson. Now, back to the original topic of discussion

 

I knew I would learn a lot on these forums.

 

Im a wealth of useless information.

 

You've already proven what great taste you have with your collection Stray. I'm sure you can find room for an MT in there somewhere. It does have a face only a mother could love, but is a relaxed or exciting ride depending on my right wrist, and very comfy.

 

Is that near Opononi?

 

Well-spotted Rogue. Officially Omapere, but just along the harbour edge from Opononi. Sounds like you know the area, brilliant riding especially through the Waipoua Kauri Forest just to the south, lovely scenery and no traffic since NZ stopped all tourists from visiting...This is a favourite day ride for me.

 

My wife and I really wish we could get into NZ. We so enjoyed out short stay a few years ago and are thoroughly tired of California (people, politics, cost, and laws). If it wasn't for certain life options we would be out of here. Although we do live in the best spot in all of California so there is that as well. Grass is always greener I suppose, especially compared to California (what does green grass look like?).

Looks like a nice ride. I totally get the lack of tourist clogging the highway. It was the same here when they closed down the local colleges and tourism. 18 min to get to work without driving like a bat outta hell.

 

I have an old school friend who lived and worked in CA for a few decades who has just relocated to Greymouth with his American partner. I think the frequent fires were a factor, certainly not an issue for the We(s)t Coast where he has moved to (where floods and slips are more of a concern). Come on down, we have plenty of room, also plenty of political issues...