The "Heapa" V2.0

First things first, CONGRATULATIONS JULZ!!! on your new bike, the proud owner of the Honda VT250F aka the "new Heapa".

Well, after some initial photography, we headed out to Freo through some back streets to avoid doing too much boring straight line crap, and to keep away from late-night-shoppers. Arriving in Fremantle, I saw that the usual Thursday night girls' ride also ended up in the same area.

The girls headed over for coffee at the Merchant, but Julz and I headed to Benny's for an Absinth Fantasy and some pasta. I must say that the musician at Benny's was brilliant. I really hope the next time I'm there, you're on again. Three cheers!

Mmm, cannelloni! I could eat another one of those without any trouble right now... Benny's never disappoints.

Heading back to the bikes after dinner, spotted Dean Fantastic with a mate, and then all the girls leaving the Merchant again.

Julz and I rode back to his place and this time Julz gave it more shit. I TOLD YA!!! More gas! Don't make me shoo you up that hill again....! :P

Well done Julz, on the bike and your "riding prowess" (thanks Ryan) and its brilliant to see you smiling so much and enjoying the ride. Keep up the practice and keep it rubber side down.

Peace.

News from Apple Computers

News Report: Apple Computers

Apple Computer reported today that it has developed computer chips that can store and play music inside women’s breasts.

The iBoob is considered to be a major breakthrough because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.

Welcome to 2007

Unless you're still unconscious, its the first day of 2007, and what a great day it is. A cosy 26°C in Perth. It's sunny but breezy.

I welcomed the New Year at Saf's place with great people I've got to meet and know better over the last year. Thank you Jana and Saf (and your folks) for sharing your house and your company!

The night began with a dip in the pool, watching stunting DVD's, drinking beer and snacking on chips and fruit. The pizza then arrived and I was stuffed after 3 pieces! Was time for another beer and everyone was chatting about.

Midnight soon came and we popped two bottles of bubbly; with corks flying into the neighbour's yard and toasted to '07.

I was one of the first to leave, just before 1am and rode home to see 3 lots of Police cars within about 6km. A nice chillaxin' evening was had, and best of all - no hangover! :)

Wanneroo debut

Yesterday I made my debut on Wanneroo Raceway (commonly known as Barbagallo Raceway) for a TrakDayz advanced rider training course.

In the pits
Photo by Julian

The track day was absolutely fantastic. I have learnt so much in the last 24 hours. I’ve really scrubbed my tyres down nicely, a little too far (at first I wasn’t getting enough weight over the side of the bike), but towards the end of the day, you could see that I had bought the scrub line back a little cos Macka (one of the instructors) kept reminding me to keep down and over to the side. I got a poofteenth of a knee down on the only left hander on the track. I LOVE that corner. The basin is pretty cool too, when you get it right.

Lovin' that left hander
Photo by Robin

Best part of the day was knowing that the 1000cc bikes in my beginners group would hurtle past me at Mach 10, then I’d out-corner them around the outside. GO THE 400!

I rode to about 80% of my ability, but nowhere in there did I think "oooh, that’s a bit hairy" etc or feel uncomfortable. I got to a point where I’d nail a corner, have all my weight off my outer thigh (to the point where my grip on the handlebars was like feathers) and think, THAT is how they explained it in the class, and I got it right. Woohoo!

In all, had a great day, it wasn’t too hot and there was a nice breeze all day. I was a little nervous on Friday, but got there and was absolutely fine. After the first session I got “the buzz” and realised I had just done laps of Wanneroo Raceway! YEY!

Julz, Matt, Robin and Ryan were there yesterday for support and they all took a few photos (EDIT: woops, Ryan didn't take photos, but bought me a bottle of water. Thanks waterboy!) I was all like “Did you see me? Did you see me?" :P

I'm looking forward to booking into more courses during the year, not only at Wanneroo but the AHG track too.

Fun in the sun
Photo by Matt

I love you Santa!

What did Santa get you for Christmas? I got chocolates, a white gold ring (fanx Ben!), a leather jewellery box (fanx Mum and Dad) and officially got my Spidi 1-pc race suit and matching gloves.

Yesterday I went for a blat (in my new gloves) with a few peeps (Megs, Robin, Ryan, Matt and Le Hornet) in the evening while it was cool - starting at 7:30pm at Trigg, heading up the coast to Mullaloo where we watched the sun go down, had a beer and a cigar. It proved too much of a good thing and Robin and I were stuck feeling a bit ill. The others headed to Woodvale to check out the Christmas lights and when they came back an hour or so later, we were feeling better.

It was back on the bikes to Scarborough where we grabbed some food and had a yarn. Mmm, Baklava! Back again on the bike and off we went through the more scenic routes of the western suburbs of Perth. We concluded with some tight cornering then an easy cruise up to Northbridge where Efe's was the ONLY place open. Lebbo's must not celebrate anything.

Le Hornet grabbed a pizza with Megs, and Robin and I did "stacks on" to Ryan whilst he was lying in the park across the road. I think I ended up at home around 1:30am - absolutely knackered. So tempted to do it again tonite, but noone is keen. That, or they're pissed.

I had a fairly cruisey Boxing Day in all; spent some time with Mum and Dad, watched a bit of cricket - including Warnies 700th Test wicket, and pondered about fixing the headlights on the bike.

Got work tomorrow until Friday. Then its up to Wanneroo on Saturday for the track day. Aw yeah!!1!

[in best Big Kev voice] "I'm excited!"

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas Eve; Sunday the 24th of December, 2006. It's currently 32.7°C and 16:25pm. The air-conditioning is blaring, forcing the delicious smells from the kitchen below to emanate into my room. Ah, the smell of good Polish cooking.

Mum, Dad and I have been loitering around the house all day generally doing family things. Bothering mum in the kitchen, drinking beer, vacuuming, arguing about who got the most/biggest presents. For the record, I have the most AND the biggest. We were going to have dinner at 6pm, but we're all fungry and we'll be eating in the next half an hour. YEY! Early Christmas presents!

Oh, and there's half an hour of retail trading left today. It truly is the silly season - particularly around shopping centres. More of a reason do all your shopping online (which I did) and have everything packed and delivered weeks in advance. Oh, the joys of online retailers.

Shopping aside, its been wonderful catching up with a lot of mates over the last few days; Haynesey, Ben, Chris, Harry, Trav, Richie, Vicary, Gunz, Robin, Ryan et al - and hopefully some more in the coming week.

Obviously, it's Christmas Day tomorrow, but my family traditionally celebrates Christmas Eve as the "big day" on our Christmas calendar. Regardless of tradition or religion, I hope everyone has a great festive season and a safe one at that.

Okay, time for some good old Polish cheer...!

Whoop Ass Wednesday - Christmas Edition

Oh man, I was so exctied on Wednesday. I posted up the XMAS DRAGS on PSB and PR hoping to get a decent motorbike crowd at the drags. Boy was I impressed. 52 bikes I counted. Brilliant!

I think it was a record number of bikes, but one thing was sure - the Motorplex broke their record for the number of passes during a Whoop Ass Wedesday. 826 runs compared to the last record of 803.

All the rundown here: http://motorplex.com.au/news/2006_12_20.html

I didn't manage a new personal best time (which I was really hoping for after getting the bike tuned) but heaps of people did. There was also a great turnout of riders that had never been to the drags before - many of them are hooked. I ran a few shockers in the 14 second range, then became consistent in the 13.6's which I guess wasn't too bad. Only 0.3 seconds slower than I was expecting.

We got 7 passes down the quarter-mile, then about 25 of us headed down to Chelsea Pizza to grab some food, a beer and exercise bragging rights.

In all, a top night even though I was completely exhausted before, during and after the event.

Seeya at the drags next year!

PS: All Bike Drags are a go for 2007 - Sunday February 11th - mark it in your diary!

Photos courtesy of Troy Coulthard (www.circlework.com.au) and
JB (http://flickr.com/photos/eabod/sets/72157594431611794/)