What makes a good ride (part two)

A couple of weeks ago a group of us went for a ride through the BCL (Butter Chicken Loop). The ride was a reunion for a group that went around East Cape late last year. The ride around East Cape was sensational, as a group of comparative strangers that started in Whakatane, we worked together well, got on without exception and enjoyed four days of excellent riding.

Altogether we covered five hundred and eighty kilometres in those four days and suffered no punctures, no meltdowns, only fifty kilometres of headwinds and no road rage. What came out at the end was a pretty cohesive bunch of riders with a shared sense of humour.

One benefit of this ride is that the photo at the top of my posting "Avoid the Clown" was taken out somewhere on SH35. This picture has been the most downloaded of my blog so far, and I'm now fielding requests for further modelling work for the ladies pictured. Additionally one of these woman, Doris, is now a disciple of mine.

The visit of Tristan, wheel building genius from Wellington, provided the necessary reason for a regrouping. Unfortunately Cynthia (the other glorious model in the bunch) was unwell with pericardiasomethingarather after Warren and I had dragged her around through various metal roads a couple of weeks prior.

Most of the group were unfamiliar with the BCL, so it was a pleasant surprise outing for them. The pace was good and the conversation civil, until Doris suggested that we stage our nudie photo. She had suggested it when we rode around East Cape, and in summer that was taken as a valid idea. Her choice of setting that day was the end of the Tologa Bay wharf. Unfortunately when we got to the end of the wharf there were several parties fishing who may have viewed a nude group in less than favourable terms. So, now on the BCL Doris struck again.

Much nervous laughter followed, not the least because it was winter, cold and damp.

Up at the top of Carter Road Doris stated that she would disrobe for the shot, me being a gentleman, couldn't let her do it alone so also stripped off (arm warmers, knee warmers, gillet, thermal top, etc). The rest chickened out. Photos were taken, and unfortunately, while Doris looked quite glamorous, I've come out looking like I was channelling Gollum.

In my defence it was cold and about to drizzle, and no man ever looked good naked fresh out of damp lycra. The fact that I was hunched, white and grimacing didn't help.

After dressing and letting the others compose themselves we rolled off to finish the loop. Much laughter ensued on the rest of the ride.

Thankfully I have the only copies of those images, and I'm practising my photoshop skills. One day I will air the photo and people will wonder why Doris was naked with a man who has a passing resemblance Viggo Mortenssen on the BCL.