Sydney to London on a105cc Honda callled Dot - Page 21

petefromberkeley · 05-21-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tefloncandy

First, let me say I am also a BIG fan of this RR. Amazing picture, riding and writing.

A cautionary word....

My issue is with the community of ADV riders at large and not with Nathan.

I remember a while ago a certain man taking a journey of self discovery across America named (Kaneman). I remember when he fell into some ill faited straights and the ADV Rider community wanted to help. A lot of the community did and were quiet satisfied in doing so.
Unfortunately this (Kaneman) was shredded by a faction of the ADV Rider community for taking $$$ and those who gave were also flamed for it.

I certainly hope (Nathan) doesn't suffer the same abuse and he keeps his dream alive and we get to read about his journey through to the end.

Not to mention those of you who choose to give by (postcard, shirts or etc.)

Rant off

we don't have to allow that again. Kaneman was unique when the crash occured. I think we have learned from that and can shut it down right away. Don't worry about it. Plus, these two rides:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...nal+friendship

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...nal+friendship

were entirely ADVfunded and no problems at all (p.s. we have another guy lined up).

petefromberkeley · 05-21-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reryder

When you get your card operating again, take a tip from a seasoned third-word traveller: get yourself a big wad of cash, yankee dollars, and a big wad of American Express travellers cheques. (If you dont already)

Where you are headed, you will not be able to rely on a single card, linked to the outside world by phone lines. Cash is king. Travellers cheques can always be changed for cash. Dead cards are worthless.

Great trip, keep up the RR!

+1 on the cash. Hide it in creative places (handlebar, headlight, helmet liner, etc.

scuzzy · 05-21-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm down for a T. Black please.

An excellent adventure. Goin' light must be right.

JoeEndo · 05-21-2009, 06:33 PM

Wow, offer a guy a couple of bucks and look what happens. The way that I see it, if i can do anything to assist someone in need then I'm in. It's not my fault he wont take a cash donation and be done with it.

To clarify, Nathan never asked for money!!! In fact, he has declined previous offers of assistance. He only offered the shirt remedy because of our nagging insistence to help him.

Anyway, I agree with AngryScot, nothing to see here people, now lets move along.

PsychoSayWhat · 05-21-2009, 07:02 PM

Sign me up for a couple shirts too

Game over · 05-21-2009, 07:03 PM

This is funny, people "nagging" about GIVING money, lol. Can't wait to contribute

captodport · 05-21-2009, 07:52 PM

I've given money to a lot less deserving things. At least, maybe, I'll get a T.

Tefloncandy · 05-21-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petefromberkeley

we don't have to allow that again. Kaneman was unique when the crash occured. I think we have learned from that and can shut it down right away. Don't worry about it. Plus, these two rides:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...nal+friendship

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...nal+friendship

were entirely ADVfunded and no problems at all (p.s. we have another guy lined up).

Thanks for those threads, It is pretty cool to see something like that taking place here at ADVrider.

Nathan, Sorry for the distraction. Looking forward to your next update!

nathanthepostman · 05-21-2009, 11:49 PM

Seriously, you guys sound like me and Dot going up a hill.

And on her I have good news, for I think her vibration is completely fine. Or at least normal.

Yesterday I stopped by a local bike shop and the owner came out. He said - in a Nepalese accent - 'that's a CT110, I have one of those'. I didn't know what to say, Dot's got a sister!

Yeah it turns out they used to sell them here and were very popular trail bikes in the eighties. He said you can't buy them anymore and getting parts is hard. I asked him about the vibration and he said no sweat, they all do that.

So it made me wonder. Is it me suddenly gone soft and no longer able to tolerate a bit of handlebar chatter, or is there something still seriously wrong? So I followed his directions to Mike's Breakfast to meet the owner of this restaurant - James, an American, who also has one.

He wasn't the most enthused chap about the coming together of these two magnificent motorcylces but we had a chat and he explained how his is an '84 and that it needs a new engine which he cannot find. He's been offfered a 150cc conversion but we agreed it was probably too much. Then he spent the rest of the time complaining about the suspension bottoming out and his innefficiences anywhere other than the city. I stood there, one eye on MY bike, the one that right now is proving everyone of his arguements so utterly wrong.

It baffled me that someone could speak bad of a bike they've owned for so long. That's probably been with him through so much and still starts every morning without fail; that still climbs the mountains he asks it too and still, without utterance, scoots him around the Kathmandu streets with his hippie hair and earing flapping. A bike has a soul; why could he not see that?

But anyway, his bike vibrated exactly the same so my mind was at ease as I nipped bike to the bike shop to buy oil and a tyre. I went for knobbly in the end. Me and Dot are going to tackle the world's highest road in India and thought some traction wouldn't go amiss. but the tyres that have been on, some cheapos from East Timor, have been sensational. On the back the original Michellins wheeled me 3000 kays before they were shot, this tyre, called a Grizzle or something, has already done 2000 kays MORE and has at least another 3 left in it. The grip's not bad either. The front, by the way, is the original from Oz and has now done 18,000 and still going strong.

So I buy the stuff, pay, chat a bit more about CT110s and how this trip came about and where I'm heading. I explained how for just one fleeting moment in Sydney my window of opportunity opened right up and that to jump on through I would have to put all other considerations totally to one side. He liked that gamble, so gave me a waterproof suit...

And in this new suit me and a couple of other guys are going to go on a stroll around the rim of Everest. Not up it. That would be too steep, but you can do a 14 day hike which hits a peak of 5000metres, or is that feet, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm confident I'll drop dead half way. Because for the last four months only my right wrist has been operated. The rest of my body has gone soft and floppy. Even an old recurring injury from when I skied into a tree is playing up. Femur and pelvis, snapped like a twig. The people on the chair lift above thought it was hilarious. Bastards.

But never mind, because those t-shirt designs are nearly ready. There'll be a link to the manufacturers page where you can order them direct. Like I said, they're about a tenner with half that going to a charity no doubt employing the money to try and close down the same sweatshop that made them. Oh the irony.

(Plus the 'I love Dot' one)

Now about this money and donating business. There will be none. This journey, my adventure... is my test, my challenge. I'm looking into the face of something I'm not sure I can do and saying 'fuck it, let's try anyway.' And right now my budget will just take me to England on the last whiff of fumes and will the last crumb left in my belly. I will be smelly, I will be worn and weary. But I will have done it, on my terms and with what I have.

This is part of the challenge and having thought long and hard about it I have can only conclude that to accept assistance at this stage, at any stage, is to cheat on that challenge. If I can't ride Dot home on what I have then I have failed. Please understand that.

I have been blown away by the words and messages of support, they mean so much, and so I ask that we keep the donations to only that; your support and your friendship.... and that beer when me and Dot go ALL around the world when my bank balance is black.

That concludes the discussion on donation. Full stop.

Anyway, I've had an idea which you guys are going to need to start saving for if you're going to come along. I'll leave it at that for now.

PS. It's not the best video but I'd just picked Dot and was knackered. Better ones next time. Promise.

Klay · 05-22-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanthepostman

And on her I have good news, for I think her vibration is completely fine. Or at least normal.

They all do that!

Ride safe, Nathan.

Nico75 · 05-22-2009, 12:43 AM

I think you should at least accept a donation...
of an ADV rider sticker for on Dot :)

rtwdoug · 05-22-2009, 03:08 AM

Hey Nathan,
as you have now realized the bizzare phenomenom of 'the number of kicks required to start a bike is in direct proportion to the number of people watching you'
This happens to me alot. there are 2 things that will help to alleviate this. one is to ask everyone to turn away for a second. this rarely works, as people always want to watch. the second, is to cuss the bike in the local language. The people standing around will all laugh, but it seems to work pretty well for me.

Also, definatly get some hard currency, US Dollars work everywhere. travellers checks arent worth the paper they are printed on, you will play hell cashing them. I'd suggest if possible, getting a 2nd atm card on a seperate account. That way if a card dies, you have a seperate one. I got mine thru AAA, the american auto club. Just gave them cash, & they loaded the card & handed it to me. You may want to check auto clubs & places like that there, or ask about opening a bank account to get a card.

Have fun,
Doug

Game over · 05-22-2009, 05:41 AM

Nice threads, glad you got those, I'm suprised you didn't come down with some kind of illness after the rain video. Keep on riding, we will keep on reading. Can't wait for the next post!

overlandr · 05-22-2009, 06:43 AM

Nathan,
Some of us may take it for granted that you post this stuff but to be able to take videos, edit them, find/pay for a good connection then upload them on a regular basis is a humungous effort

. Like the T shirts so I'm in for one - can you get larger photos posted for detail? Whats the link or name of the short Everest trek you're on? If Namche Bazaar then - 'you lucky bastard'! (loud)
Cheers

b00t · 05-22-2009, 07:29 AM

taking RR on another level brotha, I am in for T-Shirt...link up. Keep it rolling up right you got the juice!

05-21-2009, 05:36 PM	#303
scuzzy ...naked, cactus dancing Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Tortilla Flat Oddometer: 169	Tees for Texas I'm down for a T. Black please. An excellent adventure. Goin' light must be right.

05-21-2009, 06:33 PM	#304
JoeEndo Wanna Be Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Oddometer: 35	Go Dot Go Wow, offer a guy a couple of bucks and look what happens. The way that I see it, if i can do anything to assist someone in need then I'm in. It's not my fault he wont take a cash donation and be done with it. To clarify, Nathan never asked for money!!! In fact, he has declined previous offers of assistance. He only offered the shirt remedy because of our nagging insistence to help him. Anyway, I agree with AngryScot, nothing to see here people, now lets move along.

05-21-2009, 07:52 PM	#307
captodport Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Looosyana, USA Oddometer: 81	"Dot" shirt, I want one I've given money to a lot less deserving things. At least, maybe, I'll get a T. __________________ I started with nothin', and still have most of it.

05-21-2009, 11:49 PM	#309
nathanthepostman ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Oddometer: 588	Would you guys stop bickering... Seriously, you guys sound like me and Dot going up a hill. And on her I have good news, for I think her vibration is completely fine. Or at least normal. Yesterday I stopped by a local bike shop and the owner came out. He said - in a Nepalese accent - 'that's a CT110, I have one of those'. I didn't know what to say, Dot's got a sister! Yeah it turns out they used to sell them here and were very popular trail bikes in the eighties. He said you can't buy them anymore and getting parts is hard. I asked him about the vibration and he said no sweat, they all do that. So it made me wonder. Is it me suddenly gone soft and no longer able to tolerate a bit of handlebar chatter, or is there something still seriously wrong? So I followed his directions to Mike's Breakfast to meet the owner of this restaurant - James, an American, who also has one. He wasn't the most enthused chap about the coming together of these two magnificent motorcylces but we had a chat and he explained how his is an '84 and that it needs a new engine which he cannot find. He's been offfered a 150cc conversion but we agreed it was probably too much. Then he spent the rest of the time complaining about the suspension bottoming out and his innefficiences anywhere other than the city. I stood there, one eye on MY bike, the one that right now is proving everyone of his arguements so utterly wrong. It baffled me that someone could speak bad of a bike they've owned for so long. That's probably been with him through so much and still starts every morning without fail; that still climbs the mountains he asks it too and still, without utterance, scoots him around the Kathmandu streets with his hippie hair and earing flapping. A bike has a soul; why could he not see that? But anyway, his bike vibrated exactly the same so my mind was at ease as I nipped bike to the bike shop to buy oil and a tyre. I went for knobbly in the end. Me and Dot are going to tackle the world's highest road in India and thought some traction wouldn't go amiss. but the tyres that have been on, some cheapos from East Timor, have been sensational. On the back the original Michellins wheeled me 3000 kays before they were shot, this tyre, called a Grizzle or something, has already done 2000 kays MORE and has at least another 3 left in it. The grip's not bad either. The front, by the way, is the original from Oz and has now done 18,000 and still going strong. So I buy the stuff, pay, chat a bit more about CT110s and how this trip came about and where I'm heading. I explained how for just one fleeting moment in Sydney my window of opportunity opened right up and that to jump on through I would have to put all other considerations totally to one side. He liked that gamble, so gave me a waterproof suit... And in this new suit me and a couple of other guys are going to go on a stroll around the rim of Everest. Not up it. That would be too steep, but you can do a 14 day hike which hits a peak of 5000metres, or is that feet, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm confident I'll drop dead half way. Because for the last four months only my right wrist has been operated. The rest of my body has gone soft and floppy. Even an old recurring injury from when I skied into a tree is playing up. Femur and pelvis, snapped like a twig. The people on the chair lift above thought it was hilarious. Bastards. But never mind, because those t-shirt designs are nearly ready. There'll be a link to the manufacturers page where you can order them direct. Like I said, they're about a tenner with half that going to a charity no doubt employing the money to try and close down the same sweatshop that made them. Oh the irony. (Plus the 'I love Dot' one) Now about this money and donating business. There will be none. This journey, my adventure... is my test, my challenge. I'm looking into the face of something I'm not sure I can do and saying 'fuck it, let's try anyway.' And right now my budget will just take me to England on the last whiff of fumes and will the last crumb left in my belly. I will be smelly, I will be worn and weary. But I will have done it, on my terms and with what I have. This is part of the challenge and having thought long and hard about it I have can only conclude that to accept assistance at this stage, at any stage, is to cheat on that challenge. If I can't ride Dot home on what I have then I have failed. Please understand that. I have been blown away by the words and messages of support, they mean so much, and so I ask that we keep the donations to only that; your support and your friendship.... and that beer when me and Dot go ALL around the world when my bank balance is black. That concludes the discussion on donation. Full stop. Anyway, I've had an idea which you guys are going to need to start saving for if you're going to come along. I'll leave it at that for now. PS. It's not the best video but I'd just picked Dot and was knackered. Better ones next time. Promise. nathanthepostman screwed with this post 05-22-2009 at 12:05 AM

05-22-2009, 12:43 AM	#311
Nico75 Custom User Title Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands Oddometer: 50	Donation I think you should at least accept a donation... of an ADV rider sticker for on Dot :) __________________ Reality is an illusion caused by a lack of alcohol Present: 2010 BMW F800GS Past: 1979 Suzuki GS550E - 1982 Honda CB500FII - 1987 Suzuki Intruder VS700 - 1995 Suzuki Intruder VS1400 - 2001 BMW F650 GS - 2005 BMW R1200GS

05-21-2009, 07:02 PM	#305
PsychoSayWhat Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2008 Location: not in denial Oddometer: 435	Sign me up for a couple shirts too

05-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#306
Game over Haha Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Oddometer: 137	This is funny, people "nagging" about GIVING money, lol. Can't wait to contribute

05-22-2009, 03:08 AM	#312
rtwdoug prominent underachiever Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Alabamski Oblast, Redneckistan Oddometer: 3,024	Hey Nathan, as you have now realized the bizzare phenomenom of 'the number of kicks required to start a bike is in direct proportion to the number of people watching you' This happens to me alot. there are 2 things that will help to alleviate this. one is to ask everyone to turn away for a second. this rarely works, as people always want to watch. the second, is to cuss the bike in the local language. The people standing around will all laugh, but it seems to work pretty well for me. Also, definatly get some hard currency, US Dollars work everywhere. travellers checks arent worth the paper they are printed on, you will play hell cashing them. I'd suggest if possible, getting a 2nd atm card on a seperate account. That way if a card dies, you have a seperate one. I got mine thru AAA, the american auto club. Just gave them cash, & they loaded the card & handed it to me. You may want to check auto clubs & places like that there, or ask about opening a bank account to get a card. Have fun, Doug __________________ 2011 Magadan (I hope!) (03 Harley 1200 Dirtster) 2010 Europe & the Middle East (75 Harley Bobber) 2009 Around the World ('62 Harley Chopper) 2008 Europe (TDM & Guzzi Falcone) 2007 Europe (TDM850) 2006 Around the World ('48 Indian Chief) 2005 Europe & N Africa (KLR650) 2004 Europe (KLR650) www.motosapiens.org My bike hotel in Bulgaria. ADVriders get 1st beer free!

05-22-2009, 05:41 AM	#313
Game over Haha Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Oddometer: 137	Nice threads, glad you got those, I'm suprised you didn't come down with some kind of illness after the rain video. Keep on riding, we will keep on reading. Can't wait for the next post!

05-22-2009, 06:43 AM	#314
overlandr Bend it Bend it Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Sydney Oddometer: 5,437	Nathan, Some of us may take it for granted that you post this stuff but to be able to take videos, edit them, find/pay for a good connection then upload them on a regular basis is a humungous effort . Like the T shirts so I'm in for one - can you get larger photos posted for detail? Whats the link or name of the short Everest trek you're on? If Namche Bazaar then - 'you lucky bastard'! (loud) Cheers overlandr screwed with this post 05-22-2009 at 07:54 AM

05-22-2009, 07:29 AM	#315
b00t errrr, yes uh-huh? Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Ashevillan Oddometer: 286	taking RR on another level brotha, I am in for T-Shirt...link up. Keep it rolling up right you got the juice! __________________ '06 DRZ400s - JD, 3x3, Yosh and a cheese eatin' grin '86 CT 110 "Honda Trail"

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