I returned a call yesterday from a mobile number not in my contacts. I was pretty sure it was going to be the all-common all-nuisance spammer.
“Hi Daniel. Thanks for calling back. ’name’s Taylor. I saw the posters from your motorbike adventure.”
Oooooh! Someone heading across to Timor? My pulse quickened.
”Just right off the bat, I don’t have a boat to take you to Timor.” Oh. Ok. Such a shame. Just as well not to leave me hanging.
But it turned out that my poster caught Taylor’s eye because he’s as crazy as I am. Taylor bought a Ducati bike very similar to my BMW and has just left Brisbane on an 12-18 month round the world ride. That’s cool! If I thought I could survive 18 months I’d be very tempted to do likewise.
We arranged to catch up for a drink at the Darwin Ski Club, and spent a few hours comparing notes on our adventures – why (contrasting stories), where (fairly similar route until about India – then diverging), camping equipment (more overlap than difference), planning and preparation (Taylor did some, in contrast to me), mechanical acumen (Taylor has some, in contrast to me), tools for emergencies (Taylor has plenty, but in contrast it would have wasted my pannier space given the above point!). I think you get the point – Taylor is doing this properly on a brand new bike, and I’m bumbling along with no idea what I’m doing but a little stubbornness to keep the whole (metaphorical) machine oiled.
I think I’ll keep answering unknown mobile numbers. Maybe the next one will take me to Timor? Regardless, this one led to a new friend, and no doubt we’ll run into each other again a few times before our riding days are done. Thanks for reaching out, Taylor!
1 Comment
Yes, bikers are bonza folks. As you would remember perhaps from ur Trumpy 1050 cc bike riding dayz in Melbourne?
I was a member on M.R.A for years. Howqua ralley Queen’s Birthday weekend ride, camp, freeze in tents amongst da snow, ice n Howqua Anti freeze to keep warm…
1/3 Brandy & 2/3 Port sold in a Special labelled bottle
M.R.A Anti Freeze
Howqua Ralley 1980 sum ting…
Lol
Firewooding, dragging a dead tree stump to burn in log fire to keep warm on a road bikevin loads of muddy slushy grass trax was fun…
We simply pushed it further in as it burnt away…
Slow races, etc etc
About 2 or 3 thousand bikers road up.. Gr8 memories
God bless matey