[Dave WigginMember]

My shortest ride report ever.

I committed the ultimate schoolboy error on Friday afternoon on the way down the M5 to Mittagong, when cruising at 100k, I failed to notice a large SUV had actually stopped in front of me.

Or rather I did notice but way too late to stop in time. I hauled on the anchors and fishtailed down the road, shoulder charging his rear tailgate, leaving a much greater impression on it than on any former rugby opponent.

Amazingly little damage to the bike. The couple in the SUV were very good about my stupidity.

Incident Response Unit, Police and Ambulance all turned up within what seemed like five minutes.

I thought the ambulance dudes were going to kidnap me then, but managed to persuade the Policeman not to let them take me away.

So it was on to Mittagong. Wolfie filled me full of drugs (legal ones of course) and after a few beers I even thought I might be in with a chance of doing the ride the following day, despite the fact that Boulder had had to take my helmet off and I had needed Lachíe’s help to get out of my gear, due to the fact I couldn’t lift my right arm.

It was good to catch up with Michael and hear about his trip around the America’s on his GS800. 100,00k in two years, from LA to Miami, Alaska and down through South America to the tip of the continent. How’s that for an adventure! Ace was lapping it up. Finally his choice of bike had been vindicated! (only joking mate, I might have one in the shed after hearing what Michael had to say).

Managed a reasonable nights sleep but woke up and soon realized, after ten minutes of painful manoeuvring just to get myself out of bed, that I was no chance of riding.

A perfect day for the ride, I was even more pissed off with myself watching everyone roar off on what was sure to be a cracker couple of days.

Oh well, I’ll be on the next one in July. There is something to be said about being a Trailer Queen after all.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I like what they have done with the roller door at Burraga community hall.

Keep it coming Usi. Interested to know what it was like.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

EAGLE`02 wrote:

Best be getting him to reshoe that GS then Wigster :whistle:

Have a good run guys,
I`ll be up with the Wauchopians on the MX track :woohoo:

I’ll give him a ring I think Eags!

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

TrailBoss wrote:

Wigster wrote:

TB, will there be the special and standard options on this ride?

Wigster

Yes day 1 has the option. Although you NEVER have the option of the standard anymore because you did the special day 3 on the high country :laugh:

TB

It’s not me I’m worried about. I’ll be riding with Michael and he runs K60’s on his GS.

Could be interesting if it’s wet.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Rocket,

I had one for two years and did 60,000k on it.

I used it to commute, go to rallies and as a dirt road tourer.

It was comfortable, (I rode it back to Sydney from Wannaring in a day) and reliable, but as slow as a wet week in Molong (Which suited me, and probably still would).

For a cheap bike they are a good thing. A mate had an ’04 and did 105,000 on his before giving to a mate.

Check if the Doo Hickey has been done. If not do it. Otherwise, pretty bulletproof.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

What do you reckon yellow would look like on the grey plastics, to match the tank sticker>

I’ve never liked the grey and was wondering how to change the colour of it.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

TB, will there be the special and standard options on this ride?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Nice work mate. I love what you have done with the grey plastics. Where did you get it done or did you do it yourself?

(It’s given me an idea).

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

white rocket wrote:

sounds like you may be a good boss but it did not sound like it in your first post bitching about australians and there rights some of us may be a bit touchy on this subject and over it .its the internet and you just take things on face value.

No Worries Mate.

The only Australians I’ll be bitching about are the Socceroos at the World Cup. Unless they win it of course.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

white rocket wrote:

hay wigster sounds like your the one with an attitude figjam for sure maybe no one decent wanted to work for you it can be hard to find a decent boss.imperting tradys should be banded put on an apprentice and train up a local if its that hard.you may have kids what if they want a job one day :S

No attitude here mate, just a bloke with a small business, a mortgage and a family to support.

Oddly enough, until last year I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you about importing overseas tradesmen and skilled workers. Considering I wasn’t born here I am one of the most patriotic Australians you are ever likely to meet. But let me give you a bit of background….

I had two excellent tradesmen work for me for over ten years in both cases. I pay well, I worked side by side with them, their hours were eight til four with morning tea and lunch ALWAYS taken (insisted on by me, I like to have a coffee and a decent bite too). They got private use of the company vehicles (brand new Hi Lux’s) with FREE petrol for private use (how much that cost me over the years God only knows).

Generally speaking four days out of five we would be finished at three ish in the arvo. Did I make them say back until four? Of course I bloody well didn’t. I liked them as blokes and I think they liked and respected me. Both were VERY competent tradesmen. Sounds great don’t it?

Unfortunately both left within three months of each other. One went interstate and one went back to the Central Coast to start his own business (he is doing really well and still contracts for me two days a week).

Now the not so good bit.

For the next six months I had constant ad’s in both digital and print media to try and replace them. I was working 60/70 hours a week on the tools, as well as coping with all the admin after that. I was taking physical risks that I shouldn’t have been (I work with glass). Not complaining, just telling it like it was. You just got to get on with it and hope you don’t lose an arm!

Over that period I arranged eight interviews. Six people didn’t even turn up.

Of the two that did, one bloke I found fast asleep in his ute in front of our office at 8am. No problem, perhaps he’s so keen he’s camped out overnight (he hadn’t). At 9am (an hour past the time set for the interview) he was still punching out the zed’s so I tapped on his window and woke him up. Thongs, stubbies and a singlet. I wasn’t expecting a suit and tie but FFS. Anyway, I phoned his old boss who’s number I had found on his hand written CV. And I quote. “I don’t know why he is using me as a reference, I wouldn’t touch him with your dick”. End of quote.

So, on to number two. Seemed OK, a bit edgy. Only 21 yet had worked for about six different firms since he had finished his trade. Same deal with his old boss (‘s) “cannot take instruction”, “rude to customers”, “threatened other members of staff”, and the clincher “suspected drug issues”.

I am not making this up by the way.

I get that good bosses can be hard to find. I should know, I’ve worked for a few pricks in my time.

But, White Rocket, I’d be interested to know what you would have done in my situation.

We haven’t met but you ride an off road motorbike and you are an Old Bull, so the chances are very high that you are a top bloke. But you need all the facts at your disposal before you label me as “The Boss from Hell”. MMMMWWWWWWhhhhaaaaaaa

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I could not get reliable, competent good humoured tradesman for love nor money. I tried for months but could not get anyone (that I would employ).

Had to sponsor from overseas. Didn’t want to. It was expensive and the paperwork was a nightmare.

Had no choice, business was suffering badly, even though I was doing the work of two blokes on the tools.

Best thing I ever did.

The guys I got are hard working, reliable and ridiculously GRATEFUL for the chance I have given them. No attitude, no 15 sick days per year, no taking 4 hours over a job that should take 2. How I was when I came here and worked for my first boss.

Rant over.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Where do you get the genuine Yamaha rubber ones from?

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

I’m in. Can’t wait. A bit closer to home too!

TB, look out for “MOD” a navigationally challenged Irishman who rides a GS800. I think he has registered on the site but I’ll give him a nudge.

He has ridden his Beemer from Alaska to the bottom of South America recently so should have some stories to tell. He was keen for the next nav ride when I spoke to him last week.

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

Now that is a good looking machine. I thought my next one was going to be white. Now I’m not so sure.

The red ones look good too but not sure they bring them here.

Another awsome colour was “Sand”, which also never made it here.

Wolfy’s custom yellow was also great colour (sigh).

Wigster

[Dave WigginMember]

TB,

Not so sure about the two beers and the rum, on top of what I have already had tonight, and therefore hopping about on one leg was completely out of the question, but wringing out the air filter seemed to do the trick.

I cranked her until there was a hint of a spark. Left it for a couple of minutes, tried again and hey presto!

Thanks Mate!

Wigster

[Author]

Posts