Steven Raucher's World Tour

2002-02-02 in Melbourne, Australia
The Waiting Game

I arrived back in Melbourne on the Christmas Day with the intention of seeing the Boxing Day test at the MCG and meeting cousins at a planned re-union later that day. My initial plan of going to Tasmania was put on the back burner by the fact that my bike was way past the limits of emission regulations with the amount of black smoke coming out of the back. It was time to have the engine looked at.

It was after a disappointing innings and even worse weather I left the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and headed in to the uncharted territory of family reunions. It is the first time I have visited a country where I have had the chance to meet members of my family (brother and sister excepted!). To my delight I was invited to stay with one of the clans as I was waiting to book in my bike for a possible overhaul. Ah joy. Life off the road can be wonderful. The family with whom I was staying looked after me so well and made sure I was fattened up enough to pass for normal. What a pleasure it is to raid a fridge in the middle of the night and to discover smoked salmon and cream cheese! I was pampered beyond belief and for a while I seemed to forget about my Karma Tourer being in about 200 pieces after the prognosis for my bike was : complete top end re-build required , this included, valve guides, piston rings and all those other goodies. The mechanics told me not to worry it would be a two day job. Can you imagine my surprise when I got my bike back a month later?

It was very lucky to have been in the care of my fine family of Bernie, Henny, Natalie, Lauren and Alana, for without them I would have gone nuts. They constantly tried to keep me entertained as I began to go stir crazy waiting for the bike to be ready. My family even loaned me a car to get around in! Well at least I got to feel like I was normal for a month, there is always an up-side.

The good news was that my delay meant hooking up with loads of friends who were travelling around Australia as most of my friends passed through Melbourne while I was there, this includes half of the Brit Bikers (Richard & Rachel) that I have ridden all over Asia with.

On my last weekend I was interviewed by the BMW Club of Victoria for their March edition magazine, so watch this space!

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in pieces again, I mean really!

I couldn't resist this one, but what does it mean?

the view from the grandstand at the MCG, a must do - if you're a South African

The lovely family with which I stayed (unfortunately Bernie is missing from this picture)

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