Robin leads the way on her
(borrowed) Yamaha XT250
She can ride, that friend of yours.
She’s got some skills.” These words
were said to me by well-known
adventure rider Gary (Gazza) Beckham
on the Saturday afternoon of our recent
Yamaha Great Barrier Adventure. His eyes
were wide re ecting the sur rise he felt at
making this statement.
The woman he was referring to was
Robin, an American woman we had been
connected with via a mutual friend (also
an American). We knew Robin was an avid
motorcyclist with many years’ experience,
who was currently staying long term on
Great Barrier Island. We also knew Robin
didn’t have a motorbike with her and was
getting withdrawal symptoms... so she
um ed at our offer to bring the amaha
XT250 over for her to use on our Great
Barrier Ride.
Robin is in her early 60s, is only about 5’3”
(160cm) and is of a slight build, she wears
her hair in a long grey plait, and she has a
wide, open, friendly smile. Don’t be fooled
by any of this though.
Gazza continued his story...
o it took a while but finally got ast her
on the gravel, and it looked like she was
going to f**k it up, but she saved it. I saw
her do that a few times. Yeah, she’s got
some skills.”
He continued...
“And then I’m going along, enjoying the
ride. Getting along at a good clip in the
gravel, and I see three headlights in my
rear vision mirror. Now I just don’t usually
have headlights in my rear vision mirror.
And these ones are gaining on me. Then
when they get closer I see that it’s my mates
Blingy and Robbie, and bloody Robin in the
middle!”
And may I remind you that Gazza, Blingy,
and Robbie were all riding big bore
adventure bikes, and Robin was riding the
'mighty' Yamaha XT250.
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