So the scene was set- the first proper ride of the bike through Royal National Park. I spotted my first victim as I turned into the park, a Toyota Tarago complete with a bike rack full of bikes and a family out for the day. I stalked them through the first few corners, gradually testing the limits of my steed as we nudged the 60kmh speed limit down the hill to Audley. As we crossed the weir the family were unaware they were being pursued by such a fearsome adversary and had no idea what would happen next. As we started up the hill I kept up the revs and nipped at the back of the lithe 8 seater like a moody cattle dog. The driver was oblivious to the frenzy of riding skill being demonstrated behind him as the standard exhaust of my bike barely disturbed the serenity of the peaceful park. As we diced through a series of corners I planned the inevitable- my overtaking move on the upcoming straight. I needed to choose my gear carefully and time my move to perfection, there was no room for mistakes. The lane markings changed to broken lines and with a twist of the wrist I pulled into the opposite lane and prepared to blast past the blissfully ignorant family. Unfortunately things didn't work out as I planned. A perfect storm of basic physics, an overtaking zone shorter than the runway I would require and my love of a great feed conspired against me and I reluctantly slunk back in behind the smug bastards in their unexpectedly rapid van. I valiantly pursued them over the next series of rises, my 234cc of fury falling off the torque curve time after time like a bondi backpacker from a surfboard but alas, my efforts were in vain. With no prospect of clear road ahead it was with relief that they peeled off to Bundeena, and a relaxing day ahead with no idea that they had almost become the first scalp of the mighty cb250.
