Friday the 13th technical night riding with Maverick Octane

So this was my first club ride in Victoria, and it was a great introduction. I signed up for a late night TT (technical touring) ride led by a guy called Maverick Octane who didn't allow any slow or inexperienced riders to attend. He's the lead rider for the Vic TT riders, who do state of the art cornering in rain, hail, at night, and riding in formation.

Normally I'd never consider riding at night due to the serious risks of not being able to see and risk of animals on the road. But Maverick is a very cool and unusual rider with a very unusual bike.

Maverick Octane and his custom cafe racer

Mavericks bike is a 500cc GS500 base cloned as a Triumph TT 500 Hills Racer, with modified timing, drilled jets, 35mm drop fork for less rake, 160 rear tyre with track tyre, beefed up brakes, high ratio gearing, running special race fuel, dual LED flood lights, twin air horns, trick stainless big bore exhaust. Apparently it performs better than 750 and rides like a mini Buell.

Maverick breifed me on his night cornering techniques, then we set off. His LED flood lights turned night into day as Maverick led me through the pitch black twisty backroads, safely negotiating tight corners at speed in the middle of the night. It added a whole new dimension to the thrilling experience of riding, being able to lean into corners at speed in the dark. I enjoyed the rush of adrenaline that comes with new unknown experiences. I found myself grinning like an excited 6 year old.

Thank you Maverick, that was a very cool introduction to riding with the locals in Victoria! You're a ledgend mate.