Frodo sent me a text last night (Homewood Rd and Riversdale)

[merv]

.... so I was obliged to get a bike out this morning and go for a ride with him.

A quick ring around last night and we found a few adventurers were busy today, but Aslan said he might be a starter.

The day dawned with some inceredible weather in the Wellington area (yeah I know, its a rarity). The plan was to ride over the Rimutaka Hill go out via Martinborough, Gladstone, up the hill climb road and continue on towards Te Wharau, then through the forest to Homewood and onto Riversdale for lunch, then make up our minds what to do after that.

As usual I was armed with a camera to record the occasion. I met Frodo at Pauatahanui and Aslan was able to come so we met him at Rimutex.

[merv]

So here's the photos for you starting with waiting at Pauatahanui. I took Mrs merv's DR again because its one bike I haven't got around to cleaning and I left my clean bikes in the garage - haha . Cleaning bikes is a man's job you know that eh, so she leaves me to do that.

So it was me on the DR650SE, Frodo on the Aprilia Pegaso and Aslan on his R1150GS (Rubber Ducky).

Last couple of pics are at the Te Wharau turnoff.

[merv]

The ride through the forest is always fun, its not so covered over these days because it was logged a couple of years back and they had re-gravelled the road which always makes life a bit interesting on the ball bearing like loose stuff.

[merv]

What a bunch of handsome guys with handsome bikes .

Really we were just helping a mate out because Frodo wanted some more gravel road practice before his big ride in Argentina next month (lucky bugger) .

[merv]

Then it was off to Riversdale for lunch, where the weather was just fabulous .

[merv]

Crikey look at that beach, no wonder so many people were enjoying it.

Aslan had to get back earlier than me or Frodo, so he left us here while we decided we'd go back the way we came back over the gravel road.

[merv]

What a great view high up in the forest - GPS says its something over 300m up there and not that far from the coast so it is quite a steep rise.

Frodo, that last pic is one to send the rellies to skite a bit eh

[merv]

Then it was back to the Te Wharau turnoff and back on to the sealed road again and then off home. By now I'd figured I'd taken enough photos.

We stopped at the Gladstone pub for some refreshments then went to Martinborough for gas and then back to Wellington. All up I did something over 320kms whcih wasn't a bad little jaunt for the day .... and the weather was still great when I got home .

[Aslan]

As always Merv - you're the man when it comes to capturing the event on camera - thanks to you and Frodo for your company - another good days riding in the Wairarapa - Ciao

[Frodo]

Merv

As usual you've captured the story with your camera. I've only got three to add. Great ride. Too warm and not nearly enough wind for a preparation for Patagonia though!

[marks]

Awesome photos Merv - as usual

Wished I could have been there - next time for sure.

[merv]

Awesome photos Merv - as usual

Wished I could have been there - next time for sure.

Yeah, but we swapped days, I wished I was doing Sutherlands today too, but lately with my Bro' sick I've had so few weekends home I've got other things to catch up with too.

How'd your trail ride go yesty all the same? I've seen your link already regarding Sutherlands.

[Balrog]

Nice pics Merv, looked like a great ride

[merv]

Nice pics Merv, looked like a great ride

Just looked at your Sutherlands photos, that track looks great. Our ride the day before on gravel roads was a pussy in comparison.

[Mooch]

Merv

As usual you've captured the story with your camera. I've only got three to add. Great ride. Too warm and not nearly enough wind for a preparation for Patagonia though!

Frodo ,

Looks like you're getting in plenty of riding, looks like I'll be winging it, the duke is in the the shop getting a re-refresh.

BTW , what wind ... I thought it was going to be summer when we're going.
Buenos notcahs .. Mooch