nudemetalz
12th January 2010, 08:24
Here's a ride report I wrote back last year but didn't do anything with...
Thought it may be of interest to someone :-
Sunday 29/11 Martinborough ACC Protest Ride – my experience.
After a lot of rain, Sunday decides to give us some rare sunshine. So what better than to go on an ACC-protest ride organised by the lovely Kari Lloyd over the Rimutakas and to Martinborough in the Wairarapa.
It had been nearly 2 weeks since the big Bikeoi Protest at Parliament but we still had the fighting spirit fresh in us.
I hooked up with my friend Glynn who is still a novice rider and this was to be his first open-road ride. He was very nervous but I assured him I’d be there to help out and he would also not be alone with the leaner-riders that were likely to participate.
We rode sedately over to Kari’s place (he was on a Kawasaki 250 Eliminator and having trouble with the windy conditions).
Upon picking her up, the three of us rode over the Haywards and joined the rest of the biker-tribe at Caltex Rimutaka, the pre-arranged meeting spot. I was flabbergasted at how many bikes were already there, only expecting 20-odd but could see at least 60!!
After chatting away to fellow riders for a wee while and also awaiting other bikes to turn up, Kari gives her instructions, we mount up and off we go.
I lead Glynn up the Rimutakas hill to keep a steady pace through the corners. It really is quite an experience looking forward & in the mirrors and seeing many bikes.
When we come over the top of the hill and down the other side, the weather takes a turn for the better with instant warmth and blue sky. Almost tropical!!
We get to Featherston and I see a few bikes stopped awaiting extras to catch up. One of the riders is none other than Brent (aka StoneY) the infamous fellow who organised the Bikeoi. So have a chat with him, some extra bikes turn up and then it’s off again: next stop Martinborough!!
The weather is awesome, the Moto Guzzi is just purring beneath me, fellow riders nearby, this is just heaven. This is what motorcycling is about.
Here comes our destination, Martinborough, a lovely small county town with a war memorial square in the middle. I notice a lot of bikes already parked up but the locals are out having a good look at us.
Right,…where do I park? I ride around the square and notice 2 other delectable Moto Guzzis parked up. I have to park with them!!Be sacrilege not to!!
I say gidday to the owners and then it’s off to the Café where Kari has organised a small discount for us bikers. On my way over all I can see is motorcycles parked everywhere, a glorious sight for an enthusiast.
Glynn and I get a coffee from the lovely young waitresses and out the back it is to talk nonsense and a catch up.
Alright!!
Kari’s speaks!!
She gets up on the bench and gives us an awe-inspiring speech about how ridiculous this ACC-levy price hike is and how we’re going to combat it.
Boy she knows how to public-speak. Well done Kari!!
I get her speech on camera and it’s now on YouTube if you want to see/hear it. I do recommend you do. The fellow riders do a lot of cheering and approval.
Another coffee and it’s time to ride back home. I catch up again with the Guzzi riders, get a phone number, and off Glynn and I go, destination home!
Slow ride up the hills due to lots of traffic and annoying car-drivers not pulling over but hey, we’re in no rush. Up over the hill and down the Hutt side of the Rimutakas.
Warmth has gone to be replaced with cooler weather and wind. Ah well, that’s what motorcycling is about: riding in all weathers!!
Home again, 150kms on the tripmeter, sore butt from Guzzi’s non-touring seat and the protest ride adventure has been completed. Glynn is just plain ecstatic, and I was impressed by his riding getting better and better throughout the day.
Thanks Kari for organising a brilliant day!!
Thought it may be of interest to someone :-
Sunday 29/11 Martinborough ACC Protest Ride – my experience.
After a lot of rain, Sunday decides to give us some rare sunshine. So what better than to go on an ACC-protest ride organised by the lovely Kari Lloyd over the Rimutakas and to Martinborough in the Wairarapa.
It had been nearly 2 weeks since the big Bikeoi Protest at Parliament but we still had the fighting spirit fresh in us.
I hooked up with my friend Glynn who is still a novice rider and this was to be his first open-road ride. He was very nervous but I assured him I’d be there to help out and he would also not be alone with the leaner-riders that were likely to participate.
We rode sedately over to Kari’s place (he was on a Kawasaki 250 Eliminator and having trouble with the windy conditions).
Upon picking her up, the three of us rode over the Haywards and joined the rest of the biker-tribe at Caltex Rimutaka, the pre-arranged meeting spot. I was flabbergasted at how many bikes were already there, only expecting 20-odd but could see at least 60!!
After chatting away to fellow riders for a wee while and also awaiting other bikes to turn up, Kari gives her instructions, we mount up and off we go.
I lead Glynn up the Rimutakas hill to keep a steady pace through the corners. It really is quite an experience looking forward & in the mirrors and seeing many bikes.
When we come over the top of the hill and down the other side, the weather takes a turn for the better with instant warmth and blue sky. Almost tropical!!
We get to Featherston and I see a few bikes stopped awaiting extras to catch up. One of the riders is none other than Brent (aka StoneY) the infamous fellow who organised the Bikeoi. So have a chat with him, some extra bikes turn up and then it’s off again: next stop Martinborough!!
The weather is awesome, the Moto Guzzi is just purring beneath me, fellow riders nearby, this is just heaven. This is what motorcycling is about.
Here comes our destination, Martinborough, a lovely small county town with a war memorial square in the middle. I notice a lot of bikes already parked up but the locals are out having a good look at us.
Right,…where do I park? I ride around the square and notice 2 other delectable Moto Guzzis parked up. I have to park with them!!Be sacrilege not to!!
I say gidday to the owners and then it’s off to the Café where Kari has organised a small discount for us bikers. On my way over all I can see is motorcycles parked everywhere, a glorious sight for an enthusiast.
Glynn and I get a coffee from the lovely young waitresses and out the back it is to talk nonsense and a catch up.
Alright!!
Kari’s speaks!!
She gets up on the bench and gives us an awe-inspiring speech about how ridiculous this ACC-levy price hike is and how we’re going to combat it.
Boy she knows how to public-speak. Well done Kari!!
I get her speech on camera and it’s now on YouTube if you want to see/hear it. I do recommend you do. The fellow riders do a lot of cheering and approval.
Another coffee and it’s time to ride back home. I catch up again with the Guzzi riders, get a phone number, and off Glynn and I go, destination home!
Slow ride up the hills due to lots of traffic and annoying car-drivers not pulling over but hey, we’re in no rush. Up over the hill and down the Hutt side of the Rimutakas.
Warmth has gone to be replaced with cooler weather and wind. Ah well, that’s what motorcycling is about: riding in all weathers!!
Home again, 150kms on the tripmeter, sore butt from Guzzi’s non-touring seat and the protest ride adventure has been completed. Glynn is just plain ecstatic, and I was impressed by his riding getting better and better throughout the day.
Thanks Kari for organising a brilliant day!!