MD
9th February 2017, 20:22
It's the last few days of my annual leave and finally the weather, sort of, improves, so off for a full day's ride on my lonesome. I like my own company, never have to argue or convince me to do stuff I want to do. Never declined sex to myself. Many times I have asked other riders to do a run to Akitio. No way, forget it, too far, another time maybe, why? I'll tell you why. Some of the best country roads around. 10,000 sweeping bends, road curves left, curves right, curves up, curves down. And real men love curves and sweet scenery. Sheer bliss.
So the route today was.
1.Paraparaumu over Akatarawa Road (never again. I say that ever time). Shit road forced to do 40-60kpm around totally blind hairpins waiting for farmer Brown's Ute to wipe you out in a head on.
2. Martinborough coffee break then over the back way (Watertower) to Masterton.
3. Masterton to Pongoroa then turn right and follow the river to Akitio beach. Nothing there, turn round and go home. It's the journey! Not about the destination. First order was find some petrol at Pahiatua then over Pahiatua Track for a relaxed ride home. Wait, that was a blast but somewhat short. Stop, U-turn and head back over Track towards Pahiatua again. Stop. U-turn and now back towards home... again.
Facts you need to know.
M'ton to Pongo is 90 km + 44km to beach = 134. About 2 hours cruising at a leisurely 110kph. Nearest gas is Pahiatua or Dannevirke.
From Akitio to Pahiatua was another 103 = 237km range required.
The Pongo to Pahiatua hill traverse was full noise. Beaut race track, sorry private road. No longer needed to conserve gas, knew I could make it, so time to open the taps and thrash the hell out of the sidewalls.
There was a time when I could ride all day and get home ready to ride some more. Now I get home and need beer and food and rest and comfort to recover my aching body.
Oh yeah some may observe my lime green Z1000SX has been on a diet and lost 48kg but in the process the colouring went a shade blue? Go figure that.
So the route today was.
1.Paraparaumu over Akatarawa Road (never again. I say that ever time). Shit road forced to do 40-60kpm around totally blind hairpins waiting for farmer Brown's Ute to wipe you out in a head on.
2. Martinborough coffee break then over the back way (Watertower) to Masterton.
3. Masterton to Pongoroa then turn right and follow the river to Akitio beach. Nothing there, turn round and go home. It's the journey! Not about the destination. First order was find some petrol at Pahiatua then over Pahiatua Track for a relaxed ride home. Wait, that was a blast but somewhat short. Stop, U-turn and head back over Track towards Pahiatua again. Stop. U-turn and now back towards home... again.
Facts you need to know.
M'ton to Pongo is 90 km + 44km to beach = 134. About 2 hours cruising at a leisurely 110kph. Nearest gas is Pahiatua or Dannevirke.
From Akitio to Pahiatua was another 103 = 237km range required.
The Pongo to Pahiatua hill traverse was full noise. Beaut race track, sorry private road. No longer needed to conserve gas, knew I could make it, so time to open the taps and thrash the hell out of the sidewalls.
There was a time when I could ride all day and get home ready to ride some more. Now I get home and need beer and food and rest and comfort to recover my aching body.
Oh yeah some may observe my lime green Z1000SX has been on a diet and lost 48kg but in the process the colouring went a shade blue? Go figure that.