Wellington: Short ride to Short Straw Cafe. Photos here

[merv]

Thanks to Grub and Nasty a short ride was organised today from Rimutex to top of the 'takas and back down again returning via Plateau, Maymorn, Mangaroa and Whitemans valley with lunch at the Short Straw Cafe in Whitemans Valley.

I'll start posting my pics.

The photos start with pictures of BB#1's bike. First pic is Sels1's brother trying it for size and then the next pics show the damage inflicted when the bolt broke as per this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=48414 Luckily just a broken winker, front brake lever and minor scratches to the fairing.

Then we continue with the photos as people arrived at Rimutex - a few new faces to me.

[merv]

Weather was great and we got quite a good turnout in the end of over 20 people.

Being a short ride I thought I may as well take one of my dirt bikes so took the XR250L. I clocked up only 96km in the end from home and back to home again.

[merv]

Sels1's brother got himself a Virago to return to the biking fray.

Ronin dropped in to say hi as he was passing from Welly back to the 'rapa and he parked his bike at the scratched Suzuki end of the line.

Bistard dropped by too but I don't think I got any pics of him.

[merv]

Grub had left his candy apple at TSS for steering head bearings and was on a loaner ST2. The way he described the bike made it sound like my VFR is smoother, faster, handles without surprises but then hey that's what they call character huh! Can't see me ever getting a Ducati - I prefer my bikes soft, sensual and nice and easy to live with (just like I like my women eh!).

So the photos continue.

Hawkeye once again turned up when he reckoned he should have been working on his rental property.

I didn't catch the name of the guy that turned up on the BSA - he rode to the top of the hill and back down but kept on going at Te Marua and didn't do the lunch part of the ride.

[merv]

It was a bit dull at the top of the hill but not enough to bother us and Kinje and elle33f were there waiting for us. elle33f is like Hawkeye, she can be tempted to keep riding with us and ignore her chores and family duties so she came with us to lunch so that I could get more photos of her.

I'm still struggling to see that Hawkeye has a better side.

[merv]

There were at least a couple of different groups at the top of the hill so not all these people were with us.

Then it was down the hill, I took off behind quite a few and after passing some caught up behind the old Beezer so stayed in behind that until Te Marua but then he went on. I parked my bike and thought I'd race to the corner and take photos as the others arrived, but bugger I was thwarted - just as the bikes were coming my camera battery went flat and by the time I changed it I'd missed most of you. I was wanting some action shots for once.

You'll see quallman1234 on the DT though and who's that on the GSXR?

So I had to do it again at my next stop when I waited on the corner to the cafe road and got a few of you here.

[merv]

Around the corner they all went and parked at the cafe. Its a dead end road so you won't get lost on that road.

Nice setting at the cafe, there's even a playground if you get bored.

[merv]

OK here's my last few pics. Others were taking some so add them on please.

After lunch I just cruised off home via Blue Mountains Road and Haywards Hill, tidied up my gear and then started posting for you here.

I've had a pretty good and relaxed weekend with this ride today and doing the trip yesterday http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=48395

[Trudes]

Nice one Merv!
Sounds like you all had a great day.
Caught Elle and Kinje at the top of the hill and they were saying they had a nice time. Well done. We may have to join you fellas next time.

[merv]

Caught Elle and Kinje at the top of the hill and they were saying they had a nice time. Well done. We may have to join you fellas next time.

You see them when they were on there way home? So you were riding all the same?

Missed you this time but there will be others I am sure :yes: .

[Trudes]

Had to test out my new leather pants and have a tweek of my suspension while having a 'husband and wife day'!

[merv]

Had to test out my new leather pants and have a tweek of my suspension while having a 'husband and wife day'!

... and the verdict is? On the pants and the suspension that is.

[Trudes]

Awesome all round!!!! Hubby thinks the pants look sexy :o and I'm pleased with how much less I slide about on my seat, and the suspension just needed a little stiffening to tighten the rebound.:yes: So all's well!:sunny:

[Grub]

I had a ball. That Whitemans Valley road is challenging, esp on an unfamiliar bike. For those who haven't done it, ther's bumps aplenty and it's about 1.5 lanes wide but the scenery (if you have time to see it) is great.

Enjoyed everyone's company and we're realising just how close winter is now when standing at the top of the takas

[sels1]

Good pics as usual Merv, and a good day out - thanks everybody.

[bull]

cheers for the ride today all, bit short but still had a good blast and the lunch was frickin good, oh and the free chocolate cake.

Here are a few snaps from me.

[bull]

and some more snaps

[bull]

and a few more

[merv]

Excellent nice to see other's pics too.

[Grub]

Merv, Bull ... what would we do without you guys! The pics are great and they're such an important record of these events. We often sit looking through them afterwards putting names to faces.

[merv]

As for names I kinda give up when a big crowd turns up but can you put us straight on who did turn up Grub? Did you know the guy on the BSA?

Perhaps a list like I did for the Castlepoint ride would be the go if you can.

[Nasty]

Great pics guys .. again good food nice ride .. and fantastic company ... (although you were missed kendogs) :)

[elle-f]

Considering i wasnt gonna go my arm was easily twisted! i loved the ride thanks and the company was great fun.....loved that hill. Oh and lunch was great as well....

meeting the kendoggies up the top of the hill was great and MrsK looked amazing in those leathers. its a good thing I'm not gay because I would have gone for her if i was :laugh: BUT the best part of the day WAS........i followed kinje up the hill and he didnt have time to take his helmet off before i got there YAY! GO THE RADIAN :laugh: don't believe him when he says he was having trouble finding neutral!

[Colapop]

So it wasn't having everyone watch you eat???

[Grub]

So it wasn't having everyone watch you eat???

Good spotting in the pics. She got her lunch way before any of the guys ... I think a staff member might have fancied her

[Terminated]

Well as they say, the day could only get better. Thanks for the pics Merv and Bull. Reckon this is one ride I won't forget.

Thanks Grub and Nasty, enjoyed the ride and destination. The company, food and setting were just right. Good to be able to sit outside before winter closes in.

Fridsy, Bull and I headed back up through Whitemans Valley, after lunch. Bull peeled off at the Wallaceville Hill, and Fridsy and I did the Mangaroa Hill, following which Fridsy headed home down through Upper Hutt and I returned down SH2 to Stokes Valley.

Heads Up and Enjoy :yes: :scooter: :yes: :scooter: :yes:

[cowboyz]

i almost headed down that way today to join up with your ride but I got a bit of a cold so chickened out. SOunds like you had a great day. weather certainly would have been good for riding....

[elle-f]

Good spotting in the pics. She got her lunch way before any of the guys ... I think a staff member might have fancied her

:laugh: ya eggs!

[Howie]

Thanks to Grub and Nasty for organising the ride, it was good to meet some of you. The food at the cafe was good.

[merv]

Good on ya Howie look forward to seeing you more and more posts.

[biggles1]

Yep it was an excellent day out.That rode in the valley would take a bit of getting used to. Food was great and we were very lucky with the the weather. Thanks to everyone for making it so enjoyable. When's the next one?

[Paul in NZ]

As for names I kinda give up when a big crowd turns up but can you put us straight on who did turn up Grub? Did you know the guy on the BSA?

Perhaps a list like I did for the Castlepoint ride would be the go if you can.

A BSA you say? Excellent...

[merv]

A BSA you say? Excellent...

Yep, and he was cranking it reasonably hard on the way down the hill too, just shame he never followed through with lunch and left us at Te Marua.

So your Triumph would have looked well in place beside that bike and let's face it your Triumph always looks good.

[Grub]

Thanks to Grub and Nasty for organising the ride, it was good to meet some of you. The food at the cafe was good.

You're most welcome Howie ... and having new members like you join the group makes it all worthwhile

[Lissa]

Cool photos merv.. looks like lots of fun. I will make sure I make the next one so you guys can have alook at my new bike, which I will name at some stage!!

[merv]

Yeah looking forward to seeing you again and the new bike - woohoo!!!

[Gareth51]

Good pics as usual Merv, and a good day out - thanks everybody.

Likewise. Nice to meet you all - enjoyed my first KB ride.

[merv]

Yeah glad you are back on a bike Gareth and we can put up with you coming with us any time - nice to have you on a ride.

[sels1]

enjoyed my first KB ride.

Welcome aboard Bro - look forward to the next one.....