KoroJ
4th June 2007, 21:29
Saturday 02 June – Day 1
After registering for this a week or so out, Nanny Ann & I were eagerly looking forward to Saturday morning when we could hit the road. Unfortunately for one reason or other, most of the other the other Welly riders had pulled out, but no worries, we were on our way and I had been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts to ensure we made the most of the ride up to Turangi. I had also made up 'official' kiwi Biker nametags for the Welly and Manawatu riders so I could remember their names.
We got away from home around 0910 and stopped briefly at Caltex Kaiwhara' in case there were any late starters. No one there so it was on to Caltex Rimutaka, our first fill-up, a couple of psi extra in the back tyre and meet up with F5 Dave. While pumping the tyre I met Pete who said he might come up later, Dave arrived and we all chatted for a bit, (no hurry), that was fortunate as next thing AJTurbo turned up with mudboy on the back and they were coming to Ashhurst, just for the ride...and lunch.
We got away about 0920, it was cloudy but dry and an uneventful ride over the 'Hill' except for getting to the top and the weather in the Wairarapa looked great, inspiring a wee diversion from Masterton to Alfredton – Tane and back out at Pahiatua. We copped the odd gust along the way and the weather turned, starting to rain just before Pahiatua so the 'Track' was out and it was on to Woodville where the clouds were covering the hill tops but there was a clear channel right over the gorge...easy decision made.
We were soon in Ashhurst meeting phantom and Robertybob and Garry H was there to say gidday. We had lunch and before we left, the cafe owner wanted to hear the Buell and the R1 running and was suitably impressed. I apologised that I would have let him hear the ST but hadn't bought my stethoscope. AJ & mudboy headed back and we were on our way again, deciding to go through Colyton and making a decision on the route as we went because the weather certainly looked grim. We were soon into drizzle so it was out to SH1 via Vinegar Hill and by the time we got to Flat Hills it was pissing down. F5 Dave stopped there to suit up and Robertybob did the same at Mangaweka, then we regrouped and it was on to Taihape for a quick fill for those that needed it and off up the Desert Road where the temp only dropped to about 7 degrees.
We arrived in Turangi around 1600, checked in, I took the ST down town for supplies (4 Doz & 2 bottles of wine...love those panniers & top Box) and we started the weekend with the 5 of us getting to know each other in the caravan that Nanny Ann & I had booked into. From there we headed over to the lounge to meet up with the rest of the KB'ers about 1830, then walked down town for a feed with Mr & Mrs Kinger and Mrs TriBoy. (TriBoy was laid up for some reason and couldn't come).
We finished off the night back at the lounge, socialising till about 0130 which was hard case because I finally met Chanceyy and 86GSXR, only to find I had met them previously as Sandra & Alistair on the Ride for Hope.
A good day had by all about 400km for me.
After registering for this a week or so out, Nanny Ann & I were eagerly looking forward to Saturday morning when we could hit the road. Unfortunately for one reason or other, most of the other the other Welly riders had pulled out, but no worries, we were on our way and I had been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts to ensure we made the most of the ride up to Turangi. I had also made up 'official' kiwi Biker nametags for the Welly and Manawatu riders so I could remember their names.
We got away from home around 0910 and stopped briefly at Caltex Kaiwhara' in case there were any late starters. No one there so it was on to Caltex Rimutaka, our first fill-up, a couple of psi extra in the back tyre and meet up with F5 Dave. While pumping the tyre I met Pete who said he might come up later, Dave arrived and we all chatted for a bit, (no hurry), that was fortunate as next thing AJTurbo turned up with mudboy on the back and they were coming to Ashhurst, just for the ride...and lunch.
We got away about 0920, it was cloudy but dry and an uneventful ride over the 'Hill' except for getting to the top and the weather in the Wairarapa looked great, inspiring a wee diversion from Masterton to Alfredton – Tane and back out at Pahiatua. We copped the odd gust along the way and the weather turned, starting to rain just before Pahiatua so the 'Track' was out and it was on to Woodville where the clouds were covering the hill tops but there was a clear channel right over the gorge...easy decision made.
We were soon in Ashhurst meeting phantom and Robertybob and Garry H was there to say gidday. We had lunch and before we left, the cafe owner wanted to hear the Buell and the R1 running and was suitably impressed. I apologised that I would have let him hear the ST but hadn't bought my stethoscope. AJ & mudboy headed back and we were on our way again, deciding to go through Colyton and making a decision on the route as we went because the weather certainly looked grim. We were soon into drizzle so it was out to SH1 via Vinegar Hill and by the time we got to Flat Hills it was pissing down. F5 Dave stopped there to suit up and Robertybob did the same at Mangaweka, then we regrouped and it was on to Taihape for a quick fill for those that needed it and off up the Desert Road where the temp only dropped to about 7 degrees.
We arrived in Turangi around 1600, checked in, I took the ST down town for supplies (4 Doz & 2 bottles of wine...love those panniers & top Box) and we started the weekend with the 5 of us getting to know each other in the caravan that Nanny Ann & I had booked into. From there we headed over to the lounge to meet up with the rest of the KB'ers about 1830, then walked down town for a feed with Mr & Mrs Kinger and Mrs TriBoy. (TriBoy was laid up for some reason and couldn't come).
We finished off the night back at the lounge, socialising till about 0130 which was hard case because I finally met Chanceyy and 86GSXR, only to find I had met them previously as Sandra & Alistair on the Ride for Hope.
A good day had by all about 400km for me.