cowboyz
15th April 2008, 17:35
Those in the know already know the backstory of the weekend but thought I would do a bit of a report on the good stuff because there was plenty of it.
Mrs Cowboyz had to attend a meeting in Kawhia at 10am Sat morning so knowing Kawhia rd there was only one choice on how to get there.
Friday lunch time I knocked off work (YAY, wish I could do that every week) and met up with Yod. Picked Mrs Cowboyz up and we were away up to Te Awamutu at 2.45pm.
Been a little while since I was 2up so got a bit of a feeling out period through vinegar hill. I put a second hand racetec tyre on the night before because I wasnt sure if my MeZ4 would last out the trip 2up. It became very apparent, very quickly how much better the bike felt with a decent tyre on the back of it. Still on the MeZ4 on the front so still a little careful especially as the 9 as a tendency to lift the front quite easily 2up.
Stopped in Taihape for a smoke and coffee. Got Yod on his knees begging to trade for a kawasaki (picture evidence) or maybe he was talking about something completely different. I am not good on details.
Off up SH1. We meandered along the desert road following Yod at 105k/hr. The sun was out and the views of the mountain were magnificent. Mrs C and I played shadow puppets on the long striaght road as the sun was perfect to cast a long shadow down onto the road next to us. I can only do a rabbit. That was fun.
Hit the first of the three sisters and Yod decides he has had enough and got all excited about seeing a corner. I could hear the RF wind up into the corner as the bikes accelerated to around 140. One of the two cops we saw on the whole trip up there showed up right then. Fortunately the cop decided a headshake was appropriate action and we resumed the meandering down to Turangi for some fuel. Even though the metservice predicted ZERO chance of rain it started spitting in Turangi. The drizzle didnt last long but zero is zero. Got some nice photos of a rainbow though and by the time we had finished our smoke it had cleared away. Got a pic of some random guy washing his whole car with the window brush at the servo. I thought I probably should give the 9 a once over but then came to my senses and realised it was me I was talking about and carried on.
Hit western access at 5.25pm and not wanting to ride in the dark decided to put some ks on the clock before we run out of light. Yod left us well behind as we gave the 9 a bit of a stretch and averaged 115km/hr over western bay roads. Didnt run into any traffic. It was fantastic to have the road all to ourselves.
Caught up with Yod at Whakamaru and had another smoke and took some pics of the dark.
Darkness set in for the trip through the Dam following Yod who caught a car who definitely knew the road well helped us through part of the dam. I have alot of trouble riding in the dark double guessing myself all the time and a couple of oncoming cars lights and I lost sight of our guides. So really slow through the rest of the dam up to the Te Awamutu turnoff. It was only 7pm and felt like midnight. Damn daylight savings finishing the week before. At least now I was on familar roads but still having alot of trouble with the darkness. I am going to have to work on my night riding skills (which are pretty much non-existant) and work out a better headlight for the 9.
Arrived at my parents place at 7.26pm. 4 mins early and got the cold shoulder till 7.30 (fucking shortland street).
It is always good to go home. Mrs C took some cat photos. The most interesting thing is that they are not my parents cats. Apparently, my parents house has become the local cat hangout. Not sure what to say about that.
Got some action shots of some fish later on too. (fuck i need a life)
Everyone was feeling good and so we raided Dads beer fridge and headed out to the pool table. Made up a game that all 6 of us could play together and even though I made up the rules I still managed to lose, what the hell went wrong there. Headed off to bed late thinking about the Kawhia road waiting for us in the morning.
I was like a kid at christmas saturday morning. I was keen to get out to Kawhia Rd. I have only ridden it twice before and really enjoy the challenge of having no idea where the road is going to lead you and it has everything from tight up and down to big fast sweepers but there were banana pancakes and bacon and eggs to be had first.
With full stomachs we headed out to gas up and headed out to the magic road. Yod quickly fell into the groove and headed out in front. The first bit of Kawhia road had alot of resealing with peametal everywhere so it was pretty intense with mind on the job.
Dropped Mrs C off halfway down Kawhia Rd at her meeting and quickly back on the bikes to meet TriBoy in Kawhia.
Now, I really enjoy having Mrs C on the back 2up and sharing the roads with her but the 9 is not a touring bike. Being 1up for the first time in the weekend I got a reminder of why I love the 9 so much. Saved a fair bit of front tyre wear on a very quick trip through the rest of Kawhia road into the township. Just loved playing.
Meet up with TriBoy for a well deserved hot chocolate and chat before deciding to go out to *** road. Fantastic road it was too. More talking shit at the beach and photo ops before deciding to head out to see the broken bridge up harbourtown.
Half way there we had a change of plan so headed back into Kawhia for the afternoon.
By now we were down to one bike and so Mrs C and Yod got a comfy ride back in a car and I headed back to Te Awamutu solo. Pretty steady down Kawhia Rd and didnt waste alot of time. Didnt stop so no more photos.
Back at the parents we decided we still had time to make Meanies party in Ashhurst (bit optomistic really) leaving TA at 4.45pm.
Had a ball coming back through the dam. For the second time that weekend I had a clear run with very little traffic and no police. I text the others when I got to Turangi and didnt get a reply so I thought they will still be in no coverage area so pressed on to Waioru. It was just on getting dark by now and so I was using the trucks as a guide. Coming up a passing lane a car came wizzing past me and a truck at about 120k/hr so I thought, thats my guide. Tucked in behind him and as soon as we were off the passing lane he was back down to 90. Fuck. Oh well. Followed him very slowly through the 3 sisters before he decided to put some pace on. All good by me. He had good lights and I didnt mind the 120k/hr cruise through the rest of the desert road. All was going well until we came across a 4x4 and boat doign 80. Oh well. I settled in as the temperture was dropping rapidly. Then, all of sudden, my guide pulls out and passes the boat on a uphill crest on double yellows. I cringed and braked waiting for the impending carage but lucky there wasnt anything coming the other way. Un-fucking-believeable. My guide quickly made haste and I tucked in behind the boat and wombled through the summit.
I had a little snicker (actually nearly fell off my bike laughing so hard) as we came down the summit to see blue and reds light up the sky. Funny. Sure enough as we came past my guide was looking very sheepish and having a stern talking to.
Stopped in Waioru and though I would have a coffee there until I realised how fucking cold that hole is. Decided to press on to Taihape.
Made it in to Taihape and ordered a hot chocolate. Then I realised I hadnt refueled since leaving Te Awamutu. Checked fuel tap. Not on reserve. Checked odometer. 251km. That is fantastic as usually I only get 210 out of the main tank. Refueled as I thought it would be pressing my luck trying to ride the remainding 89km on what was left, even if I hadnt hit reserve yet.
Got a text from Mrs C asking me to wait for them so I hung round and had a few smokes and generally wombled about. Bit disappointed no one interesting showed up.
The others showed up and escorted me though vinegar hill and through to home at 9pm. Jumped off the bike and the party was all go next door so quick change and I was over there. Good night was had by all.
Looking forward to the next one.
Mrs Cowboyz had to attend a meeting in Kawhia at 10am Sat morning so knowing Kawhia rd there was only one choice on how to get there.
Friday lunch time I knocked off work (YAY, wish I could do that every week) and met up with Yod. Picked Mrs Cowboyz up and we were away up to Te Awamutu at 2.45pm.
Been a little while since I was 2up so got a bit of a feeling out period through vinegar hill. I put a second hand racetec tyre on the night before because I wasnt sure if my MeZ4 would last out the trip 2up. It became very apparent, very quickly how much better the bike felt with a decent tyre on the back of it. Still on the MeZ4 on the front so still a little careful especially as the 9 as a tendency to lift the front quite easily 2up.
Stopped in Taihape for a smoke and coffee. Got Yod on his knees begging to trade for a kawasaki (picture evidence) or maybe he was talking about something completely different. I am not good on details.
Off up SH1. We meandered along the desert road following Yod at 105k/hr. The sun was out and the views of the mountain were magnificent. Mrs C and I played shadow puppets on the long striaght road as the sun was perfect to cast a long shadow down onto the road next to us. I can only do a rabbit. That was fun.
Hit the first of the three sisters and Yod decides he has had enough and got all excited about seeing a corner. I could hear the RF wind up into the corner as the bikes accelerated to around 140. One of the two cops we saw on the whole trip up there showed up right then. Fortunately the cop decided a headshake was appropriate action and we resumed the meandering down to Turangi for some fuel. Even though the metservice predicted ZERO chance of rain it started spitting in Turangi. The drizzle didnt last long but zero is zero. Got some nice photos of a rainbow though and by the time we had finished our smoke it had cleared away. Got a pic of some random guy washing his whole car with the window brush at the servo. I thought I probably should give the 9 a once over but then came to my senses and realised it was me I was talking about and carried on.
Hit western access at 5.25pm and not wanting to ride in the dark decided to put some ks on the clock before we run out of light. Yod left us well behind as we gave the 9 a bit of a stretch and averaged 115km/hr over western bay roads. Didnt run into any traffic. It was fantastic to have the road all to ourselves.
Caught up with Yod at Whakamaru and had another smoke and took some pics of the dark.
Darkness set in for the trip through the Dam following Yod who caught a car who definitely knew the road well helped us through part of the dam. I have alot of trouble riding in the dark double guessing myself all the time and a couple of oncoming cars lights and I lost sight of our guides. So really slow through the rest of the dam up to the Te Awamutu turnoff. It was only 7pm and felt like midnight. Damn daylight savings finishing the week before. At least now I was on familar roads but still having alot of trouble with the darkness. I am going to have to work on my night riding skills (which are pretty much non-existant) and work out a better headlight for the 9.
Arrived at my parents place at 7.26pm. 4 mins early and got the cold shoulder till 7.30 (fucking shortland street).
It is always good to go home. Mrs C took some cat photos. The most interesting thing is that they are not my parents cats. Apparently, my parents house has become the local cat hangout. Not sure what to say about that.
Got some action shots of some fish later on too. (fuck i need a life)
Everyone was feeling good and so we raided Dads beer fridge and headed out to the pool table. Made up a game that all 6 of us could play together and even though I made up the rules I still managed to lose, what the hell went wrong there. Headed off to bed late thinking about the Kawhia road waiting for us in the morning.
I was like a kid at christmas saturday morning. I was keen to get out to Kawhia Rd. I have only ridden it twice before and really enjoy the challenge of having no idea where the road is going to lead you and it has everything from tight up and down to big fast sweepers but there were banana pancakes and bacon and eggs to be had first.
With full stomachs we headed out to gas up and headed out to the magic road. Yod quickly fell into the groove and headed out in front. The first bit of Kawhia road had alot of resealing with peametal everywhere so it was pretty intense with mind on the job.
Dropped Mrs C off halfway down Kawhia Rd at her meeting and quickly back on the bikes to meet TriBoy in Kawhia.
Now, I really enjoy having Mrs C on the back 2up and sharing the roads with her but the 9 is not a touring bike. Being 1up for the first time in the weekend I got a reminder of why I love the 9 so much. Saved a fair bit of front tyre wear on a very quick trip through the rest of Kawhia road into the township. Just loved playing.
Meet up with TriBoy for a well deserved hot chocolate and chat before deciding to go out to *** road. Fantastic road it was too. More talking shit at the beach and photo ops before deciding to head out to see the broken bridge up harbourtown.
Half way there we had a change of plan so headed back into Kawhia for the afternoon.
By now we were down to one bike and so Mrs C and Yod got a comfy ride back in a car and I headed back to Te Awamutu solo. Pretty steady down Kawhia Rd and didnt waste alot of time. Didnt stop so no more photos.
Back at the parents we decided we still had time to make Meanies party in Ashhurst (bit optomistic really) leaving TA at 4.45pm.
Had a ball coming back through the dam. For the second time that weekend I had a clear run with very little traffic and no police. I text the others when I got to Turangi and didnt get a reply so I thought they will still be in no coverage area so pressed on to Waioru. It was just on getting dark by now and so I was using the trucks as a guide. Coming up a passing lane a car came wizzing past me and a truck at about 120k/hr so I thought, thats my guide. Tucked in behind him and as soon as we were off the passing lane he was back down to 90. Fuck. Oh well. Followed him very slowly through the 3 sisters before he decided to put some pace on. All good by me. He had good lights and I didnt mind the 120k/hr cruise through the rest of the desert road. All was going well until we came across a 4x4 and boat doign 80. Oh well. I settled in as the temperture was dropping rapidly. Then, all of sudden, my guide pulls out and passes the boat on a uphill crest on double yellows. I cringed and braked waiting for the impending carage but lucky there wasnt anything coming the other way. Un-fucking-believeable. My guide quickly made haste and I tucked in behind the boat and wombled through the summit.
I had a little snicker (actually nearly fell off my bike laughing so hard) as we came down the summit to see blue and reds light up the sky. Funny. Sure enough as we came past my guide was looking very sheepish and having a stern talking to.
Stopped in Waioru and though I would have a coffee there until I realised how fucking cold that hole is. Decided to press on to Taihape.
Made it in to Taihape and ordered a hot chocolate. Then I realised I hadnt refueled since leaving Te Awamutu. Checked fuel tap. Not on reserve. Checked odometer. 251km. That is fantastic as usually I only get 210 out of the main tank. Refueled as I thought it would be pressing my luck trying to ride the remainding 89km on what was left, even if I hadnt hit reserve yet.
Got a text from Mrs C asking me to wait for them so I hung round and had a few smokes and generally wombled about. Bit disappointed no one interesting showed up.
The others showed up and escorted me though vinegar hill and through to home at 9pm. Jumped off the bike and the party was all go next door so quick change and I was over there. Good night was had by all.
Looking forward to the next one.