Hitcher
19th January 2009, 20:12
Red, white and blue. A recipe for some serious spirited pootling, courtesy of the Axis of Fun, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Buell.
James Deuce, Ocean1 and I rendezvoused at Rimutex, ostensibly to do a surcharged ride, today being Wellington Anniversary Weekend. The weather forecast was ambiguous and, as it turned out, completely unreliable.
Over the Takas and then off down the Western Lake Road, across the barrage gates (bless you Greater Wellington Regional Council) and up to Surcharge Number 1 at Toppys in Greytown.
No sooner had we decanted indoors, then the heavens opened for about 10 minutes. Nice work on the fortuitous timetabling, James. Food, coffee, talking shit.
Then back on the bikes and up to Masterton via Gladstone. As we were departing Challenge Masterton, it started to spit. Heavily. But the spits stopped almost instantly we cleared the saddle into the Wainuioru Valley.
I've only ever done this marvelous loop in the clockwise direction about four times. It adds a completely different perspective to this ride. Most notably on the Watertower Hill Road, where all of those tricky cambered, tightening corners in the top half are quite benign coming downhill instead of going up. The road is a mess -- lots of melted tar and grit spread in a feeble attempt to soak it up. The tight set of corners at the bottom are completely munted, with the top surface of the tar ripped off completely in the wheel tracks, and lakes of sun-softened tar beneath. Nice work on the weather again, James.
Then we were off to Carterton via Stonehenge and Parkvale and into the Wild Oat Cafe for Surcharge Number Two. More food, coffee, talking shit until the lovely Mrs Deuce arrived to say hello. Surprisingly we can find things to talk about, other than motorcycles, when required!
And then back over the Rimutakas to hearths and homes.
Bloody marvelous planning James. Thanks to you and Dr Ocean1 for a splendid day out.
The Shiver has now completed 2,000km.
James Deuce, Ocean1 and I rendezvoused at Rimutex, ostensibly to do a surcharged ride, today being Wellington Anniversary Weekend. The weather forecast was ambiguous and, as it turned out, completely unreliable.
Over the Takas and then off down the Western Lake Road, across the barrage gates (bless you Greater Wellington Regional Council) and up to Surcharge Number 1 at Toppys in Greytown.
No sooner had we decanted indoors, then the heavens opened for about 10 minutes. Nice work on the fortuitous timetabling, James. Food, coffee, talking shit.
Then back on the bikes and up to Masterton via Gladstone. As we were departing Challenge Masterton, it started to spit. Heavily. But the spits stopped almost instantly we cleared the saddle into the Wainuioru Valley.
I've only ever done this marvelous loop in the clockwise direction about four times. It adds a completely different perspective to this ride. Most notably on the Watertower Hill Road, where all of those tricky cambered, tightening corners in the top half are quite benign coming downhill instead of going up. The road is a mess -- lots of melted tar and grit spread in a feeble attempt to soak it up. The tight set of corners at the bottom are completely munted, with the top surface of the tar ripped off completely in the wheel tracks, and lakes of sun-softened tar beneath. Nice work on the weather again, James.
Then we were off to Carterton via Stonehenge and Parkvale and into the Wild Oat Cafe for Surcharge Number Two. More food, coffee, talking shit until the lovely Mrs Deuce arrived to say hello. Surprisingly we can find things to talk about, other than motorcycles, when required!
And then back over the Rimutakas to hearths and homes.
Bloody marvelous planning James. Thanks to you and Dr Ocean1 for a splendid day out.
The Shiver has now completed 2,000km.