wysper

First Adventure Ride.

Sunday 16th May.

The date of my first off seal ride. Thanks to gpcustom (kiwibiker), I had a shiny new bash plate to go with my way too clean DR650.

I must say I was a little nervous. I was due to meet a few guys from Auckland and hopefully one from Hamilton. It turned out there was three from Auckland, 2 from Tauranga way and two from Hamilton (including myself).

I was due to meet everyone at Te Uku at about 11am. I left home at 10.30 to gas up and head for Te Uku – cue the rain. The morning had dawned nice an sunny, but as expected the rain started as I suited up. Off I went in my road leathers, road boots all covered by a rainsuit.

My first moment happened when I was zipping round a corner on the road and hit a bit of a tar snake. Back wheel lit up, stepped out, I relaxed my grip on the bars, buttoned off slightly, let the bike correct itself and set off again. A little more warily this time!

Arrived at Te Uku just before 11, no one there, although when I was filling up at Whatawhata I saw a bike zip past that tooted, so I thought someone would be there.
At 11.30 with it still pissing down, I decided to head for home, but before I went I headed further through Te Uku, past the general store, and there round the corner was another adventure rider sheltering from the rain, I stopped and seconds later the riders from Auk and Tga arrived. So off I went on my first Adventure Ride.

It all started off innocently enough, heading out the back of Raglan way, out the same direction the rally cars went. And off onto the gravel road. 6 riders dissappeared into the distance. 1 rider gingerly followed the tyre tracks. I must say that the feeling of the bike moving round on gravel is much different from the road. It was taking some getting used to. However I was happy to follow along behind. The others got stopped at a very New Zealand traffic jam. SHEEP. One of the others headed back to see where I had got to. I was coming, just slooooowwwwly.

Off again, through some puddles. Man, it's being like a kid again, riding through puddles is so much fun, course...... some of them can be pretty deep – lucky I didn't encounter any of those. Discovered that clay is very slippery, at least I am pretty sure it was clay, the red dirt was also trecherous. I will need to get used to the bike sliding round and the back coming round a bit. I rekcon once I do then I will be having loads of fun.

A couple of brief stops to admire some stunning scenenry and back on my way, wanted to catch the guys at the next stop before their pension cheques arrived. Couple of farm dogs gave me the hurry up. I get the point. The DR has a motor for a reason. Any way, just starting to gain a bit of confidence and pick up a bit of speed. Second gear no less.
Round the corner. COW!! On the brakes, skiddddddddddddd. Stop. Cow decides to run out in front of me and head down the road as if I am some sort of cattle drover, a few metres later said cow makes its way to the side of the road. On I go.
Catch up to the guys at a car park area for trampers. Discover one tramper had legged it back to his car when he saw the first bikes arrive as he thought we were going to break into his car. Nice!

From there it was a very short pootle to Raggers, stop at the hotel for some lunch and a chat. Even though the weather had been pretty kind and the rain had stopped not long after the start of the gravel road, it was nice to have a hot coffee and some hot chips at the hotel.

From there the group broke up and everyone headed for their respective homes. I went back via the road, I think most of the others took more intersting routes back.

Harry (my bike) got nice and dirty. I had a good time getting it dirty and my kids had a great time getting it clean! Win win all round I would say.

So a big thanks to the guys that were happy for me to tag along with them for my first ride, I hope I will see you again soon. More practice should make me more betterer.

I think I will enjoy turning to the dirt side.