RAT Mountain Raid 6-8th November 2009 New Plymouth

[sarahtvet]

Hey all Triumph fans
Just popped into Anza and see I have converted a 675 rider into a 955I luuurver:Two laps on the blue beast and Kenny was hooked, out taking that nice British Racing Green 955i for the afternoon :rie:

I digress, anyway Ed reliably informed me that the dates and venue for the RAT Moutain Raid were available and bookings open.

A weekend surrounded by Triumphs, my idea of heaven.

Here's the link to the form and if you want more info look on the normal Triumph website.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/media/en-NZ..._Raid_2009.pdf

See you Trumpy riders there. Hopefully the beast will be back on form for the trip. Don't think SK1PY counts as a Triumph

[sarahtvet]

Awesome time here is the link to the pics

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/saraht...jB_6vQxYWHwwE#

ride report to follow :-)

[ratusratus]

I used to love the raids once good bunch of people
My fav raid the 1st one in palmy was brilliant
did they give out the homo awards??
and who got the golden homo
Oh and the masterton raid i cant remember as Dave Cohen gave me alcohol poisining............bloody guiness!!

[sarahtvet]

I used to love the raids once good bunch of people...

As Horse is too tardy and I am waiting to SKYPE the UK I shall put you out of your misery and write the report.

As you say, great bunch of people but obviously not as many homo's as in your day. Some damn good dancers though

We arrived late on the Friday due to work committments but it was a great run up, dry roads, minimal wind and no unwanted attention olice:

A couple of stops and the coastal route still got us there in just over 3 hours: I was less flash at finding the motel, huge signs right infront of me - who said I had good eyesight. Must be Taranki blindness (see WRR and pothole moment:lol).

Dropped bikes off right outside the unit and surrounded by gleaming Triumphs :

Off to the RSI and a quick drink and hello to a few of the riders then scarpered to find dinner as we had missed it there .

Crashed out after a stroll around New Plymouth (never been there before) in preparation for the day ahead.

What a dreamy way to wake up, sun streaming in the window, bikes gleaming in the sunshine not 20ft away and the roar of triples being started all around. This group were early risers which made for a great alarm call.

Breakfast was at the RSI and all in the Triumph theme of course. The Daytona was most popular ( pancakes n maple syrup n bananas) no surprises there.

I had half a bonneville (must be Weeds presence that caused the split down the middle) in respect of my leathers.

Had a minor panic due to the screw coming out of the visor on my Patriot, fortunately Paul lent me one from his old helmet (good on ya mate) and I managed to get some recompense back to him a few weeks later via a mate. Really appreciated his immediate efforts to help.

Bonnies and Rockets were by far the majority, in fact the Blue Beast was the only Daytona on the Raid, we did have a mate join us for the ride though.

This was a lovely two-tone Green and red metallic 03 that used to belong to Paul from New Plymouth Motorcycles and we had fun together on the run.A couple of Tigers and Speed and Street Triples also added some spice to the group.

In true Triumph for we were late leaving and after a refuel at Urenui, for the faint-hearted and small tanked, we set off over Mount Messenger. It was a different ride in the dry from the GC a few weeks before thats for sure

We dropped down the other side and turned right onto Okau road towards Mount Damper. Great little road, like it, even the gravel which seemed to phase the tourer riders a little

Stopped at Mount Damper carpark for refreshments and some running repairs on a speed triple. Some of us intrepid explorers decided to run to falls. Remind me to leave leathers and thermals with the bike next time

[sarahtvet]

So back on our dusty steeds and we were off down Mangapora road towards the Phonga hotel for lunch.

Waved at Maggie Rusty's place as we passed and saw some of the Rural riders having a chat but apparently Maggie was out on a ride herself so feel less gulity at no time to stop

Pootle through the twisties was a complete contrast to the three points on labour weekend. It gave me time to ponder the different riding and experiencess gained from small or large groups and riding with people you know and people you don't. Very different and the dichotomy is what keeps the rides and the roads so alive.

Minor panic when I had a blue cat stalking my tail for a bit in the twisites then remembered it was the guy from Wellington

Great to see all the bikes lining the streets of Phonga and the 25 rockets all parked together so we could run up the hill and get a good pick of them. Using the slide to get back down was interesting in leathers and using only one cheek (kids slide). One lady on a gorgeous flame-painted RIII and she had that well in hand : Also a number of ladies on street and speed triples and bonnies so the girls were well represented riding and pillioning.

Good lunch, company and lots of talking about Triumphs, what more could a girl want. Well a huge rum and somebody to ride the rest of the way perhaps

A couple of Harleys and a Blue ZX10 dropped in at the pub and I am sure were envious of our proper bikes (yeah right).

Us sporties headed off first to make the most of the twisties and the tourers weren't that far behind. After yesterday I understand why, at the time I was amazed at how fast they were riding the rockets.

Refuel and more chat at Stratford and then up to the Mount (as it was the Mountain Raid and a glorious clear day). Great views over the Naki and of the bikes below in the carpark.

Meandered back to NP and into the Triumph shop to oogle the new gear. Lurve the lips tshirt but held myself back this time. Need to wear the others out first

Dropped off the bikes, freshened up and a bit of a nanna nap and then back to the RSI to talk over the day and do some apres riding

There was a slight delay in the prize giving as we were waiting for the star event to turn up, he was a busy boy. I was in stitiches at the act and I do not remember the origional so can understand why many were crying with laughter.

Horse truly broke the rally curse he had experienced this year. Not only did he bring the Rocket less than a week after getting it, he broke it in to 12 K of gravel and some decent twisites then topped it off by winning the top prize. $600 voucher for Triumph gear, jammie git !!!!! ( Made sure o wind Kev up, as it was his ticket).

The ladies got some stick but handled it in true biker babe form :
The band were good too but probably didn't get the response they expected as by 10pm we were all flagging a bit. Too much good food, good fun, good riding and rum, as it should be.

Met a great couple from Wellington on a Tiger and Street triple, good on them for getting away despite having a little un.

Also Ian and Michele from Auckland, he works on the square rigger that was in the Onedin Line, if any of you are old enough to remember it.

Trips out around island north of Auckland only $1500-2000 for a week, full board and you can help if you fancy. On the wish list, planned for end of PhD celebratory escapade . Will work something out nearer time and organise a ride up there and the trip and see how many riders have good sea legs

All in all great fun, good riding and lovely bikes, good fun without the tents and cold of the duck and kiwi. Looking forward to the next one

[sarahtvet]

Map of the route