I did have me a great day out….
I spent Wednesday slaving hard moving stones to repair rain damage on our driveway, and the damage the pigs had done on the path to the chook house (prior to the pigs going into the freezer the pigs and chooks shared a paddock we refer to as the "Breakfast Paddock").
At the end of the day I announced "I'm going for a ride tomorrow."
She tentatively agreed with the conditions that I leave after she did and was home when she got home (she would be leaving for work just after 08:00 and home about 16:30).
A plan was in the process of hatching.
Thursday morning looked to be a good one, so as the girls were leaving for work I was suiting up moving the van to get my bike out.
I loaded my camera, water bottle and Josh (as in Kronfeld, the Highlanders teddy bear mascot given to me by one of our Daughters and making guest appearances in most of my bike photos) into the tank bag deciding the weather was going to play the game and I wouldn't need my wet gear.
I rolled out the driveway about 10 minutes behind them heading via Te Puke for Rotorua. With a stop planed for the BOP tag at the Blue lake (Rotorua water Ski club rooms).
Photo taken, I tried to text my wife with a progress report but had no coverage. Never mind.
Fuel stop at Rotorua and I sent that text. Now to find the Waikite Valley settlers hall and claim the NZ tag.
Turning off Highway 30 onto the Whirinaki Valley road, that takes you through Ngakuru then on to Waikite Valley Road and out to the Waiotapu Pub on highway 5 is a very pleasant road to ride. One of theose back country roads with a combo of twists undulating country side and lichen growing on the road that makes you think about what you are doing. I had ridden this road a couple of years ago and was not dissapointed this time either.
Photo stop at the settlers hall and the progress report text sent, I was off again toward Taupo.
More fuel at Turangi, partly because BMW only saw fit to give me a touch over 200km from full to fuel warning light and partly because the bladder was starting to distract me, and we were off again heading to Rangipo.
Turn right there and I was on another piece of road I haven't travelled in years, heading for the Chateau which is where I thought I'd like to put the NZ Tag. Photo taken, Text home with the progress report and I was homeward bound, calculating I had 3 hrs to get there. Was going to be tight but not much I could do about that now.
In the back of my mind was the possibility that the Chateau had been tagged before, so I took a back up photo at the Tokaanu Power Station on my way past, then headed up the Western side of Taupo, to Whakamaru. At this point I'm not sure which is quicker, Tokoroa - Kaimai - Home or Atiamuri - Rotorua - Pyes Pa - Home. Gut feel is there is not much in it either way so I went for Rotorua.
Another fuel stop and it was just before 16:00 I realised I hadn't had any lunch so treated myself to a Giant Peanut slab on the forcourt.
I still had a phot to get for the BOP tag, so grabbed that on my way throught the Pyes Pa Road.
I rolled up the driveway just a wee bit late at 16:45 and was delighted to realise she wasn't home yet.
By the time she cruised in the bike was away, my gear had been hung up, my visor cleaned. I was changed and moving the cows into the next part of the botom paddock, so unless she reads this I might just get away with it.
On the whole a pretty good day. Just over 600km for the loop and two tags claimed.
Why would I spend all day riding? - Because I can.
Would I have done it if it was raining? - You bet.
Rugby - A Hooligans Game played by Gentlemen. 
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Originally Posted by Highlander
Sounds like a good enough reason for me! 
guess I should have kept my mouth shut huh).
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