Waikato rides
Guess I have to find a new home for any riding stories now that the scooter is gone. Infact, I might not bother with any future ride reports. Will see how things turn out.
Anyhow, I took possession of a very tidy Yamaha Virago 250 last week. After two years of riding a 100cc 2t scooter, (previous bike went to allow helping a family member financially) it was time to get back onto a 'real' bike again. These bikes come with quite a low gearing which results in ultra short 1st/2nd gears and a sense of buzziness at 100kph. so my 1st mod was to change the front sprocket from the stock 16t to a 17t. I had thought that later on I would gear up again by dropping the rear sprocket down 2 or 3 teeth. After todays run, I will leave the gearing as it is. The bike has a nice cubby hole at just under 100kph where it feels good, and still has plenty of torque in 5th to pull away from 60k corners. For a 15 year old 250, the little V twin pulls harder than a 15yr schoolboy. (if memory serves me correctly). 
. I didn't find one long climb on todays ride that needed changing down unless a tightish corner forced a slowing down.
The ride, met up with Bill at the Parawera store this morning and we headed off along the Owairaka valley rd. I had been a bit concerned with possibly holding up Bill but he was quite happy to sit at 90-100. I had thought that gearing up slightly would see a noticeble drop off on the longer climbs so was pleased to have the bike hold its road speed up to Wharepapa sth. The country could use a decent drop of rain. Brown paddocks right through till we got onto the Old Taupo rd towards the home stretch. A couple of patches of re sealing on the Waipapa road, the virago handled the loose stuff (at 30kph posted 
) without a problem. The winding climb up from the Waipapa dam was a blast. The little cruiser flew around the corners. Far easier to ride the tight stuff than the bigger heavier cruiser that i used to ride. We stopped off at the Maraeitai dam but there was very little to see.
Cruising on to Whakamaru, we stopped for a coffee and bite to eat. Sitting in the late morning sun and swapping stories gave us a break for 20 minutes, then it was back on the bikes. Before crossing the dam, we swung right into Kaahu rd. I had travelled this ride when I did my coast to coast scooter ride. The surface was in good shape, no potholes, no broken seal. Some lovely country out this way, well it would be if it got some decent rainfall. Left into Poihipi rd for 5 k's then into Tirohanga road. This is a scratchers delight. Wide, smooth, sweeping corners. We barrelled along untill turning into Galaxy road. This used to be part of the Forest Products private road system (I think?) but now appears to be public roading. We stopped on the bridge while I dragged the camera out.
Bill is a very patient rider. Several times I would come to a screaming halt, and pull the camera out to take a picture. Bill would sit there slowly cooking in his black riding gear. Also taken from this bridge, this is looking up river towards the Atiamuri dam.
From here, we turned left on the Ongaroto road heading back towards Whakamaru. This lake has to be one of the most scenic hydro lakes in the North island. I rode past a couple of fantastic photo opportunities thinking there would be better chances a bit further on. The bluffs across the lake dotted with the pine trees looked superb. I collared this shot looking from the road through the near trees, but far nicer views had been bypassed.
Looking back along the road with the bluffs on the inside of the road. Bill being very patient again.
Between the road and the lake edge is the cycle rideway that is supposed to be part of Nationals' "think small" projects. Nice to see a family of mum and dad and a swag of kids using it. This would be a lovely section of the national cycleway to ride.
These steps are part of the route, although we noticed the cyclists were bypassing this, and using the road edge.
Got to admit, the thought of lugging a MTB up those steps doesn't appeal too much. From here, we motored on towards Tokoroa. Much of the forestry land along here has been clearfelled and is in the prcess of re planting. We sat around the 90-100kph mark. I'm quite pleased with the little 250. Hit the bottam of the old No7 hill at 90k and the bike was still pulling 80kph over the top. This hill doesnt seem anything special to todays vehicles, but once upon a time it was a deadly piece of road. Many trucks ran out of brakes going downhill and cooked the motors going uphill.
The Old Taupo rd is a very popular ride amongst locals. Lots of corners, little traffic. Between the Whilstdown and Hodderville crossroads is a large dairy farming consotium. This farmland was purchased in 1917 by the Salvation Army and opened as a boys orphanage/ farm training school a few years later. For an organisation based on a Christain caring ethics, the Hodderville boys home was a horrific home for many disadvantaged boys. The beatings, bullying abuse etc suffered by many overshadowed the positives of this home. The Hodderville bus was the last bus away from the Putaruru High School and the school tuck shop was almost stripped of biscuts and lollies before the bus left on a daily basis. This is the last of the original buildings. The Sallies sold the farms to a Chinese company back in the 70's. Their farms were alway a bone of contention with many locals, Being a charity, they never had to pay taxes on the farm earnings. (I could be wrong there).
At the Arapuni dam was our last pitstop before rounding Maungatautari. Funny how old motorcyclists stop at lots of places while riding, trees, overgrown rest areas, public dunnies, etc.
I had to switch to reserve about 15k out from Lemmington. Filling up and checking fuel usage, the 250 averaged 31kpl. Considering it is still reasonably low geared, and I was possibly keeping up a faster pace than I would, if on my own, I'm happy enough. For a basic 250 engine virtually unchanged since the eighties, ( 2valves, 1 carby), it peforms well.
Thanks to Bill for tolerating the photo stops.
" Rule books are for the Guidance of the Wise, and the Obedience of Fools"
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Originally Posted by Murray
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A shot from the GoPro of the Makauiti road, followed by two taken on the Ramaroa road. 
and I forgot to mute the engine/gearbox sounds. 
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