Took my Honda out with the BMWs

[merv]

The Wellington BMW riders were doing a bit of a run over the 'takas today and a few with dirt Beemers said why don't we start with that ride but extend the ride out to the Wairarapa Coast? So that's what we did, except I don't have a Beemer so took my XR250L on it. In the end it was six of us all up that rode over from Caltex Rimutaka to Martinborough and then on past Hinakura to the coast at Pahaoa. We returned to Hinakura and then took the nice gravel road through to Gladstone pub where most of Wellington's bikers seemed to have congregated for lunch. I'll get on posting the pics.

This is all while I'm cooking the Sunday roast you gotta understand.

First two pics at Caltex Rimutaka, next four on Pahaoa Road.

[merv]

Once we'd been to the pub and seen MD and others you may recognise in my pics, we went back over the gravel road to Hinakura to take the long way to Martinborough and then home over the 'takas.

OK pics below we are still on our way to Pahaoa so all pics taken on Pahaoa Road.

[MattRSK]

Good Stuff. Nice Honda

[merv]

Then we met three locals at Pahaoa having fun on their dirt bikes.

All pics at Pahaoa on the coast.

[Kendog]

Awesome pics as always Mr Merv!!

[merv]

Just went off and peeled the kumaras and put them on to cook.

The pics continue.

First three pics we are still at Pahaoa, then three at Hinakura Hall which is on Moeraki Road.

[merv]

Working our way back through Hinakura and on towards the pub. Sorry my story isn't the flashest tonight I'm a bit distracted. Might come back and edit it once I've got the pics up.

First four pics still at Hinakura then the last two were taken on Ngakonui Road.

[merv]

Still on our way to Gladstone. Motu you'd love this road and you too Zukin. I was getting in a bit of practice before you are down here in two weeks Zukin.

Then finally got to the pub.

Now MD, how fast did that MV go? On closed roads under controlled conditions of course.

So first three pics still on Ngakonui Road, then three pics at Gladstone pub.

[merv]

A few more pics to whet your appetite.

Just the last few; more at the pub and showing us going back on the road to Hinakura.

Must go and break open the Sav Blanc now to go with my garlic bread before we get the roast on the table. See you later.

First two pics at Gladstone pub, then three on Wainuioru Road.

[Hawkeye]

The Wellington BMW riders were doing a bit of a run over the 'takas today and a few with dirt Beemers said why don't we start with that ride but extend the ride out to the Wairarapa Coast? So that's what we did.

Hi Merv,
I must have just missed you. I sat at Caltex waiting for my mate as all the Beema's started arriving. Decided that my little 250 looked out of place next to them so headed over the hill by myself. I must have only missed you by a few minutes judging by the number of bikes in the photo's from Caltex.

Saw MD at the top just as he was about to leave for the Wairarapa.

[merv]

Hawkeye we were due to meet and leave about 10.30am and we got away not much later than that and hit Gladstone pub about 1pm when most of the others seemed to have finished their business there. I got home eventually about4.20pm after going home via Moonshine Road.

Had my roast, just back checking while my apple pies are cooking. Damn I won't fit my leathers next trip - oh OK diet starts Monday.

[Ghost Lemur]

Great pics Merv.

[merv]

If you are interested here's a screen shot of the GPS track from today in yellow.

I left home went over Haywards then into Upper Hutt and got gas at BP on Ferguson Drive then onto meet the crew at Caltex Rimutaka. Then it was over the hill to Featherston, Martinborough and out to the Coast. On the way back we turned off at Hinakura then up the dead end line to Gladstone, then we backtracked to Hinakura and then home via Martinborough and over the hill. You can see I went home via Moonshine and never did River Road as you can see that wee strip of red road between my tracks.

[Ruralman]

Great pics and a great day ride - I can tell you it wasn't like that down here today. snow on the ground first thing this morning and heavy showers on and off all day. The KDX got a short burst yesterday but today was a movies and fires sort of day.
Looks like you've got some great backcountry roads up there.

[merv]

Yeah well nice thing to see on the weather on TV last night was how all the shit was racing up the South Island and went out to the West off Cook Strait and was to miss Wellington altogether coming back on to land around the 'naki. Other than a bit of wind on the way home it wasn't a bad day. I'd thought it would be cold so I refitted the quilted lining into my rain jacket and if anything riding the gravel I was too warm.