And so, into the night (1 September)

[Hitcher]

There 's something about the evening, when it's dark and most of god's creatures have called it quits for the day. The cooler air, an indescribable change to the space-time continuum wrought by the headlights on one's motorcycle, the moon, the stars, the aromas of the night...

And so it was on Friday evening. XP@ and I plan to ride in the 20th Grand Challenge in October, and were thus keen to get some callouses on our posteriors and a bit of practice riding for a large chunk of the evening.

We rendezvoused at Shell Mana and, after brief introductions to check that we were indeed the right nutters, hit Highway 1 in a northerly direction at about 8:20pm.

I led the first leg and, keen to cut out the long straight drag that is SH1 with its interminable daisy-chain of truck-and-trailer units, and take in some corners, I turned off at Kimberley. The back road to Ashhurst wasn't quite as traffic-free as I had hoped but we were able to establish a goodly pace.

I stopped in Ashhurst to remove a solid coating of sea spray and road film from my visor, have a slug of water and a chat with my traveling companion to see how familiar he was with the roads in these parts and the expected range of his TransAlp. XP@ knew the planned route and took the lead.

The evening was perfect for riding: no wind, not too cold, a canopy of stars and half a moon above. Lovely.

We took the top road through Colyton, and then through Cheltenham and back to SH1 via Vinegar Hill. Fantastic. I got the impression that XP@ was enjoying himself mightily.

By this stage SH1 was largely devoid of vehicles, so we swept northwards through Taihape. The roadworks on the realignment south of Waiouru had some frightening potholes – perhaps a bit less fearful for TransAlp riders than those on a big sports-tourer – a bit like the surface of the moon. Fortunately they did not contain water or anything more sinister, such as a Los Angeles-class submarine.

Waiouru was our first gas stop, and also a chance to empty bladders and take on fluids and snacks. The pump cashier asked if we were heading off to the Cold Kiwi? Both of us had forgotten that this auspicious event was on. We were also surprised not to have seen more bikes in our travels. As we were gearing-up to leave, two bikes arrived – a Virago and a mint CB750, festooned with luggage and presumably carafes of rum.

Waiouru to Ohakune was the coldest stretch of our journey. The cloud was down almost to road level at Waiouru and hovered broodingly above us almost to Ohakune. The Karioi pulp mill was a satanic yellow ball of billowing steam, with a decidedly sulfurous stench.

And on to Raetihi. The Ohakune policeman had stopped a Legacy and was quizzing its driver on the city limits, so we knew where the local law was...

Riding the Parapara road (SH4 to Wanganui) is fun in the daytime (unless its pissing down and freezing cold) but it was also outstandingly good fun at night. Night riding gives greater warning of on-coming vehicles. We met two – one car and one truck – during our entire time on SH4. We also met one very exciting patch of unmarked roadworks and a flock of a dozen or so ewes with their lambs.

I gave XP@ a bit of a lead so that I could fully utilise the Big Yam's magnificent headlights without frying his retinas via the TransAlp's mirrors. The Paraparas also provided a good chance to practice trail braking – a technique I had not been able to use to full effect on an ST1300 with linked brakes. The FJR's brakes are magnificent. Lots of stop but with lots of feel. The bike felt very sorted.

1:00am? It must be Wanganui. The river was like a sheet of highly polished onyx, perfectly reflecting street and house lights from the other side. We stopped for about 10 minutes for a swig of water and a chat, and to listen to the sounds of the boi racers doing their bit for global warming and the teenage girls of the River City. The stench of their testosterone was overpowering.

Then we were out onto SH3 southwards to encounter a steady stream of trucks coming towards us.

Wind started to pick up from Sanson. At Levin it started to misty drizzle, with the road very wet by Otaki. We stopped there for our second and final fuel for the evening and for verbal farewells.

The road was dry again by Te Horo, but the wind continued to build for the balance of the trip home. XP@ veered left at Paramata and I rode the last few km to Ngaio alone, although I was surprised how much traffic was around for that hour.

I was tucked up in bed by 3:30am, after a round trip of about 600km.

A great ride. Top fun. Thanks XP@.

[Ruralman]

Interesting write up - but excuse the questions of a relative newby - what is the October Grand Challenge? I've heard of the Southern Cross event and the Chatto Creek 1000 miler but not this one.

[Hitcher]

what is the October Grand Challenge?

1,600km in 24 hours. Starts and finishes at Turangi. www.rustynuts.co.nz

[Skunk]

As always you have a way with words. Nice read.

[Terminated]

A very good read. Hey and have a good one in October.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Jantar]

Interesting write up - but excuse the questions of a relative newby - what is the October Grand Challenge? I've heard of the Southern Cross event and the Chatto Creek 1000 miler but not this one.

Yes, the Grand Challenge is the North Island version of the Chatto Creek 1000 miler. This will be Rusty Nuts 20th running of this event, while Chatto Creek will be having their 11th. They are both 1000 miles (1610 km) in 24 hours however the Grand Challenge has a staggered start while the Chatto Creek has a shotgun start. Not the type of start makes much difference because with the staggered start riders soon mate up with others of similar speed and ability while with a shotgun start the field very quickly spreads out. they are both a test of endurance and reliabilty.

See you at the chatto creek 1000 on the first weekend in December.

[gijoe1313]

Ahh a scholar and a gentleman, sir, you do put a poignant point to the art of riding and relating that experience to your audience!

T'was an inspiring read and sore did I wish to go out right now and draw breath with the nights air with my two wheels of freedom!

Keep writing your witty and pithy refrains, tis'near and dear to my heart, fellow rider of the motorcycles art!

[XP@]

The other side of the coin. And maybe not so elloquently(sp?) put.

The ride happened!

Friday afternoon, called up Hitcher and made plans for 8:00 to 8:15 at the servo. I put the little one to bed at 7:55, gear on, good-byes and out the out the house at 8:07. Aggived at Shell Mana at 8:15, exact.

Down to business and up SH1, la de da de dum... I was just gettin restless when we turned off towards Shannon. Not much better, but less trucks and a few bends to wet the appitite. Why is Wellington so boring to exit? Mental note, find a fun route out.

A visor wipe in Ashurst and on to Vinagar Hill. Last time I ran this road was at night on the spider 1000 miler and I was not in a happy place. Not so last night, I found my place, the fire was lit! I was a bit disapointed, I remembered a bit more of a challenge from the road.

Back on to SH1 and back to the speed limit, well, speed limit ish. The weather could not be better, bright moon shine and not cold not too many others on the road. Just nice and quiet. I had a bit of an ooops moment coming on from passing a car and a big rig when I was trying to negotiate a bend and mixed up my hazzard lights with main beam, disco lights ain't that effective at illuminating the road. Passed Taihape and on to Waioru, quietly happy that my tank has lasted so far. A road work sign, some potholes and ... bugger who stole my corners? RIP to that set of bends, the comic relief just before the middle of nowhere.

Cold kiwi... ah, it is this weekend, forgot about that. The late arrival on the CB750 asks "are you off round the corner for the 'Kiwi'?" what a silly question, what else would I be doing in Waioru at 11:30pm? "Yup, but i urr forgot my pack so I'm off back to wellington to get it."

Ohakune and then the Para Paras, sweet road, but I need another cog, on second thoughts I think I am going fast enough. The sign said bendy 50+ km's the next sign 50+km's severe weather damage and roadworks. A pattern started to emerge, the big rocks on the left, washouts on the right, the middle ok, mostly and a 30 sign if things got really bad. Then there was the break in the pattern. No sign, down hill, right hand bend, in to gravel. Now awake, I looked back to make sure Mr Hitcher was still rubber side down, no worries on that score. A few km's later and no sooner had the gravel ended there was an extended family of sheep, complete with young'uns going for a stroll. As if that wasn't enough excitement for the minute, the second car in about 50km's decided to make it's appearence. Another fumbled moment with the switch gear and I managed to let out a warning peep on the horn.

A quick txt stop in Wanganui, rain from Levin to Otaki (including a small sideways moment on an 85k corner) and home at 3:10am.

total 557km's
6 hours 50mins
3 Petrol stops
2 minor stops
Overall average approx 80kph, not bad but could be better...

And aye, twas a good ride, can't wait for the next chance to play at night.