Great weekend in the Bay including riding with Zukin

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 16:37

Had some good excuses to visit Hawkes Bay for the weekend:

1. To see and ride with my Bro'.
2. To get all nostalgic and go to the Highway of Legends Concert.
3. Meet up with Zukin finally and stir some gravel with him.
4. The weather was going to be far better.
5. Have a few drinks at Yungatart's place - though I never knew that was happening until I got up there.

I'd loaded the XR250L and the XT250 on the trailer the weekend before and left them in the garage because I disappeared up to Auckland working and then flew back Friday afternoon to Welly raced home, unpacked my bags and repacked for the weekend and got away with Mrs merv nice and sharp about 5pm Friday. Yeah we are trailer bunnies, but that's why I enjoy bikes, they've always been just my toys and I've never seen them as transport - just fun.

Got in touch with Zukin about 9.30pm and said we'd be on for a ride on Saturday from about 10.30am to go up the Puketitiri Road.

Saturday dawned warm and fine with a temperature of about 24 expected - beautiful. I better post a few photos as you know I usually have the camera with me.

The first four pics were at Zukin's place as we were about to set off.

Pic 1: So what does my Bro' do? - says oh I haven't renewed the rego on my DR350 yet so he brings his classic Suzuki GR650 twin road bike with a young fellah on the back.

Pic 2: Zukin's Bro' on Zukin's trusty XR250.

Pic 3: Zukin on the DRZ250 - first time I'd met the guy.

Pic 4: Mrs merv with her XT250.

Then up the Puketitiri Road we went, first stop for a break was at Rissington.

Pics 5 and 6: At Rissington. When I was a lad the building was a country store complete with petrol pumps and the gravel road started not far beyond.

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 16:43

Then we decided to stop for lunch at Ball's Clearing just beyond Puketitiri. No shops open on the road at all now as Patoka store has closed too, so you got to take a picnic lunch. The Ventura bags come in handy.

First 4 pics: All at Ball's Clearing. That's a great adventure bike my Bro' has eh!

The last two pics: Are at the carpark to Mangatutu Hot Springs up the Makahu Road. This is near where Jack Nicholas was shot as he lived on Makahu Road.

**MSTRS:Me** · 23rd October 2006, 16:43

Originally Posted by merv

....
5. Have a few drinks at Yungatart's place - though I never knew that was happening until I got up there.
....

We did put a thread on about it, but we can't make you read it

Was good to meet you

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 16:50

I told Zukin I was going to be In Auckland and was going to be too busy to KB up large up there so left it that I would call him when I got to Napier and that's when I found out about the party, so yeah it was good to meet you all.

Anyway, still loading the pics.

Nice place to visit as there is still some nice gravel roads to get there. The springs aren't huge, but the water is hot.

All pics: At the Mangatutu Hot Springs.

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 16:57

More pics at the springs.

Includes some young chicks not with us.

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 17:02

Then on the ride out I thought I'd get a few action shots on the road.

Pic 1 & 4: Zukin's Bro'.
Pics 2 & 3: Zukin.
Pic 5: merv's Bro' on his road adventure bike.
Pic 6: Mrs Merv.

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 17:07

More shots on the road.

Pic 1: Zukin's Bro'
Pic 2: Zukin.
Pic 3: A lovely XR250L.
Pic 4: Mrs merv.
Pic 5: merv's Bro'.
Pic 6: Back at Ball's Clearing.

**merv** · 23rd October 2006, 17:11

Five more pics at Ball's Clearing.

Last pic, down by the river under the bridge at Rissington.

That's all for now folks. I might post some pics of what we did on Sunday later on.

Hey and for those that are thinking about gas use, the XR250L did 29.2 km/l (that's about 82 mpg)and the XT250 did 32.6 km/l (that's about 92 mpg) on that trip of about 190km.

**Zukin** · 23rd October 2006, 22:13

Yes what more can I say

Great ride, great weather and more importantly great company

As Merv said it was the first time we had met and it was a great day, it was the first real ride on the DRZ on gravel and I can say it handled very well. I found it very comfortable and have to say overall I think it is better than the trusty ole XR

Into the shop this week for a service and to iron out a few teething problems, but other than that a great bike and a great weekend.

As for the Yamaha and the rider, well done.
I was surprised just how well the Yamaha handled ( I guess that has a lot to do with the rider

)

Cheers Scott

**Bartman10** · 24th October 2006, 07:21

Sounds like you had a great time. I was in the bay too and really wanted to catch up with you guys.

Unfortunately some family commitments put a stop to that.

Maybe next time....

Cheers.

**yungatart** · 24th October 2006, 07:23

Great pics Merv, was nice to meet you too... glad I don't look as old as you imagined

**XR250 Si** · 24th October 2006, 10:17

Looks like fun times for all.

Can't wait to start exploring some back roads and gravel tracks.

**merv** · 24th October 2006, 11:19

Originally Posted by yungatart

Great pics Merv, was nice to meet you too... glad I don't look as old as you imagined

Yeah well I can't say I read all the posts but I thought I had read somewhere you were a granny and after meeting you I must say you are looking pretty good for a granny.

**Motu** · 24th October 2006, 11:59

Good photo's there Merv,looks like a pretty good ride,I'll have to get out and explore more of our country soon.

Big Dave has some photos up on the regional forum on ADVrider of the Kaipara 200,and he'll do a thread soon.Then I'll tell my tail of woe.Some of the riders are still on their way home.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175603