Seemed like it would never come but last Friday did come and spent the entire morning at work waiting in anticipation for the afternoons ride. This would be the longest 2 up ride for both Mrs. Cowboyz and Myself. The weather had closed in the night before but I was confident that it was going to clear by the 2pm kick off time. And it did. By 11am it was a fantastic day and as the clock approached 1pm I was out of work for the weekend and on the bike. Mrs. Cowboyz had been busy getting everything ready and by 2.25pm we were on the bike and ready to ride.
Started off a bit rough with a fully loaded pack on the back and Mrs. Cowboyz the bike felt alot different. Took it easy up out of Ashhurst and out towards Colyton. By the time we had got to vinegar hill we had settled into a nice pace and were ready to put some ks between us and home. First stop was Taihape with over a 100km/hr average we had earnt ourselves a pie. Traffic wanted to get out of our way pretty quickly so it was a nice pace through to Oakune where we had to take a photo of a large carrot. (pic 1) Not sure why. I think we just wanted to take a photo being as Meanie had given us a huge memory card that will let us take 250 odd photos but as it turned out we only managed 105. I wont post all of them. Pressed on to National Park and the roads became damp and then wet and then it pissed down. Would have to be the low-light of the trip but at least we weren't cold. The pace dropped right off and we were just trying to ride out of the rain which seemed to be following us. Stopped in National Park for a Latte (pic 2) that would make 86 proud.
As we headed out of National Park the weather began to improve and by the time we hit Taumaranui we were drying out and the 9 needed some fuel. Contemplated the next turn (pic 3) but decided we had people expecting us so we headed up 8 mile.
Was very pleased to see dry roads on 8 mile and pushed the average over 100 again with some nice rhythm and very light traffic. Stopped for a rest and a look at Madonna falls (pic 4). I have ridden 8 mile a few times and always wondered about the scenic waterfall and it pretty much is a stream falling over a rock with a dead sheep in the bottom of it. Not very exciting but the stop was nice.
From here we headed through to Otorohanga and then turned off past Te Kawa West to have a browse through the old neighbourhood before circling back to Te Awamutu where we were stopping for the night. Parked bike up for the night at 7.36pm. Spent just over 3 and a half hours moving time accordign to the GPS.
Up fairly early on Saturaday morning and went to town for a healthy breakfast and to refuel the bike and came back with McDs but at least I filled the bike. Did a few things around the house and chatted with rellies for a bit before heading off to Kawhia. The plan was for Dad and I to play golf at Kawhia while Mrs Cowboyz was doing her meeting and then I would catch up later so Dad followed us out in his car. Had a fantantic ride out on a fantastic road. It winds and turns and the road was in superb condition and for the most part of the corners you could see the exit which just makes for some fast flowing roads. Dropped Mrs Cowboyz off about 10km out of Kawhia itself and for the first time in the weekend I had the bike to myself and it was time to play. The bike felt even lighter than it naturally does and it is a bit of a lightweight anyway and the tyres were hot and road was very receptive so put them all together for a super run into town. Actually when I say town I mean the type of town where fellows take their 4 wheel motobikes to the pub for the afternoon. The golf course was different to anything I have ever played before. Very steep and I was crawling after the third hole. Did make it round 18 holes before heading back to pick Mrs Cowboyz up to find she wasnt finished so I found a corner and had a bit of a nana nap for the afternoon.
After all the business was done and Mrs Cowboyz woke me up we headed back to Kawhia for some photos and a relax. The sun was out and it felt like a good time to criuse so we ambled into Kawhia probably not doing much more than 70-80km/hr which was nice. Found a spot next to a sign for a drink and more relax (theme going on here) (pic 5). When we finished relaxing there we took a stroll up the kawhia road to a high spot for some photos and did some more relaxing. It was nice to have nothing to do for the afternoon and just enjoy being out and about in some hot summer weather. (pic 6-9) After we had finished our relaxing it was time to play again and it just so happened we had a road waiting and a bike capable to make an entertaining run back to Te Awamutu for a BBQ.
Sunday morning and we decided to come back down a different way to the way we went up there so it was off to Manakino and through to western access - or so was the plan. A minor detour and we ended up faraway (pic 10) - litterally. Bit of working out and we found where we were surposed to be and next stop was at the dam. (pic 11). The road round the lake was twisty enough but I was having some trouble reading the corners. Was quite pleased when it opened up and we were just eating ks until the bike spluttered and it was time to look for fuel again. Not far away from Manakino I didnt think it would be trouble but driving through town (1 shop) to find they dont sell fuel we had to hit the highway in search of the next gas station which we found at Whakamaru. Unfortunate for me for the second time in 2 years this poor little city folk got taken advantage of by the big bad country folk and paid $1.81.9 for 95. Nearly had a heart mumor when over $30 went into the bike.
Got over that and headed towards western access. The top of this road is long and just seemed like the type of road that police would like to patrol so speeds were kept under control and made our way round the lake. Had a bit of a leg stretch with a view of the lake (pic 12) and then we headed into Turangi for lunch. Few bikes started showing up now we had hit the main roads and everyone was friendly.
After lunch we headed over the dersert road where Mrs Cowboyz held the camera and took some shots of things of interest. (pic 13 14). I am not sure what that yellow trike was but he wasnt going really slow and the digital camera takes a while to turn on so all but nearly missed him. Looked good on the road though.
Rest stop at the army museum in waioru (pic 15) before making the final run back over vinegar hill. I needed a pit stop at cheltaham and noticed my rear tyre has finally given up the ghost. I had been keeping an eye on it as it was getting fairly thin which is why I didnt follow the Manawatu crowd to Gissy last weekend (pic 16). Good thing bike is booked in tomorrow for a couple of MEZ4s to go onto it.
Mrs Cowboyz would like to know what the structure in cheltham is for. There may be a reward for anyone who can explain what the guy who built that thing was thinking. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of it so if you want to see it then fill your bike up and take a road trip.
Fuel was back onto reserve so headed through to Feilding to fill up and then home.
867km
9 hrs 15 mins
93.8km total average speed.
Would make a fantastic day trip.
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Karma ... Justice catches up eventually !! 
Originally Posted by Meanie
Can't wait for a few of those longer summer trips 
The green machine makes a good latte holder too eh lol.
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