That was a good trip

[6ft5]

Earlier last week I found out I needed to travel from my home town (Wellington) to Hamilton. The weather forecast was good so decided that, although not that experienced, go on my Tiger. On Thursday went to see Motorad to have the bike checked over and with a clean bill of health was ready to go. In the meantime I thought about asking a few mates to come along, but unfortunately they were otherwise occupied so posted a question for a riding companion on this forum. Also no luck there.

So early on Saturday morning @7:30am I put on y riding gear, slapped on the spf30+, fired up Lucy and got underway. Cause it was early I decided to take SH1 to Bulls and then Wanganui. Not many cagers on the road at this time so made good progress without the alternative xmas man with red and blue lights interfering. Fueled up in Bulls after a good first one and half hour riding and was ready for the assault on the road to Tauramanui. Have done the Rimutakas a few times but this is a different class. Some 50kms of winding roads with fabulous views a real challenge for a not so experienced rider. Mucked up a few corners, no bins though, but started to get into the swing when I caught up with a few cruisers. Their speed was poor as they struggled to get their heavy front ends around the slow corners so I made minced meat of them and left them behind. Strange that early in the morning there were a few cagers that needed dealing to also. By about 11am I made it to Tauramanui feeling exhausted by the experience. Lunch was begging so stopped and refueled the body, took on more bike fuel in Te Kuiti and made Hamilton by 2pm. The last bit was relaxing and once the business was completed by 3pm, I decided i was fresh enough to bite off a piece of the return trip.The first stage was uneventful, and by 6pm I was back in Tauramanui for a lovely fish and chips dinner with a high energy drink or two. And then the decision, over to Whanganui or Ohankune. The shortest way seemed Whanganui and as it was still light enough, that was the direction I was going. Again a fuel up in Whakapapa Village and ready for the attack once more. I have to say that at this point, I felt tired but more confident and as a result I was getting into a swing and eating up corners with much improvement. Still I screwed some up but without consequence. Made Whanganui by 8pm and at that stage my back and bottom were getting very sore. Decision time, go take a rest and see how you recover or find a place to sleep? Arriving in Bulls the light was fading, traffic was low and arse sore, I decided to break for 15 min to stretch the old limbs and get blood to circulate my bruised butt. So up and away it was again and see if i can make the trip back without causing an accident. I had to stop once more to activate the blood circulation but in the end made it to Wellington by 10pm. At that stage I noticed my balance was getting affected and my finger muscles were getting sore after the many gear changes. In the end a great experience and a beautiful track to ride. Bad luck for those that did join me, NOT,

Perhaps next time...Herman

[clint640]

Good stuff. It's a good run over through there. You'll find that if you do a few more longer rides you start to harden up a bit & it becomes less tiring.

Cheers
Clint

[tri boy]

I'm picking the corners you muffed up were the 30kmh corners on the Parapara. They have bitten many riders in the past, and deserve great repect.

[6ft5]

Good stuff. It's a good run over through there. You'll find that if you do a few more longer rides you start to harden up a bit & it becomes less tiring.

Cheers
Clint

thanks guys, looking forward to my next adventure when my brother and his wife are over from Europe in February