Top of The South (a poem)

[Okey Dokey]

It's Saturday, let's get away on my favourite motorbike ride,
It won't seem far on my GSX-R. My Suzuki is my pride.
Head out the gate and up the straight of State Highway 63,
My helmet's on, my leathers donned, now it's just my bike and me.
Cross 6 one-lane bridges as you near the ridges of the skifield called Rainbow,
Lake Rotoiti's a hidden beauty-check it out at St Arnaud.
Great biking road starts to unfold alongside the mighty Buller
It's a beautiful sight in the summer light; just look at the blue-green colour!

The turns not too tight as I hang a right at the Kawitiri corner
Eyes open wide for vans "wrong-side" 'cause some drivers here are foreigners.
Twist the grip and let her rip, how far can I lean?
Right and left the handlings deft and I'm feeling really keen.
But a traffic cop means a sudden stop from 120 down to zero.
I stammer and cough, and he lets me off with a warning-what a hero!
Go past a cafe 'cause it looks naff and I know just the spot...
I'll lick my lips oer fish and chips in the friendly town of Mot.

The coffee's strong but I won't stop long, because you know what I reckon?
Time's passing on and the day's soon gone and the road to Mapua beckons.
It's a lovely day at Ruby Bay and the sea is a gorgeous blue.
I pass with a smile 'cause there's still miles of riding yet to do.
I get a shock as I near The Rocks-they've installed traffic lights!
I wanna complain, sitting still's a pain, and the roundabouts worked just right.
Leave Nelson behind and I'm feeling fine as I climb the Whangamoas.
Beware learners who wobble on corners, to downshift and go a bit slower.

If you're from Welly, then I can tell ye, it's a bit like the Rimutakas:
Go over the side where the roads not wide and they'll never find you, sucker.
Rai Valley's a blast and I fly on past for a coffee at Havelock,
Lots of boats being put afloat provide entertainment at the dock.
I'm a lazy harlot and skip Queen Charlotte-it's time for home for me.
Not too quick go through Renwick, then again the Wairau Valley.
What a great day, grinning all the way, so glad you came along,
For a bit of time, (if only in rhyme) I hope it wasn't too long!

[MyGSXF:Me]

Bloody BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done!!!!!!!!!!!

[Okey Dokey]

Thank you so much, MyGSXF. My poor little doggerel would have sunk without a trace if it weren't for you!

It was a fun way to remember the ride I'd had; I'm glad you liked it, too.

Cheers.

[MyGSXF:Me]

It was a fun way to remember the ride I'd had; I'm glad you liked it, too

I sure did chick.. it struck a chord with me.. coz it's all about my home turf!!

& yep.. the traffic lights have slowed things down even more!!

[Okey Dokey]

Yes, I thought it would be good to have something about OUR turf, eh? I thought other kbers might like hearing about some different roads, too.

I think the poem is clear enough that they could follow the circuit looking at a map if they wanted. Lots of them would probably have gone over some of these roads en route to a rally or touring.

Next time I might just do a more straight forward prose write-up with photos. I'll keep the rhymy stuff for my own amusement. (oh, the fragile ego of a writer...)

Cheers!