Sunday at the Fish (1)

[Hitcher]

The Hitchers were up early for once on a Sunday and, with another ambivalent weather forecast, decided to head off over the Takas, rather than face the prospect of inordinately long tail-backs up the coast.

First decision: One bike or two? Mrs H opted for a day of pillionhood. Wets were tossed into panniers and we were off!

First stop, gas at Caltex Rimutaka. Makes mental note to try 96 octane...

And off over the hill.

We encountered a heavy shower while ascending the Kaitokes past the lakes lookout. The road up the Takas was dampish.

Descending, what should we find at Hitcher's corner, but a Yellow Nissan 300Z on its roof on its side of the road. Nobody injured. Most impressive.

A few corners further on we meet the law heading up to see what's what.

At Featherston we turned right down the western side of Lake Wairarapa and then on to Martinborough via the East-West access road. A couple of local lads towing a trailer behind their Nissan Navara were having a bit of sport -- they were doing at least 140kmh!

Still a lovely sunny day.

We were greeted by a bevy of flailing arms at the Fish from Lynda Blair, her minder Hamish, HerB4, Bugsplat, SP3 Craig, and a couple other new acquaintances.

Bugsplat had recently completed the Rusty Nuts Big 5 0 rally and we pored over his photo album. It looked and sounded a fantastic trip. 50 state highways (about 4,500km) in 100 hours.

The photos attached are Flying Fish waitress extrordinaire Fiona;
Lynda Blair's minder, Hamish; HerB4 and her Duc; SP3 Craig and HerB4 "lidding up".

[Hitcher]

After a leisurely lunch and friendly banter, we were all off on our respective ways.

HerB4 and SP3 Craig were first to leave for a bit of excurting.

Lynda, Hamish and Bugsplat feared that the weather was going to turn to poo so headed off for the top of the Takas.

Mrs H and I decided to head on up the valley through Gladstone.

The weather looked like it was going to do a pincer movement on us, so we stopped by the erstwhile Caltex station at Gladstone to don our wets. No sooner had we stopped than SP3 Craig and HerB4 arrived from the opposite direction, and seeking guidance as to the shortest way back to Wellington.

However as we passed the watertower road corner, the day brightened.

We cut around Masterton and headed off on the Alfredton road, turning at the Dreyers Rock corner and returning to Masterton via Mauriceville.

The day was getting better and better. We arrived in Greytown after a heavy shower had gone through and stopped for a coffee.

The run back over the Takas was fantastic. A clean, dry road, with all vehicles up the right way and behaving themselves.

A 350km stroll in the countryside. Fantastic!

Attached photos:
Lynda Blair, resplendent in her Ducati sunglasses.
Lynda with Hamish.
Bugsplat, Hitcher and Lynda.
SP3 Craig.

[Blakamin]

Sounds like a top day Hitcher!!!! I might have to follow you one weekend!!

I HATE WORK.... but at least SH1 had no delays today

What year was the cage on its roof?? (roughly)

(and ya might want to check the spelling of the Navara)

[Hitcher]

Sounds like a top day Hitcher!!!! I might have to follow you one weekend!!

I HATE WORK.... but at least SH1 had no delays today

What year was the cage on its roof?? (roughly)

(and ya might want to check the spelling of the Navara)

Tagalongers always welcome! The ST isn't as agile as a Duc (particularly two-up) but we're usually out for the scenery as much as anything else.

The USD Nissan was one of those late 90s jobs that Nissan New Zealand imported.

Cheers on the spell check. Thought it looked a bit odd...

[LB]

Great write-up thanks Hitcher. Good piccies too (my, those sunnies look great!!)

From the Fish we went back to the top of the hill. It was dry though kind of threatening rain all round. Bugsplat arrived very soon afterwards. We stayed at the summit for a while, Craig SP3 turned up, Her_B4 carried on home. Craig, Hamish and I ended up having lunch at "Flax" cafe in Petone on the way home, with another mate Bruce on a Daytona. The weather had fined up nicely by this time.

We then came home and it's kind of fine/blue sky/cloudy/grey sky every five minutes so Hamish has gone out for a ride while I surf KB.

[Blakamin]

Tagalongers always welcome! The ST isn't as agile as a Duc (particularly two-up) but we're usually out for the scenery as much as anything else.

I'm into scenery too... only been out that way twice now!!! And once on the Duc. I'm into a good scenic cruise!

The USD Nissan was one of those late 90s jobs that Nissan New Zealand imported.

boy-racer??? Lucky it didnt fall off or something! (bloody cages)

Cheers on the spell check. Thought it looked a bit odd...

had to happen once...

[StoneChucker]

Sounds like you had a lovely day. Mine was spent in bed, listening to a certain neighbour go out for a ride, and then come back from the ride. (I didn't think bad thoughts once, honest!)

Can't wait to go out on a nice leisurely ride with you all, hitcher/blakamin I get my bike back possibly Friday, maybe the following week

[Blakamin]

I get my bike back possibly Friday, maybe the following week

Not that again!!!!!!.... arghhghghhhh
(gunna ring owner of motorad soon)

[StoneChucker]

Nah, it's ok. They've been really friendly and helpful/accomodating. Things just take time (what the hell! AM I growing up and becoming patient?)

[James Deuce]

Nah, it's ok. They've been really friendly and helpful/accomodating. Things just take time (what the hell! AM I growing up and becoming patient?)

By hokey I know that feeling.

We'll have to go on a "losers" ride when we both have bikes

[Velox]

I was up the hill today at about 6pm-ish (after playing on a few other roads) and it was amazing! The temperature suddenly dropped at the bottom and near the top of the hill we could see the layer of mist that was sitting just above us as we headed up towards it. So we stopped at the top and it was really still and cold and thick with mist. The roads were dry the whole way though! And from Kaitoke to the summit, we only had to pass 2 cars!!!
Mate!

[Sparky Bills]

Sounds lie you all had a good weekend.
Sorry I wasnt there.
I spent the day at the beach!

[Redstar]

Sounds lie you all had a good weekend.
Sorry I wasnt there.
I spent the day at the beach!

I had a ripper of a ride today too, all in all a good day was had by all and its good to see your pics thanks.
I've been having probs posting pics Spank had offered the FAQ but I can't sort it

[F5 Dave]

Youse guys get up too early. As Lynda & Mish were arriving home I was only getting the bike out. Me & Paul were over say 3ish, back before 6 (after seemingly compulsory fish stop). Weather was primo bar a sun shower which didn’t wet the road. Man it got hot.