Recipe for a great ride

[Jantar]

Ingredients:

1 BMW kT 1200 LT with Pillion
1 Suzuki 1400 intruder
1 Suzuki GS1200 SS
1 Suzuki GSX 600 Katana
1 Suzuki GZ 250
1 Honda GL 1200 Interstate with Pillion
1 Honda CBR 1100
1 Honda CBR 1000
2 Honda 750 Shadows
1 Yamaha XS 1100 with pillion

Mix together over 500 kms and two days, and have a lot of fun.

All bikes except the Yam, the Katana and the CBR 1100 left the Chatto Creek Tavern shortly after 10:30 on Saturday morning and headed east towards the Pig Route. Morley, on the GZ 250, set the pace as far as Omakau where some of the more powerful bikes took over the lead and set a slightly faster cruise as far as Ranfurly and the first fuel stop. The Yam had been a bit late at the start, and caught up with us all at this stop.

Next regrouping point was Palmerston, and it was a brilliant ride through the Pig Route with its great sweeping bends. (Brass Monkey attendees will be well aware of this road). Ange on the Katana and Father Will on the CBR 1100 met up with us here, then it was just a short hop up the coast to Moeraki and a seafood lunch at Fleur's Place.

We split into two groups for the ride south to Dunedin, with myself on the GS1200, Tony on the CBR 1000, Morely on the GZ 250 and Chris (and son) on the XS 1100 forming the slow group over Mt Cargill while the rest took the faster route over Dunedin's Southen Motorway. I know which group had the most fun, and it wasn't the ones on the Motorway. It started raining on this section, but it wasn't heavy and didn't detract from the ride in the slightest.

We all regrouped again at Portabello Hotel, and time for the first beer of the day. From here it was only a 3 km ride over the hill to Hoopers Inlet where we were staying the night. The facilities provided here are really good for a bike run. The local community hall was our accomadation, with full kitchen facilities, an open fire place, and even a pool table. A few beers, a couple of bottles of bourbon, a BBQ meal and some great music always makes for a good night. Oh, Ange and Gerald took the opportunity to renew their Marriage vows in front of their friends. The service was conducted by Father Will who just happens to be a motorcycling Marriage Celebrant.

The next day, Morley left early as he wanted to be home by lunch time, Father Will left next for his solo ride back to Westport, and the rest of stayed to clean up and have a more leisurely ride home. Once again we split into two groups as some riders had family visits to make while in Dunedin.

So it was Noel and Barbara on the BMW, Murray and Yvonne on the Interstate, John on a Shadow, and myself who took the scenic (and perfect for motorcycling) road back through Middlemarch. There was a bit of a side wind over the tops, and it was almost comical to watch the BMW leaning so far it was almost scraping while on a straight section of road, until I realised that my bike was also on the same angle. We stopped at Hyde for lunch, and met up with a couple from California who are touring the country on a Triumph Tiger. It was their first day without rain.

From Hyde it was non stop back to Chatto Creek, via the Ida Valley and Brass Monkey site. A great ride of 505 kms, and I can't wait for the next one.

[Waylander]

Sounds like you had a great ride mate. Wonder how the couple from Cali were doin with the whole left side of road thing here. Anyway I'm glad you had fun and posted it to allow me to live vicariously (sp?) through you.

[LB]

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Ah, what magic roads you guys have down there........can't wait.
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