Manawatu Rant n Rave

[cowboyz]

nice pics. Looked like a good ride. Have to see it in action soon.

[Meanie]

Hi guys,

we have discussed this several times however I have collated a database with everyones cellie numbers to circulate among the reg riders, is everyone ok with everyone else having this info.. I know most of us already have it but thought I might print out a list & keep it in my tank bag (esp some out of towners phone numbers for visiting other areas) ..

the numbers I have so far - so unless you have recently changed phone numbers the numbers should be correct ( & sarges is now correct )

Chanceyy/Sandra 021 & 027
NZSarge/John 021
86GSXR/Alistair 027
DogsNbikes/Barry 027
Cowboyz/Lance 027
U4ea/Jodi 027 & 021
Meanie/James 027
Yod/Jonno 027
English/Mark 021
Sarahtvet 021

do we add home/emergency numbers as well ?? thoughts guys

Yep no probs with the nos Sandra

[chanceyy]

Yep no probs with the nos Sandra

cool thanks meanie .. still waiting for responses from others .. sarge, Jodi, dogs & yourself only ones to respond so far .. & wot about emergency/home numbers .. do we want to add that in as well ??

[Meanie]

Well what a week end eh Congrats on the bike Sarah looks like a fine machine Youll have to watch bonez, he likes them ol Hondas That is in pristine condition
Nice write up Al thanks and great pics guys

Looking forward to seeing the bike on a ride soon

[sarahtvet]

Well what a week end eh Congrats on the bike Sarah looks like a fine machine Youll have to watch bonez, he likes them ol Hondas That is in pristine condition
Nice write up Al thanks and great pics guys

Looking forward to seeing the bike on a ride soon

Thanks mate, not pristine but something to work on. At least we have worn the labels off the bridgestones.

Well I had to get Ali to do the ride report as he A) has a clue where we were, B) he does it so well and I was doing pics
Being a woman, however, I can't resist putting in a word or two myself

The bright clear start on Friday heralded an amazing trip that I will always remember. Ali and I were both awake early and keen to get on the road. As we crested one of the rises along vinegar hill Ali pointed left and the mountain was revealed in all her glory in the brilliant sunshine. The ride to Tihape and then Taupo via Turangi was a series of more gorgeous scenery and thrilling riding on dry fast roads. I admit to feeling a little sad knowing that this would be my last long pillion trip on that gorgeous golden Daytona so decided to revel in the experience. By Tihape my cheeks were already aching from the fixed cheesy grin. Being on the back of that bike is like an out of body experience at times and the miles/K's just flashed by.The harder suspension also made the corners much faster:

The desert highway was as bleak and beautiful as I had heard and my gloves were off more than on as I took pictures as we sped along. We stopped too as you could see. Turangi lookout was beautiful too with a lovely clear view over the plateau and numerous people stopping for a chat about the bike and getting caught up in the excitement of our trip. We were buzzing

Turangi was a quick stop on the way up but had a relaxed and fun feel to it, I really enjoyed the ride along the lake to lunch in Taupo and imagine bumping into a blast from Ali's past. Taupo to Auckland was a different ride again, lots of speed and lots of K's but we were both just happy to keep on going and the Daytona happily obliged.

Ponsonby road is the chic place for coffee in Auckland and we managed to stop at the only place that didn't do lattes!!!! Poor Ali, especially after the motorway madness which reminded me why I left the UK and both of us why we love the Manawatu :

Mission Bay was lovely and after a quick freshen up and chat with the motel owner, a pom, about our trip, we ate at a great German restaurant 2m walk down the road. That wiped us out and despite the worry/excitement of the coming morning both chose sleep over a wild night out in Auckland!!!

Saturday dawned early (530am) with great skies again and then we lazed impatiently about waiting for LTNZ to open at 8am. I had got myself in a panic over the previous days problem and woke up in a foul mood sure that we would not be able to get the bike (Ali was too much of a gentleman to tell you that!!). Not only did Ali pillion me halfway up the country but he managed to keep me from completely losing the plot and got LTNZ to agree to release the bike without any registration too. I owe him heaps for that

When we finally picked up the Honda I was almost stunned and couldn’t quite believe it was true. I was also pretty daunted by the huge engine. As we rode out of town the excitement started to build and to be honest I am still buzzing.

The taste of the Coromandel penisula has me hooked and a weekend up there is next on the weekend trip list. I was blown away by the scenery and then by the opportunity to ride the Daytona. To ride two such different bikes one after another was heaven. They are so different but both such fun in their own ways. I am totally in and felt in bike heaven throughout. I even had the joy of 50 metres of gravel on the Daytona in one town, fully aware that Ali was probably having cold sweats in front of me, understandable after the hornet vinegar hill episode. Needless to say we remain unscathed and played swapsies all of the way to Taupo. Riding the Daytona gave me a lot more confidence through the twisties and I felt my rhythm improving throughout the trip.

Sunday was another day of heightened awareness of the stunning country we live in and all the great roads there are to explore with gorgeous riding in great scenery. Neither of us wanted it to end so took a languid circuitous route towards palmie. Riding on field track was like stepping back in time and out of the world for a few hours and is a place with memories to treasure.

The wind picked up near Fordell and across towards Feilding but managed to stay upright at a reasonable speed and it was good to hear Ali had found it a little annoying too.

I walked through my front door and the heavens opened. It poured just long enough for me to freshen up and change then stopped long enough for me to get SK1PY and pics to Ali’s for downloading. We truly could not have had better weather and what a fab weekend.

I am sorry we didn’t catch up with those of you that intended to meet us but I cannot deny the fantastic experience I had on great roads, in great company and on great bikes. I am eternally grateful for all the effort Ali put into this for me and for all the support and encouragement from my friends and others on KB SK1PY is in having the brake cables done then will be a familiar sight on the roads of the North island

[sarahtvet]

Got no problems here

great idea

[sarahtvet]

awesome write up 86, sounds like it was a dream trip with the weather and all! Congrats on the finally getting the new/old bike Sarah! Looks a beauty!

Thanks for that we were definately spoilt. It is an old and lovely beast but has a few scapes and scratches so needs a bit of TLC. I had to leave it at ANZA today, separation anxiety has set in already!!!

[banditrider]

...I cannot deny the fantastic experience I had on great roads, in great company and on great bikes.

This is why we all ride bikes eh?

[chanceyy]

great write up there Sarah.. hmm its a bit hard to hand the daytona back huh

might have a wee exploit or two to write up about at the end of the month .. be a good prelude to the gissy ride

plans are coming together quite nicely at the mo .. annual leave has been approved a route is sorted & a wee service for betsy is organised (thanks bazza) and must remember to pack camera

not to mention a ferry sailing booked so bazza can cook me breaky

[sarahtvet]

great write up there Sarah.. hmm its a bit hard to hand the daytona back huh

might have a wee exploit or two to write up about at the end of the month .. be a good prelude to the gissy ride.

plans are coming together quite nicely at the mo .. annual leave has been approved a route is sorted & a wee service for betsy is organised (thanks bazza) and must remember to pack camera

not to mention a ferry sailing booked so bazza can cook me breaky

Great news, really will enjoy hearing about it and seeing all the pics When are you going? Hope we can play in the playground before you go, more twisites the better, need to grind the bolts down so I can get rid of chicken strips. Ali had a go but still more to do!!!

The Daytona is heaven to ride and the roads were perfect for her but I really am loving the Honda too so I was happy whatever one I was on

This is why we all ride bikes eh?

For sure

[86GSXR]

Brilliant write up Sarah That was an amazing trip and a revisit to the Coromandel is right up there on the list! We took the shorter route, you should see the rest!!!

[sarahtvet]

Brilliant write up Sarah That was an amazing trip and a revisit to the Coromandel is right up there on the list! We took the shorter route, you should see the rest!!!

Learning from the master

Can't wait :

[chanceyy]

Great news, really will enjoy hearing about it and seeing all the pics When are you going? Hope we can play in the playground before you go, more twisites the better, need to grind the bolts down so I can get rid of chicken strips. Ali had a go but still more to do!!!

The Daytona is heaven to ride and the roads were perfect for her but I really am loving the Honda too so I was happy whatever one I was on



For sure

yes will be tackling a few twisties .. esp heading out to dogs playground .. early next week after work .. heading away after work on the 25th oct .. but main trip will be early on the 26th, definate pics will be on the cards .. damn can not wait now .. getting excited

[NZsarge]

Brilliant write up Sarah That was an amazing trip and a revisit to the Coromandel is right up there on the list! We took the shorter route, you should see the rest!!!

Yes Sarah, great write up. The Coromandel rocks alright, remind me sometime as I just might be able to swing some accomadation in Whitianga, not sure. Would love to a two dayer and take in the Coromandel.

[sarahtvet]

Yes Sarah, great write up. The Coromandel rocks alright, remind me sometime as I just might be able to swing some accomadation in Whitianga, not sure. Would love to a two dayer and take in the Coromandel.

Sounds great, I wondered about labour weekend but not sure if anything else on that I have missed.

Would love to do rest of paraparas (think that is how you spell it). We bypassed about 50k by going on fields track but it was damn well worth it:

Have to start planning so we can keep our weekends fun and buzzing