Red, white and blue in the Wairarapa

**Hitcher** · 19th January 2009, 20:12

Red, white and blue. A recipe for some serious spirited pootling, courtesy of the Axis of Fun, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Buell.

James Deuce, Ocean1 and I rendezvoused at Rimutex, ostensibly to do a surcharged ride, today being Wellington Anniversary Weekend. The weather forecast was ambiguous and, as it turned out, completely unreliable.

Over the Takas and then off down the Western Lake Road, across the barrage gates (bless you Greater Wellington Regional Council) and up to Surcharge Number 1 at Toppys in Greytown.

No sooner had we decanted indoors, then the heavens opened for about 10 minutes. Nice work on the fortuitous timetabling, James. Food, coffee, talking shit.

Then back on the bikes and up to Masterton via Gladstone. As we were departing Challenge Masterton, it started to spit. Heavily. But the spits stopped almost instantly we cleared the saddle into the Wainuioru Valley.

I've only ever done this marvelous loop in the clockwise direction about four times. It adds a completely different perspective to this ride. Most notably on the Watertower Hill Road, where all of those tricky cambered, tightening corners in the top half are quite benign coming downhill instead of going up. The road is a mess -- lots of melted tar and grit spread in a feeble attempt to soak it up. The tight set of corners at the bottom are completely munted, with the top surface of the tar ripped off completely in the wheel tracks, and lakes of sun-softened tar beneath. Nice work on the weather again, James.

Then we were off to Carterton via Stonehenge and Parkvale and into the Wild Oat Cafe for Surcharge Number Two. More food, coffee, talking shit until the lovely Mrs Deuce arrived to say hello. Surprisingly we can find things to talk about, other than motorcycles, when required!

And then back over the Rimutakas to hearths and homes.

Bloody marvelous planning James. Thanks to you and Dr Ocean1 for a splendid day out.

The Shiver has now completed 2,000km.

**James Deuce** · 19th January 2009, 20:57

Thanks to you, I've done 1000kms in a week! That's and entire GIJoe day!

Red, white and blue seemed to be quite the theme.

Look! They're both smiling! Despite the special parking laid on for the Ancient Spirited Pootlers Association which some could find faintly insulting. (See the sign?)

At my advancing age I'm just happy to find a toilet.

I had a delightful dinner at the In-Laws and came home a bit later than the other 2 chaps. I passed a grand total of 3 cars on "The Hill" and avoided 3 tickets due to other people getting them instead.

{borat}Niiiiice{/borat}

**Ocean1** · 19th January 2009, 21:14

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Look! They're both smiling!

It was wind.

Nice ride, cheers.

**gijoe1313** · 22nd January 2009, 09:28

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Thanks to you, I've done 1000kms in a week! That's and entire GIJoe day!

I highly resemble that statement!

Sounds like you guys had a whale of a time, thanks for posting up the details of the ride - sounds like something I will have to do! Both clockwise and anti-clockwise!

Always good to ride with good company (... Gremlins not withstanding

) and pootle along on great routes with good destinations!

So Hitcher, how about using that fandangled maps of google and posting up a linkies for lazy bastiches like me to see and use?