Cruise to Kawhia (Sat 19th Aug)

**Big Chim** · 19th August 2006, 23:41

Man what an awsome ride, really enjoyed myself. It was great meeting a whole lotta new people and checking out all the differest bikes. Look foward to catching up with you all again in the near future.

Now to find the hole in my exhaust

**TerminalAddict** · 20th August 2006, 08:15

who as it taking photos after the bin? I want some more pics of the event

**Blairos** · 20th August 2006, 09:01

A great ride!

good to see all you fellas yesterday, and big ups to Shane on his Harley (I cant say I have seen one cornering like that before!)
While we are on the subject of Hogs, how was that chap who decided to bust through our group on the way to Whatawhata, only to get the learn from that cop!

Cant complain about the weather, a nice, mostly-overcast day made for good riding with little or no glare...

I had my own little fright on the leg thru to Kawhia, carried a bit too much speed into one tightening right-hander - had the VTR tipped over to the point I was thinking "well, I am ready for this to let go from under me, Lets prepare for a wee slide..."
but to my surprise, she hung on, and relieved me of my chicken strip on the right side of my rear (tyre that is

)

Another new-found respect for the bike, and a key learning for me... It worked this time, but maybe not the next time...

The ride home with Shane & Terbang was uneventful (Ozzie, we saw you pass thru Ngaruawahia - you should have come with us, the 39 route seemed to be a quicker option yesterday)

Only minor incident was Shane having to effect a roadside repair so he could get his lights going, darkness was descending, so fairly important me thinks!

The not-so-welcome sight that reminded me that we were approaching "Cage-Hell" was some tosser in a station wagon belting thru traffic, tailgating on the motorway at speeds that left no room for error had the worst occured - I dont think he took kindly to being overtaken by a 250 on the way up the Bombays

Anyhow - great to catch up - look forward to the next "workout"

Cheers

**terbang** · 20th August 2006, 09:25

Yup I had a good time as well and thanks for all your company. Twas a good shakedown (530kays) for my old 1100 that has been languishing in the garage for too long. Its amazing how much refinement has gone into these bikes in the past 25 years and how much easier a ride like that would be on the Bus. I too feel a bit beat up as a result from an awesome, challenging ride. Few new faces there along with the usual suspects and you Te Aroha boys better watch out, you seem to be picking up a few Jaffa habits...

Good to see you again Warr and thanks for the local knowledge. Nice bike there Trumphy and good to see Terminal on his new hornet as well. Didn't get your name but there was a bloke riding a Suzuki VS800. Interesting bike and I'm kicking myself for not taking up your offer of a wee ride. Thanks for the offer.
Ozzie thats one nice looking Suzuki that I havn't seen before and because you're a West Islander the route was: Bombay-SH1-Rangiriri-that road that follows west of the river-Ngaruawahia-SH39-Te Awamutu (remember the Finn brothers, Split Enz and crowded house)-KihiKihi-TeKawa-SH31-Kawhia (burger lunch)-Waitomo-Otorahanga-then home..
The guy on the harley, a mate of Blairos, he's a legend, he seemed to spend most of his time dragging stuff on the road in a reasonable state of control whilst managing a good pace. Pity we don't see more of you cruiser types out there as I think everyone really just seems to ride their own ride with much enjoyment and have a good social time as well. Variety being the spice of life..

**TerminalAddict** · 20th August 2006, 10:28

I gotta say .. once again Road Rash showed a few people up on his 250 .. including me in a big way .. good going dude. I would have loved to follow you for a while .. but just couldn't keep up

leg 2 was 180% better for me. After the bin I left the the tail pack, and rode out on my own.
Kuckled down and tried a few things like moving my body more .. also Road Rash gave me an interesting tip about holding the front brake until I hit the apex, then letting go, and feeling the bike tip over nice and quick .. I used that tip on a couple right handers and it produced some interesting results.

I followed terbang for a few miles on the way into kawhia, and north from waitomo .. was very interesting watching you move around .. seemed to me your arse was pretty fixed to the seat, but there was lots of movement in your upper body .. in short it looked as though you were trying to catch a glimse of your hansome self in your inside mirror

I had a play with that technique on the "easier" corners north up SH39 whilst I was behind you, blairos, and the "incredibily quick" harley .. also produced some interesting results.

I'd really like to do it again

.. following much more experienced riders is an awesome way to learn some new skills.

AND .. my "commuter" tyre is less square now

**Ozzie** · 20th August 2006, 11:58

Thanks Terbang, f'in fantastic day I loved it.

I was late to the pub, seems as Blairos points out, my lack of local knowledge and impatience meant me taking the less than optimal route home. I think I even got passed going the other direction by the guy with his boy on the back (if someone could clarify his handle (Turtle?) it would be appreciated).

I got a couple of pix of Fish's bike, the scrapes on the road and the stop at Kawhia, attached. Should have taken a pick of escape route B for Fish, might help explaining that things could have been substancially worse. And I didn't get one of the loose stuff either, which I should have....anyway.

Great to hear your ok Fish, expensive experience I image, leathers nasty, jacket and helmut too....and of course the bike......insurance job?

Well guys, I had a blast, tightened up a little on my cornering, and a great opportunity to meet some more of you guys and see some more of the fantastic roads this place has to offer....if only someone would clean the shite off of them!

Trees, washouts, sheep, cows, dirt, metal, fish .......

**Kornholio** · 20th August 2006, 12:41

Originally Posted by Ozzie

....if only someone would clean the shite off of them!

Trees, washouts, sheep, cows, dirt, metal, fish .......

Nice pics dude

**Warr** · 20th August 2006, 14:37

Originally Posted by Ozzie

(if someone could clarify his handle (Turtle?) it would be appreciated).

Yep pretty sure you are correct there

**terbang** · 20th August 2006, 15:02

Originally Posted by Blairos

A great ride!

While we are on the subject of Hogs, how was that chap who decided to bust through our group on the way to Whatawhata, only to get the learn from that cop!

Oh well better him than one of us I guess..? Must have been the Wehrmacht helmet he was wearing that made him go so fast.. Still, I felt sorry for him though, he went through our mob like a dose of salts, only to be pulled over a few kays later by a Rozzer. Bet he felt like a right chump as we all rubbernecked by at well below the speed limit.

**saul** · 20th August 2006, 17:37

Bloody ole fish aaaaaa.

Sorry to see and hear that mate. Poor old black beauty

Did korn do the same? They are normally pretty close together.

Bummer

**Kornholio** · 20th August 2006, 18:02

Originally Posted by saul

Bloody ole fish aaaaaa.

Sorry to see and hear that mate. Poor old black beauty

Did korn do the same? They are normally pretty close together.

Bummer

Pride is hurt more than anything...Spud and I were just around there pointing and laughing.

Lol I used my l337 motocross skills to get out of that patch...he was behind me for once and after about a K i didnt see him in my mirrors so i turned around to view the carnage lol

Blame was tried to be put on a leaky GSXR leaving an oil trail but I quickly quashed those rumors :P

**PaddyFZ1** · 21st August 2006, 10:50

Great day guys, had a ball. Good to put some more names to faces.
Hope everyone made it home ok.
Took a slight detour on the way back from Oto, had a good run on an old favourite piece of road (back road between Oto and Te Awamutu).
Will have to do that run again as it has a great mix of everything.

**Kornholio** · 21st August 2006, 18:50

Originally Posted by PaddyFZ1

Great day guys, had a ball. Good to put some more names to faces.
Hope everyone made it home ok.
Took a slight detour on the way back from Oto, had a good run on an old favourite piece of road (back road between Oto and Te Awamutu).
Will have to do that run again as it has a great mix of everything.

Fuck yeah bro that was awesome stretch of road..thanks for leading the way, at a cracking pace too