Pilgrims Rest run, Pohangina Valley

From Pilgrims Progress run 26th Jan 2010

From Pilgrims Progress run 26th Jan 2010

From Pilgrims Progress run 26th Jan 2010

For Wellington Anniversary day Kim, Dion, Alan and myself decided to use part of the day for a VJMC/Blue Haze run. The weekend had been intermittently punctuated with fine spells, but mostly rain so we were hanging out for a ride. After a few hiccups in the morning with H2 fuel taps we set off for the Pohangina Valley and the Pilgrims Rest cafe. What a great ride with the only hassle being a bit of gravel in a few places. Had a great ride on Dions KR. What a huge jump from my KH. The difference in power and handling is like night and day. The Totara Reserve section is a treat with the bush on either side of you. The cafe is recommended with an excellent $7.50 Ploughmans lunch with coffee and even an old Velocette sitting inside the cafe to look at. After a few stops for some video on the way back we finally got home for afternoon tea.

VJMC/Blue Haze run via Stormy Point

From Stormy Point Blue Haze run 17/01/2010

From Stormy Point Blue Haze run 17/01/2010

From Stormy Point Blue Haze run 17/01/2010

From Stormy Point Blue Haze run 17/01/2010

The Manawatu / VJMC Club managed to fit in another run during the holiday season. The big issue was precipitation and the best way to avoid it. After much poring over a map the decision was made to head north west and see what the weather was like at Cheltenham and see if the Apiti loop was dry. It looked a bit dodgy so we headed to Hunterville via Stormy Point, Vinegar Hill and return. The Hunterville second hand shop is always worth a look and sure enough two vehicles got our attention. Two two stroke cars were on the lot with the DKW Junior registered and warranted whilst the Suzuki Fronte needed a little more work to get it on the road. We had great food and coffee at the cafe next to the motel. Highly recommended. A great mornings ride for the lads. Bikes on the run were Paul Delatour on his Suzuki GT750, Don on a Yamaha RZ350, myself on the Yamaha XJ750, Kim Delatour on his Kawasaki Mach4, Dion on his Kawasaki KR250, Paul Whiting on the Kawasaki KH250 and Alan on the Kawasaki A7 Avenger.

Blue Haze/ Manawatu VJMC Tui Brewery visit 09/01/2010

From Blue Haze/VJMC Tui Brewery run 09/01/10

From Blue Haze/VJMC Tui Brewery run 09/01/10

From Blue Haze/VJMC Tui Brewery run 09/01/10

After meeting at Manawatu Motorcycles at 9:00am we headed off in the direction of the Pahiatua track and enjoyed a good run over it and through Mangamaire and on to Ekatahuna. From there we made our way back towards Pahiatua around the back way through the Mangaone Valley road. This is an excellent road with not much traffic and some lovely twisties you can enjoy without breaking the speed limit. It pays to look out for the usual rural stock shifting debris from farming activities. After topping up the KH250 and A7 we moved on to the Tui Brewery for light refreshments and food. Whilst waiting outside for our food to arrive our fine tuned two stroke ears heard the unmistakeable sound of a Suzuki RG500 pull up. It was Jenny from Wellington and her mate who had decided on a run up through the Wairarapa for a cup of tea at the brewery. Great catching up. After Dione managed to scrounge a ride on Jennys friends Buell 1125r we made our way northwards to the Saddle road and had a great time going up and for those of us on 250s an even better time going down! Had a bit of fun capturing some video of the lads going up the saddle road. Bikes on the run included Alan on his Kawasaki A7 Avenger, Paul Whiting on the KH250, Kim on the Kawasaki H2a 750, Don on the Yamaha RZ350, Dione on his Honda MVX250 and myself on the Yamaha XJ750.

Cemetery Circuit 09

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

Members of the Blue Haze/Manawatu VJMC made the yearly pilgrimage to Whanganui for the annual Boxing day races. Everyone was commenting on the admission price of $30 being very borderline value for money. If it went up much more , not many of us would be back next year.
After meeting at Manawatu Motorcycles at 9:00am we made our way towards Whanganui into a a very brisk westerly. Kim was on his Kawasaki H2a, Dione on his exercise machine, his Kawasaki KR250, Alan his always thirsty Kawasaki A7, Paul W on the just as thirsty Kawasaki KH250, Don on his Yamaha RZ350 and myself on the oil dripper Yamaha XJ750. Our first stop along the way was to find Alans sidecover that flew off in front of us at Mt Biggs. By the time we got back to it, it was a mangled mess. We had a great day with plenty of action on the track. A lot of delays due to prangs had the program running way behind time. Really enjoyed the post classics of course which had the biggest field of 2 strokes.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

A shame to see our very own Tim Kendall doing well on his Yamaha YZ490 have to pull out with a broken exhaust. Great to see Tony McQueen on his H2 kawasaki doing well out there.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

Sean Donnely on his Kawasaki Z1000 was reveling in the conditions to take out the class.

The Classic sidecars proved as popular as ever with some great on track antics, including the 360 I managed to capture on video. No one was hurt thank goodness.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

The Motard with the two Italian riders was exciting to watching also. Gozzini and Lazzarini were in a class all of there own.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

The Suzuki NZ headquarters hosted some excellent bikes outside including three examples of Steve Roberts handiwork. Good to see Dave Hiscock do a demonstration lap on one he rode back in the seventies. Beautiful bikes and great to see people like my brother Paul being acknowledged for their contribution to keeping this motoring heritage alive.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

Amongst the usual new Suzuki models was a lovely RG500 and of all things a Honda NR750.

From Wanganui Cemetery Circuit 09

Another bike that got our attention was an immaculate Kawasaki Z1900. Not bad for 1973! It was ridden up from Wellington for the day. Often bikes like this hardly leave the garage, so good on you for getting out and about and sharing it with everyone.

Blue Haze / VJMC run Ekatahuna via The Saddle Road 7th December 09

From Blue Haze Run 07/12/09

From Blue Haze Run 07/12/09

The Saddle Rd between Ashurst and Woodville is a favourite bit of black tar for many Manawatu riders. It is lot busier now with all the site seers visiting the wind farm at the top. The windmills are amazing up close and well worth a visit and you also get to take in some great scenery as well. We ended up taking the long way back to Palmerston North via Ekatahuna! Paul was on his Kawasaki H1c, Kim on his Kawasaki H2a, Alan on his Kawasaki A7, myself on my Kawasak KH250 and Dione on his nearly restored Honda MVX250. It was great to see Diones MVX on the road and looking really sharp. You just don't see many of these on the road these days as they can be a bit of a hand grenade. The one I ran in the 80s had no problems what so ever over a couple of years.