April end of month
ride
A very good and
unexpected turn out for our EOM ride this month. And what a picture perfect day
for a ride it was. We also had a good variety of bikes; three ’72 750s – Dave’s
CB750, Paul’s GT750, and my H2. Still in the 70s were Rich’s T500 and Mike’s
GSX750. From the 80’s were Dion’s TZR, Bruce’s VFR750, Ian’s GS450S, and Brian
riding a BMW K100RS belonging to his mate Ken. On modern bikes were Bruce S on
the Aprilia Tuono, Russell on a BMW GS650, and Ken on a BMW R1150R Rockster – a
bit different for the Blue Haze boys.
After a bit of a catch
up we headed out of town and through Ashhurst and up the east side of the
Pohangina Valley around to Apiti where we stopped for a break. At this point
Dave and I swapped bikes for a while, which for me meant finally riding a Honda
CB750 four – the bike that really captured my imagination in the early 1970s. A
very smooth bike which did seem quite sedate after the H2, but then the additional
40+kg might contribute to this. Dave has owned this bike from new, which makes
it a bit special.
From Apiti we made our
way up to Rangiwahia Rd and turned right and headed off through the twisties. This
is always a favourite track for us and it looked great in autumn colours and at
one point we were riding through a shower of leaves falling from trees lining
both sides of the road. We stopped again at Pembertons (?) Corner to regroup,
and then took the Mangamako Rd to Ohingaiti. This is also a great set of
corners with a huge drop down to the river at the Ohingaiti end. Onto SH1 to
Hunterville for coffee and Kai. Afterwards it was the mandatory look through MJ
Trading, then on the bikes and taking the long way home. We travelled via Rangitira Road to Rata,
Porewa Road to SH1 and then Kakariki Road to Halcome, on to Mt Stewart and home to Palmerston North.
A really enjoyable
days riding. Bikes all went well. Doesn't get any better than that.
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