So time for our annual pilgrimage to the biker’s mecca that is The Cemetery Circuit Whanganui.
We met at Manawatu Motorcycles and made our way over to Sanson for coffee at The Church café. Bikes seemed to outnumber tin tops and the day was perfect with clear blue sky and noticeably no Manawatu breeze! Standing out on the deck coffee in hand watching bikes of every make and style ride past was great. We soon joined them heading toward Whanganui, and for the most part sensible relaxed riding was the order of the day, with the exception of a few HD mounted ‘real men’ - no wonder our ACC levies are so high!
We had an interesting vintage line up with three H2s, an H1, and T500 from the 70s. NS400, GS450, RZ350 and XJ750 from the 80s. And Bruce W joined us on his modern Bonnie. We caught up with John M at the café on his recently imported Honda Ascot 500 V-Twin which looked an interesting machine.
We all drifted in our own direction once at the circuit. There was a great variety of road bikes and race bikes to look at, and great racing to watch. Road racing has that extra dimension of danger, appearing considerably less forgiving when an error is made. The cemetery Circuit is great because spectators are so close to the action, often within metres. It is truly wonderful that such a racing tradition is able to continue in this age of Health & Safety.
Most headed back via Fordell and Turakina to Marton, then Halcombe, Mt Biggs and home. Ian and I made a short detour to Feilding and the Denbigh for a cold jar on the way. Not sure if it was well earned, but it was definitely well enjoyed. Another memorable boxing day
Words by Sir Al
Photos & video by Gazza
Great write-up, photos and video guys :-)
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