This months EoM ride was predominantly a 4-stroke affair. There were a couple of bikes
new to the group; Warren’s Yamaha R6 which has a very interesting history
including racing at the IOM 3 times (has a factory engine race kit fitted),
and Scott’s Triumph 955i Speed Triple.
Of the vintage
2-strokes there were 3; Paul’s GT750, Rich’s T500, and PC’s Kawasaki S3. Also
from the 70s Dave’s CB750 Honda.
From the 80’s we had
Bruce’s GSX-R1100, Kenny’s BMW K100, and from the 90’s Brian’s Suzuki Freewind
650, Ian’s Suzuki VX800, and my VFR. From more current times Ray rode his
Triumph Tiger 800.
Our destination was Hunterville,
via the less traveled Fordell route. This involved a lot of open flowing road
for the first leg to Turakina and Fordell. The 46 Km ride from Fordell to
Hunterville is a lot tighter, and not in very good condition in parts. The wet
winter has taken its toll on the road. There were odd slips including a recent
one covering one lane with a tree.
Lunch
was at the usual café, and I scored the last door-stop custard square (it
turned out Bruce A had been there that morning which would account for the lack
of stock). After lunch we returned via the back roads and on through Halcombe
to Mt Biggs.
A group of us then
went to Manfeild to have a quick look at the racing. We timed it well with Dion
just going onto the track and Tim in the next race. The Blue Hazers did very
well considering their out dated machinery. Dion’s Honda NSR appeared to be
flying down the straights although in a sporting gesture he let one or two
through in the tighter corners. But then dashed their hopes of victory by
blasting past them again. Most entertaining.
A good ride on a
perfect spring day.
