First EoMR 2020

Summer is certainly a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the great roads we have at our doorstep. With the weather cooperating we had a great turnout for our first EoMR run of 2020 and it was pleasing to see a few more two strokes joining our run. Hopefully a sign of things to come for the rest of the year. With a roll call of ten plus bikes and riders it was an eclectic range of bikes (and riders!) lined up outside Manawatu Motorcycles. Warren T brought out his Mike Hailwood Tribute Ducati in all its Terblanche glory, Warren M on the tried and true XJ900, Gary A on his BMW GS650/800,and Bruce S on probably the most fun road two stroke ever made, his Yamaha TDR 250. The Suzuki two strokes were well represented with Bruce C on his GT750K with spannies, Stuart on his freshly restored GT750J and Ross on his very freshly restored red 1968 Cobra. The first of the T/GT 500 line of bikes. Ians 1200 Vmax anniversary model with its flamed tank was looking suitably menacing whilst Rich's trusty 'transformer, styled Vstrom was doing the business for the day and yours truly riding the ever faithful XJ. Soon to join us was going to be Dave on his Honda CBR 500.
The Stanway loop was decided on for our route for the morning with our cafe stop being the Woolshed just south of Sanson. We made our way through the usual town where the town and country boundary was indicated by that lovely puff of two stroke smoke as throttles are opened. Our route took us out to Bunnythorpe and onto Colyton and to the back of Feilding where Ross left us and headed home. Following Makino road soon had us pulling up outside Stanway Hall where Dave joined our band of merry men as we checked out the bikes and discussed the ride so far. We were soon on our way and dropping down towards the Rangitikei River and then heading along Pryces Line to Kakariki. Mingaroa Road soon followed and onto Wilsons Road and then turning off at Ohakea onto State Highway one. The traffic wasn't to bad through Sanson and in no time we had the bikes lined up in the car park at the Woolshed Cafe.
One of the great things about this cafe isn't only the food and service, but they have some wonderful big tables that our group can fit around. After some excellent food and beverages and a good natter it was time to head back to town. Warrens big concern was wondering if he had enough petrol in the Ducatis seven and half litre tank to get home! It managed to make it and by the sounds of how uncomfortable the bike is to ride seven and half litres is about as far as you would want to ride it in a day anyway!
This is the warmest and most settled time of the year and it is certainly the best time of the year for motorcycling. Sharing this with other like minded people is always a good thing and as the new year begins I am sure we can look forward to some more rides like this one.
See you there.