Last months club ride saw a great turnout. The roll call was:
Gary A Honda CX500
Dave J Honda GB500
Sir Al Kawasaki 750 H2
Max Yamaha RZ 250
Graham Yamaha TR1 1000
Warren T Suzuki RGV T 250
Ian Yamaha VMax 1200
Warren Yamaha XJ900
Stuart Kawasaki KLE 500
Brian Suzuki 650 Freewind
Kenny BMW 1150 Rockster
Dave R Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans
Rich Suzuki Vstrom 650
Ray Triumph Tiger 800
Gary W Suzuki GSR 750
Our destination for the morning was to be Dannevirke via the Saddle Road and along Top Grass Road. Our return journey was to be via Tui Central to view a car show that promised to be interesting. It was a great winters day and after the 60km crawl over the Saddle Road we were soon in the groove hugging the Ruahine Ranges as we went the 'back way' to Dannevirke. After finding out our usual cafe was closed we headed off to the other end of town and found a couple of eateries and spent a very pleasant wee while chatting about all sorts of things in the winter sun.
With some of the crew needing to head back to town we headed south with some taking the direct route back to the Manawatu whilst the rest of us decided to head for Tui Central in Mangatainoka to check out a car show. Sir Al and yours truly swapped bikes, so I got to ride his H2 again. What a wonderful old bike to ride. It's reputation as being a handful at speed is I am sure well earned, but when not ridden in anger it is a lovely docile bike that belies its nearly fifty year age. Sir Al's bike is well sorted with its suspension and engine performing remarkably well and whilst the the front brake feels a little wooden, back in its day it was a great performer. I am certainly looking forward to getting the mighty T500 out as company for Als bike in the near future.
All to soon we swapped back to our regular steeds after turning off at Oringi to take the long way to Tui Central. We are certainly lucky to have a variety of roads on our doorstep that go through an ever changing landscape of farms, rivers and hills. Whilst some care is needed with wayward livestock some great roads provide a steady stream of straights and curves to focus the mind to be in the moment and not elsewhere. After a nice chunk of zen moments we arrived at Tui central a little lat e but just in time to hear the departing rumble of some big block V8s and rotary motors hitting their rev limiters as they broke traction down Mangatainoka's main street. We heard that there will be a similar motorcycle event in October so word is maybe we should set up a VJMC section; banner and all?
With the days getting longer and springr approaching it looks like there is some keen interest in getting out and about on our bikes. Word is that we should be seeing a few more classic chromies and post classic bikes emerging from garages after hibernation, restoration or repairs. Can't wait
