Hunters cafe provides a great place to park and view the ever more busy State Highway traffic whizzing by. On a sunny day there is always a large sprinkling on motorcycles so it is definitely a place with a view, just not of a geographical nature! For Oscar the only thing he wanted to view were the pies in the warmer. Luckily for him there were still a few pies left and they were soon on a plate and making their way to an outside table. There wasn't a lot of conversation from Oscar as the pie disappeared and for the rest of us we had a pleasant time enjoying the sun, the 'view' and consuming our coffee and food. By this time Dave had turned up on his Guzzi and it was great to see Doug from Whanganui who stopped in for a chat after heading out for a ride on his immaculate Yamaha XS750 triple. Some of the chat was around the next VJMC Rally and it looks as though it is returning to The Masters Hall in Pahiatua. The date yet to be confirmed.
Our return part of the loop had us heading towards the Rangitikei river via Rangatira Rd. We do our best to avoid the State Highways unless we need to get from A to B in a hurry and this is one of our back road choices for this loop ride. You certainly get to see some different scenery, some great roads and a more intimate view of rural life. You do have to be careful of farming activities that use the road and of course stray animals. After coming out at Rata it is a short run down State Highway One to Porewa /Onepuhi Rd and then back out to State Highway one just north of Marton. These roads go through some lovely bush remnants that have some nice windy bits and out into the farmland with straights and more open and flowing curves.
The turnoff at Kakariki has us heading to Halcombe then over to Mount Stewart with a stop off at Mount Biggs School for a final natter and then home. Not a bad pie run and one I am sure we will do again soon.
