The Pie Run

We are often looking for an excuse to go for a ride on a bike and back in the day a pie run was as good an excuse as any. A couple of weekends ago we had a run up to Hunterville and it was great to have along Bruce's son Oscar for his first run out with Dad on a bike. Bruce brought along his most pillion friendly bike, his Suzuki GS750. Gary A brought out his Honda CX500 for a spin, and Warren on his XJ900, so we had a few VJMC bikes out for the run. Also out for a spin was Ian on his Yamaha Vmax, Stuart on his KLE, Sir Al on his Sportster, Rich on his Vstrom, Ray on his Triumph Tiger and yours truly on a GSR750. We met at Memorial Park and had our usual chat in the sun, but were soon off to Hunterville for a pie. Our loop today was up over Vinegar Hill via Colyton and Makino Road with a stop off at Stormy Point. Stormy point wasn't very stormy so we enjoyed the sun and view but a young lads rumbling tummy soon had us back on the road to Hunterville

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.