Pilgrims Rest Return

From Pilgrims Rest return

From Pilgrims Rest return

From Pilgrims Rest return

John and Margarets cafe at the Pilgrims rest has always been one of our favourite destinations with its great food and more importantly great host reparte. One always leaves looking forward to a return visit and wondering what the topic of conversation will be. This time it was all about the arrival of the Mothers Motorcycle Club who have bought one of the local community halls. As would be expected some consternation has ensued but as time has gone on there seems to be a more accepting attitude to the new neighbours. It will be intersting to see how this develops over the winter as the Mothers establish themselves in the community. I am sure John and Margaret felt a lot safer during our visit as some of us wore our 'patches' on the ride and had them on the display during our refreshment stop. Russell and his son Ollie came along for a spin and hopefully enjoyed a different sort of way to spend a Sunday morning; out and about on a fine morning riding a motorcycle with some great company!

A Special Sunday Ride

From Umutoi return

From Umutoi return

From Umutoi return

Dr Sprockets service at Umutoi

From Umutoi return

Johns Kawasaki S3a


The new 9:00am meeting time had us on our bikes and heading out of town for the Pohangina Valley just after 9:30. Along for the ride we had John on his Honda 900 Hornet, The Don on his well travelled Suazuki DR650, Bruce on his BMW 650, Sir Al on his trusty Kawasaki A7, Paul D on the immaculate Kawasaki H2, Kim on the improving Yamaha RZ250 and myself out for a spin on the Yamaha XJ750. Our first stop was Raumai after taking the back way via Colyton. As we made our way up the valley the temperature dropped and just past Pilgrims Rest the lovely high country vistas had sprinkling of snow on them. Just short of Umutoi we had our next stop with some taking the time to 'commune' with nature in a very simple service led by the Right Reverend Doctor Sprocket! The return journey had us stopping at the gate of the Pilgrims Rest which was unfortunetly closed so we pushed on to the Waterford. Paul D and Sir Al swapped bikes with Paul very impressed with the performance of the A7. After a some tea, coffee and a snack we headed into Ashurst and then around to Johns place to have a look at his latest purchase. He had just imported from the States a Kawasaki S3a 400 with a mere 2400 miles on the clock. Hopefully it will be all vinned and ready for our next ride in a couple of weeks.
Another great ride!

Pilgrims Rest via Apiti

From Manawatu VJMC Blue Haze Apiti Loop

From Manawatu VJMC Blue Haze Apiti Loop

From Manawatu VJMC Blue Haze Apiti Loop

From Manawatu VJMC Blue Haze Apiti Loop

From Manawatu VJMC Blue Haze Apiti Loop

We had to make the most of the beautiful weather, so a ride was organised to make the most of the Indian autumn before many of the the corners remained in the shade until daylight saving returned. The ride got off to a latish start with Paul Ds Kawasaki H1a refusing to spark. Along for the run were Alan on his Kawasaki A7 Avenger, Kim D on his trusty H2a, Murray on his Kawasaki GTS, Bruce on his BMW, Paul W on his GPZ 750r, Jenni on her RG500, Steph? on her baby Katana 400, Don on his GT500, Dion on the KR250,and myself two up with my daughter Amie on the XJ750. Having filled up with petrol at Ashurst and lost the group, Amie and I decided to head up the Pohangina valley thinking they were ahead of us when in fact they had ducked across to Feilding. We had a great ride up to Kimbolton where we met the group coming the other way. The return journey to our lunch stop at the Pilgrims Rest was brilliant with lovely flowing corners and very little traffic. Upon our arrival Paul was their with the H1 sparking nicely and waiting for us so he could order the Devonshire tea or ploughmans lunch. A geat feed. Dion had brought along a trophy he had made to help prolong and celebrate other peoples misfortunes. Called the "Oh Shit Award". Typical! The first recipient was Bruce because of his piston holing episode on his RT1 and part of the trophy is a holed piston out of a weedeater. So very appropriate. Today was one of those "chocolate box" rides that you think about in the depths of winter as you look forward to the legthening days of spring and summer.

Pauls immaculate Kawasaki 500H1 (and others) to Hunterville

From Blue Haze VJMC Hunterville run 28/03/2010

From Blue Haze VJMC Hunterville run 28/03/2010

From Blue Haze VJMC Hunterville run 28/03/2010

From Blue Haze VJMC Hunterville run 28/03/2010

Had a pleasant run up to Hunterville on Sunday with a good turnout. Paul W on his recently on the road kawasaki GPZ 750r, Kim on the mighty H2, Dion on his Honda grenade, (just kidding Dion, it goes really well!) otherwise known as MVX250, Alan on his Suzuki TS250, Don on his GT500, Bruce on his BMW F650, pretending it is his Yamaha RT1, myself on the KH250 and Paul D on his immaculate Kawasaki 500H1. It has to be seen to be believed as it is no surprise that it won peoples choice at last years VJMC rally in Stratford. Sorry about the poor video quality. Didnt take my "flash camera" this time. The sad part of the day was the demise of 'Sir Alans' beloved Suzukis gearbox just before Hunterville. Luckily it managed to limp home. We probably wont be seeing it on any runs for a wee while! But rumour has it that Sir Al has a stand in waiting the wings! Hunters Cafe in Hunterville is becoming a favourite place to stop for fluids and food.