For those people who enjoy motorcycles from the past, and in particular the 60s, 70s and 80s. This saw the rise and demise of the large 2 strokes that many of us enjoyed in our youth. This blog celebrates this time in particular but also motorcycling in general .
The weather has been pretty miserable lately so a group of us at the decided to make the most of some fine weather last Saturday. After meeting at Manawatu Motorcycles we decided on a route that took us over the Pahiatua track and then back to the Manawatu via the Saddle road. After a petrol top up in Ashurst we made our way up the Pohangina Vally hoping to find the Pilgrims rest open. After a very pleasant run up the valley we arrived to find it closed so decided on a refreshment stop at The Waterford. It was a great spot with a lovely warm fire on and good selection of refreshments and food. A great way to spend the shortest Saturday of the year.
The Manawatu chapter of the VJMC club made the most of yet another autumn day and headed towards the blue sky in the Wairarapa. We decided to explore an area between Mangatainoka and Woodville called Hopelands. It proved to be an excellent choice with some great roads now added to our destinations. After making our way over the Pahiatua track and then through to Mangatainoka we headed east over a variety of back country roads and eventually made our way to Woodville for a refreshment stop at Cafe 88. Highly recommended if you want great food at a good price with great service. Sir Al brought along the latest addition to his garage. A very low mileage H2 in original order. It went really well with Alan taking it very easy whilst he gets used to it. I think he was very pleased to find that it was very docile. I am sure it wont be long before he explores the other parts of its perfomance. Don arrived on his trusty Bonneville to a chorus of "Its making the wrong noise" only to find out that the Honda MT250 he intended to bring had only just been picked up off the garage floor. Its broken clutch lever made it difficult to ride. Don hasn't had a lot of luck with the MT lately.
The Manawatu VJMC and Blue Haze Club headed out on another run around the Apiti loop. This is a great ride with some wonderful riding especially through the Pohongina Valley. Great to see Bruce on his wonderfully restored Yamaha RT1 and Philip on his trusty Honda CB750. Sadly Bruces RT1 only made it to Bunnythorpe (5 kms out of town) where it holed a piston. I hear Cindy the Yamaha lady in America is sending over a new piston and rings. Unfortunetly I was unable to go. Doctors orders. No Motorbikes for a while. I think motorcycle withdrawl is worse than giving up smoking! Popped down to see the lads off and take a few videos and photos. I hear it was a great run with an always entertaining stop off at the Pilgrims Rest for a drink and some food. Bruce even managed to get the RT home and jump on his BMW and make it out to the Pilgrims Rest by the time the others got their via Kimbolton.
The Manawatu / VJMC Club managed to fit in another run during the holiday season. The big issue was precipitation and the best way to avoid it. After much poring over a map the decision was made to head north west and see what the weather was like at Cheltenham and see if the Apiti loop was dry. It looked a bit dodgy so we headed to Hunterville via Stormy Point, Vinegar Hill and return. The Hunterville second hand shop is always worth a look and sure enough two vehicles got our attention. Two two stroke cars were on the lot with the DKW Junior registered and warranted whilst the Suzuki Fronte needed a little more work to get it on the road. We had great food and coffee at the cafe next to the motel. Highly recommended. A great mornings ride for the lads. Bikes on the run were Paul Delatour on his Suzuki GT750, Don on a Yamaha RZ350, myself on the Yamaha XJ750, Kim Delatour on his Kawasaki Mach4, Dion on his Kawasaki KR250, Paul Whiting on the Kawasaki KH250 and Alan on the Kawasaki A7 Avenger.
Here are some photos of a run we did on a glorious winters day in July to Halcombe. Some members were down with the usual winter ailments but it was good to see Steve on the run on his low mileage H2a. Paul came along on his H2a with Dione on the mighty KR250 and myself on the KH250. It was great run with a coffee stop in Feilding on the way home.
This is a run we did over the Pahiatua track and the Saddle Road finishing up at the Ashurst Domain Cafe. Dione had his daily workout starting the KR 250. Bikes on the run were Paul de Latour on his Kawasaki H1b, Kim de Latour on his Kawasaki H2a, Allan on his Suzuki TS 250, Dione on his Kawasaki KR250, Paul Whiting on a Kawasaki KH250 and myself on a Yamaha XJ750
Eight go for a Pootle
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“To pootle is an informal British verb meaning to travel, walk, or drive in
a slow, relaxed, and aimlessly pleasant way. It can also functi...
