Exploring the Scenic Routes: A Motorcycle Adventure from Fielding to Manfield . May EoMR

When the open road calls, there's nothing quite like the thrill of a motorcycle adventure, especially when you're in good company. Recently, a group of nine riders embarked on a memorable journey through some of the most scenic routes in our region. Here’s a recap of our invigorating morning ride, which blended beautiful landscapes, camaraderie, and a touch of local culture.

The Journey Begins
Our day started with nine eager riders gathering at the usual spot. The excitement was palpable as we geared up, did a quick safety check, and set off. Not long into our ride, the adventure bike split off to join another group. Though it was a fine machine, it had its own path to follow, and we wished its rider well on his separate journey.

The Windy Hills of Fielding
As we rode out of Fielding, the weather treated us to a mix of sunshine and gusty winds. The hills provided a stunning backdrop, but the wind added a challenging twist to the ride. Each twist and turn was met with a sense of exhilaration and respect for the elements. It's moments like these that remind us why we love motorcycling – it’s not just about the destination, but the journey and its surprises.

Onward to Ohakea and Tangimoana
Our route took us along to Ohakea, where we enjoyed the open roads and the sense of freedom that only motorcycling can offer. We then veered towards Tangimoana, a quieter stretch that allowed us to soak in the serene countryside. The roads were smooth, and the scenery was a testament to the beauty of our local environment.

A Necessary Pit Stop
Every ride requires a good pit stop, and for our group, the Woolshed became the perfect spot. Catering to the needs of our over-65s, the stop provided a much-needed bladder relief. The Woolshed was more than just a rest stop; it was a chance to stretch our legs, share a laugh, and prepare for the next leg of our journey.

Coffee, Munchies, and Decisions
With spirits high and energy levels replenished, we made our way to a local café for some coffee and munchies. This break was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the ride so far, share stories, and make decisions about the rest of the day. Some riders chose to call it a day and head home, satisfied with the morning’s adventure. However, a few of us had different plans.

Supporting the Victoria Club Day at Manfield
For those of us who wanted to keep the momentum going, we ventured to Manfield to support the Victoria Club Day. The atmosphere was lively, with fellow enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the sport. It was a perfect end to a great ride, allowing us to connect with the broader motorcycle community and support local events.

A Morning Well Spent
Reflecting on the day, it was clear that this ride was about more than just covering miles. It was about the camaraderie, the shared love for the open road, and the appreciation of our local landscapes. Whether it was battling the winds on the hills of Fielding, the scenic routes through Ohakea and Tangimoana, or the lively atmosphere at Manfield, every moment added to the richness of the experience.

As motorcyclists, we live for these adventures. Each ride offers a new story, a new challenge, and new memories to cherish. Until the next ride, keep the rubber side down and the spirit of adventure alive.

Thanks to Barry the Bard and ChatGPT

One Ride Two Bikes. A Suzuki T20 morphs into a Suzuki Cobra!

Aprils end of month ride was tale of bikes from the sixties, seventies and eighties mixed in with moderns and one bike that wasn't able to make it home under its own steam. Along the way the Blue Hazers racing division were encountered out on the track busy fettling machinery as well and all this on a Sunday amongst some wonderful weather. I had better not forget Pipi the dog who came along for the ride as well!

Our usual meeting spot at Memorial Park saw 14 bikes, bods and dog front up for a run around the countryside. A run around the Makino loop and into Feilding for sustenance was agreed to with the wander over to Manfeild to watch some racing after that. We started out with three classic bikes on the run. Sir Al brought out his H2 for another workout and was very 'resplendent' in its chrome and gold shinning in the morning sun. Warren M was also out on his very original Yamaha XJ900 which has its origins back in 1983 where it appeared as a sports bike that slowly morphed into sports tourer by the time it reached the late eighties. Although a shaft drive it acquitted itself really well with the alternator piggybacking onto the back of the crankcase ensuring a more centralised mass and narrower width which made it easier for 'spirited' riding. 

Warren T turned up for the run with his very original Suzuki T20. Dating back to the mid sixties it soon developed a reputation as performance bike with  a lot of success on the racetrack but during the week it was more than up to the task of taking its rider to and from work. Its early exit from the ride with a 'no go' problem saw Warren ringing his wife for a trailer as we carried on. Warren took the opportunity to rejoin us later on his other sixties Suzuki, his T500 Cobra. It joined the Suzuki family a little later on in the sixties and like its younger sibling it initially did well on the racetrack in production racing and also formed the basis for a very successful line of TR racers as well. Also out on the run was Roger Hs had is lovely little Classic Moto Guzzi V35 Imola II along with Paul H on his Classic Moto Guzzi Le Mans III. 

With Warren leaving us at Colyton we had a trouble free run around to Stanway Hall. After a bit of a natter we were on our way again and headed back into Feilding via Tokorangi and Halcombe.  Well, most of us were. It was here Gary A on his Royal Enfeild Interceptor ran into an issue with it not starting. Bruce A volunteered to buddy up and assist. I headed off to catch up with the others and eventually did at the Rosebowl. Warren rejoined us at here on his Cobra whilst some of the other lads had decided on lunch and a beer at Murray's Irish Bar. Bruce A and Gary A eventually appeared with Gary A saying lots of not nice things about Royal Enfields. After being fed and watered we were on our way to Manfeild to catch up with the racing Blue Hazers. Except for Gary A and Bruce A. The Interceptor was still misbehaving and Bruce gave Gary a lift back to Palmy to get his trailer. I don't think the Interceptor will be spending much more time in Garys garage!    

There were also some interesting bikes amongst the moderns. Graham's Kawasaki Z650RS does make one do a double take as you are transported back to seventies. The tank with its colour and shape certainly looks the part and Graham says he is really enjoying the bike. Its not often we see a Buell but Rays Lightening in bright yellow certainly looked striking.  

The Racing Hazers were having a rather mixed day of racing. Tim was definitely doing the rounds on the track but seemed to be lacking a little at the top end. Mark was having to do some problem solving after a major rebuild on the RGV with cable routing the likely culprit. Dion and Darrin were helping out in the pits and soaking up 'ambience' with Dion looking forward to getting back on the track in the near future. 

Roll on next months ride and lets see what appears out the garages near and not to far!

One Owner Honda K2 750: March EoMR

It was great to see Dave out on his trusty K2 Honda 750 for our end of month ride. He is back to using it quite regularly after a bit of a layup whilst he sorted out a few mechanical issues and it is now good for another round of rallies and rides.  Dave purchased the bike new in 1974 from Pink and Collison and he has spent the last fifty years creating the original patina you can see in the photographs. Keeping him company were a couple of Kawasaki H2s from the same period of time. It was great to see Kim out on his H2 after having to do an electrical repair after it disgraced itself last year on its way to the Southern Classic race meet in Timaru. Alongside him Sir Al had his H2 out as well and it was was running really well alongside the moderns that came out for the run. A couple of other classics came out as well with John on his BMW R60/6 and Roger on his Moto Guzzi 500. 

The extended ride was definitely popular with other riders coming along to support the 'classics'. The Twin Gorge run is also popular and it is no wonder that it is part of the Manawatu Scenic Route. For those of us on motorcycles there are plenty of wonderful corners as you ride alongside rivers and up hill and down dales. As you are doing this you are on a steady climb to Rangiwahia at 554 metres above sea level. Totara Reserve provided our first stop where we gathered every one in. Kerrys little dog Pipi was briefly released from her dog box on the side of his bike and Wendy was able to give her some more attention before we headed on up to our next stop at Rangiwahia. We got to have a chat to some of the campers at the hall and domain who were singing the praises of the place as a destination. I don't know how tranquil it was with the eighteen of us (including the dog) arriving en masse but its toilet facilities were certainly much appreciated by the crew who probably had our next stop in mind with the promise of a cuppa tea.

The run down to Hansens Cafe was very much enjoyed by all. It is a lovely piece of road that is definitely  of a twisty nature. One gets to spend a lot more time wearing out the sides of the tire rather than the middle and its many nicely cambered corners, some might say 'encourage' this but one still needs plenty of caution, just in case. The limited staff at Hansens did well to get through our orders and whilst it was a little bit chilly, sitting outside in a little country village supping on a cuppa is definitely one of life's better moments. All to soon it was time to head down the hill and back to home to Palmerston Norths 55 metre elevation. Already looking forward to our next run up into the hills and more than likely Dave will be on his fifty year old Honda K2 as well!

A Lucky Strike

 The weather forecast for our end of month ride didn't look very flash for most of the week and by Friday they had plastered a lovely orange heavy rain warning banner as well. A glance at the sky first thing Sunday morning saw some flecks of blue to the northwest and it looked as though the orange weather bandana was all show and no bite.  Plans were made to head down to Memorial Park to see if any other like minded souls wanted to pursue the blue. So it was with some relief and forecast cynicism the GSR was backed out of the garage, tyre pressures checked and chain lubed. 

Roger H and Warren M were already there on there shafties. Warrens Yamaha XJ900 is a perennial 'nice' classic bike as it makes its way to its fortieth birthday in a few years with the reward of much cheaper rego! Rogers Moto Guzzi is already in the club and Stuarts arrival on his Waterbus ensured the presence of a two stroke for the run. Warren Ts arrival on his Lucky Strike RGV couldn't be missed with its very 'unpeecee' bright red and white tobacco advertising and its exhaust smoke providing a visual clue to its two stroke motor. The GSR made up the numbers and it was this entourage that headed off down Main Street to make its way to re test the pies at the Rusty Radiator in Halcombe.   

Warren had mapped out yet another route to add some variety to our wander. He took us around the back of Feilding and instead of out usual Stanway direction we made our way a little more directly by following the railway line to Halcombe. This took us onto Lethbridge Street, a road we haven't been on for quite a while and certainly had some nice twists and turns. It has been a little while since I have followed an RGV and it was a great reminder of the unique sights and sounds of a performance 250 stroker, especially when it 'gets on the pipe'.  Also remembering Kevin Schwantz and his kung ho riding style as well as his allegiance to Suzuki for all those years. 

It wasn't to long until we arrived at our destination and we are happy to report that the pies are still up to scratch. It looks as though our shortish run meant we got a great choice of pies and the Blue Cheese and Steak one is definitely on the yum list. The world was 'put right' by the conversation around the table  and amongst this important task Rich appeared on his Vstrom. A late start from town and a detour to the Sanson bookshop and a cup of tea meant he had a worthwhile morning as well

Sooo, we look forward to next months ride and lets hope the forecast is for fine weather......   

APS Classic Motorcycle Racing Festival 2024

What a wonderful start to the transfer from Pukekohe of the premiere classic motorcycle racing festival in New Zealand. The APS Classic Motorcycle Racing Festival was a weekend of celebration, challenges and extremes as over 300 racers engaged in some close racing in a mix of rain, thunder and lightening on Saturday with sunshine on the Sunday. The weekend started of with a parade through to the town square in Feilding showing a great cross section of the motorcycles that would race that weekend. The town square has probably not experienced such sights and sounds and it certainly brought many of the locals out to support this new event for the town. Unfortunately the weather the following day was not repeated and the riders were given quite a challenge at times and plenty of near miss tales would have been told over a beer or two that evening! 

The arrival of sunshine on Sunday saw a great turnout of spectators who came to enjoy a very special day of racing. It was pleasing to see the Blue Hazers amongst the spectators and the competitors. Kim D was out on his Aprilia enjoying his time on the track and sharing tent space with Wayne M from Whanganui who brought along three bikes from his stable. Dion was in support performing "paddock duties" and muttering words that sounded like "I would rather be out on the track". Tim, with the support of Mark and  'Bob" was also out on the track making the most of the occasion with two bikes. For us 'Hazers' the Yamaha TR was making all the right sights and sounds and ran reliably all day. It was also good to see so many other strokers out on the track doing the business as well. His CBR 600 also proved to be trouble free and I am sure Tim would have gone home with tired but rather large smile on his dial.  Also worth a mention is Pete S on his Dresda Triumph 600 that proved to be very quick around the track. He has spent a few years developing this motor so it was nice to see it all come together.

Having the Britten there was also very special and what a machine. It really does have presence all of its own with its distinct engineering forms and colour scheme. Once it comes to life with Andrew Stroud on board it is poetry in motion on the track and always a crowd pleaser. Having a Brough out there with the Britten was also rather special. it is the only one still racing anywhere in the world.

The racing on the day in all the classes had full fields and plenty competition with some very intense battles between individuals very evident. Off the track was just as interesting with plenty to see in the pits with some really well turned out machines and riders. The display in the big tent had a an excellent selection of bikes of Steve Roberts developed and built the frames for. What an extraordinary range of bikes and over such a long period of time. I hear even in his 'retirement' he is still making frames. 

It was also great to see Garth and Bryan Thomas sharing there engineering wizardry with motorcycles and  Garths car and both available to talk to the many admirers who dropped by. The Manawatu Classic Club also had some machines on display inside outside the tent. Thanks for waving the flag. What a great weekend of nostalgia and racing. It sounds like all the right noises are being made about its return next year. Can't wait!

If you want to check out some more photos click here.