Remembrance Run.    

(Short Version - Long version in the next newsletter)

Rex and I shot the gap at 8am on the Friday morning – just the two of us leaving on bikes today, so no point in shagging around Masterton we thought. May as well go and shag around Taupo instead. Twas a little chilly, but otherwise not too bad - a few layers of thermals saw to that. Got to Mt. Bruce where the rain started – good ol’ Mt Bruce. And did I mention wind? Yep that too – uncomfortably blustery. Couldn’t pass the many trucks on the road due to spray blowing everywhere, reducing forward visibility to near zero.  A quick stop in Vegas to rearrange some clothing, then onto Norsewood where the rain stopped, and we headed East to try and get away from the eternal wind on the Takapau Plains, rejoining the main road just South of Waipuk. Onwards to Bayview BP to fill the bikes and empty ourselves, then up and over the Napier/ Taupo. Did I mention wind? Yep, at one stage we had the bikes on full lean with a B-Train coming towards us, and we were slowly edging into his path unable to do SFA except keep the throttle open – Scaaaaaaaary! 

Checked into Flash Packers at 12-20pm, and wandered into town for lunch, coming across Greg and Andy in one of those automobile thingys along the way. Whilst we were chilling out in town Sudsy arrived also on four wheels – and then there were five. Saturday was pretty cruisy. Into town to Glyn’s café (where we had  lunch yesterday) for a yummy cooked brekky. Back to Flashpackers to rendezvous with the others, then off to the AC Baths ready for the parade. Hello, hello, hello – no it’s not a cop, it’s Glen, John, Barry, Gary, Dave, Ken, Donna, Nik, and Dave (think I got them all!). 

The parade and service went without a hitch, but as usual it makes one think how lucky we are not to hear our names read out! Back to Flashpackers for bevvys and silly banter as usual, then down to Lone Star for a Posh Nosh (albeit slightly pricey). Sunday morning was a 9am meeting at the Truck Stop for a hearty brekky to set us up for the trip home. 

Some unmarked grit on the Napier/Taupo, along with some frost patches kept us on our toes, but all made it to BP Bayview for fuel, then onwards to Norsewood via Highway 50 for a caffeine fix. A clean run home from there saw me arrive just before 3pm – plenty of time to unpack/unwind and prepare for the week ahead.  Thanks to Rex for organising all the bookings etc., and thanks to all my fellow riders/drivers/passengers for yet another enjoyable and memorable trip away with Wairarapa Ullybods. A bundle of laughs always boosts the midwinter spirits along a bit eh.

Ian

 #6812

I usually don't post product endorsements but this is a great leap forward by Skully helmets.

From: http://www.skullysystems.com/#tech

See the video here

1st September ACC Protest Ride.

As mentioned at our last branch meeting there is a protest ride to parliament to protest the unfairness of the ACC levy structure.  This is being coordinated by BRONZ. Bikes to be at Parliament at 10.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BRONZ-Bikers-Rights-Organisation-of-New-Zealand/108495452517881

There is also an online petition to voice your opposition.

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-new-zealand-government-to-consider-the-improvements-in-vehicle-safety-features-and-the-training-that-is-undertaken-to-ride-a-motorcycle-in-new-zealand-when-setting-acc-levy-fees

Mid Year Xmas

It's getting cold, wet and miserable.  It's about this time that those who have experience of Christmas in the Northern hemisphere feel something is missing.  So it's Christmas time - time for good food and a good company.

        

Thank's to Nigel for organizing the location, and thanks to all who lent a hand to make for a great night.

Evolution of the Motorcycle show - Hastings 5/6 July

This can't have happened a month ago!  Well the bike show on the 5^th/6^th July was a cracker.  The variety of machines on show was excellent and the location easy to access.  Hats off to the Hawke’s Bay Classic Motorcycle Club.  It was estimated that 10,000 people attended the event which was raising money for the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, local Girl Guides and a new kitchen for the club.

Those who rode up on the Saturday were hit with some wild winds.  A truck ended up in a ditch on SH2 sending traffic via SH50.  Sunday riders were treated to a much better day and beautiful weather.

Click here for more photo’s

Wet Sunday

We had a howling gale and torrential rain Saturday night but by morning it had settled into a fairly quiet and overcast Sunday morning. Six brave souls turned up at the car park for our planned ride to the Flat Hills Cafe. The sky was getting darker so we decided to go to Castle Point instead. Jean and Mick headed off to Martinborough while Greg headed home to finish work on his new wood burner. That left Nobby, Glenn and myself to battle the weather for a coffee and pie at Castle Point.

The trip over there was fine and a lot of the roads were dry though covered in crap from the logging trucks and the roadworks. While there enjoying our hard earned coffee it started raining really heavily and we had a pretty wet return journey. It was great to get out though as we had all been missing the open road.

Looking forward to the ride up to Taupo next weekend !

Cheers Nik