POT
LUCK – 1 MAY 2016
With the Indian summer weather still
evident, 12 two wheelers and the three wheeled Orange Roughy turned up for a
Pot luck ride.
After minimal debate it was decided that
the ride would be to Pongaroa. Castlepoint was ruled out because of the
expectation that it would be inundated with people, being the last weekend of
the school holidays.
Rolly had turned up on his bike but decided
a ride to Pongaroa was a bit too far for him in his current condition.
Riders were briefed on the route to
Ponagaroa: SH2 to Pahiatua then a right turn into Pahiatua – Pongaroa Road. After
which the team departed Masterton via SH2 just after 10.05 (it was nice to get
on the road early instead of talking about it) with Greg in the lead on his yet
another new bike.
Greg set a relaxed pace as we headed north.
Riding at the back it was easy to see all the riders holding a staggered
formation until we turned off SH2 after which the group got strung out a bit.
At this time the wind came up a bit and it was hard not to make the odd
excursion onto the other side of the road in the odd place. None the less we all made it to the Pub ok.
As usual the bar lunches were well worth
the trip and the group socialized for an hour before it was back on the bikes
for the trip home via Route 52.
At this stage the Orange Roughy left the
group and headed back the way we had come. One of the limitations of the Can-Am
is that it doesn’t like rough roads due to its low ground clearance.
The 12 bikes then headed home down Route
52. We regrouped at Alfreton where it was decided a trip into Eketahuna was in
order, as Guys cruiser was unlikely to make it to Masterton without a top up.
At Eketahuna the group split up because
some of the riders had other things to do. (I ask you what could possibly take
priority over a ride on Sunday afternoon.)
And then there were five. Rex suggested a
ride to Mauriceville via Mangoarunga road but wasn’t sure if it had any gravel
on it.
About 400 meters down the road there was
the dreaded yellow and black sign “Gravel”. Everyone except our 82 year old
veteran (Laurie) hesitated. He was off into the dust. With my butt cheeks
clenched I followed suit. They got even tighter when I hit a section of the
road that had been recently graded.
I could see another rider following in my
rear mirrors but it wasn’t until I got back on the tarmac I discovered it was
Greg. He and I stopped at Mauriceville for a quick chat and along came Rex who
had also taken to the gravel road. Karen and Andy had taken the sensible option
of turning around and going home via SH2.
From Mauriceville it was a straight run
home. On the way we found Laurie waiting on the side of the road for us.
All in all I enjoyed the ride, but must
admit riding the gravel road on a road bike isn’t the most relaxing experience
for a leisurely Sunday ride.
Roll on next Sunday when we hit the road
again.
Nobby
No comments:
Post a comment