Pahiatua Loop

Yesterday I planned this ride with Alan. The idea being to leave early in the morning and be back home before midday. We hadn't ridden over the Pahiatua Track and it was a couple of decades since I had driven the road. Doing a loop through the Wairarapa over the track and back down the west coast seemed a reasonable way to spend a nice sunday morning.

I programmed up the GPS, just for fun and to see how far the route was. The GPS showed it was 333Kms but I didn't know at the time that it set a route past the track and through the Manawatu Gorge.

I left home at 6.45am and meet Alan at 7.00pm just as he was leaving home. We stopped at the top of the Rimutakas and chatted to a couple of tourists for a few minutes. The next stop was Carterton for fuel for the Harley so I topped my bike up as well. Next a comfort stop at Ekatahuna on on the road. It was on the leg up to Pahiatua I realised the GPS would lead us past the track turnoff and up to Woodville.

So with ongoing protestation from the GPS for a few kilometres we headed off on the road across the hill. The road is in excellent condition with a smooth surface and lovely bends; it was worth the trip just to experience this road. After the track we continued on to the Linton turnoff and fuelled up the bikes. The Harley took $10 to fill and the SV1000 $9 for the same distance. So given the extra weight and another 540cc in the pots of the Harley this difference seems reasonable.

After Linton we cruised down through Shannon and stopped at a cafe out in the country side a few kms from Levin. A coffee and muffin was much needed and appreciated. From here it was the run home with a detour over the Paikakariki hill road. I left Alan as he headed home over Heywards and I went around the inlet to the southern motorway. I got home just on noon. A trip of 320Kms.

PS. The Navman GPS was programmed to give preference to main highways. This is okay for a car when the destination is more important than the journey. I have reprogrammes the GPS to select the shortest route and not select unsealed roads.

TCWNR - No daylight saving

The ride was on tonight with a 6.00pm start. It was a bit of a rush to get there on time and then we didn't leave until 6.30pm; but that was okay.
Went up the Paikakariki hill and back to the Sandbar in Manu. The ride down in the dark was a bit tricky in places. There were only a few of us at the Sandbar but a few more bikes as the Triumph club was meeting there. A nice new Triumph Tiger to look at.

I got home just after 8.00pm.

Lake Ferry

Around midday the weather started to clear with some patches of blue and a call from Alan started the planning for a mid afternoon ride. By 2.00pm there was barely a cloud in the sky although the wind was brisk. I called Alan at 2.30pm and we agreed a ride was on, so I got organised and headed off to Alans arriving just after 3.00pm.

We decided to go Martinborough for a coffee as we should be able to fit that in and get back home by 6.00pm. First stop was in Upper Hutt by Rimutex so Alan could check his fuel. It looked like there was enough to get to Featherston so we headed off with a stop at the summit. I went first so I could get a nice run up the hill through the corners. There were about 8 vehicles to pass on the hill; - no problem for the SV - just touch the throttle and I was past them in a couple of passing lanes. I was only stopped at the summit for a minute and Alan arrived; so the difference in time is not that great.

In Featherston we fuelled up and decided we could do the trip to Lake Ferry and probably stop at Martinborough on the way back for coffee. It was a nice brisk ride to Lake Ferry, a distance of 45kms. When we arrived the hotel looked inviting so we made that our coffee stop.

The ride back was also brisk with a stop in Featherston to text home (5.45pm) and then up the hill. Stopped at the summit for 10minutes and admired a Triumph Trident that Alan would have liked to own. The clouds were looking menacing. Headed home arriving at 6.50pm. A distance from Lake Ferry of 109kms.

An excellent way to finish the weekend. The bike has now done 5,500kms and I will be booking it in for its 6mth/6000kms service after Easter.

Last evening ride before daylight savings ends

The weather has been rough this week so I didn't go out on the Wednesday cruisy ride. Seven went on it and missed the rain but I am glad I didn't go as it was raining here by 8.45pm. So tonight I went on the real Thursday night ride. This is my second time with TRTNR group.

It was cooler and I wore thermals under the cordura. We went to the summit of the Takas and then back down to the Jigger and Parrot. Home by 8.45pm

City bays ride

Sunday afternoon and enough of shopping and then sitting behind the computer for hours. 4.00pm and time for a ride.

First a suburban tour through to the Karori tunnel and down Bowen Street. Around Oriental Bay where lots of people where on the beach and continued all the way back to the Motorway and home just on 6.00pm. A long slow trip with too much slow traffic. This is hard work on the SV1000 as most in gears 1 - 2 - 3. I shouldn't bother with this ride again.

Morning Ride

A nice day so off at 8.00am for a nice ride. I headed up the motorway with the first stop after fuel being the summit of the Rimutakas. I needed to stop to warm up. Yes it was cool and my chest and hands were cold. It was going to be a hot day so I didn't put any thermals on.

Then down to Featherston out out to Lake Wairarapa. A short stop there and back to the summit. Then back home via Whitemans Valley.

The bike is running well and I felt 'in the zone' going up to the summit, not fast but an efficient ride with the bike flowing through the curves and corners. I need more rides like this.

Ulysses

Tonight I rode to Petone to attend the Ulysses club monthly meeting. I now have a membership form which I will post off tomorrow with a cheque and I will be a member. Not an exciting ride but a nice evening to be out on the road and little traffic on the way home just after 9.00pm.

I can now grow old disgracefully.

Almost done 5000kms

Wednesday this week I went on the TCWNR. We went out to the Wainuomata Coast and then back to a bar in Eastborne.
Today went for ride to Alan's to view the work he has done on the Triumph. It is almost ready to fire up. We then went for a ride up to the lookout on the Paikokariki Hill. Stopped for a coffee on the way home and that was the day.

Bike has close to 5000kms. Next service is 6000kms.