With around 250 keen riders taking part on a stunning Waikato day, Metzeler’ s annual Elephant Run on March 23 was not only one of the best-attended, but it turned out to be a perfect day on great roads, ending in a prizegiving and relaxed get-together at Kaiaua’ s Bay View Hotel. Starting at the iconic Tuakau Bridge over the majestic Waikato River, the route took the bikes and riders down the popular( with motorcyclists) Highway 22 before diverting off towards Te Kauwhata, via some magic twisty roads. With the Waikato featuring balmy temperatures, clear skies and the roads virtually free of other traffic, it really was a great opportunity to enjoy the very best of what riding in the Waikato has to offer, getting off the beaten track- just what the Metzeler Elephant Ride is all about. After 160km of bliss, it was time to catch up with friends old and new, tell some tales and generally chill out in the sunshine and take in the prizegiving in the huge garden bar. Longest distance travelled to the event and bike of the day were awarded prizes and Steven Lee scooped the major spot prize – a set of Metzeler tyres. With not so much as a nanosecond of pause, Steven went for a set of super-sticky Racetec RR tyres from Mr Motorcycles. If you missed the ride and are kicking yourself, keep an eye on Forbes and Davies socials. The feedback was super positive, and everyone was all smiles as groups of riders got together to plan the best routes home. Many retraced their steps as they were in no hurry to get back to reality and get out of their riding gear, others, from different directions discussed routes that would continue on Waikato’ s finest backroads for as much of the homeward trek as possible. With more and more people getting into motorcycling, supported rides such as the Metzeler Elephant Ride are just one of the ways Forbes and Davies say they ' re going the extra mile to give back and with their list of prizes from the likes of Muc-Off, Ixon, ScorpionEXO and Gaerne as well as Metzeler, it was a simply superb win-win for 250 riders on a picture postcard day. For those who had not ridden those roads before, don’ t be strangers. Head to Forbes and Davies socials and block out the date for the 2026 edition.