KIWI RIDERS
individual activity and found things to do as a young family like exploring and camping . Small kids take a lot of entertaining !”
How did you get back into it ? “ I picked it up again as a later rider . My son also got into it and has a Harley Davidson Low Rider . He and I ride together now . His partner ’ s also got a motorbike , a Honda Rebel , and my wife happily rides pillion on the back of the Indian , and we all enjoy riding together .
What ’ s a go-to ride ? “ Where we live it ’ s easy to get out and around in Canterbury . There ’ s a real mix of bends and straight roads , and in a couple of hours we can ride through Rangiora , Loburn , Ashley Gorge , and the Waimakariri Gorge . Hanmer Springs from Christchurch is a nice ride too . Once you get out past Amberley the road goes up through Weka Pass and it ’ s a lovely ride , although a bit windy sometimes .”
What New Zealand ride is on your bucket list ? “ We ’ d love to get down to Milford Sound and
enjoy that area , but we haven ’ t done it yet . We go on overnight trips but not so many large trips because of work and time .”
What was the last trip on your bike ? “ The last decent trip was down through Methven into South Canterbury , through the Rakaia Gorge . Sometimes I just get out and go . A shorter trip was over to Akaroa from Christchurch . Out of the city , through Little River and up over the hill . Great scenery , and if you pick the time of day right you can miss the traffic .”
What ’ s your least favourite part of riding a bike ? “ Other than from the ACC levies ? I don ’ t think there ’ s a least favourite part . I think there ’ s parts that you either accept as a motorbike rider or you don ’ t . Like cars that don ’ t necessarily see or understand you , and the weather . When you ’ re in a car and it ’ s cold you can put the heating on , but on a bike when it ’ s cold you feel the cold . But I always think of it as a great way to know you ’ re alive .”
54 KIWI RIDER