STILL GOT TO GET HOME
Woah, not so fast I was still 1000km from home!
It was a sunny Sunday morning with the tide
out, so Phil One and Phil Two said, “Let’s ride
down the beach on the way south” so packed up
and fully laden, it was back to the sand. I stayed
on here until Baylys Beach while the pack of
Phils went all the way to Poutu, about 97km.
My old friend the crosswind was back for my
ride south east to Maungaturoto where I cut off
the corner by using Mountain Road. This would
usually be awesome gravel, but the grader had
done his thing, so I rode on deep marbles all the
way back to boredom road number one.
The western option had me into Helensville
for fuel and an interesting convoy with a Harley
brother, who was extremely brave on passing
blind but not as brave as a fully laden DR on
knobbly tyres at corner time. We had a catch
up in Kumeu while I was fitting the rain linings
again and he seemed impressed by trail bikes. I
was tactful enough not mention the yellow line
thingies and what they were for, so we parted as
comrades against the tin top sheeple.
Then it was a yawn ride all the way to Pukekohe
at the posted speed limit or within the margin
for error anyway. Amazement over, I headed for
Port Waikato and down the coast to Raglan, and
the much vaunted Whanga coast road. Today
the road was clogged with surfies and tourists,
so very slow and lots of sun strike. At Oparau I
made a decision based on “heavy dew so wet
tent, not enough grog to sleep well and warm
weather meaning I wouldn’t sleep well anyway”.
So I made a dash for home.
A short stop in Taumarunui had me fit the
last of my street clothes and smelly pre-used
thermals to stay warm. I figured I would be fast
enough to outrun my own smell and if the worst
happened they could act as smelling salts to
revive me. Thankfully nothing happened and I
steered on through the night until my gate. It
took a while to realise I was home and lock up,
shower and sleep.
The GPS says 2063km at 67.3km/h average
and 30.4 hours on the move, resulting in a bald
rear tyre (had already done three adventures)
and a sore arse. That was the trade against a
complete mental reboot, time with friends, a
badge with a whale on it and a story to tell. I
rate that as a fine swap.
THANKS
Farewell Mike and Angela, we all wish you well
with the overseas tours and hope someone
106 KIWI RIDER
picks up the reigns for the local stuff with the
same friendly, mostly rideable tracks.