Yamaha Gumboot Adventure Ride
‘Pesky’ Kempthorn needed a fix...
the Gumboot Ride more than did the job.
I
needed a fix, a riding fix, and fortune dictated a
test ride on a Yamaha XT250 was on the cards.
Then I needed somewhere suitable to ride,
and as luck would have it Britton Motorcycle
Adventures had a ride on based out of the
Moawhango Marae and Mike was also keen
for an old hand to help with sweep riding duties.
So, I loaded the bed and riding gear into the back
of the van and off I went to Taihape for the 2018
incarnation of the Gumboot Adventure Ride.
Friday night was help out a mate night with
tent construction, first timer route-sheet
loading, supplying insect repellant and, my
personal favourite, beer bottle recycling.
Saturday morning and, what do you know, ‘Stiffy’
Sparrow wolfed down the last of the bacon at
breakfast and I was last out of the gate, and had
a very pleasant surprise at the adequate power
from the Yamaha XT250’s small fuel-injected
motor, combined with predictable disc brakes and
compliant suspension. Two thumbs up from me.
After a grippy gravel road, the route entered the
first farm section where we were all presented with
the first challenges of the day. There was resetting
(lowering) of tyre pressures for a couple of riders as
by Peter Kempthorn
it seemed the threatened thunder had picked this
paddock to target. Minimal pushing had everyone
out onto another gravel section, but this time with
a twist... the grader was just finishing his week
by coating our path in marbles to reduce control
and confidence a little – but this is an adventure
ride and they can cope with a little skidderology.
As it turned out the rest of the day would have
no mentionable moisture on the ground, just
spectacular cliff formations, deep vertical river
channels, endless vistas and plenty of sunshine.
The morning’s 130km wound its way to the
middle of Taihape for lu