counter when the Vespas arrived. We had great chats and met new, fellow riders and then convened to the car park where we discovered the prize allocations list had been left behind. A hasty conversation drew up a new list and Harry, Mark, Angela and I handed out the prizes supplied, caps, T’ s and mugs, to happy recipients. Loudest horn, Best helmet / scooter match, Most handsome rider, Longest ride so far award, Best pillion( only), Most chrome, and Most decals / stickers, and more. The eyes kept turning to the skies as heavybellied grey brutes scudded in from the north, and hasty farewells were made, as Simon joined the Auckland homeward crew. He’ d ridden down the night before and was therefore the only Aucklander to actually complete the full, planned ride. Reports were that the gathering was successful, the ride a treat, and NTB Racing had delivered an excellent event for all. As we headed over the Waikato hills along the ridgeline of Glen Murray we could see a black wall approaching like something doomy out of Mordor, and off to the east a line of lighter clouds with glimpses of light. Luckily, we seemed to skirt the edges of the approaching storm, plunging along as fast as we could down Runciman Road, and as we reached the highway it became a dash for home, and every man for himself. Jeff and Johnny opted to take the Manukau exit and regretted it shortly thereafter. Chris, Simon and I lanesplit, and then got absolutely blootered in a typhoon-grade, lightning-lit downpour. Soaked to the skin, and riding through two to three centimetres of gushing rainwater in traffic slowed to a crawl, I found myself laughing. I was nearly home and so wet it didn’ t matter, and I had a superb time splooshing between cars. Life is good. Texting the crew afterward, as I lay in a hot bath with my wet gear soaking the bathroom towel rails, I reflected on an excellent day.
KIWI RIDER 45