In spite of the rain we are ahead of schedule and have stopped for coffee and a scone
We are at a cafe in Waiouru, time for breakfast. As expected it has been raining all the way, but we followed a van that was doing a good clip and have made good time.
Craig now knows that his wet weather gear leaks. Wellington and the ferry beckons. The weather forecast was for rain, and they were on the money.
We leave in 5 minutes, a slow ride to catch the 2:25 ferry ahead. Fortunately we are hard arse Harley men (perhaps Craig could be an honorary Harley man) and not made of Brown Sugar The 2016 Iron Run is over, and Paihia has returned to a sleepy wee town again, at least until Easter - weather permitting. The H-D roadshow would have been pleased to tear down their exhibits - I understand they took down the Iron Run Facebook page for a time - the negative comments seemingly proving too embarassing to bear. Our crew enjoyed a BBQ beside the pool at our motel - Camel & Judy pulling out all the stops to cater for numbers that kept increasing - loaves and fishes were mentioned more than once. What was planned as an early night became a late one as Mike's C & M arrived bearing several bottles of pinot noir, and Nev manfully tackled Paihia Petes Gentleman Jack. We departed Paihia at 8, breakfast at Waipu, and home by noon with time to wash Sabrina in anticipation of the next leg of the journey. I met Mike C & Craig at BP South at 3, and 3 hours later we're sitting on the deck at the motel pondering dinner. Today was the Thunder Run - 500-600 bikes and the high light of this years Iron Run in Piahia.
Talk of the morning was last nights debacle - I'd imagine the event organisers will be licking their wounds. Anyway, things have worked out ok and everyone is in good spirits. H-D Australia took over the running of the NZ Harley event last year, and did a great job in Queenstown.
The photo shows part of what $75 a head got us , (plus a small yogurt). Very disappointed crowd. The smart people from H-D should be in damage control- credibility is hard won and quickly lost, Today offered the choice of two rides, scenic Wangaroa, or another all day thrash to Tane Mahuta with Crads.
As a volunteer I did what i was told and enjoyed the shorter ride, as a road marshall (which means standing on the side of the road in a floro vest, cooking in the hot sun. Having to catch up meant giving Sabrina (my Harley) the opportunity to go for it, the bark of her big engine a real turn on, radar detector set on "very high" Another great day on the road! Puss decided at 4:25 that it was time to get up, cheating me of that last few minutes before the alarm went off. I cranked the bike up at 5:30 (as quitely as I could), and headed to BP north in Dairy Flat to hook up with Crads for one of his famous Hard Arse ride's - Paihia via Cape Reinga. My 7 LED headlight cut through the darkness, but did little to ward of the chill - a reminder that mid March is Autumn not summer. Even before most of Auckand wa awake, the traffic on the motorway was extraordinary, especailly from the North Shore and over the bridge - a solid pre dawn stream ofoncoming headlights - I was pleased to be heading in the opposite direction. Bikes arrived in their ones and two's, excited bikers joining the queue for a coffee before Crads rounded 25 of us up for a briefing, then we were off. I was appointed "tail end Charley", typically a job that involves rounding up straglers and dealling with any breakdowns or problems - today there weeenone of either, our team of riders all being competent and quick - a real advantage when following Crads (who needs to get his speedo fixed). A quick trip north, with a constant steady stream of milk tankers and logging trucks (and for a while, rural school buses), to remind us that we were out of town. The Twin Bridges route between Whangarei and Kaikohe was new to me, a fabulous alternative to SH1, very picturesque and a welcome stop for those needing a comfort stop. On to Kaikohe, town very much on a downward spiral, with little main street commerce other than takeaways, cafes and second hand shops - although Instant Finance seemed to be doing well. Whilst on the bones of their collective backsides, the locals appeared pleased to have our Harleys in town - aspirational perhaps. From their to the Cape to collect the commemorative badges Harley Australiasa were providing to anyone who'd made the trek - unfortunately the aussies underestimated the enthusiasium of Kiwi riders and had run out . The walk from carpark to the lighthouse is quite beautiful, although rather ominously, all down hill, making the return journey in boots and leathers a test, especially in the heat. We arrived in Paihia ready for a beer (several actually), stories to swap, looking forward to the activities of the next few days. It is 5pm Sunday and despite my best efforts, the weekend is winding down. I have fish to fillet, the spoils of this mornings efforts. I ventured into the predawn after a walk around the neighbourhood (making sure I remain in top spot in our company Fit Bit Challenge). The harbour was at its best, a duckpond in spite of the dozens of small boats and jet skis rushing out to their prefered lucky fishing spots. As usual I approached the idea of fishing rather half heartedly, a weak excuse for enjoying time on the water. Even the most incompetent fisherman must get luck occasionally and today was my day. Yesterday saw wade and I out on our Harleys, again bright and early, before too many Auckland motorists decided to clog up the roads - finishing our ride with a nice breakfast in trendy Jervois Road. |
Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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