Rusty Nuts team 2017 For the past 5-6 years, The last weekend of September has been reserved for the Rusty Nuts, a bunch of old bikers who chose to celebrate the birthday of Greg by a few days on the road. Greg was committed for much of the year as a golf caddy on a professional tour for talented nephew Dylan, calling the shots at many famous courses and events, and so was pleased when Mike M offered to handle the Rusty Nuts - which, ever the organiser, he duly flicked on to me. We decided on the reverse course of a tour we did 4-5 years ago, circumnavigating East Cape, and overnighting in Te Kaha and Napier, taking in about 1500km over the 3 days (and even more for those hardy souls who live north of the Harbour bridge). A record 15 good bastards signed up for the tour, each paying the deposit required to secure a spot and guarantee a highly prized Rusty Nuts souvenir T Shirt. As an added bonus those who came last year could trot out last year's sweat shirt, Mike C having thoughtfully added a year by way of a proof reading error to the date. As the years have progressed, the odds and sods of marques has whittled down, and no longer do we have Hondas, Boulevards or BMW,s, with just two dissenters and late adopters(Craig and Garth) on Indians, still unwilling to leave the "Dark side", the rest of us on Harley's - there really is no accounting for taste. A week out, the weather forecast was causing concern, but as the date drew nearer and with each progressive day the outlook improved sufficiently to warrant committing and everyone turned up well prior to our agreed departure time - a sure sign that even old buggers can get excited! The reality was that we knew we'd get wet at some point, but hoped that we'd dodge the worst of it, Garth and Angus working on the theory (and hope) that if everyone else had struggled into their wet weather gear, it wouldn't rain and they'd be sweet - logic that did prove sound, at least some of the time. The 5 minute call was given, coffees finished and last minute pit stops awkwardly completed, multiple layers of gear to be worked around, with the possibility of wet boots in the event of too much rush, extra layers dug out of saddlebags in deference to the decidedly untropical conditions and the very possibility of rain to factor in Just prior to mounting up a woman walking across the car park, coffee in hand was roped into taking the obligatory team photo - she being given instructions from her fella, wondering why she'd been accosted and not him. And then we were off, an impressive sight and even more impressive sound, 15 Harleys (and I'll generously extend this courtesy to our buddies on Indians) causing people at the Gas station to look up and wave as we formed up and departed. We quickly ate up the km's, the Hauraki Plains soon before us damp and dreary under an overcast sky. Small Jersey and large bony hipped Friesian cows relaxed in their respective paddocks, all bearing post calving chalk marks - some destined to be presented to the bull, others less fortunate, unwittingly waiting for the freezing works truck. Likewise, heifer calves happily enjoying spring, but farms almost devoid of bobbies, with all but a fortunate few perhaps kept for future duties as a prized sire, or the less fortunate as steers, gelded and raised for the table. Matamata for coffee then up the Kaimais, our anticipated fast transition over the ranges frustratingly slowed by logging trucks involved in passing manoeuvres, a truckie determined that his skill and the horsepower of his loaded monster, capable of 51km an hour at best, could overtake a mate who could only manage 50km... Somehow we lost Neville between Mt Manganui and Opotiki - we'd stopped at Whakatane for a late lunch, with the temptation of a match made in heaven being too great to pass by, a Guiness and steak pie - in fact 2 Guinness's for Craig, the youngest in our group, but a man with a prodigious thirst. As we mounted up to leave, a quick head count proved that we were one short, and found that Nev was 40km hence, waiting unsure as to whether we'd been and gone or were yet to arrive. Not to worry, a quick blast sorted that out, a tank of gas at Opotoki, then off again taking advantage of the lack of traffic (and traffic cops), to enjoy the final leg to Te Kaha, having ticked off over 400kms for the day. The Te Kaha Beach Resort motel is a bit of an enigma, built in the 1990's and evidently a "leaker", consequently never quite finished, (as is evidenced by the elevator shaft that rises to 4 floors, even though the building stops at 3), and is perpetually in receivership, struggling in a little slice of heaven but never having quite enough income to do more than barely survive, although apparently well run by fabulous staff. A quick shower and tidy up then off to the bar, only to find the early starters had already made a head start, attacking the rigours of the day with enthusiasm, our outside table ever expanding until the whole group was there, making buying a round quite a handful. We'd arranged a meal and enjoyed steak, chicken, fish, pasta and salad, something for everyone, with chocolate brownie, fruit salad and cream for those who needed it, accompanied by too many bottles of Pinot noir, too many Jack Daniels and coke, and not nearly enough restraint. Fortunately most were too tired to hang on much after 11pm (or was it 12?), so a fairly early night - but not before many tall tales had been told, tight and twisty corners relived, and the day ahead discussed at length. Tomorrow, Te Kaha to Napier. Opotoki - Neville found!
katrina cole
2/10/2017 05:42:50 pm
this is why Apostrophes were invented Donald - Just prior to mounting up a woman - your 8th paragrhaph lol - at least you are all home safe :-) Comments are closed.
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Don MalcolmA perfect day involves being on my Harley with a long ride ahead.
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