DUVROC (Down Under Vulcan Rider & Owners Club) Vulcan Owners in New Zealand.
Wednesday morning and its saddle up and ride from Auckland to Palmerston North, its a little overcast but clearing as we ride south, warming and brightening every minute. We manage with the cruise locked in at 102kph to maintain a very good average, only releasing the cruise for the odd tight corner or township, but mostly we can just sweep through the twisties and blip past any slow traffic without hardly a thought.
Taupo approaches so we pull in for fuel and food, and after an hours relaxing we head off again heading across the Desert road which is just beautiful with perfect blue skies, the mountains are clear and we are in heaven carving the miles away through the ravines and back up to the plateau at around 900m above sea level.
Finally we pull into Palmerston North and arrive at our childrens estate for a coffee and unload.

Thursday morning we headed off for a local ride around the manuwatu and head south via shannon down to Levin and Otaki for a brilliant coffee and pastry, and once again set off to continue our loop back to palmy.

Friday and a late start so we meet at Jazz’s (Kaw Pastures) and once all are assembled we depart at 11am for a ride over the Pahiatua Track, stopping at the lookout for a photo op, then on to the Balance rd to the manuwatu gorge where we turn right and then over the Saddle rd over the ranges towards Ashurst, stopping at the Windmills of course. From here its off down the Pohongina Valley for a lunch stop at the Irish bar, sitting in the sunshine under big umbrellas we are all suitable rereshed, Excellant service too, from the sole charge lass with refreshments and food.
Once again on the road through to Ashurst and then on to Palmerston and the beer fridge its a scorcer day and the BBQ later in the evening is a roaring success with excellent company to boot.

Saterday 9am start today so we are all assembled at Kaw Pasture (Kawasaki’s home in the Manuwatu and raring to go, we set off on a pootle through the back roads of Feilding where the cloud looks a little threatening but it amounts to nothing, Feilds road if memory serves, which winds its way down & up those amazing white cliffs which constantly shed a little something and after some amazing twisties we arrive at Mangaweka and a photo op under the DC3 of course

Then on to Waiouru and a hike across to Tangiwhai where the train wrecked itself on 24 dec 1953, From here its on to Ohakune and a bit of refreshment and some fuel.
After a mighty lunch we are off climbing Mount Ruapehu to the top, well to the chair lifts anyhow (Top Car Park), around 1623m altitude, its rather fresh here, but the little wisps of cloud peel away and we have a stunning view of Taranaki and points south. We are glad to be heading down to warmer temperatures and its onwards to National Park where we arrive mid-late afternoon and after unloading and securing the bikes its off to the Pub next door for some refreshments and later on a meal,
Next morning and its a early start, stowing the gear

We are off further north for some breakfast at Taumaranui and suitably refilled with food and gas we head down the Forgotten World Highway, man this road is still a brilliant road to run, very tight, very bumpy and hours of pure fun. finally running out of seal and onto the 15kms of dirt. Amazing what a great 600kg Dirt bike the fully loaded Vulcan makes, the shocks are pumped to their highest settings, ( I must have had a premonition the night before) and it handled it all very well, just stoked along. Unfortunately Im still carrying around 5kgs of dirt on the bike as I write.
Whongamomona Pub is a stop of course so we work some of the soil out of our throats, The pub is for sale should anyone like to own it
Onwards to Stratford and a Lunch break and a chinwag. From here its on to Wanganui and a tour through the city just for the hell of it and then on to Bulls and back to Palmy for a refreshment or two.
Then its back to our lodgings at the Kids abode, and in the morning a brilliant ride home to the North Shore,
2300kms for this run and its been in cracker weather.
Howard / Rosemary, Dave / Gaylene, Rob / Cathy, Don, Richard, Paul, Clive, Trevor, It was a brilliant few days Guys n Gals, thanks for the company and Hospitality, We enjoyed every second of it.