We were cruising at just on the speed limit enjoying the cruise.
When woodcock rd appeared we hung a right and settled in for a nice comfortable ride through the twisties, road conditions were excellant, no nasty bits of gravel lying in the middle of the corners that the big trucks deposit from time to time.
Reaching the summit is always a buzz and then the tight corners heading back down towards warkworth, where we stopped for a hour or so to partake of some food and capachinos at the Bridgehouse Cafe.
Leaving Warkworth and heading south we took the old road (rather than the tunnel & toll rd) Brett opted for the short route home, but we always get a real buzz coming around some of these corners on the old road to be presented with a vista of the pacific coast blue waters stretching for miles to the south, dotted with beaches and coves.
Another 25kms and we are home, time to test the Powercommander V with the new pipes, it was backfiring on decel a lot and i dont like it, if the power commander doesnt fix it Im going back to stock pipes, I like a reasonable quite ride when Im cruising
All in all a great day considering its winter

Bayview and Napier looks as it always does, sleepy hollow art one end and busy city at the other.

We rode on to our Grand childrens home only to find mum (Aleischa) was home but the kids were still making their way  home from school, Well, when the twins stepped in the door I was taken aback, they had not only grown lots but they were just the most gorgeous young lasses you can imagine. Crikey, we just dont seem to be able to get to see them often enough, and it just made us feel how much we miss them.

Dad Gary, called the wayward Jordan to see where he was at and a short while later Jordan arrived, flabbergasted again , our number one grand son has also become a young man, darn near as tall as I am, and will soon tower over me I suspect, man it was  good to see him, and after lots of hugs all round with Mum (Aleischa), Hendrina, Keischa & Jordan we also got to say hi to Garys beatuiful daughter Casey, (hope I spelled that right)

Anyway, you now how it goes, one thing led to another and the girls talked Opa into taking them for a few blats on the beast, the twins of course were game for anything and seemed to love it, young Casey was not to sure, so we took her for a wee spin up and down the street, and soon the terrified look was replaced with a smile. and ofcourse the rest wanted another blat as did Casey three biker chicks there LOL

All in all, we had a great day, just loved the time we spent with the Grandkids, thats always a highlight , Finally its pitch black out and time we headed to our motel for the night in Hastings.

After a quick unload of the bike we popped over the grab a bite to eat from a local restaraunt and then headed over to catch up with Lo’s sister Joan and her partner Rangi, also a most enjoyable visit, we hadn’t caught up for some time so there was lots of catching up to do

Saterday morning and its very overcast but no rain, so we loaded up the bike and headed north to Napier and refilled the beast then off up the valley to run the Napier / Taupo track again, stayed dry all the way, and it was a really relaxed cruise. Arriving on the outskirts of Taoupo and its bucketing down, the roads are just awash and greasy as can be, from here on its no more cruise control, I need to control the throttle with utmost care, a little too much power even on a straight piece of road and the back wheel steps out, we had a few moments where I could see the slippery patches but they were right across the road so no dodging them and sure enough the front and rear wheels stepped out a few hundred mm each time, we motored on  picking each section of road to dodge the atrocious  road conditions, some sections (state highway 1 would you believe)  were just so badly engineered that water lay in the huge hollows in the road, full of water and of course also the oil/deisel etc off the roads) I really pity any new inexperienced riders they are riding into death traps. some of the driest parts of the road were actually in the gutters, which is where I went on occassion safest place to ride ..

Arriving at Tirau we pulled in for a hot chocolate  and a bite of lunch, this poor restaraunt was ful to the brim, all the travellers pouring out of there cars and heading in looking for tables that didnt exist, service was slow to say the least.

Still raining, we helmetted up and headed north to Cambridge and a fuel stop, once again out into the torrential rain and back via Gordonton,  it seems everyone is trying to dodge the main roads today, no idea why, so it was hard going from there all the way to Auckland. the motorway was busy and when we finally pulled into our garage we were glad to get out of our bike gear which was pretty heavy with water, though we were warm and mostly dry, my summer gloves which I couldnt be bothered stopping to change for my heavier winter ones, were soaked through, I just turned on the handgrip warmers and that solved the wet hand problems

Just over 1000kms round trip and a most enjoyable few days. The mighty Vulcan Voyager didnt miss a beat and was a joy to ride.

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.

A lazy run through Riverhead and then cut across to Helensville, just nobody on the road today, few cars and next to no bikes. Once out of the burbs its time to give her some air and lay some sweet curves, I just love riding in the zone, plan every corner and know exactly which square inch of road I will ride over. I can run these roads without any use of brakes its all in perfect timing and planning for the unforseen 100 klicks up the road I rolled to a stop and checked the tyres, nice and warm, chicken strips mostly gone, so its time to head back to home base and catch up with the other half, we need to go shopping a quick check of the tyres once cold, reset the suspension to 28lbs, we are set for the run down the island in a few days. Woohoo.

We have some excellent back roads within 10 minutes of the shore and they are always a pleasure to ride so Im soon in the groove, laying corners left and right through the twisties and giving her little air in the straighter sections, the beauty of a big Cruiser/Tourer is that you dont need to be doing lightning sppeds to have a ball, these beasts weigh in at over half a ton with rider aboard so need skillful attention to make them perform in the tighter twists and when you power up out of the apex the feeling is just pure adrenalin. Ive ridden lots of bikes in my lifetime and whilst the nostalgia kicks in when thinking of the old school rides the performance, power, braking and handling of a modern beast is just the same difference between a Austin A30 and a modern BMW 7 series.
I was about to head for twin bridges up in northland but my helmet is giving me a problem, the communications kit I have installed is putting pressure on my ears and need to be recessed a mite further in so its time to head back south, A quick visit to Orewa & Silverdale on the way back to have a nosey at the new housing developments , man its stretching out, I used to love this place when I lived here many years ago, now its starting to look like every other touristy spot, overcrowded on weekends. Yuk.
Back on the orad again and off up SH17 for a nice relaxing cruise home, the cruise control is set on 90kph and o the odd occasion when traffic appears in front its just a matter of a slight lean right and left and its clear road once again. must get a cappachino cup holder, feel like one righ now !
All too soon its Albany and suburbia, back down to 50 klicks and idle home.

God I love riding , anyday, anywhere, any excuse

February and we ran a loop of the Corromadel Peninsular, a really brilliant ride of around 450-470kms weather was mostly good and whilst the bike got covered in mud from the road works, (there has been some pretty wild weather in this area over the last week or two, totally crazy considering its mid summer. but who’s complaining lots of brilliant twisties on this run so it was a buzz.
Then today we did a run up north with friends which included SH16, (loved by all bikers) then back to Warkworth and the Bridgehouse for lunch and refreshments. then we hiked over woodcocks which is always a real buzz especially when the road conditions are hot ant the sun is streaming over the bush covered countryside. We continued south to Kaukapakapa and then swung left down Peak road and up the old North rd till we hit Riverhead & Coatsville. again just brilliant running through the forest. Back onto SH17 at Albany and down the motorway to the Auckland Harbour Bridge where we parted with our riding buddies and headed home. A Stunning day with excellent company, Washed the crap off the bike from its last two days running, hmm need to get her in for a Service soon, and maybe line up some new tyres as well.
You cant beat NZ backroads for some excellent cruising. Roll on next weekend.

Anyhow you guessed it, we got there before our Waikato buddies Cliff & Margy who turned up around 10minutes after we arrived. We had expected that in their normal manner we would find them installed eating a hearty breakfast LOL.
Anyhow after greetings and a bit of a chat we headed further south west o through beaut green countryside to Otorohanga & Te Awamutu, where a very short discussion took place (Margys fault, She mentioned She hadnt eaten in Taumaranui before) (LOL These guys n Gals will find any excuse to ride) The weather ofcourse was just one out of the box, blue skies, no a breath of wind, perfect road conditions and all of us, riders and pillions just wanted to ride.. and ride.. and ride
So south we went on to Taumaranui and a stop off at the Copper Kettle where food and coffee was ordered while everyone caught up with recent events.
After a fuel top up we once again mounted up and headed east for Turangi and turned off as we hit the bottom of the lake, then headng north through some stunning countryside we travelled on to Tokoroa, some amazing miles of roads through our stunning forrests.
The Voyager just sung as we cruised mile after mile of every sort of road imaginable, plenty of twisties ofcourse but also some of the best sweepers that the bikes love so much, I still cant beleive just how comfortable this bike is and just how well it handles NZ roads, in a word Pure Magic, (okay, two words)
The odd Lake here and there and a Hydro Dam to ride over just just makes this a special peice of landscape.
From Tokoroa we headed north west over to Matamata for a fuel & Coffe stop, say our goodbyes to Cliff & Margy, and then we all set off to Maramarua, leaving Cliff to peel off part way so they could loop back to Hamilton.
The Wing of Dave & Kirsty is having a little problem with top gear, is has the sound of a faulty or bent selector or even a damaged gear, and it doesnt like to engage fully so the Wing stays in 4th the rest of the way, which makes no odds to the goldwing, it just carries on regardless.
Finally back onto the Northern Motorway at the Bombays and we hit the usual traffic but still make good time, Seems the southbound lanes are blocked around manukau because a couple of cars have had a bit of a accident leaving cars sprawled all over the lanes.
Up and over the Harbour Bridge and we peel off as the Wing cruises on for another 25kms and home
Its been a full days ride, covering over 740 klicks for us and probably close to 800 for Dave & Kirsty, We hopped off the bike and still felt excellant but we know we have had a full day out, we will sleep well tonight.
This route has got to be one of the outstanding 2010 rides and we are ALL keen to do it again, and probably again

A Link to this route     http://www.quikmaps.com/show/152542

Once again, our thanks to our riding buddies whose company  makes this sort of a cruise a special event.

The weather here is just stunning, traffic is light for this area and we head off to Corromandel Town, then over the hill and along the coast, just wrapped in the twisties, a few throttle jocks on some sporties blatted past at one stage at something like 1.6 light speed but we were in the groove at a comfy pace. This section of road is just a pleasure to lay into, and these bikes certainly know how to do that they are a heavyweight.

Whitianga saw us pull in for lunch and a refresher. the wind here was a little cooler but still a blindingly fine day, Finally we said our goodbyes to Cliff & Marg, who were peeling off at Lopu after the Ice road we had a sporty or two tag along a fair way back from here also, and we all had a really comfy pace and made home in good time, not really held up anywhere by traffic. Waved off Dave & Kirsty on the northern motorway Fantastic Day, now to see if Lo is awake