Bandit Rider: Only a quick pootle

No driving on Saturday and a later begin on Sunday noticed me lastly deciding to get out and soak up somewhat trip round 11 within the morning.

We might had some fairly chilly climate earlier within the week and on Friday, Whariti acquired a giant dump of snow on it.  There have been loads of images on-line of 4WD’s clambering up by way of the snow and ice, towing sleds and all types of chilly shenanigans.  With Saturday being hotter, I believed that it would not be an icy journey up however that there nonetheless is perhaps some snow to take a look at.

In order that was the plan.  After crossing the Saddle, I turned up in the direction of the height, stopped briefly to try to start out a GoPro with a flat battery, waited for 2 4WD’s to go previous after which took off up the gravel highway.

Rounding a nook, I encountered a little bit of slippery stuff, pulled my head in somewhat after which popped out of the bushes and into…wind.

Now, for those who do not know, it blows up there.  That is why there’s windmills in every single place and typically it is too windy for them as properly.  On one BRR trip, a bunch us acquired a bit additional up the hill after which practically acquired blown off it.  Turning the bikes round was a mission…

Being on my lonesome, I used to be not eager to be blown off the aspect of the hill (and never even having acquired up as excessive as that BRR trip), I made a decision to vary my plans.

On our final trip out East (no weblog ) I might actually loved our final squirt of gravel on Tararua Street and determined that I may simply nip over to Pahiatua or trip by way of Ballance to get there earlier than the quick little bit of gravel after which dwelling for lunch.

Or I may meander my method in every single place after which do Tararua Street.

After plugging within the GoPro to kind out its lack of ergs, I made my method by way of to Woodville after which onwards.  The climate did not look one of the best in order I rode by way of Hopelands I saved my choices open with various alternative ways I may wimp out and nonetheless soak up Tararua Street or skedaddle dwelling.  The factor was although, I used to be having fun with myself an excessive amount of and saved arising with different choices to increase the trip and get in additional good gravel.

Ultimately I picked a route by way of Coonoor and Waitahora Roads after which again into Dannevirke for lunch earlier than making my method to Pahiatua and Taraura Street.  

I picked up the odd little bathe on my method to Coonoor and the roads (sealed) have been actually a bit slippery however did have one different rider on a Beemer come previous heading the opposite method. 

Hitting the gravel on Coonoor highway, I finished briefly to refit and activate the GoPro and managed to seize 16 seconds of video and 20 odd minutes of audio of the trip – superior.  So what you do not see in that superior footage is a barely slippery (slippery arduous clay with marbles on prime) begin to the gravel adopted by some a lot better quick gravel.  The gravel part of Waitahora Street was a lot the identical and life was good.

All pics taken on the Northern (Dannevirke) finish of Waitahora Street. 

Cruising into Dannevirke, it was solely about 1pm and the worms weren’t getting too carried away and there was nonetheless gasoline within the tank so I made a decision to hold on to Pahiatua and verify these objects on the market.  No gravel on my route however I did persist with the again roads to maintain off the primary roads and benefit from the slippery, winter seal.

Someplace close to Mangatainoka, the gasoline gauge lastly began giving me the evil eye so I made for the BP in Pahiatua the place I put slightly below $60 within the tank!  And found (but once more) that that they had some pies that may very well be had if one was peckish.

19.3L and we have been prepared for the subsequent 400+ kms…

Leaving Pahiatua I had my goal in sight and must say that Tararua Street was simply as a lot enjoyable because it was the final time I went by way of.  Properly value my little tiki-tour to get there

After which there was my final little bit of pleasure – testing out the moist climate efficiency of my E-09 entrance.  Not too shabby for what appears quite a bit like a knobbly…

And ten minutes later I used to be dwelling and hooking right into a espresso after a fairly neat little trip.

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