City Honda Twilight Ride December 2020

Went out for my first twilight ride on Wednesday, and it certainly was a different experience from our usual wanders around the countryside. Sir Al sent a text through  earlier in the week letting yours truly know the ride was on and our destination was going to be via our Hopelands to Dannevirke. Meeting up at City Honda with thirty plus other riders had us out the gate and on the road just after 6:00pm. We were soon heading towards the Pahiatua track via Bunnythorpe and Ashhurst with Pahiatua township quickly in the  rear vision mirrors.  The turnoff at Mangatainoka saw us stop and regroup for the run up to Dannevirke via Hopelands. Some great backroads soon had us meeting State Highway 3 at Oringi and then the run into Dannivegas where we were soon outside the Mangatera Hotel.

With a decidedly skewed average bike age closer to teenage years (if not younger) the phrase 'modern bike' certainly comes to mind. Sir Al was leader of the pack for the run on his recently purchased Harley Sportster. He certainly looked the part with his bandana around his neck and ear to ear smile as he professed how much of a unique riding experience a Harley is. Bruce A came along for the first time as well and found he was happiest at the back of the pack as Sir Al 'potato potatoed' his way along at the front. The GSR was right at home amongst all these bikes and the number of across the frame fours was music to the ears of those so inclined. Als bike had plenty of company with a good number of Harley Davidsons and a few VTRs in the mix as well. Not to leave out the parallel twins with Neil from City Honda giving a CBR500 its beans on the way into Oringi. Not far behind was Mike on his little red Ninja doing the same on his first road ride ... ever!

It is this mixture of bikes and riders that made this ride special. As we piled into the bar at Mangatera Hotel it made for a very convivial evening and banter over a few ales and a hearty fish and chips or burger meal. With Patrick from City Honda parked up next to the till he would throw a dice and a six got you a free meal. All good fun. With the sun quickly disappearing behind the Ruahine's we pointed our bikes in dribs and drabs back to Palmerston North down the main drag. A great way to spend a midweek summer evening. Recommended.