Tractors, Triumphs and Eagles

 

A couple of Sunday's ago the weather provided yet another excuse to go for a ride. The Classics Crew gathered at the usual meeting place at Memorial Park and a decision was made to do one of our nicest  loop rides that has us back home mid afternoon or sooner. The Apiti loops familiarity makes for a pleasant ride in the country or a more calculated hurried ride, depending on your temperament. And so it turned out to be with most of the troops happy for the pleasant ride and some of us interspersed it from time to time with some chicken strip teasing on the tyres. Ian was in the pleasant category as he had Ashton on the back for his first long distance ride as he came out to sample a little bit of what older lads get up to. We had Dave out Guzzying and Richard onboard his Vstrom with Sir Al out for another rumble on the Sportster. The Triumphs were well represented with Ray on his Tiger, Keran on his Bonny and a surprise Triumph Speed Four with Bruce on board and yours truly on the GSR. 

We were soon on our way heading out towards Ashhurst and up the Valley towards our first stop at Totara Reserve where we regrouped and carried on towards Apiti. Bruce was giving the Speed Four plenty of stick and following along behind it was certainly evident it had plenty of get up and go. We parked up at what was once the local Apiti garage with its parking meters and redundant petrol pumps. It all certainly fitted into the Apiti Museum alongside it with its tractors and machinery on display. A great reason to stop again in the future. It also looked as though the hotel was up and running again after a string of owners. 

We were soon on our way to our coffee stop at Kimbolton. After some more bend swinging we were soon parked up in Kimbolton and headed to Hansens for a cuppa. The cafe is definitely a favourite amongst the crew and they were getting some good business. Kimbolton is looking a lot smarter these days and  a lot more alive especially with things like the annual sculpture competition and obvious refurbishment of buildings, foot paths and other amenities. There was an impressive eagle made out of shearing combs. horse shoes etc outside the pub. I wouldn't like to fall on it.  We meet an interesting fellow on his Royal Enfield Himalayan who builds custom cars by day and works as a mechanic with the Toyota Racing cars during the season. He had some interesting insights into the past and future of this really important racing class. He found the Himalayan a fun bike and fine for light touring and gravel work, but not very powerful. Mind you he had KTM dirt bike in his garage at home. 

All to soon we were on our way home. It was great having Ashton along and introducing him to one aspect of the motorcycling world. He seemed to be enjoying the experience, especially the cafe part. It is always nice quiet run down to the plains from Kimbolton and along the Cheltenham straights into Feilding. 

It was here there was a part two to the ride for Rich, Bruce and myself where we decided on a quick visit to the Harley Davidson track day at Manfeild. It was definitely a different style of meeting from the usual meetings with,  you guessed it, lots of Harley's. It wasn't so much the bikes but the people who made it interesting. The biggest tent (marquee really) was the Hells Angels and they were busy selling Tee shirts etc. A different crowd who judging by their bikes took pride in them with some great customisation's. Bruce's bright yellow Speed Four certainly stood out amongst the chrome and darker hues.

Yet another interesting day out and about that shows how lucky we are to live in a country and region where we can indulge our interest and passion for motorcycles.