Wairarapa Wander

 It has been on the cards for a while. A wander around the southern part of the Wairarapa has been discussed as a ride for a good couple of years with weather, time or life just not making it happen. Gary A was very certain that we would enjoy such a day out and the 'committee' meet and decided it would be a suitable way to see in the New Year as opposed to our original intention of a Fish and Chips run to Castlepoint. That will have to wait.

The morning of January the 2nd arrived with a fine and clear sky. The forecast was promising a very fine day over the ranges as well, with temperature's heading towards thirty degrees in the afternoon. Our 9am departure saw quite a range of bikes and riders keen for day out that would involve at least five hours in the saddle. Another issue for some was 'range anxiety', with one part of the route not going near a petrol station for over 200kays. With contingencies in place, ie plenty of stops, filling up in Pahiatua before we hit the backroads, we were on our way. It was an impressive snake of motorcycles that made its way up the Pahiatua Track and on to our first stop in Pahiatua.

 After topping up the group split into two as one group decided to take a more direct route to our lunch stop in Featherston via the main drag. This was to see what had become of one of the crew who was due to meet us in Pahiatua. The rest of us headed off down Mangaone Road on the scenic route along some very familiar roads. Pah Road seemed to be especially enjoyable with its lovely mix of long open corners and tight sections through forested countryside. In no time Alfredton School arrived and the wait for the others began. 

In the meantime crew number two managed to acquire the missing member and after a run down to Eketahuna made there way out to Alfredton with the plan being to catch up to the first group. It didn't workout that way and the next couple of hours saw Gary leading the first group down Highway 52 and then onto some of the backroads and ended up in Martinborough via Longbush Road. It was then down to the southern end of Lake Wairarapa and up to Featherston for a late lunch.

Crew number two followed a similar route to Martinborough but made the decision to flag the Lake Wairarapa circuit and catch up in Featherston. Lunch was then had and posterior's rested and for those who were still up for more Gary plotted another route via Mauriceville and then home. By this time of the day the temperature was well into the 30s and some of the troops reported on 'black ice' moments. Thankfully everyone made it home in one piece and I am sure we all slept very well that night and with the settled summer months before us, I am sure some more wanders are on the cards.

Roll call

Gary A - BMW 650GS

Rich  - Suzuki 650 Vstrom

Gary W - Suzuki GSR750

Graham - Triumph T120

Sir Al - Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster

Ian - Kawasaki W650

John - BMW 600/5

Grant M - Suzuki GSX1100

Grant - BMW K75

Roger - Suzuki GS1100G

Ray - BMW R850

Stuart - Suzuki GS1200 Bandit

Bruce - Suzuki GS1200 Bandit

Kenny - BMW R1150R

Dave - Moto Guzzi 850V7