The Apiti Loop

 

The Apiti Loop is one of the 'go to rides' for those of us who live in the Manawatu. If you are a little short of time it is a ride that can be easily done in a morning or an afternoon. Take a little bit longer and throw in a meal or a cuppa and it is an easy four hours. It meanders through some of the nicest mix of scenic countryside and farmland as it hugs up to the Ruahine Ranges. This is our favoured direction with Ashhurst being the gateway and on and up the Pohangina Valley towards our first stop off at Totara Reserve. Camp Rangi Woods is located here which is where many bike rallies have been based over the years. This became our first stop on our first 'Loop de Loop' of what could be described as our first run of the new riding season.  After more than a few minutes of chatting and checking all was well with bikes and riders we were on the way to our next stop at Apiti.

After a good run up through the Pohangina Valley we pulled up outside Apiti Garage. We got chatting to a couple of lads out doing the same run as us with one of them on an early nineties GSXR 1100 and the other on a Triumph Speed Triple. It was interesting watching all the patrons turning up for Sunday lunch at the tavern. It has turned out to be a very popular destination with bookings essential. 

 Kimbolton and Hansens Cafe were calling with thoughts of cuppa and some kai . It is a nice little run from Apiti with a great mixture of corners to keep you on your toes. Hansens Cafe proved to be a very busy place with everyone out making the most of the sunny morning. The Back Road boys looked as though they had spent a bit of time amongst some mud and gravel and the line of bikes at Kimbolton certainly looked impressive. All we needed was Brando or Lee Marvin to swagger up the street and into the cafe..... The poor cafe owners were a little overwhelmed I think with a few mismatched orders coming our way. We were eventually fed and watered and were on our way back home via the very relaxed Kimbolton and Cheltenham straights .

A great way to get the riding season underway and more of the same please in the months ahead!