Rang Boob this morning and said, "Go to the middle of Havelock North, find Middle Rd and ride down it. Stop when you get to Patangata. I'll meet you there"

Got on the Bird and headed off around 9:45. Had to pause round the corner and explain the give way rules to an ignorant beemer driving tosser who decided he could stop and convince me that although he obviously didn't know them, he might still be able to convince me that he was in the right. Fail. I ever so diplomatically suggested it might be an novel idea to obtain a copy of the road rules and learn them.

Headed out through the gorge and up SH2 at a pace befitting the blue monster. Got closer to the Takapau plains and just couldn't bear the thought of doing that lot at the legal limit so turned off at Matamau and headed for Ormondville. Sweet. Opened her up before Takapau and blistered up the plains, buzzed the golf course and shot back on to SH2 at the other side. Pootled through Waipuk and onto Waipawa, then turned off to Patangata and stretched the legs again.

Found the Boobster in his natural environment, lazing under a tree with a V. Judging by his grin, he was mightily impressed with Middle Rd (no surprise there). We shot the shit and marvelled at our respective machines for a while (as you do), then decided we better actually ride the jolly things somewhere. NOTE: It is GREEN and it is a KWAKA. God help us all. (It is quite nice tho). Anyhoo, headed back to Waipawa at a good pace then Waipuk and had decided the Porangahau, Wimbledon, Weber, Dannevirke route would be the perfect way to introduce Boob to the fine road-fare that is on offer in that area.

Bloody mint ride, generous pace all the way to Porangahau with the Ninja glued to my tail, including one oh shit moment; three genius sheep dashed out towards me but luckily turned back as I grabbed a hand and footful of anchor. Stopped for sustenance at Porangahau, that place is always a great place to pause, and as usual, it was drowned in sunshine.

Carried on to Wimbledon, slowed to let Boob (try to) read the worlds longest place name, again, great ride, good flow. Paused for a couple of photos and then headed on through the tight section to Weber which is in it's usual state, bit of gravel, few tree branches, and eight turkeys (no, not mods, real turkeys) in the middle of the road. No great dramas. After Weber the road opened up again and we had a sublime run back to Dannevirke. This included an even bigger oh shit with another sheep, cranked hard over on a long left; as Pauly described it later, very sphincter puckering.

Coffee at Dannevegas, helped push start a poor couple on KTM who's battery had clagged. Shot some more shit and then bid Mr Boob farewell as he headed back to Napier for the night. Hadn't gone 200 yards when along comes Bonez (you meet the nicest people on a Honda), had a yarn and then carried on to Palmy and a date with some of the usual suspects and a bucket of coffee at Cuba.

Awesome day for a ride and an awesome ride it was.

I knew he had taste! Mint bike. Got colour AND make right!

Good writeup. Sounds like a fun way to spend a saturaday

Very nice day by the look and sound of it

Pauly was saying at Cuba he was pretty keen on it too when he had a nosey at it a while back

Looks like a good day had by all,read Boobs entry on KB,he has a good backpackers in NP to stay at as well,very cheap and quiet area,bike friendly,close to town by the NP racecourse.

Noice!

Sounds like an awesome day. Nice write up. I had to get the map out and now I know where Patangata is.

sweet photos dude ... shit hot day eh

yeah sweet weather on the east side as usual

WooT WooT!!! Fark what a weekend


Thanks for the grand tour of the east coast dude, was a wicked day. Man the Middle Road from Havelock North was FANTASTIC, especially on the Kwaka, man that thing corners like its on a rail compared to the TL lol.


1300km's for me in the last three days. Friday midday left New Plymouth for Palmerston North (5 cops spotted from NP to Bulls, I shit you not) where I traded the TL in at AFC motorcycles, then straight on to Napier. Off all over the show with Yod on Saturday as per the OP then today was up bright & early (partly to piss the fuckwit yank who decided he couldn't be bothered to get out of bed to talk to his girlfriend on his cellphone at 2:30am grrrr) but mostly as I wanted to get a good start on the long haul ahead..........Napier to Taupo (no cops the whole way he he) then Taupo to Turangi (cop spotted while filling up he he) then off to Taumaranui (another cop spotted in town while im doing the posted 50km/h he he) then down the oh so lovely SH43......The Forgotton World Highway to Stratford & home to New Plymouth via a few friends places to show off the new toy he he.


To bed early tonight me thinks, the brain is rather fuzzy right now, body sore in places, God I feel like an old man lol


Thanks again for the ride Yod, was most excellent.




ps: anytime you guys wanna swing by on a tour there's always a cheap bed here for you all at the lodge & im known to clear the car park of ALL 4 wheeled monstrosities (including my own lol) to make space for bike parking only.

Bikes parked at the lodge

mint. good choice on bike. and colour. good to see you loving it.

Shit knew there was something different lol,had a we looksie at the Kwaka as well when it was for sale,nice bike,enjoy it.
Don't keep raving on about SH43,one day the cops will patrol it.Glad the weather was ok,so the TLR on backburner or another option.

you're most welcome mate, just a shame i didn't get to do middle road with ya!

bloody good day out all the same

Nice bike mate, I was actually in the shop (AFC) when you were picking it up, had I known who you were I would have introduced myself.
Heard from Yod the there was some sheep and turkey dodging going on...

Yeah saving the TLR for later, im quite specific about what I want in the next TL & ive only seen it once, I was the 2nd phone call by only 30 mins & the first caller bought it (FFS!!!) lol

lol im sure they won't bother so hard to catch you speding on the majority of that road (if you aren't going completely mad lol)



Was it what, will definitely be back to do that Middle Road again



lol yeah for sure, will know next time aye.

Yeah couple of sheep, a bloody squadron of turkeys lol & I missed a widdle wabbit on the way home too, I didn't have time to move my line at all, he just ran out at me then switched twice as if to do the electric boogaloo then froze solid as I wizzed by not less than a few inchs away, he was pretty small, wonder what would of happened if I hit it?

Nice write-up and pics yod. Do those doors at the Wimbledon Tavern ever open?