Toy Runs and Charity Rides

Been busy this month, doing the rounds of the charity rides and toy runs. My yearly contribution to those less fortunate and a worthy cause. The local rescue helicopter.

First up there was the Wellington toy run orgenised by the local HOG boys. There was a pretty good turn out for the short run down the motorway through Petone and onto Queens Wharf.

The next weekend we were off to Himatangi for the start of the Coast to Coast. Raising money for the rescue helicopter. The weather was a bit damp and by the time we reached Woodville for lunch everyone was wet. Alot went home after lunch but about 200 hardy souls made the trip out to Akitio. It had dried out a bit by home time so got to have a blast back from Weber to Dannevirke.

Then yesterday it was the local toy run organised by the Central Districts Motorcycle Touring Club. Probably about 200 bikes turned up for the run from Feilding through the back roads to Palmy for a sausage and beer at the Awapuni Pub.

All in all a good month for some fun a hanging out with other motorcycling types.

CDMTC Toy Run

Another nice day in the Manawatu today - you'd almost think that it was summer!

A good day for the local toy run organised by the Central Districts Motorcycle Touring Club.

The ride was a quiet ride from Feilding to Palmerston North via some back roads. A much better turnout this year so hopefully a lot of decent toys for Barnardos.

More pics here.

2007 Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge (1000 Miler)

To celebrate the 21st Grand Challenge, the Rusty's have added an optional extension to the 2007 ride. As long as you have completed a past run you can choose to do this extension and get a second badge if successful. To get the second badge you must complete a further 500k's while still staying within the 1st 24 hour period.

A really big ask! It means that you would have to do the first 1600k's in about 18 hours or you wouldn't have a chance of finishing the next 500. As I usually do the run in a comfortable 20-21 hours I'm not sure if it's worth giving it a go - there'll be no time for any mucking around!

2006 Coast to Coast

Been a bit lazy not to get onto this sooner but last Saturday (9/12) was the 14th running of the Woodville Lions Coast to Coast. This ride takes riders from the west coast to the east, starting at Himatangi and ending at Akito with the aim to raise money for the local rescue helicopter.

Prior to the ride the weather forecast looked pretty bad but come Saturday morning things had fined up quite a bit. We pottered out to Himatangi and registered pretty early. Ran into a couple of guys I know - one who I generally only see once a year - on the Coast to Coast.

Just before arriving in Fielding we got hit by the first of the rain - a pretty good dousing. Stopped here for fuel so that I wouldn't have to be one of 400 getting it at Woodville before heading out into the wops.

After lunch at Woodville and looking at the skies out to the East we decided that wet weather gear was probably a good idea and then headed off into it. Had to put up with quite a few downpours and some slippery roads but got out there ok and grabbed a coffee and some hot tucker. Hung around for most of the prize giving but decided to scarper before the finish so as we didn't get caught up in the rush when everyone left.

Had a great ride back into Danniverke (love that Danniverke-Weber road) with roads mostly dry with the ocassional damp spot. Stopped there so Mark could gas up before heading home. Good to get another badge and also good to see a lot less idiots on the ride trying to take everyone out.



More pictures here.

Manawatu Standard article here.

Wellington Toy Run

Went down to Wellington on Saturday with Mark and Brian to take part in the Wellington toy run.

The organisers were really lucky to pick the best day weather wise that we've had in a long time. Had a good ride down and got there pretty early, signed in and went off to enjoy a free coffee and sausage sizzle.

One of the organisers was a really friendly sort and was handing out hats, beenies, drink bottles etc flat out.

The ride was organised by the Wellington HOGG chapter so the 3 Suzys were outnumbered by the Harley guys. Must have been over 200 bikes. The ride headed up the motorway, down through the Nauranga Gorge, out to Petone and then back into Queens Wharf where we all parked up and there was going to be a judging of bikes etc.

We didn't hang around for the judging, instead heading off to Porirua for some lunch before heading home. Good ride home, got to give the bike the odd squirt here and there.

Next ride on the Calendar is the Coast to Coast - 9 December, then our local toy run on 16th December. Not sure when the Wanganui Toy Run is on but will try and hit that one too.

More pictures here.