Lake Ferry Loop

After some detailed planning at work - something like: shall we go for a ride to Lake Ferry - it was decided that Lake Ferry was going to be our destination this Sunday.  Roscoe, Dan, Brian and Mark from work were all keen as mustard and I cast the net out a bit further and nabbed Neil, Colin W and Yod while Roscoe also roped in one of his mates and Brian collared Chris and his hoggly doggly.

Most of us met up in Palmy but unfortunately Yod was running a bit late and we were too impatient and got away before he rocked up.  We made our way up over a damp Pahiatua Track and into Pahiatua where we stopped for a brief regroup before heading out towards Route 52.  Here we decided to give the corner-man system a go so we didn't lose anybody...

It worked fabulously well as we rode over to Route 52 and down to Masterton.  We made a number of turns and never lost anyone!

Route 52 was up to it's usual level of awesomeness and while some of autumn's colours have now gone it was still a pretty ride which all the riders seemed to enjoy.  The Connie seemed to enjoy it too...

In Masterton we stopped briefly for some to get fuel and also to pick up Lloyd and his VTR - he had been down in the area for the night and was keen to join us for the ride.

Leaving Masterton was where things started to get a bit out of control.  Firstly, Mark's Bandit started to play up on him, cutting out occasionally and taking some persuading to keep running perfectly.  As I was out front leading the run I didn't know what was going on but he decided that it was best to head home via the main roads rather than break down in the middle of nowhere - bummer.

At about the same time we picked up a Yod who had caught up with us but then lost a Colin.  Somehow or other - even though we'd all left together from Masterton, and with the corner-man system hopefully still in operation - he missed the turn-off onto Masterton-Stronvar Road and carried on towards Castle Point.  I'm not sure if he got to Castle Point but hopefully will find out when I next see him - if he's talking to me...

But I was still unaware of all this and carried on towards Martinborough.  I eventually stopped at the end of Westmere road and got some of the story before we carried on.

Roscoe looking good and keeping it upright...

More great roads eventually got us into Martinborough but we sidestepped the town a bit and made for the coast.  There were a few other bikes out on the road with the same idea as us and some even gave us a friendly flash of their lights to warn us of the mobile hazard we were coming up behind - nice one.

Eventually we found ourselves at our destination and settled in to enjoy a late lunch of fish and chips and plenty of yarning about bikes and riding.  We also discovered that Mark had made it home ok but could not contact poor old Colin.

Dan with his new to him Shadow (looks like he is lusting over a GSX1400 though)

After lunch we retraced our steps back to Martinborough and refuelled for the last leg home.  This time we took a slightly more direct route to Masterton but then turned off SH2 to take in the road through Mauriceville.  It was really nice through here but at times the low sun was a bit of a pain.

Then it was a little more of SH2 through Eketahuna until the Mangamire turn-off which eventually got us back onto the Pahiatua Track once again for one last little squirt into Palmy.  Neil and I got to my place around 4:30 and managed to contact Colin who had made his way home and between them they decided that it was all my fault that we lost Colin.  Should I mention how Neil lost some guys on a BRR ride - even with the corner-man system in play?

Nevermind, everyone was home safe and sound after a great day out on some excellent roads - just over 400km for me -sweet!

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A few more pics here.