Scrubbing in

So after all the recent maintenance (if you call tyres and oil maintenance?) on the Connie it was time to let her off the leash and go for a decent run.

The weather in Palmy was quite nice but I didn't really have a plan in mind.  I was even considering going a decent distance and spending the night somewhere - but where?  I quick check of KB and I spotted Al's tag so thought that I could at least grab it and then find another new one somewhere along the way...

On the way across I remembered spotted an interesting looking feature that would make a good tag.  Without giving too much away (at least not yet - read on), it's nowhere near Al's tag so now all I had to do was think about finding a decent sort of a route to go get it...

First part of mission accomplished...

Having found the tag out near Halcombe, I carried on to SH1 and turned towards Taihape.  I stuck to a very sedate cruise but only saw one cop - I did manage to pass a Prius though and that's always worth a snigger.

In Taihape I stopped to flick on the cameras (turn the wireless on so the remote could drive them) and headed up Spooners Hill towards the Napier-Taihape road.  Initially the road was an absolute joy and it was also in very good condition.  Time to sort those new tyres out...

One of the things I wanted to do was film the drop down one of the hills into the valley below.  I love this bit of the ride as not only is the riding good but the views across the valley are outstanding.  Climbing back up the other side I decided to just let the camera run as I was having a ball.  But once out on the top I ended up riding flying into a ground hugging cloud which slowed me up a little.

There's a road there somewhere...

On the next descent I shook off the friendly cloud and could once again enjoy the twisties - at least until I crossed over into the Hawkes Bay.  From Kuripapango the roads were damp and then I ran into some really sticky, yucky drizzle which once again put the brakes on things a little.  Eventually it started raining properly and my visibility improved.  The weather in the Bay was definitely not as flash as back home so grips were on and I was contemplating breaking out my new, warmer gloves...

The video below has some of the highlights (including the fog and rain) of the ride across:

The route in my head had me crossing over to the East of Hastings and riding down to Elsthorpe and Patangata before ending with a Route 52 Romp home.  Arriving in Omahu it was just before 12 and I decided that I couldn't be bothered with the traffic around Hastings/Havelock North so I turned South onto SH50.

SH50 turn-off

By now my fuel gauge was telling me off for all the fun on the Napier-Taihape so I attempted to settle into a slower cruise.  My fuel warning came on at about 290km (early) so yes, the Connie had been a little greedy...At Onga I crossed over to Waipawa where it was time for a bite to eat and then find a drink for the bike.  The little KTM I parked next to was ridden by a girl who was loaded for bear - in addition to the top-box she had a ginormous pack on her back...

With a full tank it was off down 52 and I pretty much had the road to myself.  There was a bit of a mess on the road over the hill at Porangahau and naturally plenty of sheep and wreckage on the road to avoid as I cruised down to Pongaroa.

Ain't she purty?

At Pongaroa I turn-off to make my way back towards Pahiatua.  Time for some more fun as I dropped down into Makuri.

From Makuri it was just a short ride through to Pahiatua and then over the track to home.  A nice little ride of around 525km - so that means that the tyres are about 4-5% worn out now...

Oh, and just in case I haven't put up enough hints about the new tag, here's the picture and a wee map...