Southern Invasion

Last weekend the North Island was invaded by a couple of Southerners in the form of Kelly and Tim who you may have come across in other posts when Colin and I stayed with them.  We've done a bit of quad riding with Kelly, the Te Anau Basin trail ride with Tim and the Maverick Muster with both of them along with seeing a lot of great country thanks to their hospitality.  It was time to return the favour just a little.

Luckily Colin and Jen have a few extra bikes in the shed - I didn't need to loan any of mine out 😉

Ashhurst, the Riviera of the North...

Time ended up on Colin's Tiger while Kelly stole Jen's Tracer, forcing her to spend the day on the back of the GSA.  Also joining us were Dayal and Brendan on their Tigers and Andy on his orange bike.

Our ride started by a quick trip over the Saddle before taking some backroads to Dannevirke where we regrouped after finding some of the lost ducklings...

After sorting ourselves out a bit it was time to carry on North through Ormonville and another wee breather in Takapau.

Brendan

Tim

Kelly and Andy

Next up was a short bit of SH2, through Waipuk and into Waipawa where we turned off to make our way to Patangata and the mighty Middle Road.  And Middle Road turned it on for us, what a great ride on a superb bit of tar.

Middle Road (and a couple of others) finally got us into Hastings where we found a cafe that was very happy to see eight peckish riders.

Following feeding time at the zoo, it was time for fuel for the bikes where we all got fairly frustrated with the idiots at the Gull Station and their prepay policy.  The Caltex up the road got my $60 and that's where we'll stop in future.

If Middle Road had been our entre, then the Napier-Taihape Road was going to be the main course and dessert.  Colin and I both love this road and were really keen to show the others the way.

Things started off well but soon the roads became a bit damper and not long after, the rain really let us have it.  Visibility was rubbish and the road became a river.  We made a quick stop to check on all the ducklings where some found wet weather gear and then we carried on.

Luckily, after another down pour or two, things improved, and we could get into enjoying the road and snapping the odd pic.  This is the bridge at Kuripapango.

Dayal and Brendan

Tim

Kelly

Andy

Colin missing a pillion?

And at what I call the summit (not sure if is as there are a few on the road) where we often turn-off on our gravel excursions.

Colin thinking BBQ...

Our next stop was in Taihape where some had coffee before the final leg home.  This time Colin led the way, and I was near the back with Kelly and Andy and had a play with trying to take photos on the go.  I even managed keep hold of the camera.

A monumental fail but I like the reflection of the road in my visor

Third time lucky...

At Vinegar Hill I turned for home and managed to get rained on again crossing over from Colyton (splashing past a sports bike along the way) but my ride was otherwise uneventful.  It looks like the others had a little more excitement than me...

Anyway, I had fun, and I hope our visitors did too (they'll have forgotten about all the rain by now I'm sure).  Great to see them up in our neck of the woods and hopefully we can do something similar again some day.