The weather forecast was shocking, and by ten a.m. there was a scattering of riders at the start point debating the wisdom of a ride on the Awhitu Peninsula in wet, windy conditions. A couple of the lads went home, and I was about to head for the Karaka pickup point to tell the rest to flag it when the Red Baron family and Shah turned up (late) ready to rock and roll. The Librarian announced that she was going at least as far as Karaka, after had had gone to all the trouble of getting into her gear (and her obedient bike caddy had pulled her Burgman out of the garage, checked it, shot up the road to tank it up, made the sandwiches and filled the thermos – not that I'm complaining……….)  We found three more silly clowns at Karaka, and after a few words of encouragement for both the new (Wendy) and the returning from injury born-again (Jean) rider, we chugged off through Karaka in a roundabout fashion to Patumahoe. The “rough as guts” concept sort of went by the board, as I thought we had gone about far enough to take a break and see if Wendy's giant case of the shakes had eased off, and assess where/how to next.  So we had an espresso break, as you do.The next little leg was via Mauku and Bald Hill Road (good twisties for beginners) to Waiuku, where we stopped for a further discussion group, and our RAG sandwich lunch.  The weather had not turned as nasty as forecast, but the very short legs and post-mortem sessions seemed to be doing something for the oldies/littlies confidence: all the other riders in the "peer support group" were happy to plod along, so I couldn't see any benefit in reprogramming the day as a junior marathon, even if Rusty's new forecast was better.

The Brains Trust at lunch, L to R, Wendy, Paul#1, Shah, Frau Kerry Red Baron, Alex Red Baron, the Librarian, Jean looking the wrong way, and Paul#2 obscured.

After lunch we went and checked Kariotaihi to see if it was worth trying to body surf a few waves, but it was just ugly mush, so we stayed with the bikes and twisted and turned through Otaua, Aka Aka and Puni, around the shoulder of Pukekohe Hill to Tuakau to Twisted Sisters for an early after match.  For much of this, Wendy and the mighty 250 Intruder were out in front: I hope she will get her test sorted out and lose her big yellow and black "L" plate soon, 'cos she's not riding like she needs it.  Twisted Sisters had live music happening, and real good chocolate brownie, and Shah had a pretty impressive "Goldstein" bagel - sort of a two course snack with a hole in the middle.Jean and I headed home from Tuakau, her poor old bionic knee had had enough.  The hard core of the run headed for Paul#1 and Wendy's house, and they are probably barbecuing as I type.  Another top day out, and a real pleasure to spend it with a group happy to stay off the throttle to mentor oldies/littlies.