Gravel to Gladstone

[Murray]

#1882

Hope everyone had a great time at the National Rally. Sadly, Jo and I could not make the weekend (Jo was called away to Picton on family business Friday morning) but I found myself with a few hours to spare on Saturday. A phone call to Aslan and KSlider was all it took and we opted for a quick squirt over to the Gladstone Pub. Of course this was to be via Hinakura and Ngakonui Station out toward the Wairarapa Coast, as gravel is the order of the day for two Dakars and the 1150GS – why else would you have one 😕Weather wasn't looking promising on the Wellington side of the hill and we did notice a few spits of rain on meeting at Caltex Rimutaka around 11:00. However, things we looking on the up as we traversed the mighty hill and, albeit a bit blustery at the top, it came out mighty hot on the other side. A sedate jaunt through to Martinborough with many people out enjoying the sun and taking on coffees in the numerous cafes, but we were motivated to meet the Coast - so straight through on this occasion.First stop was at the top of the Martinborough-Hinakura Road. More of an opportunity to lose a couple of layers than anything else.....but also a fabulous spot just for the view...............Further on down the road, and just after it turns to gravel, you come to the Hinakura junction at which sits the hall. Straight ahead, a fantastic windy gravel road that follows the river for about 30Kms out to Pahaoa Sation and the Coast. Don't have time for that though, just a quick breather at the hall........This is what we like to see................and plenty of it now as it takes us through to Ngakonui Station up to Summerhill and down Admirals Road pretty much all the way to Gladstone.KSlider - motoring on some of it.............and coming back for another shot.Aslan doing his bit, great looking form as he motors that 1150GS along.....We made one detour down by the Wainouioru River that crosses Ngakonui Station, just to have a play around on the sandy bits  😀Onwards, and some more great views once you get up and over Summerhill....More good motoring on Admirals Road and these boys sticking reasonably close together despite the dusty conditions...After a couple of hours of this, nothing better than a cold one or two (Ginger Beer actually) at the Galdstone pub. A bowl of most excellent wedges shared and a bit of a chin wag before heading back home along some of the great backroads the Wairarapa has to offer. Great company, great couple of hours out on the bike, all good really  😀I know Aslan got some photos as well, over to you young man ..........................

[2bjr]

#6715

Looks like a great ride. We were ready to go on a dirt ride on Sunday, but lucky the Police have a job to do.Hope to do it next time if we are not cordoned off for another shooting. 😀 😕Till next time.

[Murray]

#6716

Looks like a great ride. We were ready to go on a dirt ride on Sunday, but lucky the Police have a job to do.Hope to do it next time if we are not cordoned off for another shooting. 😀 😕Till next time.

Mmm, better luck next time  😎

[aegis4805]

#6717

I know Aslan got some photos as well, over to you young man ..........................

NZGSer is always up for an 'all roads' ride - I was pleased to receive his call on Saturday morning. Thanks Garry - good company as always and a magic day for riding in the Wairarapa. It was great for us to be able to introduce KSlider - so named from his former racing antics on a Kawasaki we're told - a former speedway, motocross and trials exponent who has purchased a very tidy Dakar which he punched along very confidently in the gravel despite it being shod with Tourances. At one stage we left the road to 'play' in a gravel / sand pit adjacent to the river and he demonstated considerable willing to engage in power slides and later on second gear wheelies!The images I took follow.Regret I've still to master the art of 'panning' Garry in order to be able to capture clear images of motorcycles passing at speed 🙁NZGSer disappearing in a cloud of dust[/img]KSlider approaching the riverNZGSer Pressing On[/img]alongside the river[/img]passing through Summerhill Station[/img][/img]

[2bjr]

#6718

Must say, the gravel roads are good looking.Only needed a BBQ under a tree.

[Dave Ross]

#6719

Looks like you guys had a great time. Looks like there is plenty of good riding in the North. I took the Basic up to Hihi with the intention of doing some gravel riding as well as meeting up with John C. The weather was marginal at times, but we still got most of the beach stuff done. Didn;t manage to meet up with John, due to my neglect of the cell phone, I still struggle with these things, out of sight out of mind. Got one gravel stretch done and the Basic started to ring. Couldn't work out what it was until later, when I spotted the lose headers, both were about ready to fall off. With no tool to fix this I was left to giving them a kick every now an then, I also found out that these things get kinda hot, who would have thought? Thank God for gloves. Got plenty of old houses and will update soon.

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