This weekend just gone I participated in a KLR Ramblers Rally & even though I was on my trusty R3 I still enjoyed myself as did my friends who also participated in the rally. And below you will see why.
What was the rally, well it was a well-planned all-inclusive ride where the participants decided on their route based on skill & bike. You chose the 5 route markers to pass through – 7 in total including the start & end markers. I love that there was consideration for all rider types. Below is all the possible route options. This was taken from KLR Ramblers blog so please check the blog out.
Given that I was on a sports bike & not an off roader I decided to stick to the most sensible, safest, least adventurous route & I admit I was kinda jealous of my friends who were on DR650s as they decided on a route which took them through the middle sections, which meant they encountered all sorts of roads & terrain.
At the end of the ride when we meet up at the Nikau Cave & Café I quizzed them on their ride & was told very simply that I would have come off my bike being on an R3 but I could tell they enjoyed their ride. I’m glad they had a good time on their ride & I too had enjoyed my ride.
Not only did I enjoy the ride but it was really good meeting other riders & having conversations about rides we have done, different bikes we’ve ridden & owned, & just getting to know each other.
The route I took was from the starting point in Pokenko & on to the first route marker at Tuakau & then I continued along SH22 until Waikaretu Valley Road which took me to the end point.
The road was not a challenging ride but it was a good ride, however, there were some frustrating areas. There were a few patches of road works which required a reduction in speed as well as a few patches of fresh gravel. One thing that sticks in my mind is the areas of minor landslips that cause most of the roads works & this was mostly due to heavy rain in the previous month.
So why was it a good ride, well here in New Zealand we have amazing scenery so any time you head out on a road that takes you away from the city you are pretty much guaranteed a beautiful ride as well as a long & windy road.
The ride started off flat & then it started to descend. Then there were small climbs & rises. The gentle descent with the rises was along SH22. When you ride along Waikaretu Valley Road, you begin the proper decent but then there was another climb before descending into the valley. To be honest, you don’t really appreciate that you are in a valley until sitting at the café at the end of the ride looking out at hill in front of you.
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