frankton thunder

On Saturday morning the Waikato/BOP chapter gathered for the Annual Remembrance ride.

This year was exceedingly important to the Chapter as we had two members pass during the year, Brian Shadbolt (Shads) and Kathy Moulden.

20 bikes were at the meeting point in Waihi this was an outstanding turnout.

8 were from the Waikato, 7 from the BOP and 5 from Auckland, it is always good to see the Auckland guys along.

This year we also have a friend of Shads join us Merv on his Harley rode over from Papamoa.

The two oldest bikes lead the ride, Pete and Sue (51 T-Bird) and Allen C on his 71 Bonnie, the weather was perfect with no wind and a blue sky.

We left Waihi after the welcome and briefing and rode through Whangamata to the Coroglen Pub for lunch.

This bit of road from Waihi to Whangamata was Shads favourite bit of road to ride that is why we decided to head in this direction for this run.

At the Coroglen we were entertained by the numerous bikes also riding the Coromandel loop some wheel standing up the road and others trying to wheel stand up the road. You could sit there all day cheering them on waiting for someone to flip!

The next section of the ride was up to Whitianga and over the Hill to Coromandel itself.

The view from the top of the hills looking towards Auckland were just amazing, the water was all sorts of shades of Blue. Here we stopped at another pub to freshen after a torrid 70 kms in the saddle.

Then it was down the Thames coast to the Tapu Hotel for the final stop. This road was pretty busy as it seemed everyone was out enjoying the sun shine but the day was about remembering not racing around the Coromandel loop (or the Coromandel GP as it is affectionately known).

At the Tapu Hotel Trev proposed a toast to our past friends before the farewells commenced. I noted as Trev was speak when looking at the Remembrance plaque that it was ten years since the Passing of “Po”  in a bike accident in the Hawkes Bay, where do the years go.

Those listed on the plaque (which is a Pre Unit timing cover) now are, Po, Horse, Morgs, Rod G, Shads and Kathy let’s not forget them.

With the farewells completed the Auckland crew were heading over the Tapu Bridge back to Auckland, The BOP crew heading east at Paeroa and the Hamilton guys decided it was a good idea to head west to the Tahuna for another pint (and that’s a story for another day as well).

It was a great day’s ride, 437kms completed by myself and Maxine from start to finish.

The weather was outstanding and the tide was in when we did the ride over the Coromandel which made the scenery just outstanding.

There were also loads of other bikes out on the road enjoying the first fine weekend for a while.

A special thanks to everyone for turning up making the day a special one especially Merv for coming along I hope you enjoyed yourself.

As a reminder The Remembrance ride next year is set for the weekend of the 7^th & 8^th November 2015, it will be a ride to Gisborne and back, staying the night in Gisborne.

Ray Hayward.

TOMCC Waikato.

Visit to Papamoa on Sunday 22^nd June.

We had planned a visit to catch up with Shadz on the Saturday 21^st but discovered there was a Hot Rod and Bike display happening at in Tauranga on Sunday 22^nd in a car park so decided it was well worth postponing the ride a day.

At the designated meeting place at 9:00am was Ray (T140D) Trev (500 Daytona Café), Rob and Selina (Rocket 3) and Eric (T150V).

We headed out the quickest way out of Hamilton through Cambridge and down the Hinuera plans.

Whilst parked on the side of the road considering Rays badly missing T140 Robin B (Harley) arrived to join us.

At the bottom of the Kaimai’s we caught up with Peter & Sue (51 Thunderbird) and Peter (Hinckley Bonnie). Rob tinkled with Rays carbs and had the bike running a bit better and we’re all off.

Over the Kaimai’s, gas at Tauriko and down the road to meet Neville (Hinckley Sprint), his partner Jo (Hinckley Adventurer) and Chas and his wife in the ute (hmm didn’t look like rain to me).

Into town to the show which was four floors of a car park building full of Hot Rods, parts and a few motorcycles. It was a good hour or more viewing all the treasures with Rob buying an axe (yes a good purchase but will it fit in the saddle bags?).

We spotted one of our members at the show, Dazza from Rotorua had ridden his Moto Guzzi over.

When outside just before we were to leave Bryan & Sue (Hinckley Thunderbird) turned up to join us for the ride out to the Shadbolt’s.

We arrived at the Shadbolt’s in Papamoa a little latter than expected, no idea why really as we more or less went straight there (more or less anyway). Geoff and Judi were present along with Brian & Jocelyn.

Geoff ordered in fish and chips, hot soup was on the table and some cold ones were in the chilli bin. What a great lunch.

It was a good catch up with Shadz over lunch, some watched a reply of the Isle of Mann TT other mucked about outside in the sun.

The photographic evidence was sort as we all lined up on the balcony, then it was time to gear up.

The plan had to change a bit and the bulk of the group decided to head home via the quickest route being back over the Kaimai’s (sorry Pete & Sue).

Trev on the smallest bike took the lead and set a great pace home.

No fog on the Kaimai’s this time so it was a bit warmer and the rest of the ride home was pretty uneventful.

It was a great day out on the bikes and as always it was great to catch up the Papamoa contingent especially our mate Shadz.

Thanks guys for the lunch and Jo for the carrot cake which was well worth a special mention.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the ride it was a good sized group and ride over, Jocelyn said it really gave Shadz a lift so that is awesome.