Waitarere Charity Trail Ride, May 24th, 2009.
By Steve Green
www.workshopmanuals.co.nz
On Sunday, 534 motorcyclists braved the cold wind and overcast skies to take part in a Charity Trail Ride organized by the Horowhenua Motorcycle Club to raise money for the upkeep of the Poroutawhao School Hall. A paddock behind the Lewis Farms, Asparagus pack house just North of the Waitarere Beach turn off became a car park.
>From there the riders went on a long meandering loop around the local Waitarere farm land between State Highway One and the sea covering farmland, farm tracks, an interesting section of swamp and a cattle underpass. By utilizing Easton’s cattle underpass the riders where able to cover some ground South of Waitarere Beach Road in the morning before returning to the car park for lunch.
After lunch the second part of the ride was another big loop around the local farmland and pine plantations. Despite the recent rain the ground was firm and apart from a couple of sections of track and the swamp, it was relatively easy going. Even though it looked like it was snowing up in the Tararua ranges all day, the riders had no rain, just a rather cold Southerly wind to contend with.
Exploring, exercising, raising money for charity and having fun all at once, a great day out for all those on the Waitarere Charity Trail Ride.
As a photographer I quite liked the swamp section, although I suspect the riders who had to get towed out by the Horowhenua Motorcycle Club’s traveling Marshall’s, may have had other thoughts about this section.
For more photos of this event see www.sportsimages.co.nz
