Page 38 - NZ Ulyssian December

ARTICLES

THE LONGEST

DAY RIDE

PEOPLE AND

PLACES

.25am the 6th of November, the Longest Day three times before on maps on different days showed this route
James appears out of the night my V-Strom 650, twice riding the circuit to be 1002 or 998 k’s. To ensure we ride
gloom – it is the morning of the taking in Haast Pass and once down the requisite 1000km, we make a short
5Longest Day 1000 kilometre SH1 and back up the centre through in and out trip to Westport, giving us a
ride. The previous evening I went to bed Omarama. This will be the first time dozen or so extra k’s.
early and fortunately dropped off quickly I head north, the first time riding the At the Yaldhurst Tavern, Chris Carey,
and got a good night’s sleep. My alarm Triumph, and the first time I will be riding the coordinator of the Canterbury Ulysses
woke me at 5.00 am. I allowed myself with a buddy. James and I have ridden is there to wave us farewell along with
30 minutes to get ready, 10 minutes to thousands of kilometres together, and we half a dozen other riders - I know there
eat, 10 minutes to get into my bike gear know what works for us. are others who have either not arrived
and 10 minutes for stuff-ups and to roll The course I mapped out for us leaves or started elsewhere. There is always a
the bike out of the garage. At 5.30, give from Pegasus where we both live to the stuff-up. James comes to me that he has
or take a minute, James and I are on our YaldHurst Tavern for the start (of sorts as forgotten his cell phone. We elect to go
bikes. He on his 1993 Honda CBR1000, it is unofficial). From the Tavern, we ride get it and are the first to leave. James has
me on my 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050. north to Culverden, Springs Junction, not forgotten his cell phone, it slipped out
I was always going to do the Longest Reefton, Greymouth, along the coastal of his jacket pocket (how?) and is lying
Day Ride, but James only decided 10 road to Punakaiki, Murchison, Blenheim, in the communal driveway of the units
days or so before the event. I have ridden Kaikoura to finish at Pegasus. Google we live in, surely to have been run over
had we not collected it. Ironically that
small diversion into Pegasus is probably
enough to ensure we do 1000km without
going to Westport.
We head north, and though not
scheduled, we stop at Culverden and
refuel, although there is no need to do so.
The early morning is cool, but it is cold
in the shade as we ride over Lewis Pass.
Traffic is light to non-existent as we ride
to Springs Junction. At Springs Junction,
it is a beautiful, warm, cloudless day. We

38 | Ulyssian DECEMBER 2021