Just a short Sunday morning ride after a catch up with Jono and Justin. Jono has sold his Tenere and replaced it with two bikes – a Ducati 750 sport and a Yamaha YZF 1000 Thunderace. The Ducati is immaculate and the Yamaha is good to go, also in great condition. I had to drive to Justin’s place as my BMW K1200’s battery was flat, and Jono let me ride the Yamaha. We met at the Maraetai Wharf Cafe as usual for a coffee at the beach side. Justin and I then rode the Clevedon Loop. I was impressed with the Yamaha, plenty of power and neutral handling.

Justin and I stopped on the coastline on the way home to enjoy the beauty of the Hauraki Gulf looking towards Waiheke Island to the north-east and the Coromandels in the distance. 17 degrees warm. Good company, nice ride. Is winter over?