Ulysses Economy Run

Took the CB and joined a handful of bikes on the Ulysses Economy Run up the Parapara, today organised by Lloyd, to Ohakune Station, where we stopped for lunch.

View across OreOre, Ruapehu just visble

Gusting heavily between Raetihi and Ohakune, but mostly fine to overcast, and warm down in the gulleys the rest of the way.
I was interested to try the CB out, serious, coast down the hills, and keep to a rev limit of 2000 rpm, which I soon found pretty ho-hum and upped to 3000. Stayed in top gear most of the way, which the torquey 1300 handled no problem.
Was tail-end-charlie first aid kit carrier for the day, and was soon left behind with that sort of discipline.
Took 9.46 litres for the 210km, but was well caned by Neville on an 850 Beamer at 6.something, plus by a couple of Suzuki Bandits.
It was interesting to overhear others comment they went for a lower gear immediately they sensed the load of a hill-climb, and I'm inclined to agree. Even though engines like the CB can work relatively low in the rev range, you probably get better efficiency the closer you are to the optimum power and torque points, and consequently get from A to B quicker so the engines running less time.
Of course my other feeble excuse is Nev's probably 75kg lighter than me!
The tucker at the Ohakune Station Cafe isnt to be sniffed at, 9/10, we just managed to get clear before a train-load of 160 excursioners pulled in. One of them told me they did Auckland to Wellington behind a steam loco on Friday, the Masterton, Manawatu Gorge, Wellington loop Saturday, and were now on their way home behind the diesel loco'd Overlander.

Fields Track

Homeward to Wanganui we came down Field's Track, rejoining the Parapara at Kakatahi, hardly any traffic along an autumn coloured ribbon of road.
Nice ride, particularly at the sedate economy-run pace.