Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/617259
12 nJanuary 2016n www.thunderpress.net Headed for the barn by "Wingman" Greg Johnson Photos by "Kiwi" Mike Tomas AUCKLAND, NZ—Last month I left you with the sights and impres- sions of a great Indian Motorcycle rally in Wellington, put on by President James Chambers and his Indian Owners Register of New Zealand group. We met many great people and new friends. I have little doubt we could travel both islands again and never see the inside of a hotel with all of the offers of lodging we had. After a large breakfast and good- byes to those who were up early enough we set our course for the homeward stretch of our epic adven- ture. We had a long day on Sunday as we wanted to cover 225 miles to the town of Taumarunui. From Wellington we headed north on Highway 1, which is one of the main north/south roads on the North Island. Our route snaked us through the towns of Paraparaumu, Otaki and the small burg of Sanson. At Sanson we took a left on Highway 3 towards the town of Bulls and ultimately the larger city of Wanganui. We took a right on Highway 4 at Wanganui to head straight north. If we had more time we would have continued on Highway 3 and sprinted toward the west coast. As it was we needed to make tracks and took the mountain route presented by Highway 4. After over 3,000 miles of spectacular riding on the most remote and breathtaking coastal roads the country has to offer we wanted to expe- rience a wilderness route on our last couple of days. Most of the route to Wanganui was pretty benign with nothing to challenge us but the rumble of the bikes and the happy thoughts of the previous ture. We had a long day we wa rience route coupl of da M route was with chal the r the hap of t Kelly's Motel Wellington Porirua Paraparaumu Otaki Levin Bulls Wanganui Taumarunui Te Kuiti Hamilton Pukekohe Papakura Auckland Raetihi Waitomo 3 4 4 1 Tongariro National Park Auckland Harley-Davidson 3 Mt. Ruapehu 1 www thunderpress net www thunderpress net W Raging river coming off Mount Ruapehu near the hamlet of National Park P k One of those rare road fi nds in the middle of farmlands on the road to Taumarunui When Mike gets tired he sleeps wherever we are. Could be 10 miles from our destination and he will sleep. Mount Ruapehu, one of the most active volcanoes in the world