"Gentle Annie"

Last weekend I decided on a ride through the Napier to Taihape road. Known by the locals as Gentle Annie it is an amazing motorcycling road with very little traffic.

The only truck I managed to snap was this new KW with a load of longs on Highway 50, but I managed to cut the end of the logs off.

I'm not sure if this is the highest point of the road. but a magnificent view back to the Hawkes Bay.
Click on image to enlarge. 

Further west Mount Ruapehu was visible ahead with its head in the clouds.

There are many corners like this with a good view of the road ahead.

Home through Mangaweka of course...

...and over the Saddle Road past the Te Apiti wind farm.
A very enjoyable day and a total of 556kms and about 9 hours on the road including photo stops and lunch.
I almost had a change of plans when I saw the vintage machinery day was happening at Takapau, but like a true motorcyclist I decided the great weather was too good not to take advantage of.