Battle for the Streets

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Sunday February 22, 2009

Up about seven, I picked up, cleaned up. Glenda came by for coffee and to check out my itinerary for the next few days then I was off to Paeora for the “Battle of the Streets” motor cycle races. I pulled out of the drive to Dylan’s refrain,”for the times they are a changin”, and they certainly are.
New Zealand has some serious bikers! And I’m not talking about the boomer weekend warriors in the U.S. out riding their Harleys. HD has made some penetration in the market but it is dominated by the big three Japanese bike manufacturers. I don’t know what was more exciting the races or all the bikes that roared by me on the road to and from the race! Got there about eleven and by 3:30 I was hot and had a little too much sun so I headed for Tauranga and the Mount. This is a fantastic port city. It truly is much more than a seaside resort. My camp site is a publicly operated park and only cost $15 a night for a front row location on the ocean. I went for a walk, saw a free Internet sign and stumbled in. Much to our mutual surprise the young girl I approached is also American, escaping a winter in Montana. I bought a flat white, which I now know is a latte and she set me up on the computer where I sent my first blog report. Unsuccessful at finding Zappers number I sent her an e-mail with the hope she would see it before I leave town. Reading, walking…to sleep.

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Photos

Battle of the Streets
Curve to the finish line

Sidecar "bike"
Sidecar
Really fun to watch these guys

Battle of the Streets
Faster on one wheel?

Staging area
What would racing be without a little T&A