Pickle
29th March 2005, 18:53
Well Viv & I have just returned from a trip up the East Cape, it went something like this.
Easter Friday look at weather forecast, crap rain everywhere, have coffee.
Pack bikes and leave home approx 10am or just before the torrential downpour. Get to the bottom of Nauranga gorge stop & put wet weather gear on, decide to keep going to at least other side of Rimutaka's. Good decision as the weather had pretty much cleared BUT the traffic was heavy.
Straight through to Masterton and a quick bite to eat, from here it was take the road thru to Alfredton and on to Pongaroa - the road is still being repaired from last years storms so care is needed. Pongaroa to Weber, Wimbledon, Porangahau & Waipukurau the last bit to Waipuk is great, smooth flowing corners quite fast really.
Took a short detour from Waipawa to SH50 at Tikokino which was nice, followed SH50 thru to Napier for the night. As we entered Napier we noticed all the motels had no vacancy signs up so off to the Information centre and they arranged a hotel room in the centre of town.
Sat morning off to a Cafe on the waterfront for a coffee & hot chocolate before heading off to Gisborne. Took the direct route. There wasnt much traffic so our speeds crept up a little and that road is unbelievablly good.
Little time to take in the scenery as our speed just kept creeping up to the point where if we were to meet any revenue collectors then we would have been walking home.
Arrived in Gisborne midday and booked into a motel for 2 nights.
Sunday up nice and early and head towards Opotiki, 50kms out of Gisborne we hit the first of the rain, the Waioeka gorge is still good even in the rain. From Opotiki we headed to Te Kaha where there is now a Cafe next to the campgrounds so more coffee and a bite to eat. The sun was now out and it was like being in a sauna with all the gear on. Next stop was Waihau Bay for a brief stop, take in the scenery and take off the wet weather gear. Carry on to Hicks bay where we stopped at the look-out to take a few photo's and a quick discussion on the road condition as there were no signs warning of pea gravel. This I found out the hard way with a small moment going into a corner only to find it covered in loose metal, slight out of control moment cross the centre line heading toward a bank before gathering control & getting back on my side of the road.
Just before Te Araroa there is a Manuka oils place so a quick visit, buy some Manuka honey and head off again.
Next stop was Tokomaru Bay to see Dave & Tracey who own the Campgrounds, ex Wellingtonians who ride. Had a nice cold drink with them bought petrol, removed wet weather gear again and headed off towards Gisborne. Arrived back at the motel in time to watch the last of the V8 races and have a much deserved nice cold beer.
Monday it was time to head home and the weather was fine. The road out of Gisborne was really enjoyed especially the bit going up the Wharerata's, starts out with corner after corner sign posted at 45kmh taken at more the double the recommended speed easily then the nice climb towards the summit with the corners opening up.
The roads that we really enjoy are the Raupanga - Mohaka, Lake Tutira bends, Matahora Gorge and the hills either side of Devil's elbow.
It was highway 50 heading south and just past Ongaonga the rain started again, so back on with the Wet weather gear. Stop in Dannevirke for a bite to eat and then head down the Wairarapa and home. Saw quite a few bikes at the top of the Takas, traffic going down the hill was painfully slow.
Overall a top weekend with approx 1600kms covered mostly on wet roads.
Easter Friday look at weather forecast, crap rain everywhere, have coffee.
Pack bikes and leave home approx 10am or just before the torrential downpour. Get to the bottom of Nauranga gorge stop & put wet weather gear on, decide to keep going to at least other side of Rimutaka's. Good decision as the weather had pretty much cleared BUT the traffic was heavy.
Straight through to Masterton and a quick bite to eat, from here it was take the road thru to Alfredton and on to Pongaroa - the road is still being repaired from last years storms so care is needed. Pongaroa to Weber, Wimbledon, Porangahau & Waipukurau the last bit to Waipuk is great, smooth flowing corners quite fast really.
Took a short detour from Waipawa to SH50 at Tikokino which was nice, followed SH50 thru to Napier for the night. As we entered Napier we noticed all the motels had no vacancy signs up so off to the Information centre and they arranged a hotel room in the centre of town.
Sat morning off to a Cafe on the waterfront for a coffee & hot chocolate before heading off to Gisborne. Took the direct route. There wasnt much traffic so our speeds crept up a little and that road is unbelievablly good.
Little time to take in the scenery as our speed just kept creeping up to the point where if we were to meet any revenue collectors then we would have been walking home.
Arrived in Gisborne midday and booked into a motel for 2 nights.
Sunday up nice and early and head towards Opotiki, 50kms out of Gisborne we hit the first of the rain, the Waioeka gorge is still good even in the rain. From Opotiki we headed to Te Kaha where there is now a Cafe next to the campgrounds so more coffee and a bite to eat. The sun was now out and it was like being in a sauna with all the gear on. Next stop was Waihau Bay for a brief stop, take in the scenery and take off the wet weather gear. Carry on to Hicks bay where we stopped at the look-out to take a few photo's and a quick discussion on the road condition as there were no signs warning of pea gravel. This I found out the hard way with a small moment going into a corner only to find it covered in loose metal, slight out of control moment cross the centre line heading toward a bank before gathering control & getting back on my side of the road.
Just before Te Araroa there is a Manuka oils place so a quick visit, buy some Manuka honey and head off again.
Next stop was Tokomaru Bay to see Dave & Tracey who own the Campgrounds, ex Wellingtonians who ride. Had a nice cold drink with them bought petrol, removed wet weather gear again and headed off towards Gisborne. Arrived back at the motel in time to watch the last of the V8 races and have a much deserved nice cold beer.
Monday it was time to head home and the weather was fine. The road out of Gisborne was really enjoyed especially the bit going up the Wharerata's, starts out with corner after corner sign posted at 45kmh taken at more the double the recommended speed easily then the nice climb towards the summit with the corners opening up.
The roads that we really enjoy are the Raupanga - Mohaka, Lake Tutira bends, Matahora Gorge and the hills either side of Devil's elbow.
It was highway 50 heading south and just past Ongaonga the rain started again, so back on with the Wet weather gear. Stop in Dannevirke for a bite to eat and then head down the Wairarapa and home. Saw quite a few bikes at the top of the Takas, traffic going down the hill was painfully slow.
Overall a top weekend with approx 1600kms covered mostly on wet roads.