Write an essay for KR site

[Big Dave]

Just an idea - Wet day - I'm writing - if you want something to do:

200-500 word essay - 'My Favourite Road' - with a google map or google map link. Pics too if poss.

And we'll publish the best of on the KR site too.

[Taz]

So it can't be about how you guys put a pic of a 2 stroke RG in the mag instead of Cros's GS1000R race bike then? :lol:

[Headbanger]

My Favourite Road-By Headbanger

My favourite road is any road where the police don't do u-turns in blind-spots and which has a pub located at the halfway point, A pub that does wedges with cheese and bacon.

The End.

[Big Dave]

Is it the one labelled XR69? I'd have to ask Rhys.

[AD345]

“My favourite road” the man said. Just put down a few words and see how you do. Where do you start something like that?

When you get down to it a road is a road is a road. Sealed, or not, corners, straights, up hills and down, oncoming traffic and both kinds of snakes – tar and copper. They all have them to one degree or another.
To be a favourite it then needs to evoke some emotional response. The exhilaration of a smooth fast series of sweepers certainly brings a smile to my face so that would make the 34 k from Tahuna to Ohinewai in the northern Waikato a contender for favourite.
Beautiful scenery at a cruising pace would make the western side of the Coromandel peninsula another shot at the title. Then there is the western side of Lake Taupo from Tokoroa to Turangi. I love that road in a car or a bike. Great surface, wide because of the logging trucks and, back in the day, snake free (little or no RT coverage).
State Highway 14 from Dargaville to Whangarei has no special scenery and doesn’t really go anywhere spectacular but you can’t ride it on a cruiser without feeling better with every passing kilometre. Better still there are a myriad of options directly off that road as well, be it up through Twin Bridges to Kaikohe or meandering through Waipoua Forest to Opononi to name just two.
We have hardly gotten started and I could go on for 10 more without going south of Taupo, let alone waxing rhapsodic about the offerings on our southern Isle.
But, with all that, I do have a favourite road.
It is the one that goes past my house.
The one that takes me everywhere else

I love it.

[Big Dave]

My Favourite Road-By Headbanger

My favourite road is any road where the police don't do u-turns in blind-spots and which has a pub located at the halfway point, A pub that does wedges with cheese and bacon.

The End.

Fascinating insights thanks. No mention of amplifier stacks or black motif tee shirt vendors?

[Gubb]

Fascinating insights thanks. No mention of amplifier stacks or black motif tee shirt vendors?
He usually goes home at the end of "The Road" anyway.

[Big Dave]

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-favourite-road.html

[AD345]

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-favourite-road.html

Whoohooo

World famous in Papakura!

Need new pics tho.

[Taz]

Is it the one labelled XR69? I'd have to ask Rhys.
Yep . :)

[Big Dave]

I'll ask Rhys!

[Crazy Steve]

Just an idea - Wet day - I'm writing - if you want something to do:

200-500 word essay - 'My Favourite Road' - with a google map or google map link. Pics too if poss.

And we'll publish the best of on the KR site too.

Is there a prize ? ?

200-500 is alot of freckin words if the most commonly used word you use is Fck !

Crazy Steve.

[Big Dave]

Is there a prize ? ?

I will love you long time and will buy beer next time Suzuki are paying.

[trustme]

So many roads so little time. I could dash up a little something on the Manawahe Rd, Fields Track ,Kaipara Hills Rd or are they a little too eclectic

[Headbanger]

Righto, I don't have a favorite road, I have a favorite loop for short blasts. It packs a lot of punch into a half hour ride.

Starting in the stunning and historical metropolis of Wanganui, traveling alongside the crystalline waters of the Wanganui river, past the impressive and revered Aramaho Tavern, Turning left at Brunwick Rd and passing the magnificent fertilizer store and former demolition "storage facility", from there it goes downhill rather quickly, the road is a succession of undulating sharp blind corners, the surface is a minefield, Leading onto a one way bridge and a series of very sharp,very steep corners.

There are no road markings, The road is covered in shit, tractors and sheep are common, as is cars on the wrong side of the road, and the locals treat it as their driveway. In other words perfect conditions for riding a bike.

Soon it opens up and you climb out of the valley towards a plateau, Soon you're surrounded by gentle farmland and you can feed the bitch some fat, Until getting the shit scared out of you by a tractor, farm dog or a wicked tight corner apearing out of nowhere. Sometimes a combination of all three for some quality shits and giggles.

Then a good short sharp decent into a stunning valley, a hard left and a few k's on another tight, twisty, badly maintained road, If you don't get an arse clenth or two through here you doing it all wrong.

Soon enough you hit the main road, hang a hard left and you're at the Kai iwi tavern. Great service,plenty of food, and the beer is cold. There is pretty much always at least a couple bikes parked outside.

From here you can stay on the main road for a casual ride back into Wanganui or hang a hard right, Leading through some trees and up the side of a hill, the road is in great condition, the corners are perfect. This again opens up onto flat farm land and as you get closer to the coast the sea opens up before you, But don't look at it, that's where the corners kick in, and if your looking out to sea you will crash. There is also a cliff.

Bypassing the beach turn off, and heading back towards town, You can pick anyone of 4 of 5 different approaches to take.

All in all its a fuckin stunning route, offering up a wide variation of roads and scenery, and can be done after work or before lunch. Funny enough its rare that I see any other bikes out and about those ways.

<iframe src="http://www.quikmaps.com/ext2/139880?t=1&ln=0&sn=1&zb=0&d=1&o=0&lat=-39.884299250000005&lng=174.982574&zl=12&mt=2" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" height="402" scrolling="no" width="601"></iframe>

[tri boy]

Write an essay:rofl:
Between that, and receiving a couple of cuts with the cane, the cane won everytime.:spanking:
1min of pain beats boredom X2hrs everytime.
(school did have good tuck shops though)

[Headbanger]

what the feck happened to my map

[Big Dave]

I can see the map OK.
Nice bit.

Edit - I can't pick up the embedded map - can you post the link to it please.

[Headbanger]

The map

http://www.quikmaps.com/show/139880

I also fixed up a couple errors in my text, no doubt there are many more.

[Stylo]

Righto, I don't have a favorite road, I have a favorite loop for short blasts. It packs a lot of punch into a half hour ride.

Starting in the stunning and historical metropolis of Wanganui, traveling alongside the crystalline waters of the Wanganui river, past the impressive and revered Aramaho Tavern, Turning left at Brunwick Rd and passing the magnificent fertilizer store and former demolition "storage facility", from there it goes downhill rather quickly, the road is a succession of undulating of sharp blind corners, the surface is a minefeild, Leading onto a one way bridge and a series of very sharp,very steep corners.

There are no road markings, The road is covered in shit, tractors and sheep are common, as is cars on the wrong side of the road, and the locals treat it as their driveway. In other words perfect conditions for riding a bike.

Soon it opens up and you climb out of the valley towards a plateau, Soon you're surrounded by gentle farmland and you can feed the bitch some fat, Until getting the shit scared out of you by a tractor, farm dog or a wicked tight corner apearing out of nowhere. Sometimes a combination of all three for some quality shits and giggles.

Then a good short sharp decent into a stunning valley, a hard left and a few k's on another tight, twisty, badly maintained road, If you don't get an arse clenth or two through here you doing it all wrong.

Soon enough you hit the main road, hang a hard left and you're at the Kai iwi tavern. Great service,plenty of food, and the beer is cold. There is pretty much always at least a couple bikes parked outside.

From here you can stay on the main road for a casual ride back into Wanganui or hang a hard right, Leading through some trees and up the side of a hill, the road is in great condition, the corners are perfect. This again opens up onto flat farm land and as you get closer to the coast the sea opens up before, But don't look at it, that's where the corners kick in, and if your looking out to sea you will crash. There is also a cliff.

Bypassing the beach turn off, and heading back towards town, You can pick anyone of 4 of 5 different approaches to take.

All in all its a fuckin stunning route, offering up a wide variation of roads and scenery, and can be done after work or before lunch. Funny enough its rare that I see any other bikes out and about those ways.

All very good but...I'm probably the only one in NZ who rode the Methven-Chertsey Rd this morning in the pissing cold rain with a hangover, having had four hours sleep and my only visor was a tinted one...wife on the back of the 'Busa, pack on the back and fogging up big time. 160 ph and I hit a big pile of tractor mud and the bike had a 'moment' for about 3 seconds ......still a little subdued ....actually, I'm thinking about joining the church next week....

[Big Dave]

>>I also fixed up a couple errors<<

I gave it a tidy up. had to edit the 'fuckin'. We have a kid reader too.

[Conquiztador]

<SMALL>It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with hope in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? He has got two guinea pigs. Please daddy…"</SMALL>
<SMALL></SMALL>
<SMALL></SMALL><SMALL>I had planned to spend the day with my three boys. Do some dad – son bonding. But what chance do I have when up against two mighty guinea pigs?

“Sure son. You and your brothers go. But be home by six.” As they grab their pushbikes and ride out from the section through the hole in the back fence I hear: “Love you dad.” And they are gone.

The house goes quiet. Now what? It is a sunny day and I have no interest in housework. Never have for that matter… Hmmm, what about a bike ride? I have almost six hours… As the thought goes through my head I am already changing in to my leathers and inside three minutes I have wheeled the bike outside, locked the doors, put my helmet on and Shirley is warming up.

I ride in the traffic through Clive and soon after hit Napier. I navigate the sleepy streets and find my self on the other side of town riding north. A stop in Bay View to fill up with petrol and I am off. I knew straight away where I was going; Gisborne. It is an easy four hours trip there and back. Add two stops at my favorite hotel and I still be back in time.

I neglect the SH5 turnoff toward Taupo and ride SH2 with the sea on my right until I pass the Waipatiki intersection. Until now the road has been mainly straight and relaxing. It is all part of this roads attraction. The change as the twisties begin has caught out many travelers.

Sofar there has been no problem hitting the speed limit. But as the road clings to the side of the hills it at times becomes impossible to do more than 50k/h. I love this part of the road. The sharp turns, the un-ability to see what is around the bend, and the slow traffic that allows me space to pass with ease.

I ride past Lake Tutira and hardly have time to reach 100k/h before it is time to shift down again and negotiate through the next twisties.

After 45 minutes of riding I come to the small village of Putorino where the Waikare Hotel is placed conveniently by the roadside. I take my obligatory stop and after a few friendly words with the barman find my self sitting outside in the sun with my drink watching the world go by. I love this place. There is no mobile phone coverage here!

After my drink I carry on the ride towards Wairoa, a small place that has never held an attraction for me. Well, there was this one time I met this lady from here… but I digress.

I carry on through Wairoa and hit the road north. The main twisties are now behind me and I can grab a handful of throttle. Forest, lakes, bridges, rivers and sea fly past as I enjoy the ride. All too quickly I find my self riding down the descend towards Gisborne.

I decide I don’t really have any reason to visit the place, and so I veer in to the petrol station where SH 2 and SH35 meet just before Gisborne.

I walk in to pay for the fuel and the woman behind the counter asks where I am going. I tell her I am turning around and going back home to Hawke’s Bay. “You ride alone?” she asks. “Bike riding is a solitary experience” I state and smile.

As I ride back Shirley knows we are going home and she does most of the work as we flow through the bends. The road is in a good condition and the traffic is sparse. Less than two hours since we left the Waikare Hotel we are back. I walk in and the barman gives me the same without me asking. I like that. Service. Makes me want to come back.

After I once more have watched the world go past I ride towards the twisties. The urge has gone and I take it easy enjoying every moment. Perhaps I don’t want this to end? But I need to be back for my boys.

As I come to Bay View I know that from here it is only commuting left to do.

SH2 Napier – Gisborne is one of my favorite roads. It has all I like with biking: challenging roads, corners, need to change gears, fast straights, views. And a decent pub halfway. What more could a biker want? But then, I am a simple man with simple needs.

<O:p</O:p
</SMALL><SMALL></SMALL>
<SMALL></SMALL>
<SMALL>http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=napier&daddr=gisborne&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=-39.504783,176.913706&sspn=2.131948,4.916382&g=napier+-+gisborne&ie=UTF8&ll=-39.155622,177.385254&spn=1.071297,2.458191&z=9</SMALL>

[HenryDorsetCase]

Righto, I don't have a favorite road, I have a favorite loop for short blasts. It packs a lot of punch into a half hour ride.

Starting in the stunning and historical metropolis of Wanganui, traveling alongside the crystalline waters of the Wanganui river, past the impres................. etc

there's your problem: its "wHanganui" innit? and the wHanganui river. I've seen a sign. From Jeebus. Or maybe Tariana Turia.

[Big Dave]

<SMALL>It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with hope in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? He has got two guinea pigs. Please daddy…”

Can you do it without the smilies please?

[Conquiztador]

Can you do it without the smilies please?

<SMALL>It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with tears in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? His two guinea pigs died. Please daddy…”</SMALL>

[nosebleed]

Right 4 minus, opens over crest 50 and tightens 5

Left 6 over crest 50 and tightens minus 120

Keep right into Left 5 minus over crest 100

Keep right in dipp into Left 6 opens over jump 50

Crest and dip 80

Right 6 over jump 100

Right 5 over crest opens 50, Caution big dip 60

Right 4 over 2 crests, opens 50 and tightens minus keep in over
crest 60 (00.36)

Left 6 over jump 80

Crest 50, Right 3

Left 5 minus 100

Left 5 minus long tightens a bit, BRAKE Right 3 half long tightens 2 plus 80 (Back-in)

Right 4 minus half long, opens 30, Left 3 50

Left 3 plus keep in over crest 100
Right 3 plus 80

Small crest 50

Early Left 4 opens over crest 50

Left 4 minus half long 120

Right 4 long tightens narrows

Left 4 plus over crest

Crest into Right 4 100

Left 5 minus over junction opens 120


...That's the first 5 minutes, do you want the whole "Loop"?

[Big Dave]

<small> want the whole "Loop"?

sure - and a map reference if possible.

Conquiz - I get two smileys in between every paragraph.
</small>

[Conquiztador]

<small> want the whole "Loop"?

sure - and a map reference if possible.

Conquiz - I get two smileys in between every paragraph.
</small>

Strange. None there on my screen?

[Big Dave]

Strange. None there on my screen?

ANSII v ASCII
PC V Mac.

I'll see if I can delete them without installing typos - or perhaps you could email it to webmaster@kiwirider.co.nz ?

[Conquiztador]

ANSII v ASCII
PC V Mac.

I'll see if I can delete them without installing typos - or perhaps you could email it to webmaster@kiwirider.co.nz ?

Re-did. Try now?

[Big Dave]

Cool thanks. There now.
http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-favourite-road.html

[Gremlin]

You lot should have been out riding... I was :ride:

[Big Dave]

You lot should have been out riding... I was :ride:

Not to put too fine a point on it; fuck that.

[shrub]

To me a road is a metaphor for life; it's something I am always on and is defined by memories, so my favourite roads are the ones that hold memories. Like the spring morning back in 1996 when I was riding my Mk 2 Guzzie Le mans back to Christchurch after a weekend in Greymouth, and as I passed through Kumara I saw the sign "Arthur's Pass via Lake Brunner". I was going to Arthur's Pass, and any way was a good way, so I turned off. After a couple of kms the road turned to gravel, and it seemed I was the only one on the road. I had the whole day to get to Christchurch, so I settled down to a gentle rumble along the gravel road at little more than walking pace.

My nostrils were filled with the scent of dust, the bush and a motorcycle and my soundtrack was the crunch of wheels on gravel, birds, my exhaust and the ever present Guzzi tappet rattle. I passed through lonely country and saw driveways leading into bush, old houses on hills, abandoned mining machinery by the side of the road and the big sky stretching over me; and it seemed right to be on a bike, alone and free with the richness of my surroundings saturating my senses. After some time and distance - measurement was irrelevent, I rounded a corner to see Lake Brunner stretched across in front of me, mirror still in the breathlessness of the morning and I stopped. As the hot engine ticked cool, I could hear gentle movement in the trees, birds singing and knew that if there is such a thing as heaven, then this is what it must be modelled on.

Ahead of me I saw tarseal roads, a lodge and in the distance a car heading my way, so I knew that moment had ended, so I put my helmet back on, fired up the V twin engine and pulled back on the highway. Ahead of me lay the road, and with that road lay more magic; different magic, new magic.

That's why I ride a bike.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=kumara&daddr=Kumara+Inchbonnie+Rd+to:-42.73037,171.475983&hl=en&geocode=FSKAdf0dsho0Cim3yADYgD0vbTFBwwQjLzwndg%3BF QJAdf0djCg2Cg%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=1&sll=-42.654162,171.324921&sspn=0.249469,0.633774&ie=UTF8&z=11

[Vegetableman]

Great stuff, this sort of thing should be printed in magazines every month.
The downside of course being that your favourite 'private' road would soon become inundated with the many.