It's great to be a biker!

[Mom]

I had actually forgotten just how wonderful it is to be out on the road, with the wind in your face and smelling the smells. It has been far too, far too.

Got out for the first time since moving down here and went over to Boscoes Café in Te Kuiti for lunch.

Wore our summer gear with all the vents open and no wet weather linings, as you do. We got rained on (of course) and I got stung in the neck by some fecking insect (ouchy). Had a blast!

Arrived home to sunshine (again, of course) and some antihistamine cream, which I am waiting for its soothing action to kick in.

Could not think of a better way to spend a day :sunny:

[caseye]

Bugger, Took the Ol "coal burner" down to the tron to see Murray today, I too got rained on, hell Mom, we coulda got together at maybe Pirongia. Ah, no worries, another day, shame about the sting, that vino stuff's pretty good for sore stuff.
Rain, piffle, got home dry! Happy too, old girls going strong as ever! New warrant today so thought, bit of a ride, warm her up, nah! did ti again,took the long route.

[Mom]

Bugger, Took the Ol "coal burner" down to the tron to see Murray today, I too got rained on, hell Mom, we coulda got together at maybe Pirongia. Ah, no worries, another day, shame about the sting, that vino stuff's pretty good for sore stuff.
Rain, piffle, got home dry! Happy too, old girls going strong as ever! New warrant today so thought, bit of a ride, warm her up, nah! did ti again,took the long route.

This was pretty much a spur of the moment ride, we have been working so hard since we moved here getting things done, we realised we had not actually done anything just us stuff last night. A ride was the order of the day today. I will post up a ride thread next time for sure :)

Vino certainly will be the order of the day very soon :shutup:

[Akzle]

I had actually forgotten just how wonderful it is to be out on the road, with the wind in your face and smelling the smells. It has been far too, far too.

dog gets that on the back of the ute.


...just sayin.

[Maha]

The Bennydale Pub is now the Wooden Heart Café, newly renovated and been open 13 weeks. Will stop in next time for a feed but it'll be hard to beat the Burger/Chips at Boscos Te Kuiti.
Yeah Mark we'll catch up soon for sure, Pirongia sounds about right.

[Moi]

The Bennydale Pub is now the Wooden Heart Café, newly renovated...

Stopped there for coffee and stickies when riding the Northern Odyssey - it's on the list for a return visit...

[Mom]

The Bennydale Pub is now the Wooden Heart Café, newly renovated and been open 13 weeks. Will stop in next time for a feed but it'll be hard to beat the Burger/Chips at Boscos Te Kuiti.
Yeah Mark we'll catch up soon for sure, Pirongia sounds about right.

They make a decent coffee too :yes:

[Moi]

They make a decent coffee too :yes:

Which one are you thinking of? - the one near the redoubt or the one on the main road opposite the village hall...

Both are on the return visit list...

[Mom]

Which one are you thinking of? - the one near the redoubt or the one on the main road opposite the village hall...

Both are on the return visit list...

Oh yeah, I thought that was a bit ambiguous as soon as I hit post, sorry. I was talking about the refurbished Bennydale pub/Wooden Heart Café I actually had a coke at Boscoes...

[Moi]

Oh yeah, I thought that was a bit ambiguous as soon as I hit post, sorry. I was talking about the refurbished Bennydale pub/Wooden Heart Café I actually had a coke at Boscoes...

Ambiguity is rampant... I thought you were talking of the cafes in Pirongia...

Both of the cafes in Pirongia and the one in Bennydale serve quality coffee...

Another worth visiting is the Woodturner cafe on SH2 before Ngatea...

[rastuscat]

Hell yeah. It's too easy to get hung up in the politics about motorcycling. Just get a taste and it's hard to beat.

[eldog]

The Bennydale Pub is now the Wooden Heart Café, newly renovated and been open 13 weeks.

Been there nice :yes:

[JATZ]

Good to hear the "de-fragging" is progressing well, finally :D

However, you can never have to much. Dr Jatz recommends another dose mid week :ride:

[Maha]

Good to hear the "de-fragging" is progressing well, finally :D

However, you can never have to much. Dr Jatz recommends another dose mid week :ride:

Cheers Doc, our first job is not until the end of April, but come April 2nd we will be active in seeking extra part time work, though there will be time to wheel out the Tiger and take in some more of what this beautiful area offers.

[nzspokes]

Hell yeah. It's too easy to get hung up in the politics about motorcycling. Just get a taste and it's hard to beat.

Yes and plenty do.

I just ride me fucking bike.

[R650R]

Timely post, while you were typing I was out on a right proper mission dealing to the best of the Motu rd.
Fueled bike up before work Friday, came home after work picked a spot on map for Saturday.
Roll on Saturday, weather was supposed to worsen but stayed good all day. Went Napier-Gisborne-Matawai-Opotiki (via Motu) - Gisborne (via Waioeka gorge)-Napier :)

[Maha]

Timely post, while you were typing I was out on a right proper mission dealing to the best of the Motu rd.
Fueled bike up before work Friday, came home after work picked a spot on map for Saturday.
Roll on Saturday, weather was supposed to worsen but stayed good all day. Went Napier-Gisborne-Matawai-Opotiki (via Motu) - Gisborne (via Waioeka gorge)-Napier :)

You win!
Our ride yesterday was by no means epic but SH30 is a wonderful bit of road with a lovely pot of gold at either end (if that's what floats your boat) we would have gone further and done a proper loop but early morning fog meant that we didn't get away till late.

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/dir/Mangakino,+Waikato/Te+Kuiti,+Waikato/Taumarunui,+Manawatu-Wanganui/Kuratau,+Waikato/Mangakino,+Waikato/@-38.6224212,175.1687867,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m32!4m31!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6c7946791a22 b7:0x500ef6143a2ddc0!2m2!1d175.7743577!2d-38.368473!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6cba0247660d1b:0x500ef6143 a30bb0!2m2!1d175.1634562!2d-38.3329835!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6b46ddb5a7240b:0x500ef614 3a309c0!2m2!1d175.260712!2d-38.8832463!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6b98faa6705679:0x500ef614 3a2f050!2m2!1d175.7673304!2d-38.8941836!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d6c7946791a22b7:0x500ef614 3a2ddc0!2m2!1d175.7743577!2d-38.368473!3e0

[Moi]

Try Benneydale to Ongarue -> Poro-O-Taroa Rd...

Take a vacuum flask and some coffee bags and gingernuts for a roadside stop :niceone:

[Maha]

Try Benneydale to Ongarue -> Poro-O-Taroa Rd...

Take a vacuum flask and some coffee bags and gingernuts for a roadside stop :niceone:

Waimiha/Poro-O-Taroa roads? yeah went that way when we did the Ohura Prison Ride a couple of years ago (Taumaranui/Te kuiti)

[pritch]

Some good cafes mentioned. Sadly I didn't discover either for some time but the one at Pirongia opposite the hall is good - for a year or two I was under the impression it was a garden centre. Bosco's is another favourite. When next passing through Bennydale I'll have to check the former pub.

[Mom]

Some good cafes mentioned. Sadly I didn't discover either for some time but the one at Pirongia opposite the hall is good - for a year or two I was under the impression it was a garden centre. Bosco's is another favourite. When next passing through Bennydale I'll have to check the former pub.

Give us a holler when you do, we will come and join you for a coffee.

[R650R]

Cheers guys, saw a few bikers going opposite ways too, including one small group who may have done part of what I did in reverse sans the motu.

[pritch]

Give us a holler when you do, we will come and join you for a coffee.

Thanks. I have no cross country trips planned in the immediate future, but will be heading to Hastings in November but by which route is uncertain.

[caspernz]

I had actually forgotten just how wonderful it is to be out on the road, with the wind in your face and smelling the smells.

Very poignant, and I can't agree more...getting out on two wheels is good therapy :2thumbsup.

As of late I've had a few unforeseen circumstances slow down the biking habit, but yeah each time I saddle up and cruise onto the open road it takes mere minutes to be reminded of why I enjoy it so much.

[Mom]

Very poignant, and I can't agree more...getting out on two wheels is good therapy :2thumbsup.

As of late I've had a few unforeseen circumstances slow down the biking habit, but yeah each time I saddle up and cruise onto the open road it takes mere minutes to be reminded of why I enjoy it so much.

Maha and I have been holed up working 24/7 in the smoke for the past year or so, NO riding. This is pure joy now.

[Murray]

welcome to the hospitalty industry. got this afternoon off this week

[Oakie]

Been about a year since my bike left the city (been busy renovating the whole house) so when Mrs Oakie's cousin turned up with his partner on the back of his big Trumpet today and asked if we wanted to go for a ride ... well our bike gear was on in about 5 minutes. Wasn't a big ride ... just from home in Parklands to Lyttleton then back to town via Gebbies so only 60something kms but it was really cool to be reminded what it's like to ride for the sake of it, not just to get to work and back. And after such a long time away from the twistys, I managed to get through it all without any "oh shit" moments too. Yes, it's great to be a biker!

[Banditbandit]

dog gets that on the back of the ute.


...just sayin.

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f6/98/70/f69870d701a3e7d6c413e0200d58a2fa.jpg" width="400px"/>

[willytheekid]

Same day, same thing Mom :niceone:

Went out to see the "Last of summer" bike show at the Tai tapu hotel (even cleaned & serviced the bike!)

...the show, not for me! (FAAAAR to many new leathers leaning against new harleys with that well known "sons of anarchy" attitude on display)

Pulled up, took one look and thought...farrk this lol, Im going for a ride now I know you lot are off the roads :banana:

...was a bloody AWESOME ride too :first:

Two kids and a retarded dog!...they honestly dont let me out much nowdays :no::weep:...So I made the most of it! :whistle:

[Maha]

Went to the Tihoi pub for lunch today, burger/chips and L&P pretty standard order to be honest. SH32 (the Western Access) is a real comfortable ride, sitting on 110-115kph in absolute sunny and still conditions makes for a real pleasurable ride.
The pub itself has a massive undercover outdoor area where the bike can be parked right by the tables. There is nothing but farmlands for miles then all of a sudden...there's a Pub.

[caseye]

Went to the Tihoi pub for lunch today, burger/chips and L&P pretty standard order to be honest. SH32 (the Western Access) is a real comfortable ride, sitting on 110-115kph in absolute sunny and still conditions makes for a real pleasurable ride.
The pub itself has a massive undercover outdoor area where the bike can be parked right by the tables. There is nothing but farmlands for miles then all of a sudden...there's a Pub.

Noice bike that Maha! one day soon guys, one day!

[Mom]

Been about a year since my bike left the city. Yes, it's great to be a biker!


Same day, same thing Mom :niceone:
...was a bloody AWESOME ride too :first:

I think sometimes we can get caught up in look at moi, moi ride, moi gear...

It is ALL about the ride, the sheer pleasure to be alive that makes it great to be a biker!


Noice bike that Maha! one day soon guys, one day!

Sharing that buzz with a mate doubles the pleasure. Mind you, meeting new friends along the way is also pretty cool!

Smelling that stock truck is maybe not so cool :dodge:

[Moi]

I think sometimes we can get caught up in look at moi, moi ride, moi gear...

I'm not sure if I should be flattered... :eek5:

[Banditbandit]

I was following a cruiser two-up into Whakatāne this morning .. then I noticed the small patch on the back of the (clearly a woman) pillion leathers ...

It said "Enjoy Life - Ride a Biker" ...

[Genie]

I had actually forgotten just how wonderful it is to be out on the road, with the wind in your face and smelling the smells. It has been far too, far too.

Got out for the first time since moving down here and went over to Boscoes Café in Te Kuiti for lunch.

Wore our summer gear with all the vents open and no wet weather linings, as you do. We got rained on (of course) and I got stung in the neck by some fecking insect (ouchy). Had a blast!

Arrived home to sunshine (again, of course) and some antihistamine cream, which I am waiting for its soothing action to kick in.

Could not think of a better way to spend a day :sunny:

Hope you've plenty more riding. It's amazing to get back out there and do it again. I've had little riding the bike, got horses and they keep me busy. Happy Easter.

[Mom]

Happy Easter.

Hello stranger, Happy Easter to you too :sunny:

And yes, lots of riding time now.

[PrincessBandit]

Took mine to school yesterday and since it was such lovely weather I chose to forgo jacket and gloves for the short trip there. Once I got past feeling a bit unclothed it was actually very pleasant. Funny seeing the students faces when they realised it was me (normally covered up in all the gear).

[Swoop]

...then all of a sudden...there's a Pub.

PR2's?

10 fucken chars...

[Maha]

PR2's?

10 fucken chars...

PR S, would rather 3's.

[Maha]

Awesome day out today, once the fog lifted and the bikes were ready. Okoroire for lunch and a catch up with Mike Brown,great feed and a ton of laughs. Came home via Arapuni where we stopped for an ice cream. Good to have the lovely Hilary and Stuart along for the ride. Beautiful evening here so the B-B-Q is have it's inaugural outing tonight since being here.

Morning sunrise through the fog
Anne/Mike/Hilary and Stu
Hilary and the bikes.

[Maha]

Today started with more collecting of fruit and nuts then off to Kinloch for lunch. Wow has that place changed over the last 30 years, I don't remember it having a Marina, nice ride and awesome lunch, Anne had a Caesar Salad and me a BLT. Thank you Ester Monday it's been a pleasure.

[Katman]

Anne had a Caesar Salad and me a BLT.

:facepalm:

Have you uploaded the pictures to facebook yet?

[Maha]

:facepalm:

Have you uploaded the pictures to facebook yet?

Facebook/Ej's 'Good ride photos' thread and this thread, Thinking about putting them the 'We're Moving South' thread later.
Might pop in and see you this coming week, we need to come to Taupo.

[Katman]

Might pop in and see you this coming week, we need to come to Taupo.

You'll be told to fuck off.

(Just so you know).

[Maha]

You'll be told to fuck off.

(Just so you know).

You're only a tough guy on here.

(Everyone knows)

Not sure what day sorry.

[Laava]

You enjoying the Tiger Mark? I test rode one a way back and ended up with the Suzi for no real good reason other than loving the sound.

[Maha]

You enjoying the Tiger Mark? I test rode one a way back and ended up with the Suzi for no real good reason other than loving the sound.

Sure am, been out on quiet a bit of late. Awesome two-up bike and getting a good comments from Anne about it from a pillions point of view. I know it's a tall bike, but parking it at Bennydale the other was a bit of a challenge, the camber there is massive and the bike needs to be at a right angle to the curb, other wise the stand is 150mm off the ground.

[Bass]

Today started with more collecting of fruit and nuts then off to Kinloch for lunch. Wow has that place changed over the last 30 years, I don't remember it having a Marina, nice ride and awesome lunch, Anne had a Caesar Salad and me a BLT. Thank you Ester Monday it's been a pleasure.

Came past Mangakino Easter Monday and thought seriously about dropping in, but then realised I didn't have your new address anyway.
Were on the way home from Porangahau and dodging traffic (successfully). Seems we made the right call cos you weren't home.
Was sad to see that Bryce's at Wharepapa South had burned down - nothing left at all.

Note the bike change at our end - taking it to the States in late July for 5 weeks.
Roll on July

[nzspokes]

Sure am, been out on quiet a bit of late. Awesome two-up bike and getting a good comments from Anne about it from a pillions point of view. I know it's a tall bike, but parking it at Bennydale the other was a bit of a challenge, the camber there is massive and the bike needs to be at a right angle to the curb, other wise the stand is 150mm off the ground.

Just a thought, Ive used a bit of old cut up thick plastic chopping board under the stand before. Would be light enough to go in your pocket for such situations. Can be enough to help.

[Maha]

Came past Mangakino Easter Monday and thought seriously about dropping in, but then realised I didn't have your new address anyway.
Were on the way home from Porangahau and dodging traffic (successfully). Seems we made the right call cos you weren't home.
Was sad to see that Bryce's at Wharepapa South had burned down - nothing left at all.

Note the bike change at our end - taking it to the States in late July for 5 weeks.
Roll on July

Yes Neil, we were a long time away from being able to get out on a bike, so are making up for it now that we can, when we can.
Being semi retired has it's advantges, we have a few days work starting ANZAC weekend then on up north for a weeks work then back home to rest up...whew!
How did your Aussie tour go?
A Beemer Neil? and off to the states? just for a look around?

[Maha]

Just a thought, Ive used a bit of old cut up thick plastic chopping board under the stand before. Would be light enough to go in your pocket for such situations. Can be enough to help.

There's an idea, I used to carry jar lid for the more softer surfaces. Funnily enough, Anne said to me ''welcome to my world'' we had about 20mm cut from the side stand on her bike which gave her the same problem more often than not...having to think about where to park instead of just 'here will do'.

[nzspokes]

There's an idea, I used to carry jar lid for the more softer surfaces. Funnily enough, Anne said to me ''welcome to my world'' we had about 20mm cut from the side stand on her bike which gave her the same problem more often than not...having to think about where to park instead of just 'here will do'.

We had an old board that was about 15mm think. Worked a treat and not to heavy.

Ive welded a big foot on the VTRs one as its prone to falling over on grass and soft ground. Stock foot was to small.

[arcane12]

Damn, reading this is making me want to do more with the bike than commute (which seems to be all I do on it these days :( )

[Latte]

Came past Mangakino Easter Monday and thought seriously about dropping in, but then realised I didn't have your new address anyway.
Were on the way home from Porangahau and dodging traffic (successfully). Seems we made the right call cos you weren't home.
Was sad to see that Bryce's at Wharepapa South had burned down - nothing left at all.

Note the bike change at our end - taking it to the States in late July for 5 weeks.
Roll on July

Yeah shame about Bryce's , heard it through Rock Climbing circles.

[Maha]

Came past Mangakino Easter Monday and thought seriously about dropping in, but then realised I didn't have your new address anyway.
Were on the way home from Porangahau and dodging traffic (successfully). Seems we made the right call cos you weren't home.
Was sad to see that Bryce's at Wharepapa South had burned down - nothing left at all.

Note the bike change at our end - taking it to the States in late July for 5 weeks.
Roll on July

I see there is a big hole there Neil, there one week gone the next.