Road trip - BOP -> Taranaki

[CookMySock]

ok not really a "ride" or an "event", but I'm going to New Plymouth on friday, returning on sunday. If anyone wants to join up they are most welcome - I could do with the company. I would consider a pillion if you are *very* lightweight and we are, er, compatible. I *might* be able to get you a bed down there - chip in for food etc or eat out with us - just go with the flow. Won't be spending a lot of money.

heres my route, approximately.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Edgecumbe,+Bay+of+Plenty,+New+Zealand&daddr=-37.892196,175.462646+to:New+Plymouth,+Taranaki,+Ne w+Zealand&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1&sll=-38.505975,175.45239&sspn=1.599092,2.966309&ie=UTF8&z=8

If the weather is crap I'd prolly leave a day early etc. Not in any hurry.

Pics to follow on my profile page.


Steve

[nadroj]

Try turning left & go thru Putaruru & come out just south of Kihikihi. A much bikebfriendlier road.

[CookMySock]

thanks for that

DB

[ynot slow]

Try turning left & go thru Putaruru & come out just south of Kihikihi. A much bikebfriendlier road.

I think the detour at the dam is still in vogue,was supposed to be completed July last year.
Nice detour anyway,just have to wait for the lights,good road as well,enjoy the trip.

[What?]

Don't bother cleaning your bike before you go - there's roadworks about every 25 feet all the way from Te Kuiti to Brixton.

[CookMySock]

Don't bother cleaning your bike before you go - there's roadworks about every 25 feet all the way from Te Kuiti to Brixton.

ahh shit

DB

[ynot slow]

ahh shit

DB

Forgotten Highway? Either on way to or on return journey.

[CookMySock]

Forgotten Highway? Either on way to or on return journey.

naw itsa nice long ride as it is so I'll just stick to the main routes, ish.

edit: now if I can just persuade some nice young bird to jump on the back, sigh

DB

[CookMySock]

ok this was great trip - my 2nd real distance-ride. I learned a whole lot and got in some good practice. And it was fun.

Edgecumbe, Taupo, Bennydale, New Plymouth - 6 hours (with stops)

The roadworks near bennydale were a real bitch. 100mm deep of huge shingle/chip that the front wheel just wanted to sink into. SH1 near Taupo was smooth and fast, as they are. The roads around Atimuri are nearly vacant. The roadworks in the awakino area was perfectly ok.

New Plymouth, Kihikihi/Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Rotorua, Edgecumbe - 6 hours (with stops)

Whew, no nasty obstacle/rock courses to navigate, viz bennydale.

No "ewps's" on the whole trip, except collected a pheasant at rotoiti, and had to extract it KFC style piece by piece. Yuck. Big hose-off job when I got home. Use the HORN, boy! thats what its there for!!

I did find myself entering a corner just a wee bit quick.. cough, ok quite a bit too quick, so I hung right out and gave a savage push on the bars and over she went and tracked the corner superbly - nicked another few mm off my chicken strips. More of a "wake up" moment rather than an "oh shit" moment.

Caught up with a few random chix I met on the Internet (hi Janno) :cool: and patted a bit of bum and held a few hands here and there.

Thanks to those who returned waves (nearly everyone) and those who rode alongside for a while, and to those who offered constructive criticism about my riding.

A great weekend.
DB