There and back in 9 days [Archive]

Maha

28th September 2008, 14:46

Day 1 Warkworth to Ashhurst – 580 kms

Leave at 8:45am with grey rainy skies overhead, a full tank of gas and head south. First stop Huntly for a leg stretch. Turned off SH1 at Taupiri/Gordonton/Cambridge on to Tokoroa for lunch and fuel. Stopped at Taupo for a photo beside the great lake then off over the Desert Road (fuck it was cold!) and on to Waiuru for more fuel. Text to cowboyz to arrange a rendevous at Vinegar Hill with a few of the Ashhurst posse (interesting, EMU’s attract cows??? How bizarre). :wacko:
Into Ashhurst where we put paid to an awesome BBQ feed, a box of Codys and a bottle of wine and talked endless crap with them down there. Met some fantastic people, including one who should post more often eh black lamb? Thanks for the great night you guys. Crashed at cowboyz abode and was woken by a little voice asking if he could turn TV on.

Day 2 Ashhurst to Masterton – 130 kms

First of the real mint weather days :sunny:

We must have been great guests as the Ashhurst lot were very keen to see us out of their patch :innocent: and accompanied us on some of the finest bits of road a bloke could ride. One does have to wonder about mother sheep feeding their lambs in the middle of the road though :gob: Roundabouts can be challenging for some people you must exit them at some point eh :yes: Got led on a wild Emu chase around Masterton before finally settling for a coffee in main street. Left the guys and went to our motel and did the family birthday thing in the evening.

Day 3 Masterton to Napier – 338 kms

:sunny:

Headed north to meet MSTRS and yungatart at Dannevirke, and were taken on a fantastic excursion around some really cool roads in the back of beyond. Stopped at Wimbledon (no Wombles sadly) but it was closed, until MSTRS banged on the door and got the girl out of bed that is :dodge: Sadly no food was on offer even after she had got dressed so we headed to Porangahau for lunch after making the obligatory stop at Tahmatawhakatangihangakoauauotamatetpokaiwhenuakit anatahu. Then onto Havelock North via Waipukarau/Waipawa/Patangata/Elsthorpe. A detour up Te Mata Peak was made before arriving home in Napier. Stay tuned for pics.

Maha

28th September 2008, 14:47

Day 4 Napier

:sunny:

A day off the bike spent doing a bit of a Cooks Tour of Napier complete with wine tasting for Mom :yes: Maha hates it, but managed to pretend to know the difference between a Chardonnay and a Merlot :2thumbsup Discovered you don’t want to out stay your welcome there though, they set their friggen cat on ya :dodge:

Day 5 Napier to Tolaga Bay – 296 kms

:sunny:

We passed two big trucks and one small truck the entire trip! Absolutely no traffic made the trip a pleasure, some real interesting windy corners made it a interesting windy ride (go Maha), pie and a flat white at Wairoa then on to Gissy. Only HP cop we saw was on those long straights coming into Gisborne, lucky he was distracted methinks. Stopped in 27deg beachside for a stretch, gassed up and headed to Tolaga Bay. Mom was horrified to find the dreaded WRB (cheesecutter) had been installed for a stretch along the most beautiful coastal road in Tatpouri :oi-grr: to prevent a metre drop to the sand below, or possible to prevent a whale stranding or something. Tolaga Bay was stunning, Maha rode out to the end of the wharf. Stayed at the Inn there, highly recommended unless you want food at 3pm that is…more on that later.

Day 6 Tolaga Bay to Waihau Bay – 221 kms

:sunny:

Went to Tokomaru Bay and took a stroll on the now really rickety wharf. Road conditions were great all the way to Ruatoria where we stopped for an all day brecky at 10am. Temp was already 25degs, fantastic! Noticed on the blackboard menu the words six pack squid (wonder what he is famous for in Ruatoria?) The fire brigade are an interesting sight to behold too! Made the tourist stops in Tikitiki, Te Araroa (nice spot) and Hicks Bay (waste of time). Took a recommended detour to a place called Lottin Point at the top of the cape (a must do, really!) and discovered the CB is actually an off road adventure bike as well as a tourer! Then to Waihau for the night.

Maha

28th September 2008, 14:47

Day 7 Waihau Bay to Edgecumbe – 218 kms

After our complimentary crayfish meal, beers and wine, king size bed and a sumptuous breakfast we were back on the road again. First stop for the day was Raukokore (Anglican church) the cemetery there tells a few sad stories. The weather was overcast and a bit pissy and windy, but brightened up at Opotiki. Stopped at Ohope by the beach then on to Edgecumbe to enjoy the hospitality of Dangerous Bastard and Bikerchick. A short ride out to Thornton Beach ensued, then we returned home to be fed nearly to bursting point, we crashed on the ever so slowly deflalting air bed (why is it those things never seem to stay up, anyone know of a Viagra product that might help?) Thanks guys was a great night.

Day 8 Edgecumbe to Whangamata – 222 kms

:sunny:

From Edgecumbe we took Braemar Road up over the Rotoma’s past Rotoiti and turned right at Te Ngae junction and went around the back of Lake Rotorua to Hamurana. Old Tauranga Direct Road brought us into Tauranga where we had a catch up with nodrog at lunchtime. From there we made our way up to Whangamata. Maha caught up with an old boss of his there, we had yum pizza, took some cool night pics of the bike and crashed out early. All this travelling makes for tired travellers it seems :baby: Whats with the pair of us lying in bed rubbing Voltarin into our aching joints at the same time anyway :rofl:

Day 9 Whangamata to Warkworth – 251 kms

The weather deteriorated steadily en route to Thames. We made a quick stop at the memorial crosses for Darryl and Bruce, then visited with Moms Mom in Thames. Was a bit of a challenge getting the bunch of flowers (for her birthday) from the shops to her house mind, the looks were good though. A few more Panadol and a foot long subway saw us refuelled to make our way home. Stopped at the top of the Bombays to don the wet weather suits as the sky was looking seriously menacing. Back on the road and got a real hammering of wind and rain most of the way back to Warkworth. Leave in the wet, arrive home in the wet :crazy:

So all in all a total of 2236 kms for the trip. No mishaps or dramas (apart from that poxy cat in Napier) and it only took an hour to clean the bike this morning.

Maha

28th September 2008, 14:53

Some pics of the first day or so.
Love the Kawasharkie....spankin' colour an so easy on the eye....:yes:

Maha

28th September 2008, 14:58

Awesome time in Ashhurst (with two H's)...cheers EMU people.....:2thumbsup

Maha

28th September 2008, 15:04

Some of the 'must visit pubs' out the back of and north of Dannevirke somewhere...
Wimbledon/Porangahau and Patangata. Fantastic roads, better than up here, no question! Sorry guys, secrets out...:yes:

Mom

28th September 2008, 15:19

Napier has always held a soft spot in my heart - not hard to see why really. The views are spectacular, the architecture is special, the ocean.

Mom

28th September 2008, 15:24

I am not good with heights so Te Mata Peak is a bit of a challenge for me, but the views are too good to miss. Sadly we were up there late in the day so missed the westerly aspect but here are a couple of shots from up there anyway.

Mom

28th September 2008, 15:35

The Tabacco Building in Napeir was pretty cool, the main entrance and dome roof are amazing.
And the longest place name?... wonder what the area code is?....:whistle:

Maha

28th September 2008, 15:43

27 Degs in Gisborne when we got there, you can see it was hot in the photos...:sunny:

Maha

28th September 2008, 15:50

Onto Tolaga bay...what a cool place to stay, and the road there was amazing. Took the bike out on the Wharf. Stayed at the Inn (bar is open from 3.30pm till 5.30pm :weep:) but you can buy beers and take them to your room. The pic of the Inn, the balcony area in front was off our room. The Inn manager was a top bloke, made us tea and said we could have whatever we wanted, mix and match the menu....:woohoo:
The Viaduct is over the Motu River.

Maha

28th September 2008, 15:55

Some pics of Tolaga Bay...me on a log and some other deadwood lying around.
Really is a stunning place, on days like it was when we were there anyway.
Petrol everywhere around the East Cape...I got from Gisborne to Waihau on a tank, but theres gas at Tolaga and Te Puia Springs etc.

The Stranger

28th September 2008, 16:00

Damn, that silver bike in no3 is one sexy machine.

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:04

Not alot happening there, was early though. But yet again, the day was perfect. The Wharf is a little bit suspect at the very end and the old shipping buildings stand as a testiment to an era that once was.

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:04

Damn, that silver bike in no3 is one sexy machine.

Yes the seat was dusted off twice that day....;)

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:13

To all those who we had the pleasure of meeting up with over the last 8-9 days. Meanie/Monie/Dopey/Happy/Sleepy/Grumpy/Bashfull/Doc/Sneezy and Bonezy from the Manawatu....hang on, that makes Ten! :hug:
Choice night guys. B-B-Q was mint.

MSTRS and yungatart from the Hawkes Bay....:hug:
Lovely B-B-Q one night and Roast the next.

DangerousBastard and Bikerchick from the Eastern BOP...:hug:
Big feed and my favorite ice-creme to follow.

Oh and caught up with my very first boss (from 1980) in Whangamata as well...too cool..

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:17

A couple of Takeaways place's....
Pic 1... Ruatoria....can you see the 'Six Pack Squid' in the middle?... go SPB!!
Pic 2...Wairoa....dont know about you, but 'Boil up' pie (3rd from the bottom) is not something that I woul chose....ever!

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:21

A place where you can get to the East Cape Lighthouse if you want to, I didnt want to, did a bit of off roading at Lottin point, that was enough for this trip. But another cool place. Hicks Bays was a let down, dont think we even saw one person there, apart from the lady in the shop but that was it.

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:27

Had to visit this place. A bit of off roading for the CB. 4kms in off the main rd and half of it is sealed but the rest is goat track, the pic taken over my helmet is a good bit of the road, didnt want to stop of the bad part, but once you get to the bottom....WOW!!! worth the effort

Pic 3 is from the highest point and the first glimps of Lottin point, parked on a cattle stop, then its a 1st and 2nd gear with breaks applied trek to the bottom.

Number One

28th September 2008, 16:34

yungatart

28th September 2008, 16:36

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:38

Played road tag with a couple from Southland through to Waihau, first meet them at Tokomaru Bay (their vans can been seen in the Tok pics) Stayed the night in Waihau, and very cool B and B, awesome people. Very nice crayfish dinner (half each) with a few beers, king size bed, oh the comfort....:zzzz:
The sunset was weird, we were on the east coast (or so it seems) but the sun sets in the west right????....Waihau Bay faces west?.. very confusing, I needed more beer!

Maha

28th September 2008, 16:57

You forgot the fecken pics of the Tukituki river valley!
I walked freaking miles in full leathers on a hot day to get those for ya...no wonder my cat had a go at you!
If I'd known you weren't posting them, I'd have joined her in the attack!

Humphh! Thats bloody gratitude for you...mutter, mutter....

Just for the lovely Tart who was away for 15-20 mins getting these pics in full leathers and lid.
A stunning part of the country but you want a laugh????
When she got back huffin' and puffin' (bless her) we set off for Hastings (or parts there of)
and 20mts up the roads was a great spot to take photos :doh:

Hey! look at that J....you got a panoramic thing going there? just noticed that. :rockon:

Mom

28th September 2008, 17:07

...no wonder my cat had a go at you!
If I'd known you weren't posting them, I'd have joined her in the attack!

It is OK tart, you know I love your pussy, really I do :yes: She is just a bit hormonal at times is all :dodge:

No matter my scarf needed a wash anyway, and nothing beats flying the tartan from an olde worlde pub balcony anyway...

Mom

28th September 2008, 17:13

I know some of us are interested in the finer details of riding so for us here goes...

We travelled 2236 kms (round figures)

We bought $249.06 of petrol.

Highest price for petrol was at Waihau Bay a whopping $2.12 a litre, the cheapest $1.959 (shared by Tokoroa, Ashhurst, Dannevirke, Napier, Edgecombe and Whangamata) and $1.979 in Waiouru and Gisborne.

Average cost per litre of petrol $2.02.

The CB carrying 2 of us and a heavy pack travelled 17.81km per litre of petrol.

Mom

28th September 2008, 17:15

Noice pics and great report MoMahas ;) Sorry I couldn't make a hook up but looks like you were well looked after by all in sundry. Glad the weather was good to yas...how your bums have recovered some feeling :lol:

Talking of bums...

I need to give a big RAP for the seat on the CB! Seriously comfy, no numb bum for me, although I was mighty pleased to get off her when we got home last night to be fair.

Mom

28th September 2008, 17:30

A few random shots I took along the way

Garden bar seating Tolaga Bay styles

Opotiki - was court day there, all the bros in town for the day

Waihi - been through there so many times, never seen this

A really cool garden feature

EJK

28th September 2008, 18:53

To all those who we had the pleasure of meeting up with over the last 8-9 days. Meanie/Monie/Dopey/Happy/Sleepy/Grumpy/Bashfull/Doc/Sneezy and Bonezy from the Manawatu....hang on, that makes Ten! :hug:

Eeeeh? Is that what... 10 little dwarfs???

By the way, Awesome tour!!!!! :sunny:
Those photos are absolutely breath taking! :eek:

MadDuck

28th September 2008, 19:01

Great write up and photos yous!

I am thinking about doing a round trip myself but heading to that "Other Island"

Bonez

28th September 2008, 19:30

Nice to see you made it safely home. Great pics. The tank bag was trialed as a pack today. Nicely shaped and not too much weight on the shoulders. Cheers.

yod

28th September 2008, 19:33

good riding/drinking/bullshitting with you

now shutup about the roads!

Horse

28th September 2008, 19:50

Good writeup, and great to meet you guys!

86GSXR

28th September 2008, 20:41

Ditto! Very nice :yes:

martybabe

28th September 2008, 21:24

Yeah, I enjoyed that, thanks. Just wish I knew where all these places are.

Glad you had a good time and thanks for sharing. ;)

cowboyz

28th September 2008, 21:26

The Tabacco Building in Napeir was pretty cool, the main entrance and dome roof are amazing.
And the longest place name?... wonder what the area code is?....:whistle:
Actually, we found that a while ago and renamed it to wherethefuckarewe so it is no longer the longest place name.

Damn, that silver bike in no3 is one sexy machine.
that is NZsarges machine. And its fucking mint. You will be REALLY hard pushed to find a bike anywhere that is as well looked after as that one.

To all those who we had the pleasure of meeting up with over the last 8-9 days. Meanie/Monie/Dopey/Happy/Sleepy/Grumpy/Bashfull/Doc/Sneezy and Bonezy from the Manawatu....hang on, that makes Ten! :hug:
Choice night guys. B-B-Q was mint.
..

ok. I am too scared to ask which one I am.

Eeeeh? Is that what... 10 little dwarfs???

are you scared? you probably should be.

awesome writeup. interesting figures too. I will keep the figures from the 4 points at the end of the month to compare.
It was alot of fun. Welcome back anytime - just ring first so we can open the gate for you............. :Oops:

Mom

29th September 2008, 06:34

Yeah, I enjoyed that, thanks. Just wish I knew where all these places are.

Glad you had a good time and thanks for sharing. ;)

I have actually done a google map of all the places we stopped, it needs a bit of fine tuning (read I have never done it before and dont know what I am doing really) and once I have discovered how to link it up I will post it for you.

NZsarge

29th September 2008, 08:32

Big up's to the both of you (Mom and Maha) for a top notch report, great camera skills too, highly jealous I am of what surely must have been an awesome trip around the mid-lower north island, goes to show what a freakin' awesome country we live in eh...
Really nice meeting you both and as Bonez said nice to see you arrived home safely and look forward to meeting you again some time.

MSTRS

29th September 2008, 08:33

... Just wish I knew where all these places are.
...

Jump on yer bike...you too can see them for yourself. We might even set our cat on you, if you stay here. :shit:

NZsarge

29th September 2008, 08:42

Damn, that silver bike in no3 is one sexy machine.
:laugh: :2thumbsup :first:

good riding/drinking/bullshitting with you

now shutup about the roads!
Easy easy.... All in good time, not too long now.

Actually, we found that a while ago and renamed it to wherethefuckarewe so it is no longer the longest place name.
:laugh:...nice.

that is NZsarges machine. And its fucking mint. You will be REALLY hard pushed to find a bike anywhere that is as well looked after as that one.

Cheers and for that i'll stop hassling you about cleaning your bike........nah...

Number One

29th September 2008, 08:43

Jump on yer bike...you too can see them for yourself. We might even set our cat on you, if you stay here. :shit:
Aww poor pissy pussy getting laughed at on KB :lol:

yungatart

29th September 2008, 09:20

Aww poor pissy pussy getting laughed at on KB :lol:

Stop picking on my poor pussy.....
she doesn't like all this attention!

Number One

29th September 2008, 09:22

Stop picking on my poor pussy.....
she doesn't like all this attention!
She probably SAYS she doesn't like the attention :laugh: Get the girl some depends already :lol:

MSTRS

29th September 2008, 09:23

pussy says in a certain light there could be a resemblance...

martybabe

29th September 2008, 09:43

I have actually done a google map of all the places we stopped, it needs a bit of fine tuning (read I have never done it before and dont know what I am doing really) and once I have discovered how to link it up I will post it for you.

Thank you sweetness, that would be real good. I love reading these things but being new to this country, pretty much every other post, I have to dig a map out. I've got the big places but when it reads we popped into bottlepip bay and then shot up Dante's Peak before we hit the Tikarakas, complete with, I must go there piccies, It can take a lot of detective work to figure out where people have actually been. ENTIRELY my problem but a little map would help the topographically impaired muchly, thanks babe.

Jump on yer bike...you too can see them for yourself. We might even set our cat on you, if you stay here. :shit:

This summer mate, tis why I take such an interest in these kind of threads so I can get a mental picture of where I wanna go although I doubt I'd be disapointed if I just followed my nose, I've yet to see anywhere in NZ that didn't light me up.

Dunno about the cat though dude, me and them things is awkward, if you've got a special attackcat, we'd best meet up for a coffee some where. :yes:

MSTRS

29th September 2008, 09:46

Dunno about the cat though dude, me and them things is awkward, if you've got a special attackcat, we'd best meet up for a coffee some where.

You'd be sweet...she seldom presents her sharp end at strangers...just the wet end
We think she believes that's the way to induct people into the fambly....

Mom

29th September 2008, 15:49

You'd be sweet...she seldom presents her sharp end at strangers...just the wet end
We think she believes that's the way to induct people into the fambly....

Ok so pissing on my riding gear was her way of saying she really likes me...LOL

riiiiggggghhhhtttt! :laugh:

yungatart

29th September 2008, 16:00

Ok so pissing on my riding gear was her way of saying she really likes me...LOL

riiiiggggghhhhtttt! :laugh:

Of course!
She doesn't do that to just anyone, you know...in fact I don't think she's ever done that before.
You must be really speshul..well, my pussy thinks so anyway...

Maha

29th September 2008, 16:20

stop picking on my poor pussy.....
She doesn't like all this attention!

Every room!!!!!

Meanie

29th September 2008, 16:32

Maha

29th September 2008, 16:35

Awesome write up guys and it was blardy awesome to meet you both, and i,m pleased to report that you talk as much bullshit up there as we do down here, you just fitted right in. Great photos, especialy the very first one, thats one very stunning bike if i may say so :love: Pleased you got home safely

That is one very spunky bike EMU DAD....ya'll must be very proud of it. Looks mint in that pic, even cowboys bike is green with envy!

MSTRS

29th September 2008, 16:37

"I know you are asking yourself if the reservoir holds more. The thing is - do you feel lucky? Punk!"

Meanie

29th September 2008, 16:50

"I know you are asking yourself if the reservoir holds more. The thing is - do you feel lucky? Punk!"

He he he, that pussy looks like it has attitude

MSTRS

29th September 2008, 17:25

He he he, that pussy looks like it has attitude

Well...she certainly has something.
If only the proof that tongues and pussies can co-exist...:chase:

martybabe

29th September 2008, 17:44

Maha

29th September 2008, 17:50

Damn good adventure. A little public thank you to Mom for her google map skills, it enabled a bewildered pom to follow what was formerly a mystery tour. Sigh, so much to learn and so little time.

I've saved the map but re-titled it the Pussy trail. :laugh:

Love the new Title marty....:shifty:
Must say though...the road condition between Tokomaru Bay and Te Araroa was bumpy, by that I mean, uneven surface signs alot of the way. Most were ok, but one caught me out, ya just ride along thinking yeah yeah another sign. But fuck! the road had a step in it about a 300mm drop, Mom got some air Bro!..:eek:

martybabe

29th September 2008, 17:53

Love the new Title marty....:shifty:
Must say though...the road condition between Tokomaru Bay and Te Araroa was bumpy, by that I mean, uneven surface signs alot of the way. Most were ok, but one caught me out, ya just ride along thinking yeah yeah another sign. But fuck! the road had a step in it about a 300mm drop, Mom got some air Bro!..:eek:

Cool, ya gotta keep em awake eh. Sounds like she may have needed some air anyway, if this was pppp, post pussy piss period. :yes:

Mom

29th September 2008, 18:45

Cool, ya gotta keep em awake eh. Sounds like she may have needed some air anyway, if this was pppp, post pussy piss period. :yes:

:killingme

My fault entirely I got pissed on (at least I was not pissed off)

TIP: never lay your jacket, scarf and gloves on the driveway down there.

At least tarty pants pussy only pissed on my jacket (missed the liner thank f*%k) and a little on the trusty tartan scarf. Bit of water on the jacket, the scarf was surplus to requirements so got bagged for a wash at the next stop. Imagine if it had pissed in my helmet :sick: