NZ holiday ride 2008

[Supertwin Don]

Hello all KB's
Barring acts of God etc, I will be arriving in NZ on Monday afternoon, my friends are picking me up from Auckland International and I should be on the road on two wheels by Wednesday, based in Morrinsville. I'll be starting off with a run around the Coromandel, then up to Cape Reinga, down and across to Gisborne, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Alexandra, Wanaka, Franz Joseph, Arthurs Pass, Hanmer Springs, Westport,Picton, Wellington, New Plymouth, Waitomo, and back to Morrinsville. Booked to fly back to the UK on December 6.
Planning on friends/motor camp/b&b acommodation but will be carrying fly sheet and sleeping bag (just in case)
Planning on doing maximum 250 miles a day when riding and would love to make some new friends on the way.
Please pray for decent weather for me for November!

Don

[hayd3n]

coming to dunedin??

[Supertwin Don]

Happens to be my home town!

[hayd3n]

Happens to be my home town!

nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SDU]

Hope you have a good trip over & you manage to get Guzzi ride here!
There are some rallies coming up, where you good meet the locals.
Have an awesome trip

[Supertwin Don]

Progress report No.1
Have now arrived in NZ, picked up bike (Suzuki Marauder 800) and am going to have my first ride - straight to a bike shop to get a screw removed from the front tyre!!!
Will be starting my travels (probably) tomorrow.
Regards to all.

[CookMySock]

Hi Don.

I just love the way you arrive, say seeya to your friends, and get straight on the bike.. Nice!

We are located on the East coast about three hours ride from Auckland (on your way to gisborne), so if you need a couch to sleep on, you will be most welcome. I have added you to my contacts list, so you can see exactly where we live etc - just view my profile.

Have a great trip!

Steve

[Supertwin Don]

Progress Report No.2
Main trial run now complete - Morrinsville - Thames - Coromandel - Coroglen (and I did have swift half there, apparently it's been voted the best country pub in NZ) -Waihi - Morrinsville.
I'd fogotten how much fun NZ roads can be!
Off north to the Cape over the next few days.

Don

[getafix]

Progress report No.1
Have now arrived in NZ, picked up bike (Suzuki Marauder 800) and am going to have my first ride - straight to a bike shop to get a screw removed from the front tyre!!!
Will be starting my travels (probably) tomorrow.
Regards to all.

What luck, in the country 24 hours and picked up a bike and a screw already. Have you bought the bike or is it a loner?

[Maha]

Progress Report No.2
Main trial run now complete - Morrinsville - Thames - Coromandel - Coroglen (and I did have swift half there, apparently it's been voted the best country pub in NZ) -Waihi - Morrinsville.
I'd fogotten how much fun NZ roads can be!
Off north to the Cape over the next few days.

Don


Enjoy ya trip Don...
You will be passing through our town (Warkworth) thats if you stay on SH1.
If you ned a well earned coffee/tea break just say the word.
Mark

[Supertwin Don]

Progress Report No. 3
Morrinsville - Paihia - Waitangi, day one
Paihia - Awanui - Cape Reinga - Kaitai - Kaikohe, day 2.
Saw alot of Triumph Rocket 3's heading north yesterday, was there some sort of gathering up there?
Bike still working fine, bum complaining a bit.
Now in Opononi heading for Dargaville.
Don

[Maha]

Progress Report No. 3
Morrinsville - Paihia - Waitangi, day one
Paihia - Awanui - Cape Reinga - Kaitai - Kaikohe, day 2.
Saw alot of Triumph Rocket 3's heading north yesterday, was there some sort of gathering up there?
Bike still working fine, bum complaining a bit.
Now in Opononi heading for Dargaville.
Don

There were about a dozen or so Triumphs heading north from here two days ago. Sprints and cruisers

[Supertwin Don]

Progress report 4
day 3 - Kaikohe - Dargaville (saw Tane Mahuta) - Waiwera Springs (hot pools are wonderful on old bones and joints)
Day 4 - Waiwera - Hamilton - Morrinsville, now going to have a day off before setting off to Gisborne and points south

Mark - sorry i didn't catch up with you, I was running a bit later on Saturday, hope the "do" went off OK.

[Supertwin Don]

Progress report 5 - now in Dunedin for a couple of nights.
and for all those who say the Canterbury Plains are boring, try them on a brilliant day when you can see the alps !!
I happen to be a roading engineer by profession, and I don't want to be concentrating on the road when I'm enjoying myself.
Will be heading further south in a day or so, should hit Bluff about Thursday.

Don

[SDU]

Progress report 5 - now in Dunedin for a couple of nights.
and for all those who say the Canterbury Plains are boring, try them on a brilliant day when you can see the alps !!
I happen to be a roading engineer by profession, and I don't want to be concentrating on the road when I'm enjoying myself.
Will be heading further south in a day or so, should hit Bluff about Thursday.

Don

Sounds like you're having a awesome time. When you hit bluff turn around & head to Winchester for the Magpie Rally & some socialising

[Supertwin Don]

Holiday ride - epilogue
I'm now back in UK, managed 6874kms in four weeks and only got rained on for about 4 days (west coast, south island!!!) Had an excellent run round, unfortunately didn't get to meet too many new people, but did catch up with some old friends.
Made it to both Cape Reinga and the Bluff, did Haast, Arthur's Pass, Lewis Pass, Waitomo Caves, Coromandel, Gisborne.
Found the Britten Co., and bought the model. Missed the Burt Munro weekend, but saw one of the replica bikes in a museum in Palmerston North.
Much thanks to Kim and Richard who loaned me the bike, and to various others who provided hospitality.
May yet be back on a more long term basis!