Cape Reinga and back

[xwhatsit]

So while the rest of you pansy-girls were doing little poofy 200-300km day rides, I had the misfortune to suggest to GiJoe1313 that we might go to Cape Reinga.

Tagged along with Toto's Northland loop ride from Auckland -- what a wonderful ride that was, the road heading up to Tane Mahuta is my new favourite road anywhere, 25kms of banked 25-35kph rated corners. Those on the Northland Loop ride can attest to my stupid grin when I got to the top of the hill and pulled my helmet off.

At Kaikohe, GiJoe, Gremlin and I peeled off to pick up Angelkwan in Kerikeri. I think we got there around 5pm, 5.30pm or so. The roads out of Kerikeri going north to Awanui were pretty bland; long sweepers and lots of straights going up hills (much to Gremlin's discomfort, being stuck behind me revving the tits off in 4th gear trying to hold 90kph :laugh:). We nipped past Awanui, planning to fuel up in Houhoura (I think) -- sign said `5km fuel' and we weren't to disbelieve it. Unfortunately, we got there, and the Mobil was shut. Arse. Gremlin's 990SM goes like stink but seems to be pushing it at 200kph a tank. So, 30km back down the road to Awanui to fuel up.

Onwards to Cape Reinga was great. Beautiful roads sweeping across the top of hills, gorgeous views. I was getting impatient though, kept thinking I could see the beginning of the gravel across a valley a kilometre down the road, and getting disappointed when it turned out to be tarmac :oi-grr:

Eventually hit the gravel. GiJoe, with a pillion and fat Hornet 900 tyres, wasn't exactly flying through the gravel, so I nipped past him. Gravel was smooth and hard-packed as anything, I don't know what everybody whinges about.

About 5km from the Cape, the road climbed up through a cutting in the hillside, and I saw a car parked off to the side of the road. Scratched-up looking Ninja 250R, and a poor young guy having a wee lie down. Stopped and got off and the lady with the car told me she'd come across him arsed off -- broken ankle -- any painkillers? I had nothing, neither did the other two when they got there, poor bastard was feeling pretty rubbish. Ankle didn't look great. Brand new bike, his first -- I saw on the odometer he'd only done 700kms so far. Maybe a little bit ambitious, he'd ridden from Auckland with his mate. Not wearing boots, only sports shoes, and when his front wheel washed out, the tailpiece landed on his ankle and broke it.

His mate had taken off to get the ranger up towards the cape, who turned out to be a hilarious weatherbeaten Maori bloke with a ponytail. An ambulance was summoned, made him as comfortable as possible. I hid the bike down the road behind some of the big heavy roading machinery once I took the gearlever off and inverted it the right way around.

The sun was ready to go down, so Gremlin stayed with the others at the accident scene and GiJoe, Angel and I took off to the Cape. Took our bikes down to the lighthouse. What an amazing place. Feels like such a huge volume of air and water, can't quite describe it.

Hung around there for a little bit, took lots of photos, then went back to where they were waiting for the ambulance, so Gremlin could head up to the Cape. Just as he was coming back, the ambulance arrived. Splinted his leg up and gave him a bag of juice to suck on. At this point the ambulance people sent the ranger off to look for a place for the chopper to land -- yes, a helicopter airlift for a broken ankle :crazy: I suppose it would need an operation, and the nearest place would be Whangarei, but it still surprised us. The helicopter landed on top of the cutting, right above us. Very impressive. Like something out of a war film. Tried taking some photos but you can't see shit of course, by now it was pitch black. We had to take the stretcher up on top of the cutting and then over a fence, which wasn't that straightforward. Once he was off the towie turned up for his bike, so we had to go and find it in the dark and load it onto that, which was less than straightforward.

Eventually we started to head back. Made Kaitaia for fuel right on midnight. GiJoe got us semi-lost on the way to Kerikeri to drop Angel off; Gremlin's GPS saved us. I thought we were going to stay the night in Kerikeri as Angel had suggested, but GiJoe said `let's go back to Auckland tonight' and I'm not one to refuse him his fun :whistle:

Riding back was sort of eerie and weird, being so tired, the headlights in the trees and hills, absence of sound from wearing earplugs. Very unusual experience. We came down SH1, which was not anywhere near as interesting as coming up the other side was, but probably for the best seeing I was pretty shagged out. Made Whangarei at 3am.

Coming back from Whangarei, started to get more comfortable, a second wind of sorts. Perhaps the Peanut Slab did its magic. As we hit Orewa, the sky was starting to get light, Gremlin stopped us to remind us that because of GiJoe1313, we'd just been riding the whole night. Going over the Harbour Bridge, the sun was just starting to come up. Magic.

Home at 5.45am, asleep by 6am.

I make it 1161kms in 22 hours or so. Need a bit more practice before I try the Grand Challenge next year -- then again, hopefully won't have to wait around for hours for ambulances and helicopters. Might have to do Wellington next time?

Thanks everybody, I had a blast :D

tl;dr Rode for fookin' ages and got knackered.

[raftn]

I just went to the dairy for my peanut slab.......not as much fun as you!

[KiwiRat]

Epic.

10 points for the Crash Recovery Team.:yes:

[CB ARGH]

Excellent read. ;)

Once I get my restricted license I'll be planning a ride up to the cape. Except I'll probably take two or so days :whistle:

[Nagash]

Excellent read. ;)

Once I get my restricted license I'll be planning a ride up to the cape. Except I'll probably take two or so days :whistle:

Haha, we did a massive 250 ride up to Cape Reinga back in March.. we left 3 days to do it at a nice easy pace and it was very enjoyable. Wouldn't want to do it at night to be honest but good on yah!

That Gi Joe really does bring the biker out in everyone.

[RØKSTA]

Can you take your bike down to the lighthouse?

[spookytooth]

Can you take your bike down to the lighthouse?

yea theres a nice foot path to ride down.Took my 4 wheeldrive down it ,it was a bit tite in places for turning

[3L4NS1R]

Hey guys, thanks for staying and helping! Awesome sight coming back to the accident and seeing 4 other bikers standing around making jokes.

Backpackers in Kaitaia really don't like being open after 12... luckly my awesome partner in auckland did some phoning round and found a motel still answering their phone.

Visited the guy this morning, dislocated ankle, broken ?fibua? (correct me on the spelling/name - its the thin shin bone) and a couple of fragged bones in his ankle. All up about 6 weeks in a cast, and 3 months of physio to get it right. Good news though: his first question to the doc today was "how long till I can bike again?". His hearts in the right place.

Anywho. Thanks again for all those who stayed and helped! Chur!

Going back up with another mate to ride the bike back tommorow. Woo. Fun times all round. Told him he should give me a ride of his new bike. Look what happens when you don't. :P

[klyong82]

Nice ride guys....seems like loads of fun.

[Swoop]

broken ?fibua?
Fibula. (iirc...)
Phew... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg_bone)

[Nagash]

Hey guys, thanks for staying and helping! Awesome sight coming back to the accident and seeing 4 other bikers standing around making jokes.

Ah right, it was you at the scene was it?

Good ride none the less mate?

[gunrunner]

Yeahwould of been a nice ride , i love putting some serious ks on mine , most of the guys from where i am seem to ride it round the block polish it then it goes back in the shed , if i wanted my life to be that boring i would work weekends :no:

[xwhatsit]

Hey guys, thanks for staying and helping! Awesome sight coming back to the accident and seeing 4 other bikers standing around making jokes.

Backpackers in Kaitaia really don't like being open after 12... luckly my awesome partner in auckland did some phoning round and found a motel still answering their phone.

Visited the guy this morning, dislocated ankle, broken ?fibua? (correct me on the spelling/name - its the thin shin bone) and a couple of fragged bones in his ankle. All up about 6 weeks in a cast, and 3 months of physio to get it right. Good news though: his first question to the doc today was "how long till I can bike again?". His hearts in the right place.

Anywho. Thanks again for all those who stayed and helped! Chur!

Going back up with another mate to ride the bike back tommorow. Woo. Fun times all round. Told him he should give me a ride of his new bike. Look what happens when you don't. :P
Glad you found somewhere to stay the night -- forgot you said you were on KB! Did you stay in Kaitaia in the end or did you have to go to Whangarei? Nice to meet you anyway, Sam, even if the circumstances weren't great.

It doesn't make a terrible dirt bike, that Ninja 250R of his :laugh: Wheelspinning a bit trying to get it out of where I hid it in that gully. I'm sure he'll get some boots after this :sweatdrop

[gijoe1313]

Well, I cannot believe that there were two other crazy arse double 'ard, road warriors at that time of night with me! I mean, I do this as par for the course and being lost in the lonesome middle of no-where with low fuel light staring me in the visor is a normal situation.

But here, this day, two of my good mates became my riding brothers par excellence. They endured outrageous milages, comical conumdrums, ironic instances and mayhem in equal measure.

A typical ride for me! :sweatdrop

When first I arrived at Westgate, I always have a hand over my biking heart and supplicate to the Gods of the Ride. On Friday, AngelKwan and I had already been riding through the backblocks of norf'lun and got lost, doing twisties in the rain at night with gravel ... she is a pearler for being carried alone in the wake of my fulsome and gregarious riding zeal.

The strawberry ice-cream at Kumeu was noice, the twisty roads out to our destinations with others sharing the experience as I TEC was manna to my soul. The lush green of our fair land beckoned and welcomed us with sunny skies and clear roads.

From SH16 the zen and art of motorcycling was in action, by this stage, a certain machievallian character had magically appeared in my mirrors - the enchanted being Gremlin. Twice this black-clad enigma of skill and daring has appeared in my travails, a rider that is legendary in my mind.

Much milage passed beneath our wheels of self-expression, tarry not long on the straights and we caressed the curves of the domain of that ancient folk, Ent-like and majestic in their repose. Looking down on mere mortals, toiling their magic on steeds of freedom.

I merely enjoyed the flapping of rie's jacket and meandered along with a lazy smile and perky imagination.

Lunch saw a gathering of riders from all compasses and purposes. A large feed was tucked into and I argied bargied free food from my boon companions, I mooched, I stole and I gorged. This was fortunate for unbeknownst to me, I ken not the future acts of biking the biking gods had laid for us.

I continue my narrative and soliloquy of the ride. Now known to me as "The ride that saw two boon companions and an Angel by my side embrace the nocturne of riding symphony"

[xwhatsit]

Meet Justin. He talks through multiple reversing Google Translate filters.

[Slyer]

Poor ninja! He shouldn't be on such a dodgy surface with such a shiny bike.

[xwhatsit]

Poor ninja! He shouldn't be on such a dodgy surface with such a shiny bike.
It tracks very well and the engine is torquey enough down low to handle it. Bars are reasonably high and wide. The only thing is the tyres are a little too wide for it, so it tends to float on top of the gravel like marbles, but it could be worse.

I think just inexperience, poor light and (ultimately) not wearing proper gear -- not only would boots have saved his ankle, but he could've perhaps stuck his foot out when the front end started to wash out.

Had 700kms on the odometer, hope he organised insurance by now @_@

[gijoe1313]

As I recline here in front of my glowing communicative mechanicum, I reflect on ... X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat and Gremlin with I, split off from the group to rendezvous with my earstwhile and beautific passenger. AngelKwan.

To Kerikeri we rode and a short stop we made our way to Kaitaia. The roads flowed conservatively for me, with precious cargo and many miles to go. As my boon companion X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat has related, the situation that occurred was both fortunate and unfortunate. The Biker Code and creed was observed and credo was laid down in that mysticism.

I felt relief that AngelKwan had managed to touch down on one of her points of interest and must-do in NZ, I know when to turn back, but in every instance I have determined and always ridden my ride the way I like. It is different in a group, with its inscrutable synchronicity. We happened on the incident and it was meant to be. Gremlin and I were merciless in our dissection of the situation as humor. I rabbited on about pr0n stashes and how this would end up on YouTube etc.

AngelKwan? She was a heroine. A real trooper. The model of patience, forbearance and acceptance. She is a biker and understands what we did, why we did and never once complained. Inspirational to me.

Gremlin, made his own pilgrimage to the Cape of Reinga. His soul making the journey as his physical self got him on the hardest way there. He missed the vehicle access and somehow rode the entire walkway to the lighthouse, being on a zephyr-like Katoom, it seemed appropriate to me.

The stars. Magic. I have been to Cape Reinga several times already by various means. This is the first time I have done it by night and for that I thank the biking gods for this opportunity and as a token of their blessing for just doing as bikers should do. Ride.

The trip back was led by Gremlin, he of the GPS-talisman and the art of riding with day-only visor (I tried it a couple of times once I dropped off Angel and seriously ... the man is a legend. I am in awe.)

Once we had refueled in Kaitaia, I took point and led our party at various speeds and with safety foremost for Angel. Here, my pootling in-grained sense of mis-direction casted me for a fool, a paradigm of stubborness - I zipped by several roads that could of got us to Kerikeri faster. But my rider's heart always wants to take the longer road. I am grateful that Gremlin with his MacGyver like presence directed me to see the shorter picture.

At 2am we made landfall at Kerikeri, we had flown there on air surrounded by prehistoric creatures morphed into new forms and as I was in lead, by the pricking of my senses, something wicked this way comes "... it would be ironic after all this, there should be the guardians of the law of the land waiting in lay to learn the erroneous of their shortcomings..."

And Lo, the lurking stygian creatures of Mirkwood laid their snare for the unwary. The tell-tale disco lights told its tale of doom, and be wary. Gremlin with his Balor's eye of HARDness flashed his caution, I had already seen Pandora's box located on the dashboard of an approaching car, the Cerebus to the gates of Angel's portal home.

We met its match by obeying the geas of 80. The turning point of 50 was a touchstone that Angel's journey for the night was coming to a close. I felt like a knight of old with my blood-brothers as we pulled into the gates of her demesne and my spirits harked to an ancient, sexist, chivalric feeling. Then I was brought crashing back to the ground again when I remembered Gremlins early admonishment to me "get the girl some bluddy glubs!"

Here, I shall sup some sustenance and vittals before beginning the chapter of the third. "When shall we Three Ride together again?"

[SARGE]

As I recline here in front of my glowing communicative mechanicum, I reflect on ... X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat and Gremlin with I, split off from the group to rendezvous with my earstwhile and beautific passenger. AngelKwan.

Here, I shall sup some sustenance and vittals before beginning the chapter of the third. "When shall we Three Ride together again?"

jesus H. GIJ..someone smack you with a thesaurus?

[gijoe1313]

jesus H. GIJ..someone smack you with a thesaurus?

Nay sirrah, I am of a learned and scholastic nature - erudite and prevarication is my stock in trade as an engineer to mould young minds to higher callings. In sum, to proper write and spellink the words the good way proper.

I take it you have not had the misfortune to dally on some of my other postings that behoove themselves to be of a mundane, but yet verbose nature, filled with bifurcated and treacherous writings of a most vex and circumvellative nature.

Your 'umble and reposed servant, sic. ugh.

[gijoe1313]

Angel offered us a place to settle our heads and lay our bodies to a keen rest after a days labour. The yearning of the others I could feel, but a deep seated feeling took root in my soul ... there is riding yet to be done, more roads to ride, a throttle to twist, the parched tanks of our swift and sure-footed mounts sniffing for elixir vitae.

I could smell the meshing of metal, the sniff of unguents that lubricate those mechanical marvels of movement. I wanted, nay, needed to feel those corners beneath my footpegs, the subtle nuances of the cambers, the stab of fear as blindness leaps to cloak the lay of the land from our sight as we carry our speed into the dark.

Like fools, Gremlin and X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat mounted with me. The talisman of locating and scry of the night was well used. Gremlin communed with powers and abilities I could not discern and did fair combat and was victorious yet against the imperiousness of the challenges the Biking Gods did throw down in his path.

On the way to Whangarei, I was amazed he was going to blast his Katoom of Sure-footedness through a roadworks that had a roundabout being made! Nay, it was just his night visor putting a hex on it.

Again I was treated to the sight of him and his Katoom smashing through a gravel section at a great rate of knots. It turns out later he didn't notice and only halfway through it did he realise he was on gravel! Legendary.

Many servos were located, his dextrous instrument of velocity has a thirsty demon of a heart slaved to its inner mechanisms. "Feed Me. Give Me Sacrifice. I Will Own You in the Ride."

Good thing, it gave a rest break since his Katoom has a seat that is only more marginally harder than a brick. X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat was a stellar squire with princely qualities. He was facing his own challenges and stepping up to the mark, going catseye-to-toepeg with the herculean challenge of a typical gijoe1313 pootle.

The rest has been related by X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat, I can only say it has been the greatest and deepest of honour to me and a privilege to have ridden with these two gentlemen, nay, these two filthy biker scum that have durst yearned to obey when I say ".... come, follow and ride with me ..." Those few words have been some understatements to those who have ridden with me!

To Gremlin, a gentleman and a scholar, a man of few peers and a razor-sharp wit that makes time fly with fun I salute you. Truly you are a prince among men, for you I cannot deny you nor gainsay anything negative or ill towards you, long may you continue to champion yourself as the way you are forever more.

To X-Whatsit-formerly-known-as-Xerxesdaphat, a young man, in the prime of life, not like the two old fuddy-duddies he was accompanying is a shining paragon of all that is good about youth. It is not wasted on him, he is an old riding soul in a young body, reincarnated as a riding immortal to be. I shall enjoy watching him and bask in his achievements as a rider.

From this voluminous recollection, I shall lay my thoughts to rest as the nadir of my time in front of my technological marvel of musings is drawing to a close. Tomorrow is a new day, filled with expectations and the possibilities of ...

Where shall my steed of surety slake my passion for the ride today?

[3L4NS1R]

Had 700kms on the odometer, hope he organised insurance by now @_@

yup. full insurance from day one.

boots will be ordered as soon as the crutches are gone...

And ninjas are dirt bikes too remember? Ninjas go anywhere... strike anytime... and wear funny hats.

And +1 on the experience thing, although at that time of the day, after a whole lotta riding, anyone could've had a lapse in concentration...

[3L4NS1R]

Ah right, it was you at the scene was it?

Good ride none the less mate?

Awesome ride, especially the 24kms of twisties in that forest thing with the trees and stuff on the west coast...

Even joining onto SH1 after the ferry there was a patch of awesomely cambered curves, pity the caravan in front didnt like them as much...

[gijoe1313]

yup. full insurance from day one.

boots will be ordered as soon as the crutches are gone...

And ninjas are dirt bikes too remember? Ninjas go anywhere... strike anytime... and wear funny hats.

And +1 on the experience thing, although at that time of the day, after a whole lotta riding, anyone could've had a lapse in concentration...

This is true, ninja is always not expected when ninja should be expected! Ruck you! I shall poison your flied lice next time! :msn-wink:

And yes, it does take time and practise to build up your riding endurance so you can pootle merrily into all time zones, places where bikes shouldn't be in conditions and weather that should really ensconce you in a warm lounge with bikkies and a cuppa hot choco!

Glad you were there with your mate and we could help out ... so did you give him his phone back yet? :whistle:

[3L4NS1R]

ha, unfortunatly he phoned me on it today before I left for whangarei... had to give it back.

We'll put this one down to learning experience. The Hard Way. Fortunatly, now he gets a new looking bike for a fraction of the price of the last one!

[Gremlin]

-- sign said `5km fuel' and we weren't to disbelieve it. Unfortunately, we got there, and the Mobil was shut. Arse. Gremlin's 990SM goes like stink but seems to be pushing it at 200kph a tank. So, 30km back down the road to Awanui to fuel up.
If I managed to get it to 200kph, I'm pretty sure I would get even less to a tank? :lol: I can often get to 220km (or more) before reserve, but economical is a word that barely registers in my dictionary. :2thumbsup

jesus H. GIJ..someone smack you with a thesaurus?
Don't worry, it speaks English in person during rides... perhaps the riding helps stabilise its thoughts? :laugh:

[Gremlin]

Saturday morning started normally enough, sleeping in, and still only getting 4-6 hours sleep (same as the previous night). By the time I was kitted up and on the bike, it was 0920. The northland ride was meeting at 0900, and leaving at 0930, and with more than 30 min to get to Westgate, I was not going to find them. Decided that it was only a quick day ride up to Opononi and back, top box with extra gear wasn't needed, but chucked on the cycling shorts underneath, just in case.

Left Westgate at 1000, knowing the ride to be somewhere north, something about ice-cream (no idea where), no idea on their route, but knew they would be at Wellsford at some point. Headed up Old North as usual, wondering how quickly I was making up time, but then got sidetracked, as I haven't been down to Woodcocks for ages, so a quick detour to Woodcocks down W Coast Rd, and back to 16 afterwards. Made my way up to Wellsford, still no idea where they all were, but sure enough... they were at Wellsford. Having caught up to the group, there was only time for me to gas, quick chat to Gijoe and Chisanga, and the group was leaving.

Up to Dargaville was boring, nuff said. I did learn that girls that ride gixxers are dirty, because when trying to assist with the scottoiler (ie, a blowjob), she calmly stated when she would come (or was that the bike?). More fuel (3rd fill of the day already) and a little north of Dargaville I decided that Waipoua was only going to be fun if I let GiJoe be TEC, and started chasing down the leaders. By Waipoua, I had Toto in front, with a Daytona just behind him, with no straights long enough to overtake left (downside of a supermoto). Settled in, and enjoyed the forest (only the 2nd time I have ever been through).

Opononi was crazy, with the White Ribbon ride there at the same time as us, tons of people everywhere for the good cause, luckily we had a good feed (as GiJoe and I commented later... we never had dinner, and the next food was at midnight). After the late lunch, it was over to Kaikohe. I had asked GiJoe if he had any of his infamous plans to do something crazy, and as usual, he did. Having only ever been as far north Opononi and Kaikohe, his plan of Cape Reinga appealed (never been there). He was also intent on returning afterwards, which was most excellent, as I couldn't be bothered staying somewhere.

At Kaikohe, Xwhatsit, GiJoe and I let the main ride continue on their little tour, while we settled down to a decent ride. GiJoe was happy for me to lead, but I had no idea what route he had in mind (nobody really ever knows what he is thinking) so TEC was fine for me. Poor Xwhatsit, he rides the wheels off that 250 so damn well, but I couldn't help but take the piss out of him on uphill passing lanes :laugh: Next stop was Kerikeri, where Angel was waiting to become pillion (poor girl, she really did not have a clue when agreeing to ride with GiJoe just what kind of rides she would have).

We continued heading north, and I remember passing through Awanui thinking, hmmm by my calculations, this is the furthest south I can be, to comfortably have enough gas to get to the lighthouse and back. Since we didn't stop, I assumed GiJoe knew of another further north. He did. However, we now know it closes before 1830 on a Saturday. :no: While he popped into a store, I did some checking on the GPS, and the store and GPS agreed. 30km back to Awanui was the only way :blink: Should have known the great pootler would get us into that :shit:

After the 60km "detour" haste was made to reach the lighthouse prior to sundown, so Angel could get her photos. As has already been covered, during the final stages of the route, we came across the poor ninja rider, who had taken in the scenery a little too literally (lots of humour around that of course). Once the bike was secured, GiJoe (and Angel) and Xwhatsit headed to the Cape to grab photos before sundown. I stayed at the scene in case hands were needed. Once they returned, I had already decided I was seeing the lighthouse, night or not :laugh:

As I found, it would have been better in the day... I might have seen the vehicle access route. It had already been suggested I could ride to the lighthouse itself, and the pedestrian walkway looked wide enough (I assumed I could turn around somewhere). Only issue was one walker who probably wondered what on earth a bike was doing coming towards him, but no dramas :laugh: Picture was quickly taken of the bottom of the lighthouse (all my light could reach) and quickly returned taking the vehicle access all the way up instead. Meh, I bought the supermoto as a capable machine... and it is.

Apparently my timing was still brilliant (GiJoe reckons its magic), with the ambo literally turning up JUST before my return, and now the Westpac was also on its way. This bit has already been covered. GiJoe and I (along with everyone else) marveled at the night sky, completely devoid of cloud, and untainted by city lights. So vast, no picture could transmit the feeling of being a dot. It was probably 2230 before we left the scene, rider and bike both recovered, and his mate 3L4NS1R in convoy with us out. With GPS, a bright headlight and tinted visor, it was easiest for me to lead so I could shine the way (not eat someone's dust either, as I had to have the visor up) and also figure out the closest gas with the aid of GPS (addicted to this now, its fantastic).

Kaitaia happily loomed in the distance at midnight, food and drink consumed (first since Opononi that afternoon) and calls made to family/friends, as there was no coverage up north. 3L4NS1R left us to find accomodation, while we still had to return Angel and reach Auckland at some point. GiJoe took the lead and we eventually made Kerikeri just before 2am, having taken in some very twisty bits of road, missed turns, and GiJoe politely placed back on track by myself (wasn't keen on tootling to New Plymouth at that moment). First two cops of the entire ride actively out hunting were found on the outskirts of Kerikeri, anywhere anytime to the extreme :blink:

With Angel dropped off, beds offered and kindly declined, it was back on the bikes, for what would be a decent ride in itself, but only part of our journey. I had been thinking on the way south of perhaps even using the bridges route that the other ride had used, but realised the lack of sleep from previous nights, and extra energy used concentrating through a tinted visor, it was best to take the main roads (one of the rare times I will agree its a good idea). The lead fell to me again, having the equipment to guide us, and save us from the hunters. The pace was actually a bit slower, often 80-90, slowing down a bit at times to make sure I didn't drop anyone, so the cops wouldn't have troubled us.

Heading to Whangarei, it amused me that in conventional thinking, you wouldn't be heading south to Whangarei in the early hours of the morning, to go home to Auckland... but hey, thats what makes this sort of riding fun. :stupid: I was definitely grateful of the cycling shorts, still sore, but so much less than it could have been. The 7th and final fuel stop of the ride was in Whangarei, with time taken to eat and fluids again, as everyone was beginning to feel it. By the time homes were reached, all of us had been on the road for at least 20 hours, and fatigue can be extremely dangerous.

First moment of the ride for me came on a straight south of Whangarei. A truck in the far distance had not dipped his lights, so a quick flash, and he responded. At the same instant, I saw a blue board with a white arrow, demonstrating I should be the left of it. No problems. Except half a second later, my dipped beam picked out a curve of cones heading to the left. hmmmm. Since we were already on gravel, my options were limited rather quickly (the others of course had the benefits of my headlight) to slowing as best possible, through the cones and stopping in piles of gravel. Puttering forward, I found myself on a sealed roundabout. Damn fine place to put one <_<

The second and final one was heading into roadworks for the uncountable time, not seeing any issues, until my bike was weaving around like mad. Moving left and right, it didn't stop, and when I had a free moment, I lifted the visor to find myself surround by decent sized gravel with no wheel tracks. Explains the difficulty in controlling the bike I guess. Shouldn't have told GiJoe tho, he thought I was some riding god hitting it at pace. Tinted visors hide stones very well.

A lot of fog was encountered, some so thick visibility came down to 10m or so. With a tinted visor, fog, visor misting up, it certainly became an interesting way to ride. Nonetheless, Orewa eventually came out of the night and with a quick stop by the roadside to mention dawn, and the fact GiJoe had whipped us through the night (can I claim its all his fault? :shifty:), home/shower/bed beckoned. I got home around 0530.

Falling into bed, tired but very happy, I could feel my body shutting off, and I think sleep arrived in 0.5 seconds.

Still a fantastic ride... and there will be more in the future. Still need a decent seat and a bigger tank tho (I said the same thing after the Grand Challenge).

Here's to the next one! :first:

[gijoe1313]

Good grief Gremlin, typing that up at 4ish in the morning! :sleep:

Very noice to read all the different viewpoints and angles, at that magical time when the night sky was transmorgifying into the palettes o'day, I was singing classical opera in faux italian and german. It always stirs my soul to be in the presence of such radiant splendour, that awe as great eternal astronomical heavenly bodies wend their passage across our arc of sight...

The blatherskiting and conniptions of humor aside, I'm glad you guys had the fortitude and endurance to do all as you did safely, for me, I do this matter of course - and I know how fatigue can set in. Glad we all got our second wind and banished the cobwebs out ...

Now ... I have an idea for another ride, come ... follow me ... :innocent: :whistle:

[xwhatsit]

Now ... I have an idea for another ride, come ... follow me ... :innocent: :whistle:
Let me pack some oil and a 22mm spanner next time. Just did an oil change, was too scared to measure how much came out, but there wasn't an awful lot! Certainly not 1.7L :eek5: -- and I could stretch the chain to touch the swingarm when on the centre stand. So perhaps Gremlin touches a little on the truth when he says I ride the wheels off it :bash:

[gijoe1313]

Natalie is a heroine par excellence, I was watching your progress on her and you were zipping around doing things that I could only grin and shake my head at. Big Ol'Hornet was bumbling along content to let her have her fun!

I knew you would always make up the distance and time in the twisties! :yes:

Got me thinking I should whip Daisy out for a play more often! :yes:

[xwhatsit]

I knew you would always make up the distance and time in the twisties! :yes:
Lol yup -- that was more a problem on the first leg with the other riders, get left for dead on the straights, come to some twisties, I'd catch right up but time it wrong so I'd have to hit the brakes just before the twisties ran out and I'd lose all my momentum up the next long straight or hill.

Losing momentum is death! Avoid brakes and letting go of the throttle at all costs!

[madbikeboy]

Inspiring.

This is what riding is all about. What a great ride.

[madbikeboy]

Hmm. I've been doing the math, and I get about 140km (assuming the throttle is closed as much as possible). So I would have had to fill up about 10 times.

[Nagash]

Hmm. I've been doing the math, and I get about 140km (assuming the throttle is closed as much as possible). So I would have had to fill up about 10 times.

140km's?! Are you serious? That's a bit riduclous isn't it.. I don't think it'd make it up the cape and back if the Landing were closed..

[Gremlin]

Hmm. I've been doing the math, and I get about 140km (assuming the throttle is closed as much as possible). So I would have had to fill up about 10 times.
You realise you can drink water? You don't have to drink the bike's fluid aye? I also assume you're not going to do the Grand Challenge any time soon? 200km range was bad enough...


I don't think it'd make it up the cape and back if the Landing were closed..
correct... He would need Houhora open, that knocks off 66km, leaving him with around 145 to travel...

[xwhatsit]

Lol, even that 6-cylinder litre monster of yours should do better than that, surely? In fact that would probably be a far superior bike to do such a ride.

[3L4NS1R]

Hmm. I've been doing the math, and I get about 140km (assuming the throttle is closed as much as possible). So I would have had to fill up about 10 times.

I hear ya, my klx only gets 150 and that's even with a larger front sprocket.

Figured out though, just need to strap a 5L fuel tank on the back, and it gets the same range as a ninja... convenient if your touring with them :P

[madbikeboy]

Lol, even that 6-cylinder litre monster of yours should do better than that, surely? In fact that would probably be a far superior bike to do such a ride.

Yeah, the CBX gets about 37MPG. I was fondling the CBX last night, I should get it out for a ride...

The GSXR has a few small mods that make it drink like a man fresh from a week in the Kalahari. Not helped by the issue I have with the rotary speed modulator opening more than it should. The CBX is many times more comfortable, higher pegs and bars improve things out of site for this old guy...

Mmmmmmmmmmm, CBX bling.

[madbikeboy]

140km's?! Are you serious? That's a bit riduclous isn't it.. I don't think it'd make it up the cape and back if the Landing were closed..

At Taupo, I get about 70k's. Seriously.

[vifferman]

Good - I feel much better. I get 43 mpg communtering, or about 300 km or so per tank. When we 'did' the Cape Reinga thing a couple of years ago, I had no problems with fuel stops. So much so, that I don't even remember fueling up, but I guess I must have, as we did a much more roundabout route than you guys.
Nice trip report, X-whatsit, GIJOe and Gremlin. :niceone:

[gijoe1313]

Good - I feel much better. I get 43 mpg communtering, or about 300 km or so per tank. When we 'did' the Cape Reinga thing a couple of years ago, I had no problems with fuel stops. So much so, that I don't even remember fueling up, but I guess I must have, as we did a much more roundabout route than you guys.
Nice trip report, X-whatsit, GIJOe and Gremlin. :niceone:

I'm used to the threat of the low fuel levels, out in the middle of nowhere, in the dead of the night and wondering if I can find the next open servo :sweatdrop in fact, I'm so used to it that its all part of my pootling fun at times! :scratch:

I used to carry a 5L jerry can, but so often my impromptu pootles means its often not brought along. The funny thing is the timing of all that was perfect when it came to helping the downed biker. If we had made the fuel stop and not turned back , we would have been riding back past them before the accident happened ... ergo no help from us! We wouldn't have seen Cape Reinga at night with that night sky and I wouldn't have had the pleasure of riding through the night with two good mates who saw what I saw.

The biking gods work in strange mysterious ways (or is that only because Gremlin and I attractg those events?)

[GSXR Trace]

Hmm. I've been doing the math, and I get about 140km (assuming the throttle is closed as much as possible). So I would have had to fill up about 10 times.

at least for the first part there wasn't a lot of closed throttle riding (i guess the couple of guys in the front were). And doubt the three that went north were riding like that, especially on their return trip! Have to admit, was riding along with the guys, then looked down... doing losing licence speed... backed off the throttle, i want to keep my licence and continue to riderideride
So you would have gotten further than 140 km, but we stopped every 110km (ish).. so i filled up each time just in case! In the twisties I get about 170km

[Maha]

Yeah, the CBX gets about 37MPG. I was fondling the CBX last night, I should get it out for a ride...

The GSXR has a few small mods that make it drink like a man fresh from a week in the Kalahari. Not helped by the issue I have with the rotary speed modulator opening more than it should. The CBX is many times more comfortable, higher pegs and bars improve things out of site for this old guy...

Mmmmmmmmmmm, CBX bling.

Theres one of those bad boys up here at Snells beach, some 'older' chap owns it.....its in his Garage under a sheet, he also has a sprty but the CBX is a thing of real beauty.

[3L4NS1R]

Instead of starting a whole new thread on what was essentially the same ride, here's some of what we saw...

[madbikeboy]

Theres one of those bad boys up here at Snells beach, some 'older' chap owns it.....its in his Garage under a sheet, he also has a sprty but the CBX is a thing of real beauty.

The CBX is an experience, and to be honest, I hate riding it, so afraid of dropping it around town. I'm contemplating selling the Gixer1000, it's too much for the street, it's analagous to having free cocaine...

With the Kerker's it sounds like nothing else.

[madbikeboy]

at least for the first part there wasn't a lot of closed throttle riding (i guess the couple of guys in the front were). And doubt the three that went north were riding like that, especially on their return trip! Have to admit, was riding along with the guys, then looked down... doing losing licence speed... backed off the throttle, i want to keep my licence and continue to riderideride
So you would have gotten further than 140 km, but we stopped every 110km (ish).. so i filled up each time just in case! In the twisties I get about 170km

Interesting. If you don't look at the speedo, and just let the thou settle at it's natural speed, it tends to sit at about 155 normally. You have to make an effort to keep her at that, it's tough to settle her down.

I find that I need to get off the bike every 100 or so k's anyhow, so the limited fuel range isn't the issue it might be for others...

I'm coming on the next adventure.......

[3L4NS1R]

I'm coming on the next adventure.......

+1. I've lost my biking buddy for a while. Need to find someone else to break.

[EJK]

What a legend Tommy Boy!