ntst8
8th April 2009, 21:02
Four of us have signed up as a group, two of us ride very close to the speed limit and two have been known go a little quicker - so we plan to regroup at prearranged points if somehow separated. We expect to average 80 - 85kph to avoid risking the wrath of the revenue collectors, so expect an average of 7 hrs riding (plus fuel/food breaks) per day. Accom prebooked, general route agreed until Bluff, plan to follow the sun home.
Day 1
Hamilton to Hicks Bay 400km - to get to the start point 2 leave mid morn and due to other commitments me plus 1 leave early pm, the East Cape Rd is one of the better Nth Island rides and good ride in nice weather all the way although the road gets wet for the last 20 or so km but we don’t hit any rain. A bit late though and can’t refill at Waihau Bay on the way past, last super petrol, oops. Dinner and rooms at Hicks bay, good feed, a couple of beers and a good nights sleep.
Day 2
East Cape to New Plymouth 655km - up early and raring to go, fill up at Te Arararoa, 91 in a bike which is supposed to run 95, never mind. Out to the start point but too enthusiastic and get there 10.30am, the sign in book doesn’t open until midday so no early departure. Rather chilly and threatening rain, walk up to the lighthouse, feeling we must be nearly there and sign says 300 steps to go, that warms things up - whew. 135 bikes entered, sign in and we’re off, not a great gravel rider so get passed by a few on the way out. Plan is to regroup, snack and refill at Opotiki, 15l tank doesn’t go past too many petrol stations. Nice ride out tucked in behind a Harley, (which surprises me and sets a pace I am happy to live with), an early Hinckley Tiger and my first sight of an MZ 250 2 stroke which bimbles along quite well. We and a number of others form a freight train. After Opotiki, Rotorua (more fuel, can’t say the 91 made much difference), Whakamaru, Benneydale, Te Kuiti (dinner and fuel) and on to New Plymouth for the night. Arrive around 9.00pm. Good weather and good riding most of the day, Benneydale is always a favourite.
Day 3
NP to Cape Egmont to Whangarei 635km - Finding my synthetic suit trousers horribly uncomfortable (don’t use them much, now I remember why) so spend the morning looking for replacements but no luck, plan to pick up my Draggins on a diversion through Hamilton later in day. Out at Cape Egmont nearer the departure time this time. Walk to lighthouse much easier than East Cape. Midday and we’re off, planned regroup at Mercer (feed and fuel) then Wellsford with accom in Whangarei. Through NP is a drag but Awakino Gorge always nice, turn left at Otorohanga then divert into Ham later, which probably loses an hour with the extra distance and stop time. Have to fuel up at Huntly, check texts at Mercer, missed our mates by 5 mins, brief stop for food only. On the plus side we are late enough to have a clear run through Auckland, didn’t go below 70kph. Run to Wellsford not overly exciting, catch our mates at the servo, yep more fuel and then on to Whangarei by around 8.30pm. Have started to notice that MZ zizzing past every time we stop, its like the energiser bunny. Draggins proving much more comfortable.
Day 4
Whangarei to Cape Reinga to Hamilton 820km - Leave Whangarei 7.30am, I haven’t ridden past Moerewa before so new country coming up but by crikey its cold up here in the winterless north, not helped by riding in fog. Fuel and breakfast at Kaitaia then on to Cape Reinga. What great riding, good roads (apart from the gravel bit they were working on) and little roadside pollution (barriers or that horrible yellow advisory signage). Arrive 11.30am and have time to walk down to the lighthouse plus sort out my chain oiler which hasn’t been living up to its name due to me forgetting to prime it. Don’t leave until around 12.25pm so miss the rush. The plan is to regroup at Kaitaia and then again at Warkworth – the latter for dinner and to let the Auckland traffic clear before heading to Hamilton for the night. Fuel up Kaitaia and Wellsford, good nosh at Warkworth, but traffic still snarled up Nth of the bridge and we lose 20 min or so in stop start traffic, then home to a comfy bed by around 8.30pm.
Day 5
Hamilton to Wellington 525km - Not a big day only 6 hours riding plus stops for the 6.00pm ish ferry and then overnight in Picton. 9.00am leave Ham, route down via SH 4 and good weather all the way. A great run (despite the Parapara roadworks) until Wanganui where it all gets a bit boring. Regroup and fuel at Taumarunui, then lunch planned at Clowns Café in Raetihi, the best pies anywhere, not disappointed with my Venison Pie, Bob disappointed when there are no more venison pies after mine. Next stop Foxton, fuel and an icecream then on to the Ferry terminal, where we join what must have been more than half of the rally on the Ferry. SMOOTH crossing yay and some light food on the ferry.
Day 6
Picton to Balclutha 815km – leave 7.15am for an east coat run except where two of us head inland at Amberley for the inland scenic route, time ends up being very close to the others who brave the shorter route through the Christchurch traffic. Kekerengu store for breakfast, yum. Nice ride down the coast but the first time I have done the 80kph section since this stupid lowered speed limit was set grrrrrrrr. A windy day, generally not too bad but a real battle from Windwhistle to Rakaia Gorge, after the Gorge we get a tail wind and just about coast along at 100kph. Lunch and fuel at Geraldine then on the main drag to Dunedin, fuelling up there when a cold gust of wind hits, feels like the forecast cold front. Time for the wets and just as well as we get soaked going over the Mosgiel hill, but then it clears, and it turns out to be the only significant rain of the trip. Arrive at my old home town around 7.30pm, a chance to catch up with my mother while the others motel it.
Day 7
Balclutha to Bluff to Naseby 530km - for some reason we left at 7.30am with a plan to stop at the first open eatery for breakfast. Since we took the Clinton - Mataura road we had breakfast in Invercargill around 9.30am, and very good it was too. Sign in book not open til midday so I visit friends for a couple of hours then down to Bluff for the sign in thing. Yeehaa we have done it, all we have to do is ride home. Park up at the Eagle hotel for the celebratory beer. Being unsociable so and so’s we head away shortly after and miss that nights party. I have Danseys Pass on my wish list, two don’t fancy the gravel so our group splits, 2 of us do the Catlins run (sign says 56km of twisties), lunch at Niagara, then SH1 then turn off for Outram to Middlemarch – what a road, great sweeping corners over rugged hill country, one mob of sheep to negotiate but plenty of notice. Overnight at the Royal Hotel Naseby, well worth a stop if in the area, $30 for a shared bunk room, good pub food, and the beer wasn't all bad either.
Day 8
Naseby to Hokitika 535km incl 64km gravel road - don’t want to be on the gravel in the half light so sleep in and only leave at 8.00am, then the old Coaching Inn looks enticing so we stop and have breakfast there. Then Danseys Pass, hardly a cloud in the sky and what a beautiful part of the world, I just love it, even better than Molesworth. Duntroon to Omarama, strong head winds. Lindis Pass more sheltered, this is another great road, sweepers rising and falling. More very strong head winds up the Lakes and the pratts are installing cheesecutter barriers by the mile down here ugghh. The Haast Pass, no wind now due to the bush and can I say another great road – yes I can. Only let down by not filling with fuel when we hit the coast so that we both nurse the bikes into Fox Glacier fearful of running out. Yet more food and on to Stumpies in Hokitika by around 7.00pm, only $25 this time for a shared bunk room.
Day 9
Hokitika to Picton 465km - again a relaxed 8.00am leave, we take the coast road up to Westport, breakfast at Punakaiki, then Buller Gorge , Kohatu (disappointed that the pub now closed, had planned to stop there), Nelson and stop at Havelock for some Mussells. It goes without saying, but yet more great roads all the way, I had forgotten how good the roads around Nelson are. And the South Island, all we do is ride great roads and eat good food, life is good. Picton again at around 4.00pm.
Day 10
Picton to Wellington to Hamilton 525km - 6.30am ferry, despite the weather forecast it is smooth, and only 4 bikes this time. Reverse of day one on the way home, which now seems a pretty tame ride after the delights of the SI. 10.00am out of Wellington, a pie and coffee at Raetihi are still impressive. Home to Hammy at 5.00pm and still enough light to begin scrubbing two tons of cement stabilised roadworks out of the bikes recesses, and begin to bore the family with the tales of the trip. Sad that its all over.
So 10 days, 6032 km on the GPS incl the odd side trip, moving ave 81kph incl 100km gravel, ½ hours rain, mostly sunshine, some very strong winds. Just loved the whole trip and I hope to do the next one in two years time. Good one Rusty’s.
620 MTS didn’t miss a beat, but used more fuel that the two R1200RT’s and R1100GS I’m riding with! Pilot Road 2 tyres, fitted new for the trip, nice neutral handling and still plenty of mileage in them, first time I have used these and very happy.
Day 1
Hamilton to Hicks Bay 400km - to get to the start point 2 leave mid morn and due to other commitments me plus 1 leave early pm, the East Cape Rd is one of the better Nth Island rides and good ride in nice weather all the way although the road gets wet for the last 20 or so km but we don’t hit any rain. A bit late though and can’t refill at Waihau Bay on the way past, last super petrol, oops. Dinner and rooms at Hicks bay, good feed, a couple of beers and a good nights sleep.
Day 2
East Cape to New Plymouth 655km - up early and raring to go, fill up at Te Arararoa, 91 in a bike which is supposed to run 95, never mind. Out to the start point but too enthusiastic and get there 10.30am, the sign in book doesn’t open until midday so no early departure. Rather chilly and threatening rain, walk up to the lighthouse, feeling we must be nearly there and sign says 300 steps to go, that warms things up - whew. 135 bikes entered, sign in and we’re off, not a great gravel rider so get passed by a few on the way out. Plan is to regroup, snack and refill at Opotiki, 15l tank doesn’t go past too many petrol stations. Nice ride out tucked in behind a Harley, (which surprises me and sets a pace I am happy to live with), an early Hinckley Tiger and my first sight of an MZ 250 2 stroke which bimbles along quite well. We and a number of others form a freight train. After Opotiki, Rotorua (more fuel, can’t say the 91 made much difference), Whakamaru, Benneydale, Te Kuiti (dinner and fuel) and on to New Plymouth for the night. Arrive around 9.00pm. Good weather and good riding most of the day, Benneydale is always a favourite.
Day 3
NP to Cape Egmont to Whangarei 635km - Finding my synthetic suit trousers horribly uncomfortable (don’t use them much, now I remember why) so spend the morning looking for replacements but no luck, plan to pick up my Draggins on a diversion through Hamilton later in day. Out at Cape Egmont nearer the departure time this time. Walk to lighthouse much easier than East Cape. Midday and we’re off, planned regroup at Mercer (feed and fuel) then Wellsford with accom in Whangarei. Through NP is a drag but Awakino Gorge always nice, turn left at Otorohanga then divert into Ham later, which probably loses an hour with the extra distance and stop time. Have to fuel up at Huntly, check texts at Mercer, missed our mates by 5 mins, brief stop for food only. On the plus side we are late enough to have a clear run through Auckland, didn’t go below 70kph. Run to Wellsford not overly exciting, catch our mates at the servo, yep more fuel and then on to Whangarei by around 8.30pm. Have started to notice that MZ zizzing past every time we stop, its like the energiser bunny. Draggins proving much more comfortable.
Day 4
Whangarei to Cape Reinga to Hamilton 820km - Leave Whangarei 7.30am, I haven’t ridden past Moerewa before so new country coming up but by crikey its cold up here in the winterless north, not helped by riding in fog. Fuel and breakfast at Kaitaia then on to Cape Reinga. What great riding, good roads (apart from the gravel bit they were working on) and little roadside pollution (barriers or that horrible yellow advisory signage). Arrive 11.30am and have time to walk down to the lighthouse plus sort out my chain oiler which hasn’t been living up to its name due to me forgetting to prime it. Don’t leave until around 12.25pm so miss the rush. The plan is to regroup at Kaitaia and then again at Warkworth – the latter for dinner and to let the Auckland traffic clear before heading to Hamilton for the night. Fuel up Kaitaia and Wellsford, good nosh at Warkworth, but traffic still snarled up Nth of the bridge and we lose 20 min or so in stop start traffic, then home to a comfy bed by around 8.30pm.
Day 5
Hamilton to Wellington 525km - Not a big day only 6 hours riding plus stops for the 6.00pm ish ferry and then overnight in Picton. 9.00am leave Ham, route down via SH 4 and good weather all the way. A great run (despite the Parapara roadworks) until Wanganui where it all gets a bit boring. Regroup and fuel at Taumarunui, then lunch planned at Clowns Café in Raetihi, the best pies anywhere, not disappointed with my Venison Pie, Bob disappointed when there are no more venison pies after mine. Next stop Foxton, fuel and an icecream then on to the Ferry terminal, where we join what must have been more than half of the rally on the Ferry. SMOOTH crossing yay and some light food on the ferry.
Day 6
Picton to Balclutha 815km – leave 7.15am for an east coat run except where two of us head inland at Amberley for the inland scenic route, time ends up being very close to the others who brave the shorter route through the Christchurch traffic. Kekerengu store for breakfast, yum. Nice ride down the coast but the first time I have done the 80kph section since this stupid lowered speed limit was set grrrrrrrr. A windy day, generally not too bad but a real battle from Windwhistle to Rakaia Gorge, after the Gorge we get a tail wind and just about coast along at 100kph. Lunch and fuel at Geraldine then on the main drag to Dunedin, fuelling up there when a cold gust of wind hits, feels like the forecast cold front. Time for the wets and just as well as we get soaked going over the Mosgiel hill, but then it clears, and it turns out to be the only significant rain of the trip. Arrive at my old home town around 7.30pm, a chance to catch up with my mother while the others motel it.
Day 7
Balclutha to Bluff to Naseby 530km - for some reason we left at 7.30am with a plan to stop at the first open eatery for breakfast. Since we took the Clinton - Mataura road we had breakfast in Invercargill around 9.30am, and very good it was too. Sign in book not open til midday so I visit friends for a couple of hours then down to Bluff for the sign in thing. Yeehaa we have done it, all we have to do is ride home. Park up at the Eagle hotel for the celebratory beer. Being unsociable so and so’s we head away shortly after and miss that nights party. I have Danseys Pass on my wish list, two don’t fancy the gravel so our group splits, 2 of us do the Catlins run (sign says 56km of twisties), lunch at Niagara, then SH1 then turn off for Outram to Middlemarch – what a road, great sweeping corners over rugged hill country, one mob of sheep to negotiate but plenty of notice. Overnight at the Royal Hotel Naseby, well worth a stop if in the area, $30 for a shared bunk room, good pub food, and the beer wasn't all bad either.
Day 8
Naseby to Hokitika 535km incl 64km gravel road - don’t want to be on the gravel in the half light so sleep in and only leave at 8.00am, then the old Coaching Inn looks enticing so we stop and have breakfast there. Then Danseys Pass, hardly a cloud in the sky and what a beautiful part of the world, I just love it, even better than Molesworth. Duntroon to Omarama, strong head winds. Lindis Pass more sheltered, this is another great road, sweepers rising and falling. More very strong head winds up the Lakes and the pratts are installing cheesecutter barriers by the mile down here ugghh. The Haast Pass, no wind now due to the bush and can I say another great road – yes I can. Only let down by not filling with fuel when we hit the coast so that we both nurse the bikes into Fox Glacier fearful of running out. Yet more food and on to Stumpies in Hokitika by around 7.00pm, only $25 this time for a shared bunk room.
Day 9
Hokitika to Picton 465km - again a relaxed 8.00am leave, we take the coast road up to Westport, breakfast at Punakaiki, then Buller Gorge , Kohatu (disappointed that the pub now closed, had planned to stop there), Nelson and stop at Havelock for some Mussells. It goes without saying, but yet more great roads all the way, I had forgotten how good the roads around Nelson are. And the South Island, all we do is ride great roads and eat good food, life is good. Picton again at around 4.00pm.
Day 10
Picton to Wellington to Hamilton 525km - 6.30am ferry, despite the weather forecast it is smooth, and only 4 bikes this time. Reverse of day one on the way home, which now seems a pretty tame ride after the delights of the SI. 10.00am out of Wellington, a pie and coffee at Raetihi are still impressive. Home to Hammy at 5.00pm and still enough light to begin scrubbing two tons of cement stabilised roadworks out of the bikes recesses, and begin to bore the family with the tales of the trip. Sad that its all over.
So 10 days, 6032 km on the GPS incl the odd side trip, moving ave 81kph incl 100km gravel, ½ hours rain, mostly sunshine, some very strong winds. Just loved the whole trip and I hope to do the next one in two years time. Good one Rusty’s.
620 MTS didn’t miss a beat, but used more fuel that the two R1200RT’s and R1100GS I’m riding with! Pilot Road 2 tyres, fitted new for the trip, nice neutral handling and still plenty of mileage in them, first time I have used these and very happy.