https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/24138-tamarillo Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community en Sun, 03 May 2026 08:49:29 GMT vBulletin 20 https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/BP-Brown/misc/rss.jpg https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blog.php/24138-tamarillo https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1698-Nelson-to-Picton-to-Kaikoura-to-St-Arnoud-to-Kawatiri-and-back-to-Nelson Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:41:38 GMT Nelson to Picton to Kaikoura to St Arnoud to Kawatiri and back to Nelson. I rode through to Kaikoura on Saturday (can recommend Lyell Creek Lodge backpackers) and so on Sunday morning rode back to Renwick up the Wairau River and up to Kawatiri. Met some others and went to St Arnoud for a... Nelson to Picton to Kaikoura to St Arnoud to Kawatiri and back to Nelson.


I rode through to Kaikoura on Saturday (can recommend Lyell Creek Lodge backpackers) and so on Sunday morning rode back to Renwick up the Wairau River and up to Kawatiri. Met some others and went to St Arnoud for a coffee and cake.
Jeff and Paul being keen adventure riders admonished me for being so scared of dirt and tried to tell me I would be a better rider if I got a dirt bike! Huh!
We three bikes then headed out in the light rain back to Golden Downs and took the left turn towards Kohatu. And they proved themselves completely correct. Despite stacking up some rain miles on the Trophy now, and feeling much better about it, these guys ran rings around me on the slippery road. Even upping my pace slightly my riding fell apart and smoothness went out the window – so I slowed down. Emmm…still don’t really like wet roads!
So to all those that stayed at home it was a good ride in mostly good conditions. Ha! ]]> tamarillo https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1698-Nelson-to-Picton-to-Kaikoura-to-St-Arnoud-to-Kawatiri-and-back-to-Nelson https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1684-long-way-home Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:20:11 GMT Last Sunday rides – started with Ulysses ride through Motuere to Source of Riwaka and down to Motueka for lunch but that just was not enough so left them there and headed up to Tapawera then back down through Golden Downs. Still need long way home so headed through to St Arnoud/Nelson Lakes road... Last Sunday rides – started with Ulysses ride through Motuere to Source of Riwaka and down to Motueka for lunch but that just was not enough so left them there and headed up to Tapawera then back down through Golden Downs.
Still need long way home so headed through to St Arnoud/Nelson Lakes road and headed up hill again.
Got most of way to Lakes when clouds loomed so headed back towards Nelson. Joined 2 sports bikes but could not/would not corner at their speed so let them pass and kept in their mirrors instead. No brave pills with new bike. Magical imperial ton so easy though.
Towards Nelson and still not ready to stop so turned left at Brightwater and headed back along inland highway to Motueka again. Home on coastal road and in my spa before sun goes down.
No rain. Compliment to people who put out the ‘ice/grit’ signs – every one meant it and every load of grit had one. Perfect.
Got whole weekend off next one so heading to west coast – just wanna ride…
Damn it’s good to be so alive. ]]> tamarillo https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1684-long-way-home https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1678-When-you-just-wanna-ride Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:49:01 GMT After last weeknds rides it has been horrible being out of town this week - and cannot ride now as my little fella is with me...roll on weekend! After last weeknds rides it has been horrible being out of town this week - and cannot ride now as my little fella is with me...roll on weekend! ]]> tamarillo https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1678-When-you-just-wanna-ride https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1667-raining-today-wanna-ride-new-toy Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:23:18 GMT Picked up my ‘new’ 1996 Trophy 900 weekend last. First ride with the lads in the rain, sweeping roads to Tophouse for lunch. Big fairing so comfy and warm. And terrified! Bike won’t turn right properly, slipped at the rear – hey I wasn’t going fast. Then slipped at front – I want to get off now!... Picked up my ‘new’ 1996 Trophy 900 weekend last. First ride with the lads in the rain, sweeping roads to Tophouse for lunch. Big fairing so comfy and warm. And terrified!
Bike won’t turn right properly, slipped at the rear – hey I wasn’t going fast. Then slipped at front – I want to get off now! Never been much for rain riding but over years got better and more confident. Learnt to be smooooth and accept tyres WILL grip. Not now. Seller said they were half worn so MUST BE OKAY. What have I bought?
Lads reckon 10,000 is good for these bikes (heck that’s still running in a tyre on my old airheads). Gingerly home, tried to relax, shrug shoulder, do the bird flap thing. SLOW. Still slid. Stayed up but boy she did not like a puddle in a corner.
Home, warm, spa, later…rung seller up; oh they have done 15,000 km! Not worth telling him is a lying dickhead telling me half worn – he already knows he is by my stunned silence.
Mind the never. Away next week so on email arranging set Dunlop Roadsmarts. Born ‘09 these things rate as best in adverse conditions – figure even in summer we get grit and crap on roads and since they are said to wear well I do it. City M/C’s (ex Murray McLean) give great price.
Back Thursday, pick up little fella school and chill out. 8 pm he is in bed and me in garage figuring how to get wheels off. Turns out it is easy – well done poms!
Sunday he is off to him Mum’s (she who does not like motorbikes and still thinks she can boss me around) and ‘on yer bike’. Fantastic – what a difference a tyre makes. She turns, she swoops, she drops down and stays there. Whew all around.
Took inland highway through Moutere and a few side roads, ended up in Kaiteriteri without the nubile bikinis – too cold. Met some Ulyssians and rode back with them to Nelson. Bliss.
Monday and Tuesday mornings its bloody freezing but took bike to work anyway – takes longer by the time I gear up and its only 5 mins ride but felt good to be on her. Got to play at lunch times! One of the elder ladies in our sewing room commented that I am like a little boy. Of course! Blokes try to be adults for about 10 yrs in the late 20’s then realise they don’t have to pretend and become mature little boys again. Those that don’t become frustrated sad old farts sneaking off to watch porn movies.
Now she sits in garage – need car to take little fella to school and back. And it is raining. Want to ride on Sunday so please please stop!!!! Away again next week so NEED Sunday. It’s so good to feel alive! ]]> tamarillo https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/entry.php/1667-raining-today-wanna-ride-new-toy