Epic Roadie (Whakatane)

[modboy]

Little did I know as I headed off last Friday morning that half the north islands main roads would be closed with the biggest snow storm in 25yrs. Oblivious I refuelled at Waipakarau whilst a dad and his kid admired the Thruxton. Being on the open road was lifting the spirit. The sun was shining at Bay View, last refuel before the Napier-Taupo road, which is in great shape - and a great way to get to Taupo. Chicken Burgers at the Summit cafe are great, even if the hospitality is a bit cagey.

The straight runs into Taupo probably would be fun on a cruiser, but on the Cafe Racer I was yearning more twisties. Rotorua for the night then a gorgeous ride up past the lakes (back road via Rotoiti, Rotoehu etc.) to Whakatane.

I pulled up at the Whakatane Hotel and ride up on to the pavement parking up next to a gaggle of Harley Bobbers, including one of those dark custom soft tails with the most ridiculous ape hanger handle bars. All the bro's got up and said hi checking out the Thruxy and I did the same, scary looking bros but salt of the earth - the great thing about biking , sharing that road spirit. Awesome stuff. The dark custom nearly blew my ear drums as it's owner started it up.

Stuck in Whakatane while all the north island was snowed out. So, I leave yesterday morning - through Opotiki through the Waioeka Gorge - another must do ride ! After all the rain there was waterfalls coming of the ranges everywhere - sun was out - virtually no one on the road - magic!

Refuel at Te Karaka 20 odd K out from Gissy then the most fun part of the trip between Gissy and Wairoa - dry road, gorgeous perfectly cambered twisties the whole way - what a ball. Late lunch at West Quays in Napier - then froze my arse off back to Carterton where I crashed at my olds. Easy cruise over the Taka's this morning. Still buzzing.

[Mystic13]

Lol. I did the reverse almost the weekend before with stunning weather. Aucks, back of Rotorua, a soak in the roadside hotpools by Lake Rotoma which have finally been fenced and got changing rooms and you have to pay now instead of the free dip. Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Morere parked up for the night at a friends and had the organice everything and tree ripened oranges, Wairoa down the back through Waipukarau (gassed at Mobil) and ate at Angkor Wat? great bakery food. through to Manfield to watch a bit of racing then over to Ohakune for the night. Warm temps and not a drop of snow anywhere. Wander back to the Waiouru Army museum and the Desert road before going back through Ohakune, the Big T and some backroads home. I finally sorted out the Te Kuiti by pass. What neat biking roads those are.

Those roads down the East Coast are abandoned even on a fine weekend. From Gisborne to Napier there were no road works. In fact the first road works were just outside Waipukurau.

I'm going to do another run back and do Gisborne then North around the Cape and back to Opotiki next I think.

If you're in Opotiki "Rostcards Cafe" upstairs has some good food.

[modboy]

Cheers Mystic, yep - there is still that stretch of unsealed roadworks at Waipukurau. But the road was clear good everywhere else.

Yea, keen as to do the east cape road - sounds like a good summer roadie.

[McWild]

5 of us are heading to Whakatane from Christchurch this November for an epic road trip ourselves. Just getting more excited now!

[modboy]

5 of us are heading to Whakatane from Christchurch this November for an epic road trip ourselves. Just getting more excited now!

Awesome Wild - worth considering the Napier Taupo road - but then the lure of the Desert Road for southlanders I guess will be big. It's just the Wairarapa Route (via the Rimutaka Hill road a classic welly ride) is a lot quieter traffic wise. Less stress.

On the way back it's also worth considering the Whakatane-Opotiki (beautiful ride) then Waioeka Gorge, via Gisborne, then to Wairoa - that piece of road is pure magic. Probably my fav part of the trip.

Also the road between Rotorua and Whakatane is beautiful riding. Native forest, lakes, then the coast - great road.

Have fun - you'll love it.

If you get to Napier for lunch the West Quay is perfect. Bars and Cafes - and you can park the bikes up just opposite to keep and eye on them. Sit outside on the decks. And it's just next to SH2 so it's an easy escape when your ready to hit the road again. Choice !

[trailblazer]

good to hear you had a good trip. I plan on doing a simular ride but starting and finishing in whakatane but not till i get a bit more experiance on the bike.