The double doubleya trip (Wellington to Whakatane)

[davebullet]

Never been further than bulls, so decided to take 3 days off and do Whakatane and back. A total of 1,420kms.

Moki joined me from Levin and we stayed the night in Turangi on Tuesday. We ate at the Turangi Truckstop (highly recommended - good value), then Moki returned home and I had to be at Whakatane by 1pm (you'll read why below).

Picked up a couple of stone chips. Managed to get better than 20k/litre and found the Teagura pack rack system I invented (until Mr. Ventura arrives) did a remarkable job. Even though the stock suspension did its best job trying to buck like a bronco over various surfaces, the bag stayed put.

The purpose of the trip was to meet a mate at Whakatane who bought a shiny new R6. In true top gear style, the race was on. Could I make it to Whakatane before Air New Zealand? Well the motorcycle was the victor on this occasion (by 10 minutes). My mates riding skills are superior and in no time was he leaving me behind through the twisties. Tyres nicely scrubbed in and no chicken strips at all.

We stayed Wednesday night in Opotiki. We dropped our gear and ventured 60kms around the East Cape Coast. Beautiful road. If you haven't done it, something to add to your bucket list.

After staying Wednesday night in Opotiki, we journeyed to Gisborne via SH2. This is also a lovely piece of road and should also be added to your must do list. A brief detour to check out the action in Gizzie, we travelled to Wairoa and had lunch by the river. Onto Napier where we stayed last night, then finally home down SH2 and the 'takas to finish (a bit windy up there though today).

Driving standard was exemplary. I have no reports of anyone trying to mow me down, being blind, dumb cager etc.... except for yours truly who really made some bad calls. One involved overtaking a sheep truck that also simultaneously commenced an overtake on a tractor in front. All my fault. Luckily Mr. Michelin handled riding off the road onto the dirt / grass at 80+kph. Not panicking, I carefully guided Suzy back onto the road. I apologise to you Mr. Truck Driver.

When I got home, I had an investment property purchased (stress over... or maybe that should be stress beginning!), a very happy Mrs. B, dinner to make and a few toys that had arrived courtesy of some trademe binging (comprising Fork Oil and a GSXR rear shock to try and coax some compliance and replace the pogo stick shock fitted at the factory).

Piccies to come....

[Highlander]

Looking forward to them piccies.

Great ride to complete the loop around the East cape and back to Opotiki via the Waioeka Gorge (SH2), worth making time for next time you are up this way.
That Gisborne - Napier road is a doozy too.

Well done. Good to get out for a decent ride like that isn't it?

[shafty]

Sounds like a good ride alright............Pics please.......

[nothingflash]

Yeah man - that sounds like it was a great trip. The East Cape is best done clockwise and yep Wairoa - Napier is nice. Did you do Gisborne - Wairoa through Morere (SH 2)or Tiniroto (SH 38 I think))?

[davebullet]

The piccies are pretty average. Camera on the blink plus I forgot to take 'em (having too much fun).

Here's the routes.... The usual SH1 to taupo (pretty boring), but these are the best, esp. from Opotoki around the cape (didn't go further than shown), then SH2 from Opotoki to Gisborne.

[davebullet]

Here's Moki lookin' mean...

[davebullet]

Here's the new R6. Bought from Tony Rees Yamaha in Gisborne. Tony came out to pick up my mate from the airport. A nice guy and answered a few questions from his racing past. Got a look at his championship winning 2005 R1 (forgot to take a picture sorry). My mate gets a track day thrown in with the purchase which he'll cash in, in the new year. This bike looks gorgeous in black with gold wheels.

[davebullet]

Here's the patent pending Teagura pack rack system. Made from left over rubberised matting (the kind of stuff you put in kitchen draws to stop stuff sliding around), a towel (since there wasn't enough matting) and Whare-house bungy chords.

This whole contraption stayed in place surprisingly well. I left the seat twice going over some bumps (and a bridge with a little lip at the end for extra lift) as well as going around a couple of bends on the way up from Taupo to Whakatane where the road was patched in a dubious manner (very rutty). Didn't lose the load once.

[davebullet]

Yeah man - that sounds like it was a great trip. The East Cape is best done clockwise and yep Wairoa - Napier is nice. Did you do Gisborne - Wairoa through Morere (SH 2)or Tiniroto (SH 38 I think))?

We just stuck to SH2. The road was pretty average (a bit of patching and some roadworks here and there). Maybe we should have tried SH38?

[nothingflash]

We just stuck to SH2. The road was pretty average (a bit of patching and some roadworks here and there). Maybe we should have tried SH38?

Yeah mate - it's a much better ride...

[Highlander]

The piccies are pretty average. Camera on the blink plus I forgot to take 'em (having too much fun).

Taking photos on tour is a pain, you have to stop. Take off helmet and gloves, get out the camera, take photo, put away camera, gear up, ride off. I get told off when I get home from a trip and the photos are all of bikes parked in front of Cafes, "didn't you see any other scenery?" to which I reply, "you could have come too and you would have seen the same things" - not sure it that helps my case or not

We just stuck to SH2. The road was pretty average (a bit of patching and some roadworks here and there). Maybe we should have tried SH38?

SH38 is more interesting and technical riding but the road urface is likely to be better on SH2.

[davebullet]

I did manage some scenery photos... well, not many and not well taken...

First photo is taken between Taupo and Whakatane off Galatea road. It is of the Rangitaiki River. There was a nice little siding (had to do an emergency stop of sorts to catch it). Next photo is the bike at the same spot. A nice little seat for a drink and a break. About 1 car every 10 minutes (nice and peaceful).

[davebullet]

Dam it!

I love dams. I find them a marvel as well as scary in some ways (how the hell to they hold the immense weight of water and I hope there isn't an earthquake to break it whilst I'm riding over). This dam (name unknown) is just a little further north than the last pictures. Just below the Te Mahoe settlement.

The boulder weighs 20 tonne and was typical of those excavated during the dam strengthening undertaken in 1998. I know all this because the details are on the plaque and I can sorta read too.

[davebullet]

The last one isn't inspiring, but the lads getting ready to depart Napier after a hearty Indonesian dinner the night before washed down with a few bottles of pear cider.

[Highlander]

Dam it!

I love dams. I find them a marvel as well as scary in some ways (how the hell to they hold the immense weight of water and I hope there isn't an earthquake to break it whilst I'm riding over). This dam (name unknown) is just a little further north than the last pictures. Just below the Te Mahoe settlement.

The boulder weighs 20 tonne and was typical of those excavated during the dam strengthening undertaken in 1998. I know all this because the details are on the plaque and I can sorta read too.

That dam is Matahina. The river in your other photo is blocked by it.
If you are going through Central Otago at some point see if you can do a tour of Clyde dam and think about your comments on Earthquakes.