Write an essay for KR site

**tri boy** · 6th June 2010, 19:59

Write an essay

Between that, and receiving a couple of cuts with the cane, the cane won everytime.

1min of pain beats boredom X2hrs everytime.
(school did have good tuck shops though)

**Headbanger** · 6th June 2010, 20:00

what the feck happened to my map

**Big Dave** · 6th June 2010, 20:07

I can see the map OK.
Nice bit.

Edit - I can't pick up the embedded map - can you post the link to it please.

**Headbanger** · 6th June 2010, 20:18

The map

http://www.quikmaps.com/show/139880

I also fixed up a couple errors in my text, no doubt there are many more.

**Stylo** · 6th June 2010, 20:21

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Righto, I don't have a favorite road, I have a favorite loop for short blasts. It packs a lot of punch into a half hour ride.

Starting in the stunning and historical metropolis of Wanganui, traveling alongside the crystalline waters of the Wanganui river, past the impressive and revered Aramaho Tavern, Turning left at Brunwick Rd and passing the magnificent fertilizer store and former demolition "storage facility", from there it goes downhill rather quickly, the road is a succession of undulating of sharp blind corners, the surface is a minefeild, Leading onto a one way bridge and a series of very sharp,very steep corners.

There are no road markings, The road is covered in shit, tractors and sheep are common, as is cars on the wrong side of the road, and the locals treat it as their driveway. In other words perfect conditions for riding a bike.

Soon it opens up and you climb out of the valley towards a plateau, Soon you're surrounded by gentle farmland and you can feed the bitch some fat, Until getting the shit scared out of you by a tractor, farm dog or a wicked tight corner apearing out of nowhere. Sometimes a combination of all three for some quality shits and giggles.

Then a good short sharp decent into a stunning valley, a hard left and a few k's on another tight, twisty, badly maintained road, If you don't get an arse clenth or two through here you doing it all wrong.

Soon enough you hit the main road, hang a hard left and you're at the Kai iwi tavern. Great service,plenty of food, and the beer is cold. There is pretty much always at least a couple bikes parked outside.

From here you can stay on the main road for a casual ride back into Wanganui or hang a hard right, Leading through some trees and up the side of a hill, the road is in great condition, the corners are perfect. This again opens up onto flat farm land and as you get closer to the coast the sea opens up before, But don't look at it, that's where the corners kick in, and if your looking out to sea you will crash. There is also a cliff.

Bypassing the beach turn off, and heading back towards town, You can pick anyone of 4 of 5 different approaches to take.

All in all its a fuckin stunning route, offering up a wide variation of roads and scenery, and can be done after work or before lunch. Funny enough its rare that I see any other bikes out and about those ways.

All very good but...I'm probably the only one in NZ who rode the Methven-Chertsey Rd this morning in the pissing cold rain with a hangover, having had four hours sleep and my only visor was a tinted one...wife on the back of the 'Busa, pack on the back and fogging up big time. 160 ph and I hit a big pile of tractor mud and the bike had a 'moment' for about 3 seconds ......still a little subdued ....actually, I'm thinking about joining the church next week....

**Big Dave** · 6th June 2010, 20:23

>>I also fixed up a couple errors<<

I gave it a tidy up. had to edit the 'fuckin'. We have a kid reader too.

**Conquiztador** · 6th June 2010, 22:42

It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with hope in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? He has got two guinea pigs. Please daddy…"

I had planned to spend the day with my three boys. Do some dad – son bonding. But what chance do I have when up against two mighty guinea pigs?

“Sure son. You and your brothers go. But be home by six.” As they grab their pushbikes and ride out from the section through the hole in the back fence I hear: “Love you dad.” And they are gone.

The house goes quiet. Now what? It is a sunny day and I have no interest in housework. Never have for that matter… Hmmm, what about a bike ride? I have almost six hours… As the thought goes through my head I am already changing in to my leathers and inside three minutes I have wheeled the bike outside, locked the doors, put my helmet on and Shirley is warming up.

I ride in the traffic through Clive and soon after hit Napier. I navigate the sleepy streets and find my self on the other side of town riding north. A stop in Bay View to fill up with petrol and I am off. I knew straight away where I was going; Gisborne. It is an easy four hours trip there and back. Add two stops at my favorite hotel and I still be back in time.

I neglect the SH5 turnoff toward Taupo and ride SH2 with the sea on my right until I pass the Waipatiki intersection. Until now the road has been mainly straight and relaxing. It is all part of this roads attraction. The change as the twisties begin has caught out many travelers.

Sofar there has been no problem hitting the speed limit. But as the road clings to the side of the hills it at times becomes impossible to do more than 50k/h. I love this part of the road. The sharp turns, the un-ability to see what is around the bend, and the slow traffic that allows me space to pass with ease.

I ride past Lake Tutira and hardly have time to reach 100k/h before it is time to shift down again and negotiate through the next twisties.

After 45 minutes of riding I come to the small village of Putorino where the Waikare Hotel is placed conveniently by the roadside. I take my obligatory stop and after a few friendly words with the barman find my self sitting outside in the sun with my drink watching the world go by. I love this place. There is no mobile phone coverage here!

After my drink I carry on the ride towards Wairoa, a small place that has never held an attraction for me. Well, there was this one time I met this lady from here… but I digress.

I carry on through Wairoa and hit the road north. The main twisties are now behind me and I can grab a handful of throttle. Forest, lakes, bridges, rivers and sea fly past as I enjoy the ride. All too quickly I find my self riding down the descend towards Gisborne.

I decide I don’t really have any reason to visit the place, and so I veer in to the petrol station where SH 2 and SH35 meet just before Gisborne.

I walk in to pay for the fuel and the woman behind the counter asks where I am going. I tell her I am turning around and going back home to Hawke’s Bay. “You ride alone?” she asks. “Bike riding is a solitary experience” I state and smile.

As I ride back Shirley knows we are going home and she does most of the work as we flow through the bends. The road is in a good condition and the traffic is sparse. Less than two hours since we left the Waikare Hotel we are back. I walk in and the barman gives me the same without me asking. I like that. Service. Makes me want to come back.

After I once more have watched the world go past I ride towards the twisties. The urge has gone and I take it easy enjoying every moment. Perhaps I don’t want this to end? But I need to be back for my boys.

As I come to Bay View I know that from here it is only commuting left to do.

SH2 Napier – Gisborne is one of my favorite roads. It has all I like with biking: challenging roads, corners, need to change gears, fast straights, views. And a decent pub halfway. What more could a biker want? But then, I am a simple man with simple needs.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&so...7,2.458191&z=9

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th June 2010, 23:48

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Righto, I don't have a favorite road, I have a favorite loop for short blasts. It packs a lot of punch into a half hour ride.

Starting in the stunning and historical metropolis of Wanganui, traveling alongside the crystalline waters of the Wanganui river, past the impres................. etc

there's your problem: its "wHanganui" innit? and the wHanganui river. I've seen a sign. From Jeebus. Or maybe Tariana Turia.

**Big Dave** · 7th June 2010, 00:58

Originally Posted by Conquiztador

It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with hope in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? He has got two guinea pigs. Please daddy…”

Can you do it without the smilies please?

**Conquiztador** · 7th June 2010, 07:14

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Can you do it without the smilies please?

It is Sunday midday. My youngest comes up to me and asks with tears in his eyes: “Dad, can we go to Taits? His two guinea pigs died. Please daddy…”

**nosebleed** · 7th June 2010, 09:38

Right 4 minus, opens over crest 50 and tightens 5

Left 6 over crest 50 and tightens minus 120

Keep right into Left 5 minus over crest 100

Keep right in dipp into Left 6 opens over jump 50

Crest and dip 80

Right 6 over jump 100

Right 5 over crest opens 50, Caution big dip 60

Right 4 over 2 crests, opens 50 and tightens minus keep in over
crest 60 (00.36)

Left 6 over jump 80

Crest 50, Right 3

Left 5 minus 100

Left 5 minus long tightens a bit, BRAKE Right 3 half long tightens 2 plus 80 (Back-in)

Right 4 minus half long, opens 30, Left 3 50

Left 3 plus keep in over crest 100
Right 3 plus 80

Small crest 50

Early Left 4 opens over crest 50

Left 4 minus half long 120

Right 4 long tightens narrows

Left 4 plus over crest

Crest into Right 4 100

Left 5 minus over junction opens 120

...That's the first 5 minutes, do you want the whole "Loop"?