I'm having a terrific time in Auckland

[EJK]

Day 1

Thought I should share.

Today I flew over to Auck just to visit. Kindly, GIJOE1313 has lend me his lil'o Hornet and I was able to re-experience the joy and freedom of being on two wheels.

Arrived in Auck around 8:00am, then headed straight to Justin's place to pick up his little mean machine. After a short break with snack and drink (and seeing Justin in pain), I was on my way!

The weather was sweet all the way. My first impression when I got on the road was "Holy, why so many cars during lunch time?". Well, that's Auckland I'd forgot about

First I started from Mt Eden Summit. It is the place I go. Then went to Dairy Flat BP (where I used to work) to see my old colleagues, Albany (coatesville/ riverhead highway), lunch at Point Chevalier, Waitakere to Huia, then straight onto the Scenic Drive, then Albany (coatesville/ riverhead) again, then came back down via SH1 Harbour Bridge to experience the heavy traffic of Auckland (@ around 7pm). Finished it off at Mt Eden Summit (again).

Whoah, what a journey. From tomorrow the forecast will turn to custard so yeah... Think I'll stay home.

Here are some photos from today:

1. It's good to be back! (@ BP Dairy Flat)
2. @Mt Eden Summit
3. RAGNA ROCK-N-ROLL! (@MJ Savage Memorial Park)
4. Arataki Visitor Center (@Scenic Drive)
5. Having a rest at Arataki Visitor Center
6. Mt Eden Summit Finish


The old EJK is back! Thanks goes to GIJOE1313 once again!

[racefactory]

Nice man. Coatesville/Riverhead is the meanest place for a blat.

East Coast Bays summers, just can't get enough of it eh.

Auckland forever.

[chanceyy]

GIJoe is a blardy good bugger .. but why is he in pain ??? did one of his steeds buck him off, (missed that thread) or did he get a whack from someone else ??

good that you got out on 2 wheels again

[gijoe1313]

GIJoe is a blardy good bugger .. but why is he in pain ??? did one of his steeds buck him off, (missed that thread) or did he get a whack from someone else ??

good that you got out on 2 wheels again

Well, great to see EJK is able to get in some living on two wheels again, since I seem to have a fleet of steeds not being used at the moment, glad to have helped him out!

Living vicariously through his pics at the moment!

As for me, I am laid low due to severe pain in my left foot - due to gout or a compressed nerve. Bloody painful! It's coming right - so hopefully I can swing a leg over again!

But yes, have lent out my 250 and 900 Hornets at the moment!

[Crasherfromwayback]

As for me, I am laid low due to severe pain in my left foot - due to gout or a compressed nerve. Bloody painful! It's coming right - so hopefully I can swing a leg over again!

Gout normally starts out in your big toe on the right foot. I know this...as I get it BAD if I drink too much red wine!! Is it hot, red and swollen? Your foot man...

If you have gout...you can normally get rid of it by drinking large amounts of water to flush your kidneys out. Works for me.

[The Pastor]

But yes, have lent out my 250 and 900 Hornets at the moment!

what about the bazillion other hornets you have

[The Pastor]

how long u in auckland for ej?

[Donor]

what about the bazillion other hornets you have

Along with his stash of 2 strokes?

Which I have stashed in my secret gargre... muhahaha...

[EJK]

how long u in auckland for EJ?

Til Monday yo. Gonna go on a ride through SH16. Meeting at 1pm @ Westgate Shell.

Ya keen?


More riding to be done tomorrow, as well as with more photos!

[EJK]

Everything that has a beginning has an end.

It was three nights ago when I walked to GIJOE's place, now this afternoon I have rode the final ride back to drop the bike off. :-(


Today's Rides
I woke at around 10am then went to Albany via Coatesville/Riverhead to attend my old church that I used to go. It was good to meet some of my old friends over there.

After that, I went to Westgate Shell to meet Musicman (Michael). We went on an absolute blastful ride through SH16 to Wellsford. I noticed that my riding skill had gone pretty rusty! But wow, I had tenseful ride. After a little rest at the lookout, we went down back SH16 to go through Woodcocks Road where I had my infamous photo taken back in 2007 (for those who remember). It was really good to meet Michael again. His bike is just phenominal!

From Warkworth, Michael and I went down to Cycletreads to meet one and only TOTO (Todd). Unexpectedly, he didn't have his Green hornet with him, but a shocking GN250!

After meeting Todd, Michael went on his way to attend his wife, leaving Todd and I to have dinner at daikoku Japanese restaurant in Britomart. I was quite tired at this point but Todd suggested that we should do more riding! Well, I had a doubt but hey, let's enjoy it as much as I can while I can!
Afer the meal, we went down to Botany to Clevedon and Maraetai. There we had a bit of rest and chat. A few minutes later we went on our way to drop off the bike at GIJOE1313's place. Todd had kindly offered that he would give me a ride back to Upper Queen St after I had dropped off the bike.... ON A GN250?! First I thought it was a joke. But hey, why not? Let's have some fun!

After dropping off the lil Hornet back at GIJOE1313's place, I jumped on the back of GN250 and went on the motorway. I was impressed! Think about it: Two big blokes on a single banger 250? What a laugh! But I was impressed. We were doing 80-90kph and even reaching 100kph on down hill. Good fun. My reliance on GN250s have changed. I thought they were total piece of manure but after what has gone through, it's actually not that bad.

So this concludes my motorcycling time whlie I'm in Auckland. It has been a great pleasure, joy and freedom to be back again. Am I gonna miss it? Oh hell definitely. I'm missing it already. Sigh....

Everything that has a beginning has an end.

Thanks goes to everyone of my good friends. You guys made my time in Auckland. Much gratitude.

1. With Todd at Maraetai Beach.
2. Déjà vu? Reminiscence much?
3. Hornet and MT01 at the SH16 lookout
4. Two big blokes on a GN250... ON THE MOTORWAY!
5. "Hmmm I know this place..."
6. :-D

[EJK]

For those who don't know my story behind the Woodcocks Road, here is an image that was captured back in late 2007.

http://img225.imageshack.us/i/pic006ms5.jpg/

[breakaway]

Damn, BP dairy flat brings back some memories. Good times!