Jatz's travels

**Waihou Thumper** · 26th October 2014, 09:30

Originally Posted by JATZ

Somewhere near Rotorua....

That looks like Leslie Road - Cecil Road?

**JATZ** · 28th October 2014, 09:04

Not sure exactly W.T. I'll have a look at a map later.
Now...? What's the best way to leave Auckland ? Besides taking one of these

Me and bacon would like to head down the west coast sort of. Any suggestions welcome

Bear in mind I could get lost on the nullabor,

**Aslan** · 28th October 2014, 12:08

James - conscious it's several hours since you posted your Q

My advice would be get out toward the West Coast - Raglan, Kawhia aiming for Awakino then take in Kiwi Road and out at Urenui

Check a map - I think you're old school

Hope this helps - ride safe Cheers Oaters aka Aslan

PS as you get further South - assuming you're heading toward Wanganui - turn in at Kaiiwi and take the road that comes out at Aramoho (spelling)

**Moi** · 28th October 2014, 17:31

Was going to suggest much the same - you can't go too wrong cause if you do you get wet - either Tasman wet or Waikato wet...

some of the roads in from the Forgotten World highway that head up towards the coast are worth exploring...

Cheers

**JATZ** · 29th October 2014, 07:11

Thanks Oaters / Moi. I did a route similar to your suggestion Oaters on the 350 a few years ago.
Looks like another crap day in Auckland so I'll have a look at a MAP and work something out.
Ooooooo.... Thunder aaaand lightning. I'm off to hide under the bed

**Moi** · 29th October 2014, 08:51

Originally Posted by JATZ

Ooooooo.... Thunder aaaand lightning. I'm off to hide under the bed

What are you made of??

**Padmei** · 29th October 2014, 11:35

Sunny & about 30 degrees down here at the mo, the smell of a bbq & gentle Hawaiian music wafting on the breeze...

**NordieBoy** · 29th October 2014, 14:06

Is that a swimming pool, or readylawn?

**NordieBoy** · 29th October 2014, 14:08

Originally Posted by Padmei

Sunny & about 30 degrees down here at the mo, the smell of a bbq & gentle Hawaiian music wafting on the breeze...

Sunny and raining and sunny and raining here...

**JATZ** · 29th October 2014, 16:10

Originally Posted by Moi

What are you made of??

Icing sugar

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Is that a swimming pool, or readylawn?

If the pool was that colour, questions would have to be asked about the maintenance schedule...

Should be a good exit tomorrow, need to leave early to beat the bridge traffic though

**Woodman** · 29th October 2014, 16:33

Originally Posted by JATZ

Icing sugar

If the pool was that colour, questions would have to be asked about the maintenance schedule...

Should be a good exit tomorrow, need to leave early to beat the bridge traffic though

Will you fit on the bridge?

**Logmaker** · 29th October 2014, 19:27

Originally Posted by JATZ

Icing sugar

If the pool was that colour, questions would have to be asked about the maintenance schedule...

Should be a good exit tomorrow, need to leave early to beat the bridge traffic though

Hey James have you still got those Givi side racks for DR650 ? Cheers M .

**MXNUT** · 30th October 2014, 08:46

Originally Posted by Woodman

Will you fit on the bridge?

With a pilot vehicle in front he should be fine.

**JATZ** · 30th October 2014, 11:29

Originally Posted by MXNUT

With a pilot vehicle in front he should be fine.

Originally Posted by Woodman

Will you fit on the bridge?

Bastards

Kawhia's lovely this time of year

Sorry M. They went with the DR

**JATZ** · 4th November 2014, 21:22

I figured it was about time I started this ...
I'd heard rumors of a Cape to Cape ride being put together by a couple of the lads from the Naki and despite rumors of there being a distinct lack of coffee stops I figured I'd best go check it out

and maybe catch up with family while I was in the same island, also checking on the bickie tin status in Katikat was near the top of the agenda

I'd been saving for a wee while

so after loading up I headed for Picton. While gassing up in Havelock I started chatting to a guy on a 1150, he seemed alright and was heading for Picton too, so we rode through Queen Charlotte dr. together.
Nice day for a ride

We stopped at the lookout overlooking Picton to discuss tyres, bikes, oils and power bands, and it turns out he knows about Kiwibiker

Hospitalfood. He should've used the secret wave.
He had a white ferry to catch and I had some stuff to drop off to a decidedly dodgy character in Picton, I got a free beer though, so it was all good

Then it was my turn to hop on a Blue ferry...
Pffffttt Amateurs

I was just waking up from my first nap by the time they'd finished

It was a beaut day for a trip across the strait

After heading for the Hutt I made my way over the Old Haywards rd, I think

I poked my nose up Cecil rd, but it looked ummmm not really inviting at this stage of the day. I made a quick call to Aslan and he confirmed it wasn't somewhere I should be going just now

So I figured I just keep heading North until it was time to stop

.....Levin

Nothing remarkable there except for the complimentary muffin at the place I stayed. Also... dont park under the tree outside Subway for any length of time. Birds roost in it, birds who must've been eating good curry or strong laxatives

Aaaanyway...
I had to get to New Plymouth the next day, so after a hearty brekky I headed off through Shannon. The day wasn't looking to flash at this point

And made my way up towards North Range road. Hmmmm, rain, wind and a 4wd track along a ridge

I really am getting soft.

Nevermind, head for wHanganui

a brief stop, and I made my way through Aramoho and up Kauarapaoa rd, a nice little diversion off the main rd.

I really do like this road, plenty of wildlife, with parakeets in the trees and goats scuttling into the undergrowth, and a couple of fallow deer

I was a mite to slow to get a pic of the deer

But I thought these were worthy of a pic, impressive set of horns

Anyway... the day wasn't getting any better weather wise

So I flicked on the heated grip and trundled off to New Plymouth and something to drink