Holiday riding

[trumpy]

On Friday I decided to go out for a decent solo ride to wear in the new leathers (thanks Mrs Trumpy and Rick at Lifestyle - they're great). Taupo to Mangakino, Kihikihi, Otarahonga, Te Kuiti, Taumaranui, National Park and then Chateau for lunch (well actually the cafe on the other side of the road). Then off to Tokaanu, Western Access Rd, Pohipi Rd and home. Nearly 500 K's, very little traffic, NO idiot drivers (can you believe that?) and roads in exellent condition. Perfect.
The same could not be said for today. Did the Taupo, Napier, Taupo run. The weather was fine (despite the wind) and the traffic not too heavy but sections of this road are a disgrace. The temperatures were hardly high and there was cloud cover all day and yet parts of the road were badly melted. In particular from the Tarawera pub for about ten K's towards Taupo the road was practically liquid (I had the back step out a couple of times prior to this section so was already riding VERY carefully by the time I got there). The bridge before the passing lane a few K's past the pub was pure tar, no stone chip left, even the cages were sliding about.
If the predicted rain arrives tomorrow the now virtually pure tar surface will become entirely interesting - Be VERY CAREFUL if you are coming thru there on Monday.
Why is it that politicians (of whatever persuasion) can spend inordinate amounts of our money on ill concieved, poorly planned, poorly executed projects which had no hope of success from day one, yet can't spend proper money on building the nations most important asset properly?

One good note: on my friday ride, I shared the Western Access rd with another bike and three cages. We all cruised along comfortably at 115 to 130. All drove/rode sensibly, respected each others space and had an enjoyable run. Even got a wave from all the cagers as I turned off into Pohipi rd. Sometimes bikes and cages can play nicely together.
Anyway that's my rant for the night - have a great 2006 you'all.

[LB]

We were at the Chateau on Friday for coffee/scones. Didn't see you/your bike. We were there around 11.30am-1.00pm. We were in our car, and we had with us a Honda ute with two Ducatis on a trailer (before anyone rushes to say they'd broken down, they were a racing 748 and 749) - did you see the ute/bikes? We were on our way home from the racing at Wanganui/Taupo.

[marty]

what the hell is a honda ute?

[Grumpy]

Why is it that politicians (of whatever persuasion) can spend inordinate amounts of our money on ill concieved, poorly planned, poorly executed projects which had no hope of success from day one, yet can't spend proper money on building the nations most important asset properly?

With you on this one. They spent alot of money on that road last year and it's already turned to shit. Surely there has to be some sort of fix it for our roads. Shit, we can squeeze a 2.3 litre 3 cylinder engine into a bike frame and still have a motorcycle that is ridable (you would have been laughed at if you said such a thing was doable 10 years ago ) but we still can't build roads that can last 1 good hot summer without falling apart.

[Motu]

what the hell is a honda ute?

It's a Legend,a story often told late at night,the mysterious Honda Ute....but no one has been able to prove they exist.

[Sniper]

Sorry to hear mate. Hope you ride safe.

[trumpy]

We were at the Chateau on Friday for coffee/scones. Didn't see you/your bike. We were there around 11.30am-1.00pm. We were in our car, and we had with us a Honda ute with two Ducatis on a trailer (before anyone rushes to say they'd broken down, they were a racing 748 and 749) - did you see the ute/bikes? We were on our way home from the racing at Wanganui/Taupo.

I was there mate;the "no friends Nigel" slumming it by himself in the cafe over the road (the picnic table outside to be exact). Should have looked in your mirrors, I followed you down the Chateau rd on the way home. Passed the van behind you about halfway down then tucked in behind. Too much driving around in Honda utes makes you blind! NICE bikes though! Was going to have a closer look but you turned off the other way.......

[Pixie]

With you on this one. They spent alot of money on that road last year and it's already turned to shit. Surely there has to be some sort of fix it for our roads. Shit, we can squeeze a 2.3 litre 3 cylinder engine into a bike frame and still have a motorcycle that is ridable (you would have been laughed at if you said such a thing was doable 10 years ago ) but we still can't build roads that can last 1 good hot summer without falling apart.

There is nothing difficult about building good roads that will last 50 years with minimal maintenance.
The arseholes in office prefer to call for tenders that many construction companies won't even bother to respond to,because they don't feel right about building road of such poor quality.
In many 1st world countries one machine is now used to lay three lanes of continuous concrete highway as it travels along.

[Fatjim]

I'm always amazed how often the have to reseal new roads. eg the Kiatoke foothills. Theree's alread huge potholes all ov erht the place.

The other gripe is that we're the only country in the world that doesn't sweep up the loose gravel after resealing. We should look to put preasure on Govt to make the roads safer for motorcycles.

[pyrocam]

not sure if I will be going that way but im meant to be heading to wellington in the next day or two thanks for the tip ill keep my eyes up.


update the road condition updates thread?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...017#post459017

[trumpy]

There is nothing difficult about building good roads that will last 50 years with minimal maintenance.
The arseholes in office prefer to call for tenders that many construction companies won't even bother to respond to,because they don't feel right about building road of such poor quality.
In many 1st world countries one machine is now used to lay three lanes of continuous concrete highway as it travels along.

This applies to all govt. departments. Having done some consultancy for the Health Dept it has been my experience they will always go for the immediately cheapest option regardless of the considerable long term savings to be had by doing things properly in the first place. Then they will continually moan to Govt, and anybody else who will listen, about how short funded they are when the "cheap" option starts to cost big money to fix. Go figure.

[kiwifruit]

there sure are some nice roads to be had around here (taupo)
will no doubt come across you on one of them one day trumpy
cheers & happy new year.
Allan.

[trumpy]

there sure are some nice roads to be had around here (taupo)
will no doubt come across you on one of them one day trumpy
cheers & happy new year.
Allan.

Not hard to find me....only bright yellow speed four in town.
And you are right about the roads. Quick blast around the lake on a Sunday morning...great way to start the day!