250cc Coromandel Ride - 29th April 2006

**terbang** · 30th April 2006, 11:35

Yesterday I rode Gisborne to Auckland 2 up via Opotiki and Matamata and it was an awesome ride, with no frights, after a 4 day North island tour. It rained like hell and everything got soaked but it was OK because we had good gear. There really is no such thing as bad ride in bad weather, Just bad riding gear.!

**Ixion** · 30th April 2006, 11:35

The warning about hypothermia is well given. Not suggesting that it was relevant to Messrs Swanny or MarkAuckland, and no digs, flames, or whatever intended, but it certainly is something that motorcyclists need to be aware of.

It is insidious, you don't realise it's creeping up on you, and it saps strength and judgement.

If travelling any distance in winter, always take a thermos of hot fluid - water, coffee, soup). Just a few mouthfuls makes an enormous difference.

If travelling long distances, especially in sparsely populated areas, take fire making gear (not forgetting something to cut wood with) .And if snow or heavy rain be likely, a small tent can save your life, and takes very little space. Though you can manage without.

And remember, there is always the risk of an off or breakdown forcing an unexpected overnight roadside sojourn. Best to be prepared.

Warm dry clothes (with an emergency change). Hot fluid. Fire gear. Simple enough but it saves lives.

**Patrick** · 30th April 2006, 12:12

Just a little out of our way, but if we were still in Auckland, wifey and I would have been there! Rode from the Naki to Coromandel last Labour day weekend, rained the whole way there and took 1 and a half days for our gear to dry, but worth it! Weather cleared and an awesome time had. Loved the loop... top ride!!! That is until one of our crew had an off and broke her hand when we went to run part of it a second time!

**skidMark** · 30th April 2006, 17:07

you got the pic of the feathers all over my mudguard swanny and through the spokes ...i felt so mean it rode side on into me

and i was relatively cold but not hypothermic i warmed up with a pie and sausage roll

gn went quite well some parts of that coast road can be damn slippy though

still a good ride

MA

**beyond** · 30th April 2006, 17:37

Nothing like a good old maggot pack to warm the guts and keep the worms happy aye?

**Ixion** · 30th April 2006, 17:44

I have heard (but I have idea if it true or not, so do not rely on it) that so long as you are still shivering and shaking, you are OK. It when the shivering and shaking *stop* that it is getting serious.

**hunt** · 30th April 2006, 18:16

i used to always ride in jeans, rain or shine, these days i hardly venture out without oilskin leggings,justs cuts that windchill down, good on you guys for doing the ride and no bins as well

**beyond** · 30th April 2006, 18:36

Originally Posted by Ixion

I have heard (but I have idea if it true or not, so do not rely on it) that so long as you are still shivering and shaking, you are OK. It when the shivering and shaking *stop* that it is getting serious.

Correct. If you aren't being warmed up and stop shivering while still cold, your core temperature is starting to go down and you are now in the first stages of hypothermia.

Once past a certain point, your body is unable to warm itself up anymore and you need artificial warmth or someone else in a sleeping bag to get you warm again. Lets not go down the sleeping bag route aye? This is a family show.

**Patrick** · 30th April 2006, 21:15

Originally Posted by beyond

Correct. Lets not go down the sleeping bag route aye? This is a family show.

Ha ha...before Ixion gets in and corrects you...you misspelt "route"......

Got to be a great way to warm up tho...

**skidMark** · 30th April 2006, 21:17

hmmmm snuggle up to swanny i think not

**Ixion** · 30th April 2006, 21:25

Why do you think they are called homonyms ?

**duckaddict** · 30th April 2006, 22:44

Originally Posted by swanny

Wow! what a ride.

I didn't think anyone would show up and guess what, I was right! However MAXIMUM RESPECT to Markauckland. He might be a dick online sometimes but no one can diss him. He RIDES!

Despite the rain, chilly wind and lack of a decent bike, he ventured out in JEANS. After we reached the Coro Township he was visably shaking from the cold and soaked. That is what I call a rider. Anyone who gives him shit deserves a beating.

COROMANDEL WAS FINE despite all the MEDIA HYPE and bullshit, I did my own research and by the time we left Coro Township the sun was out and you could see blue sky. Some of the roads had dried out and we had a good run back until a fuckup at the gas station - all sorted.

There were animals on the road or road side, fuckwitts in cars, debri on the road and the usual washouts - but whats new? Coro is like that on a Sunny Summer Day.

And to top it off --- THE ONLY FLOODING --- we encounted was in Mission Bay on Kepa Road. The Coromandel was a little damp, but beautiful as always.

Pictures to follow. Even got one of mark, so you know what GN 250 to run off the motorway.

Summary
Don't believe all the bullshit that the media puts up, read the weather maps for yourself and do your own research. Auckland was miserably, a bus tried to run me off a road, a car pulled out in front of me and another cut me off. Once we were on the road to Coro the weather cleared up and I got a sweet picture of a storm to one side and clear(ish) skies to the other.

EDIT: More useless bullshit:

Mark had his first birdstrike. We turned back and found the bird mushed up. Had his first front end wash out too I hear.

And for the record:

No bins.

Thumbs up! Good stuff, look forward to rides with you guys.

Thanks to beyond and Ixion for tips on riding in the cold/wet, etc.

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