Kiwi Rider sent me to Rotorua to takes some snaps of the 'Pirelli 500' - a Poker run put on by the local importer 'Nationwide Accessories'.

The Run raises money for the Rescue Helicopter and the mag supports it (and like I need an excuse for a big day ride in this place).

I also have a job on for the Co-pilots Health Group photographing their Hospitals whilst the grounds are in full bloom. Don't know if either is sublime or ridiculous, but hardly gigs you'd expect to dovetail.

After meeting up with the Poker Run at Bike Force for the lunch stop I learnt that the next 'card' was at Katikati - where I had the corporate shots booked.

So after a quick detour to snap a few pics of the showers crossing Lake Rotorua (one of only two on the day - most was bright sunshine) I stopped in the the Gorge on Pyes Pa road for some ride-bys. I then got distracted by the landscapes in the gorge. Some of the watercourses were amazing.

Photo shoot at Kataikati was followed by the Waihi to Whangamatta road (damn it's good) - and took pics for some 'Roads to Ride' articles in KR on the way as well.

Took a detour up what looked like a promising dirt road to the Coromandel State forest, but met a gate not too far past a lovely stream. Stopped and finished the Diet Coke in the backrack and watched the fish for a while.

Then Back over the Coromandel Range via the Kopu-Hickoi gorge which is another blast - so is Whangamatta to just near Tairua. By then I was so cornered - just freeway'd it back to town.

images:
http://homepage.mac.com/david_cohen_...toAlbum17.html

Also
Added some more Video of riding around outer Auckland
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/vids/first.html