Southern Cross Report from Shafty

[shafty]

Finally the weekend of 21/22 May had arrived; after much planning and scheming and lots of looking forward to, the start of the Rusty Nuts Southern Cross event was almost here.

This year it started on the Monday at Cape Egmont, just west of Okato. The check-in would be open from 12 til 1pm at each point, with Tuesday’s check-in being Cape Reinga, Wednesday’s being West Cape, (past Te Arararoa), and Friday’s being at Bluff.

I had enjoyed the preceding weeks, making plans, updating checklists of gear to take, meeting fellow entrants online and in person, ordering gizmos which I’d take with me, and prepping the bike.

Like most other entrants, I’d had the ST1300 serviced, new tyres fitted, I had a power cable for my Escort Passport Radar Detector fitted, taken delivery of a complimentary Ram Solutions mount for it, had my front indicators fitted with a “running lights” gizmo which made them glow while indicators weren’t in use, and fitted a 46 litre top box, which I intended getting anyway.
I purchased an AeroFast product which linked the handlebars and provided a tie down point for the ferry, without getting straps near the paint or fairing, and bought some RainOff mittens to wear over my favourite summer gloves, should it rain.

Sunday 22nd dawned a stunning day – a good start. Jude fired up her VT750, and a Mate, Rossco, cruised around on his 1600 Marauder, and after a quick stop to fill the ST’s 29 litre tank, we called in to Jym’s place – another entrant, riding a neat CB750 Honda, complete with a Highlanders flag pinned to his pack rack!

What a day to ride over the Kaimais,- there were plenty of bikes about, - this was day made for riding!

Zipping over the Cambridge bridge for the Te Awamutu bypass, I picked up my first cop on the radar’s ear piece – which was good, cos he would’ve got me as he was over the crest when I picked him up. I was pleased that investment had paid off.

We had a great ride thru to Kihikihi where we stopped for a chat, and where Jym and I headed west to New Plymouth, and Jude and Rossco peeled off toward home.

We had an uneventful journey, soaking up the sun and the roads, with more bikes around the closer we got, - a beaut ride indeed, a good opportunity to scrub in the new tyres, and enjoy the bends.

At New Plymouth Jym and I split up, heading for our respective accommodation, with a view to catching up for a quiet one later. Found the motel, Jamie, a Mate from Reporoa had already checked in, so a quick shower and a stroll in to town for food and a sherbert or 2.

Jym had caught up with some mates from www.kiwibiker.co.nz and next minute this ute pulls up, they tell us to get in, and off to a neat suburban pub we went for dinner and laughs.
Just 309 kilometres today.

[shafty]

Monday was another stunner, Jamie was up and off to the Suzy shop to sort out a chain link problem on his DR650 (what’s a chain?) so after a quick brekkie, it was off to Okato, where about 20 riders were enjoying coffee and food.

A quick coffee, then we joined the throng heading to the tiny single lane road which leads to the East Cape lighthouse.

Bikes galore here – and a great mix, GL1500, GL1800, Multistrada, several ST1300’s, plus some 1100’s, V-Strom, 1200 Bandits, Hayabusas, VFR800’s, Kawa ZX14’s, 636, ZXR12’s, a Rocket 3, Blackbirds, several BMW’s – a CBX1000, you name it, it was there. We lined up the bikes, enjoyed the sun and waited for the 12 o’clock start, only to be surprised when they let us sign in at 10 past 11, and I was off!

Bikes were still heading out toward the checkpoint as I passed thru New Plymouth at noon, as the group settled down and found it’s natural order, with another ST1300 (Adrian and his partner Allison her on her Bandit) on my tail, - it was a fast moving freight-train through road-works and great tarseal to Otorohanga, where I took the left option via Pirongia.
As we skirted Hamilton, I recognised some roads where I’d originally test ridden a used ST1300, great quiet roads, and a fabulous run thru to Ngarawahia, with a great average speed so far, arriving for gas at 2.40pm, taking on 19.5 litres.

I took time for a late lunch break, picnicking in town, watching the bikes stream past and had a loo stop. There were 130 entrants on this challenge, so there were always bikes around during the 4 days, not a bad thing at all.

The Auckland motorway proved to be its usual bummer of stop/start crawling, - I would happily pay a $20 toll to bypass this – and I decided to “go west young man” and out of Jafa Land via Helensville. A quick stop at Dick Smiths in Eastgate to buy a better radar ear piece and I was off. Didn’t see any bikes til Wellsford, but had a great run over the nice country roads. It turned out all the others took the quicker motorway option, but I was still “mid pack” so wasn’t too worried.

I caught up with Jamie on his DR650 here, he’d just gassed up. While we didn’t ride together, we’d buddied up on accommodation and it was good to compare notes and laughs and a beer at the end of the days ride. Jamie left his beaut K1200 at home electing to bring his chook chaser for a change, and man, he made great time on it too! I felt a bit jaded but perked up when Jamie mentioned it was only 80k’s to Whangarei and another 150 k’s to Kaitaia where our motel awaited.

It was now dark, and after shaking off a boy racer who didn’t like being passed by a bike, I sped toward the Brynderwyns. I wasn’t in the groove until another ST and a VFR passed me at a good clip and I tacked on behind, - it all “clicked”, a nice flowing ride through to Kaitaia, still nice and fine, arriving at 8.20pm with Jamie only a few minutes behind.
Distance ridden today: 786 kilometres.

[shafty]

Tuesday brought yet another stunning day, and in the motel Jamie yells out “I’m gonna ride along 90 mile beach on the way today” to which I replied “Great idea, I’ll come too”. Silence. “A good Mate would talk me outta that” I said laughing. Jamie kitted up and shot off after a shower and coffee, I left a bit later, plenty of time in hand. I gassed up on the Northern side of Kaitaia, meeting other riders there, scoffing pies for brekky, and off at a leisurely pace.

The 20 kms of metal road through to the Cape was still in good condition, and I arrived to find around 100 bikes there, enjoying the sun. As I walked up the bank to take an overview shot of the bikes around 11am, someone yelled out “The books out” and a mad rush for the sign in book followed. Bikes were taking off like a race, with back wheels snaking on the metal.
I didn’t see how a few minutes could make much difference when we were looking at another 645 km for the day.

The pace was quite rapid, the roads good, the weather perfect as Jym and Malcolm (VStrom 1000) rode together with bikes passing us, and being passed by us. Many bikes stopped at Awanui for gas, but we were well fuelled and finally stopped at Hikurangi, north of Whangarei, at 1.40pm for petrol.

Jym was handing out peppermints, - Im pleased I took one, as that lasted me til the Bombays, with no stop for lunch, which was silly really, as we had planned on taking breaks along the way, but today we got caught up in the rush. Part of it was to get thru Auckland before rush hour, but that wasn’t going to happen with the time we had.

We got separated before Whangarei, but I remembered Malcolm saying the Bombays was his next stop, so I ground thru the motorway traffic, stopping for food there at4.50pm. Jym caught up with me here, Malcolm had continued on, and we took the Hamilton road through to Tahuna, Morrinsville, Walton, and popped out in Matamata to see Malcolm queuing in McDonalds as we rode past.

Jym loves the Kaimais, so I waved him thru, and off he flew. I was just toddling along now, not in the mood to push it, stopped to gas up at Tauriko at 7.10pm – tomorrow is ANZAC Day, and we’re heading round the coast, so better to gas up now, then home at 7.25pm to a cold beer, hot meal and spa pool. Jamie arrived soon after and enjoyed some Ulysses hospitality.
Distance ridden: 757 kilometres

[shafty]

Wednesday When is this perfect weather going to end? Up at 6am, the ST gets a quick wash to remove the Cape Reinga dirt, Jym arrives on time at 6.30 and the 3 of us enjoy the start to a peaceful Anzac day, the early morning mist thru Paengaroa and the stunning views of the sun coming up over the Matata beach.

We cruise through a quiet Ohope, & pass some BMW’s who tag on behind. As we snake thru the fabulous scenery toward Opotiki, I check my mirror, to see 8 bikes perfectly spaced behind me – would’ve made a great photo, - motorcycling doesn’t get any better than this.

Opotiki comes up pretty quick, a compulsory gas stop just in case, plenty of bikes around now.

Jym and I both wanted to take it a bit easier today, taking short breaks as we feel, so I pulled over for some photo’s as the others pressed on. I got some great pics to capture the moment, including some bikes traversing a long one-way bridge toward me.

Some sign posted road works along here, then a right hand corner with metal right across the road, made me stand the ST up in order to miss it. There was no drama, but I wasn’t surprised to hear later the Multistrada Man had a minor oops here, nothing major thankfully.

I shouldn’t have been surprised to arrive at Te Araraoa to find 50 bikes queuing at the unopened petrol pumps; I had earlier seen some thirsty sportbikes bypass the pumps at Opotiki, with smaller tanks than mine. Geez, I’m starting to sound like an old man, but I’ve never heard anyone say “I wish I hadn’t bought gas back there”.

The Rusty Nuts Guys had actually organised for them to be open, but this IS Te Araraoa, and somehow the message was lost.

It did eventually open. I didn’t care as I lay in the sun eating my spicy tuna and crackers - I had gas to get me to Napier.

The sign in point was brought back from the Cape to Te Arararoa due to the mix up – I wasn’t complaining. Some keen folk rode out to the Cape anyway, about 40 km’s return, including Jamie, who later ran dry 40 km’s short of Gissy. He told a hilarious story at Bluff of how he drained some gas out of a Farmers quad bike (no one home) with a $20 between his teeth in case they walked in! He left the cash and a note.

I signed in and left at 11.48am, intentionally waiting for most people to leave, but still another early start, a nice bonus with a long day ahead.

I passed a few ‘cruisers’ and settled in to a nice pace, following a pair I had passed the day before. They were pushing it a bit – and it showed, mucking up a corner entry, then shooting on to a one lane bridge only to see a vehicle half way across. I had seen similar stuff from these 2 yesterday.

Never mind, I’m riding in my own space and loving it, then tag on behind a Hayabusa, VFR800 V-tec, and a Blackbird, - wow these Guys can ride. This is a distance efficient freight train and what a great experience, all riders respectful of each other, careful, yet rapid.

Tokomaru Bay always brings a smile to my face when I see the beautiful blue sea colour, bikes everywhere refuelling, checking phones, leg stretching.

I next latch on to a ZX1400 and enjoy another fun-run into Wairoa, very efficient time in motion, (read:QUICK) where I stop for a minute to check my phone. Off I go, and a great run thru to nearly Gisborne where 20 k’s shy, I pull over to leg stretch, put on a cooler top, and connect my radar – I’m now in a patrol zone. I take some pics of the scene, the ST parked on the grass, the beach behind it, bikes streaming past, then as predicted, a Highway Patrol car approaches from Gissy, does a “U’ie” and heads back after the bikes (to no avail). I trundle off in the same direction, coming across the Cop, then a Camera Van, then a pole camera, but safe from all - welcome to Gisborne!

I know Jym likes Shell stations, and I saw him cruise past during photo time, so I catch up with him there, gas up, have lunch, meet another KB’er then outta town we cruise, still in stunning sunshine. We got separated heading out, but a nice pacey run through toward Napier, until I stop for a stretch and some water. Jym flies past, so I point the ST down the road, and catch his bunch, into Napier we go. We stop for a quick conflab on the best route and stick to the main drag thru. The detector saved me we exited Napier, - plenty of warning – thanks Mr Escort.

Next stop was Waipukarau for gas – this is a long day – and off to Woodville for coffee at the local Fish and Chip Café. As we entered, we chatted with some of the many locals waiting for their shark and taties – one spied my Ulysses badge and said “- you’re from Tauranga, - it’d be quicker for you to go home for a coffee!” - enough said, we decamped to the local Mobil for a drink.

Next decision, Rimutaka’s or Shannon? Shannon it was, good decision Jym, easy run thru the Manawatu Gorge on a clear night, then great progress through Shannon, Jym following the ST’s big headlight, through to the main road. One car I was passing decided to pass as well, but no dramas, and a quick flash of the aforementioned big beam reminded them of their error.

McKays crossing is now hardly recognisable, and we took the Greys Road access to Pauahatanui and over the Haywards to our Lower Hutt digs. Another great run. No tickets. No dramas. A good day alive.
Distance travelled: 1010 kilometres

[shafty]

Thursday Up at 5.45, pack the bike quietly, and slip away from my Brothers place (thanks Mate) gas up at 6.32am, and join the Ferry queue at 6.50am. There was a huge number of bikes onboard, but real efficiently, as bikes are, we tie down – a chance to try my Aerofast gizmo, and it’s brill! A smooth crossing in overcast conditions with a couple of biking Mates shooting the breeze – brekkie onboard, all good.

After catching up with Jym at Shell, Blenheim, we kit up and shoot off looking for lunch on the coast. The S.I. scenery never fails to impress, and we eventually tried Kekerengu, and met up with 2 FJR1300’s and another ST travelling on holiday, whose Lady Rider lives 150 metres from me in Tauranga!

Final food decision was Kaikoura, where at 2 o’clock we saw plenty of familiar bikes and faces doing the same. Full tummies, and a change of clothes to keep warm as we headed off toward poor weather. Rain spits then a misty drizzle started just North of Cheviot where Jym stopped for wet gear. I felt a couple of tyre twitches which unsettled me, so Jym went out front, and was inspiring to watch ride – smooooth as, a great rider, wish I was that good in the wet.

It fined up for a while as we hit Christchurch rush hour, gassed at the Shell, and caught up with another good Guy, DesmoJohnny from KiwiBiker, on a Monster.

I left a bit sooner than Jym, and trundled thru the traffic waiting for him to catch up, but in rush hour that was ambitious, so off I go, full steam ahead – Dunedin is where the motel is booked, and its 4.45pm already.

It soon becomes dark and wet, with plenty of trucks whipping gallons of road spray up, but the roads are long and straight, - as are the passing lanes, so with the Radar wired up, we give the ST heaps and make huge strides. As I found in the East Cape – Napier leg, this thing flies when you ask it to.

Ashburton comes and goes, and I pull over in the mist at Timaru to check my mobile which I’ve been ignoring. I quickly notice steam at the front of the bike, and assume it’s the rain on a hot headlight, - but the steam keeps coming – bugger, I instinctively know I must have taken a stone on the radiator.

The temp gauge is still looking good, so off I go reaching Oamaru in good time, the temperature still holding. Riding up the hill out of Oamaru, I pick up a radar signal and slow down crawling up behind a suspected unmarked patrol car, and the temp gauge starts moving to the hot zone, BUGGER!

I quickly decided to back track to a Motel, booked in, showered, walked to Fat Sally’s for dinner – a lovely chicken curry and an Export Gold or 2, and planned my options. Texts from Jym and Jamie rooting for me were well received. Bikers are good blokes.

I wanted to get to Dunedin to better my chances of hiring a bike to complete the Rally, after all, I’d done 3500 so far in 4 days.
I needed to be in Bluff, 337 kms away, by 1pm the next day, to finish as I’d planned. There was a check-in time slot on the Saturday, but why ride the 4 corners of the country and miss the famous Friday Club Night?

Back at the motel, I mapped out that:

Plan A was to check my bike manual, top the reservoir and ride outta town very early in the morning (to allow time for other options) to see if it would hold temperature. I figured the slow crawl up the hill could’ve been my undoing.

Plan B was to camp outside Oamaru Honda til they open, and leave my bike for repair, and hire a bike from them, or if not possible, hitchhike to Dunedin to hire a bike there

Plan C was to buy a cheap bike, - even a trail bike, to complete the challenge, and then sell it later.

Distance ridden today:691 km’s

[shafty]

Friday I got up around 4am, I couldn’t sleep much anyway, and packed the bike, topped the reservoir, and headed out of town, locking my motel key inside -yes I had paid.

It was fine, I gassed up in the dark, - a full tank would get me to Bluff, - and the air was cool and fresh. 32 kms later, up creeps the gauge. I stopped immediately. Not worth any damage long term. I parked up in the closed Mahena Gas Station till the bike cooled to 2 bars on the gauge – pulling faces at the security cameras, killing time.

Plan B: Around 6am I rode back to Oamaru Honda which I’d passed coming into town. I had feared it would be a shop full of farm bikes, but was well impressed to see one of the best Honda shops in NZ, plenty of off roaders, and a great range of new Honda road bikes, plus a good assortment of big used road bikes. Thru the window I spotted an XJR1300, an ST1100, an ST2 Duke, and a VT750.

I worked on my sales pitch – surely they would understand.

Bikes started riding past the shop on the way to Bluff, it was still dark, and with my reflectorised vest draped over the screen they must have wondered what was up.

0730 and I walked around the back of the shop again to see a Honda logo’ed ute, and a guy walking in the door, - I followed.
As I walked in the back, he was walking into the showroom, and saw the Pan Euro out the front.

“Gidday Mate how are ya? Petes the name, I’ve got a bit of a story for ya”
A long story short, Leighton offered me a cappuccino, and said, “don’t worry Mate, we’ll look after ya” – and wow, did they ever.

He called his Dad who is the Dealer Principal, explained the situ, and Rick agreed the main thing was to help me get to the finish line. Leighton put a demo plate on the ST1100 as I transferred luggage over “it needs a good run anyway” and at 8.10, having seen far too many participating bikes ride past, I was off.

What a bloody brilliant bunch of Guys.

337 kms to go in 4 hours 50 minutes, - no sweat.
The 1100 had 189,000 km’s on it, and as Rick said, its still got a couple 100,000 left in it easily. And boy did it run sweet!

I obliged with the “good run” scooting thru Dunedin in smart time,
The small Otago towns looked great as I cycled thru them in fine weather toward the finish line. As other riders have said, it was a buzz heading for the line.

I gassed up once more and entered Invercargill under overcast skies, stopped to text supporters it was in the bag, and enjoyed the Suzy Waterbus-like tone of the 1100 as I motored toward the finish. I kept a distance behind the bike I caught up to, so he or she could arrive in their own space, I cruised past the Eagle Tavern – venue for the nights celebration and a bed for the night, and soon crested the rise to the Stirling Point finish line.

There must’ve been 90 bikes there. No one recognised the bike but I soon caught up with a whole bunch of Guys who were totally on the same wave length, elated they’d made it, and congratulating new arrivals. Jym and Jamie and Malcolm were all there which was cool. Fellow Tauranga club member Brian Medland was there having completed his 4th Southern Cross! As he says, it’s a bit addictive, and he’s right, what an awesomely satisfying experience.

Sign in completed, badge received, photo’s taken and a 3 minute ride back to the Eagle Tavern, a couple of free beers and a big catch up begins.

Off for a shower, then back for lunch and a few more

It was one of the best nights, - great company, catching up with riders we’d passed or been passed by, fellow Kiwibiker.co.nz mates, comparing stories and jokes, a terrific camaraderie prevailed.

And to top it off, there’s the 1500km ride home!

Post Script: I enjoyed the Catlins on the 1100, rode thru and picked up the 1300 on the Monday - Oamaru Honda had it ready at lunchtime, no charge for the loan bike, and only a $100 labour charge on top of the radiator outwork. That’s one classy act! (Total km’s 5500)

[dogsnbikes]

Great Report Shafty.......just like the others a personal acheivemant by all accounts

[shafty]

Eagle Hotel
Beautiful Catlins scenery
Oamaru Stone

[GOGAL]

Great write up Shafty - However I am a bit disappointed that there is no photo of your alleged ride around the Eagle Hotel in nothing but your helmet and sox

[MotoGirl]

Great write up Shafty - However I am a bit disappointed that there is no photo of your alleged ride around the Eagle Hotel in nothing but your helmet and sox

Pics, pics! I don't want to see the nudity, I just don't believe Shafty did it

[shafty]

Read the motto MotoGirl!

[MotoGirl]

Read the motto MotoGirl!

You got the "old" down pat, but without pics the "disgracefully" is still under question...

[ducatijim]

Ohh, Peeete, that was just fan-bloody-tastic dude! Took me right back it did. I was going to right sommit myself but what else is there to say? you totally captured the feelings of the days!
BTW...I was lucky that I did not have to drain the cockies ATV, there was a red jerrycan, labeled PETROL nearby, so that the option of relieving the ATV of some of its load was, fortunately, not required!!
Never did hear from the cockie either, must have thought that $20 for 3 litres was a good deal!!

[DougieNZ]

Nice write up pal. Well done!

You really have to take your hat off to Oamaru Honda. I agree there IS one photo missing... however this is a family show.... I often wonder whether some shops I have dealt with would do that!

Cheers

AD

[shafty]

You got the "old" down pat, but without pics the "disgracefully" is still under question...

lol what if I describe how COLD it was? lol

Nervously awaiting any pics to surface, but doubt any will, at that stage of the night no one would have thought of it!!