Overnighter- Akl-Russell-Rtn the long way...

[xgnr]

Queens Birthday had arrived and I needed to get on the bike again after a 10 day trip overseas.

Obtained permission from the beloved, packed the tent and other essentials like whiskey and headed north. Weather was a tad dubious with heavy rain forecast but clearing

Hit the road, enjoying the feel of the bike again and knowing I was free for a couple of days to go where I wanted. Loose plan was to spend the night somewhere around the Bay of Islands. New country for me but hey the journey is the fun part not the destination right

Eventful trip with heavy squalls of rain between sunny spells, bloody hell the Metzler Marathon M88 rear tyre does not like the (wet) black shiny bits... had a couple of traction moments on corners that gave me the shits so rode a lot more cautiously... (any comments welcome on this)

Anyways, finally arrive at the Paihia Motor camp and decide that the whimps way is the go when rain is pending. $35 for a caravan not a bad deal. Friendly caretakers and a great location. As always the Bike attracts a bunch of interest and lots of discussion with fellow campers.

Up again to a misty morning, no wind and looking forward to a return trip to Akl using the coastal route (via Russell).

Short trip to the Ferry at Opua, 10 min trip ($5.00 including rider yay) then on to Whangarei via the coast. All was fine until a diversion sign forced a left turn at Helena Bay. Thats where it became a different story with shingle, mud and a tight sphincter for 50 ks or so until the road comes out at Opuawhanga. Seems there are road works or something going on so be aware of it if you are heading this way as it will slow you down.

Great stuff for the off roaders but on the Beemer with a bit of a load it was, ummm not so much fun. Especially as the SUV's insisted on belting toward you at 80km spraying mud and shit everywhere in addition to taking up the whole (narrow) road.
Hit the tarmac again and flew back to the big smoke where a long clean up job was required to remove layers of mud.

Great stuff!!

PS Just worked out that the Ship in the background on third photo is the Frigate Canterbury
more details here for the divers...
http://www.divewreck.co.nz/F69/Canterbury.php

[johnnyflash]

Sounds like a familiar weekend, we on the trip south to Turangi had similar problems running into nice shiny bits of seal that just did not want to make contact with the Bridgestones we have fitted, rather disconcerting when you motor up to a corner on good chip tarmac and then Wham, shiny stuff and the rear starts doing the two step ( or is that the Waltz), makes for an heart stopping moment We only had reallyhad rain on Saterday, Sunday was just one out of the box apart from a foggy Taumarunui... Today, well, a wee bit of wet road but not much shiny stuff.. so a great trip home... You seem to have had a rather more eventful weekend ! Hope you have a water blaster to help your clean up lol,

[xgnr]

Thanks Johnny glad to hear it's not just me, have been running the Marathon for 10K with trips down to the mainland and various other weekend runs but this was quite scary. I couldn't get another Lasertec so this was the next option. Wonder if its long wear properties make it a bit hard for our roads?

Was going to head down to the Turangi event but work got in the way for the start... maybe next time

Water blaster is required yessir. I have to pull the Beemer apart next week when my heated grips arrive so will get down and dirty then

Cheers

Stu