Expressions of interest required for The Great Escape, 10-11 November

**chanceyy** · 11th November 2007, 20:18

Yup still disappointed I missed it .. but had awesome time in welly which made up for it ..

great pics meanie .. looking foward to seeing the rest ..

as soon as i get betsy back she will be packed up for a weekend away before xmas ... even have a destination or two in mind ...

hmmm may have to join the bay for a weekend .. am sure robertydog will make the choccy cake this time

**Goblin** · 11th November 2007, 20:21

Originally Posted by Meanie

Well what a bloody awesome week end Some simply magic roads and even better company Im a little tired for TR tonight but i will post my pics
Stunning weather apart from a little rain Sat night as we got close to Gisborne Woke up this morning to another stunning day
Like Yod i would quite happy go again tomorrow A big thanks to Dogs for such a well organised ride
Sorry Goblin i didnt realise who you were on Sat when you showed up i thought you were a friend of Als, who should of done some intros

No worries Meanie. I knew who you were.

Nice you all had such a fantastic time with almost perfect weather and all

, I just wished I had a bike on the road too.

**kneescraper** · 11th November 2007, 20:35

Could we put so me names to faces, Im guessing the nice looking chap with the thin-ish hair is Yod and the nice looking woman besides him at the table is his Boss. Who are the other guys???

**dogsnbikes** · 11th November 2007, 23:36

This ride was two months in the planning and was made possible by all those that attended and those that had to cancel for one reason or another and the support from extended family in Gisborne I only came up with the idea

,For me it was a ride full of great roads,laughter,frustration and some embarrassing moments but most of all great company

On this trip I was joined by 2up3dom(pillion) Meanie,86gsxr,Yod and mrs Yod(pillion),roger_dodger,saratvet and Garyh decided too see us off from Ashurst Although some showed up later than others we finally were able to get the show on the road running alittle late but not a problem at this stage we had the option of cutting out or shorten some sections if need be as it was important to be in Opokiti at 3pm

So leaving 20minutes or so late we road conditions as well as the weather on our side and 7 bikes,2pillions in total ready for the challenge ahead,heading out through the Pohangina Valley via the east road to Apiti the air was chilly and pace was steady and comfortable for such a early start,even a request to be dropped of home I had to pretend I didnt hear it

making good time and with different people taking the lead along the way we headed thru Apiti onto Kimblton and out to Mangaweka and onto Taihape being this the first coffee/fuel stop for the day,seeing a truck driver I know I was made aware of the Accident just up the road not that I had planned to go that way but it did mean there would be more traffic than normal on the planned route joining up with the naiper/taihape road but still what a bloody magic road to ride,rejoining a SH1 at the top of the devide it was concerning to me that 4 bikes had made it through and 3 were M.I.A After a while I decided to go looking didnt get far and they showed up,it came to lite later on That 86 got lost going through Taihape

So as we played catch up to the 3 in front who were waiting in Waiouru we headed up the Desert road on our way to Taupo with 86 and I getting ahead and taking advantage of getting into the 3 sisters before the rest of the group having a good run 86 got held back by some trucks.........we manage to get far enough ahead so it was photo time as the rest group came past,back on the road again and on to Taupo where the eastern side of the lake was taken in favour of the western side as deadlines were approaching...and it was apparent that yod wanted to take advantage of the road ahead so with roger_dodger and I in pursuit it was game on....with the daytona holding its own in the tight stuff getting to Taupo we had a problem with roger_dodgers rear Tyre,off to find a bike shop while the rest went to fuel up at Wairakei where I would catch them up and roger would meet us in Rotorua which was our Lunch stop anyway

As I Catch up with the rest of the group they had ordered pie's and cups of tea FFS all the time we had made up was just thrown out the window and meant shorting another section of the trip heading up SH5 towards Rotorua we turn of at Waiotapu and over the hill into Waikite valley a place I grew up in when the roads were gravel was great to be back on those roads again

and then into Rotorua where we meet Goblin at the lake front and got some lunch

Pic1 Yod
Pic2 meanie
Pic3 sarah and GaryH
pic4 roger_dodger

**dogsnbikes** · 12th November 2007, 01:10

We were only at the lake front for about 10 minutes when roger showed up and we were told they found a couple of staples in his tyre so after a quick bite and some relaxing we where back on the road and it was well apparent that Gary was coming to Gisborne not bad considering he only planned to ride with us to Taihape

heading out around the lakes making our way to Opokiti and roger and I took full advantage of the roads ahead and the mornings ride had become a pleasure and the mood was set for the afternoon as we were meeting some guys from Gisborne in Opokiti and everyone was looking forward to the trip through the Waioeka Gorge

we made good time through the lakes and enjoyment was shown by all faces of the roads we had already ridden as we regrouped just out of Te teko as sarah kept going it got everyone back on there bikes and back to the job at hand and catch her at Awakeri and sending her through on to Opokiti via Taneatua while waiting for the others to show up who did sending them on it was noticed that we had all past the mufti car that had just driven past

guess he had much more important things on his mind which was fine by us heading through Taneatua we were about to hit the sweepers of District and a short dash through along the coast to Opokiti

86 and I set a good pace and was bloody great to be back in his company again and the daytona's going head to head with sarah and roger ahead of us somewhere and everyone heading in the right direction we were on time and everything was going to plan

looking back on the morning of where we had come from and looking at where we were about too go we couldnt have asked for better weather if we had tried and the road conditions were just great with little traffic getting to Opokiti at 2:50pm where we meet up with Scruff(Aarron),Tony and Adrien from Gisborne and introductions were done and a find example of what motorcycling means to me with the oldest bike now being a 74 shovel and the latest bike being and 07 concord which was the butt of the gadget jokes throughout the weekend

as we left to take on the 70ks of the waioeka Gorge to matawai and being the first time that many of the group had been through the gorge we set our own pace's with a certain red honda consantly in my mirrors the trip was exciting physical and very scenic not too mention quick catching up to a kwaka part way through he must of thought bloody hell as we whizzed pass him

and with such great twists etc there were constant scraping of boots and pegs of the daytona being 2up and full of luggage even I was impressed with my efforts but having the right tyre combination and suspension setups for the trip makes a huge difference,as we got too the other end there was evidence of rain which decide to say hello when we regrouped at matawai and the stories of the gorge were being told with smiles a mile wide

and it came to light that the shovel was having problems now why doesnt that surprise me

so seeking shelter as we waited the kwaka that was past by most turn up during the down pour followed by the shovel and the speedmaster support good old triumphs huh!!

so a quick stop at the matawai pub where we warmed up bragged and laughed etc and where 86 was impressed that his latte came in labelled cup and where 2up decided to do a tatt flash just one of many quirky entertaining moments on the trip

Time too leave and scruff said the next stop would be the Jolly stockman well it had been a while since I had been there and it is such a biker friendly place good on ya Dennis and after a bit of a wet down at matawia the warm fire was certainly taken advantage of by some,after leaving the stockman we headed to hexton to where we would camp for the night and endulge in a BBQ arrange with the help od Aunty Anne and Co
Pic 1 and 2 lunch in Rotorua
Pic 3 seeking shelter Matawai
pic 4 here comes the shovel
pic 5 outside the jolly stockman
pic 6 enjoying the warmth of the fire

**dogsnbikes** · 12th November 2007, 01:46

well as we got to Annes place a little charmer of the 3 year old counted all the bikes as they went past and was able to remember who was on which bike and what make of bike they rode in on biker kids huh!!

there was plenty of beds up for offer but some opted to set up tents which was cool and the butt of the jokes turned to Yod and his efforts to blow up his air bed and refusing the offer of the air compressor

as the tents were erected and a trip to the bottle store was done by Phoebe and I it felt so weird driving a car in bike leathers but hey we are in Gisborne

it was certainly amusing when GaryH and scruff turned up and the shovel had been used to carry gary's box of double brown.....when we settled sarah pulled out the birthday cake for 86 which mrs cowboyz had kindly baked and meanie had carried to gisborne in one of the secret compartments of his mighty concord

the BBQ was more than any had expected and showed off the friendliness of the locals with fresh mussels being steam on the barby there was still the old favourites of steak and bangers and some lovely venison fillet and salads galore
stories of the day were exchanged and even some stories of old day antics

early too bed it was and even 11pm felt like it was 2am yeah we were all buggered and still had a big day ahead of us

even though I slept through it all there was some stories in the morning of the colourful language bikes being rev'd and a phoebe telling my cousins to piss off

there was even the sounds of a donkey as I was told and meanie you did such a great donkey impersination I was impressed

Roger_dodger had said trhe nite before that he would be heading back to hamilton in the morning and even went to the effort of pushing his bike away from the tents for his early start

well i was up at 630 and having slept like a baby I was ready for the day ahead time to get breaky sorted which was bacon sausages eggs and homemade spaghetti...

many thanks too everyone for pitching in with clean up duties etc we were on the road by 9am and headed to the top of kaiti hill for some spectactular views of proverty bay and back into town for the morning flat whites and lattes

**dogsnbikes** · 12th November 2007, 02:36

Leaving Gisborne and making our way out to the Tiniroto road where we had more great scenic views and another great road with lots of variations,wild life and stock but all in all smiles were still shinning through with the trip to Napier and palmy being shorter than on Saturday"s ride we had extra time and it was planned to have lunch and Mrs Yods parents place

the ride from Wairoa to Napier provided us with some good riding and short rest stop at a layby prove to be interesting talking point about the two old men in a white car rested we made our way to Napier,Taking advantage of the twist and turns on the way meeting in bayview we talked about the skippy plate on the back of a car as the mighty honda has a skipy plate what are the odds of seeing that on a trip

Yod lead the way to the inlaws where there was a round about issue with some old gezza and a intersection issue with a bus finally getting to our destination where lunch was waiting and the warm hospitality of mrs yods parents it was truley appreciated stop thanks for that Mrs Yod

after lunch and making our way out of Napier and on to SH50 we stopped at the SH2 and SH50 intersection a group of bikers heading thru to Waipukurua got more than they bargined on as 2up provided them a tit flash

most were Stunned by what had just happend but not shocked

you certainly make things interesting 2up to say the least

we made our way to danni-vages and it was time to start heading our own ways to home gary was first others had a coffee stop and 2up and I said our good byes and heading back thru the gorge dinner in Ashusrt and then back home up the Pohangina Valley where it had all started the day before and with over 1100k's under our belts a soak in a hot bath was a welcome treat
and a few hours sleep hence why these post have gone up at such a strange hour

I would like to thank everyone who attened and had input in making this weekend possible without you all it would have been nothing there are too many to name but you all know who you are.......
we were blessed with great weather for the most part but regardless the weather it was the company that was great

there was even talk of making this a annual event last night

now I look forward to the other pics and reports

Pic is lunch at Napier

**robertydog** · 12th November 2007, 02:42

That was a bloody good write up. You guys had a blinder.

**Highlander** · 12th November 2007, 03:13

Sounds like you had a great trip. Good roads, good company, great weather.
Fantastic.

Must do that Tiniroto road again - must be nearly 20 years since I went that way.

**tri boy** · 12th November 2007, 06:04

Great write up there.

Friends, bikes and the thrill of the open road. What its all about.

**chanceyy** · 12th November 2007, 06:13

great write up bazza .. still gonna

I missed it ... sighs .. next yr then

**GSVR** · 12th November 2007, 06:15

Amazing ride Dogs. Your Aunty Ann and cousins are just the greatest. Wasn't intending to go as far as I did but when I arrived at each place I thought of peeling off I was having such a good ride I had to keep going. Those roads into and out of Gisborne have to be the most enjoyable I've ever ridden.

Can't believe you wrote that report while I slept as I was out like a light soon after I got home. Probably staying up till all hours the night before didn't help.
That guy starting up his Bonnie in the early hours was a crackup (if you where still awake). They reacon you've got a bit soft in your old age Dogs piking out and going to bed so early.

The lunch stop at Napier was great (The Yods) and was the ideal rest before the final leg of the journey home.

Only had one moment on the road heading into Gisborne where I ran over a dead possum on a right hander. Couldn't decide if a wanted to go inside it or outside it and because I looked at it for to long thats what I hit. Nice wide road so I didn't end up running off it.

**dogsnbikes** · 12th November 2007, 09:01

Originally Posted by Garry H

A
Can't believe you wrote that report while I slept as I was out like a light soon after I got home. Probably staying up till all hours the night before didn't help.
That guy starting up his Bonnie in the early hours was a crackup (if you where still awake). They reacon you've got a bit soft in your old age Dogs piking out and going to bed so early.
.

Yeah I was Totaled the time I got home and in bed by 7 asleep By 1 minute past I reakon

As for getting soft in the old age more like getting wiser

and looks like I will be back up there in Feb for the freedom rally

so will have plenty of time then

**86GSXR** · 12th November 2007, 09:02

Incredible write up Barry, I'm still buzzing and can't wait to do another trip like that!

The whole trip was full of highlights and those roads up there made it even more so. I think you've said it all pretty much, it was great having the two Trumpys going hard out at times, they look bloody good together alright!

Going through the gorge with Adrian and Garry H was unforgettable and I can honestly say I've never pushed the Daytona so hard.

Great barbie in Gizzie, really nice family and friends there mate (even Bart who gave us all a bloody big wake up in the middle of the night - classic lol).

When's yr next one?

**kneescraper** · 12th November 2007, 09:12

Awesome write up, great photos too mate. Pity I couldnt meet you guys and enjoy a ride with you...however Im keen to meet up next time around.

Sounds like it was a awesome trip, makes me wanna get out there and get riding!

Thanks for sharing that awesome experence with us!!