East Cape. Anybody rode it? Why not as popular as Coro?

[robertydog]

whats the gorge road to gisbourne like compared to the cape? (aside from it being shorter) heavier in traffic or cops? Road quality?

Went thru on the 10th. Saw a plod on the gisborne side in a nice silver comodore. Road condition was good but there were roading guys working thru there but nothing major. Traffic wasnt a problem at the time we went thru. More traffic from Opotiki to Te kaha then filters right out to nothiing towards the cape. Traffic will be quiet untill you get to around Tolaga Bay when it starts to build up again and the its all on going in to Gisborne. There was some pea metal in some places coming down from Te Puis springs area. Heaps of signs out warning of bumpy roads.

[Timber020]

Hey thanks for that. So is the Cape trip much better than doing the gorge? Are the extra miles worth it? Im just keeping my route plan open incase things come up. (picking up a new bike without a real test can make one nervous about ending up in the middle of nowhere or doing the trip on a seat which feels like its killing you from the ass up.)Im keen to do the cape but would like an idea what the gorge is like in comparison.
I really appreciate your input, I just dont know the roads!

[Trudes]

The cape is well worth the extra kms IMHO, the gorge is great too, if you're just planning on getting there or getting the hell out of there, but the cape really is something else. If you can spare the time, do the cape.

[Kendog]

Personally I like the gorge more, and for me the clockwise direction is best i.e. Gisborne to Opotiki then Opotiki to Gisborne round the cape.

If you are riding from the Opotiki side to Gisborne then I recommend going round the cape.

Either way they are great bike roads.

Also, I would check the road conditions following last nights earth quake. I heard something about massive slips in the gorge (could be wrong about that)

[McDuck]

Hey thanks for that. So is the Cape trip much better than doing the gorge? Are the extra miles worth it? Im just keeping my route plan open incase things come up. (picking up a new bike without a real test can make one nervous about ending up in the middle of nowhere or doing the trip on a seat which feels like its killing you from the ass up.)Im keen to do the cape but would like an idea what the gorge is like in comparison.
I really appreciate your input, I just dont know the roads!

Would you like me to test it for you?

[Timber020]

Would you like me to test it for you?

Sure! Hey you could do the whole thing and I could do it vicariously through you. At least scape off the bugs and send them to me.
Recently (as of yesterday) my accountant told me the tax department wants a big chunk of my GSXR money. Crap! Hoping to be able to do it but its going to be tight without sell my fireblade!

Heres hoping for a xmas miracle

[Frodo]

[Waihau Bay pumps] Still there.
91 only and they take eftpos.

Just passed through a couple of days ago. Most of the remote settlements have 91 only if they have fuel (e.g. Omaio and Te Araroa). However, Waihau Bay definitely had both 91 and 95.

Cheers

[Firefight]

lots to see, watch your fuel managment or end up like this guy !

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35467..


F/F

[Hanne]

Just came back up the cape from Gisborne last week, it was absolutely beautiful. There were a few spots where the road wasn't top notch but most of them were well signposted. We actually went Gizzy to Mt Maunganui in one day (with stops at Tologa Bay, Hicks Bay, Opotiki), but if I were to do it again I think I would stop partway and dod an overnighter, if only because there is so much to see and when you stop you can actually explore it in a more tactile way. Completely manageable as a one bite trip though, no worries. Glad I went!

PS if you are nto sure, check with an information centre or similar BEFORE you leave as to where the gas statiosn are :P As mentioned, they are not necessarily in the most signposted of towns (as in sometimes they are not even on the map)

[cowboyz]

AA won't do anything if you're on a bike. Honda Riders Club are a much better bet.

and as a added bonus you dont have to pay for your meals.......

. Heaps of signs out warning of bumpy roads.

The Ashhurst boys rode it on the 4 points rally. It was great. Scenery is fantastic and the road just flows. Interesting when you come up to a sign that says "uneven surface" and come round a corner to find no road there. As a comparision we went up round northland and where you see the same sign it means they put an extra layer of paint on the road.
You really get the feeling that you cant get any further away from civilization round the cape. I run low on fuel and found a little bowswer on the side of the road. They must have seen me coming cause it cost me near $40 to fill a gsx600F! I was too scared to check what the per litre price was back then.
Great fun though.

[Laava]

Cargo and I are doing this trip clockwise over easter staying the 21st in Hicks bay. Anyone else in the area at that time wanting someone to ride with or help etc let me know.