Gisborne to rotorua

**toads** · 3rd January 2005, 16:09

Pete and I decided to seize the moment and leave the kids with one of their older sisters while she came visiting, and shot off out the gate on our bikes before she had even time to argue!
We left at 3pm yesterday from Gisborne and had the most amazing ride over to rotorua, the weather was stunning and the road pretty much to ourselves. I LOVE that hill between kawerau and rotorua, just awesome!, got to RR in good time and found accomodation ( by the skin of our teeth), and then made the return trip today.
We saw hundreds if bikers out on the roads and nearly all of them were friendly, and returned waves or shared their travelling stories with us. We told lots of ppl about kiwibikers so hopefully a few of them will check out this site and join up.
Only had a few near death experiences with cagers trying to run me or Pete off the road, both times, the idiots driving were too busy overtaking traffic to look before making a passing manouvere, just as well we are both skilled at anticipating idiot behaviour, and got out of the way quick. Would have liked to catch up with you again holy roller, but hopefully it will work out next time.

**scroter** · 3rd January 2005, 16:13

glad you had a good ride. the road from kawerau over to the lakes is called the rotamas and i agree they are a lot of fun just a little short not like the waioeka gorge aye.

**toads** · 3rd January 2005, 16:21

yeah not that rapt with the gorge at the moment, it's horrible when there's lots of corners and cars at the same time!!, also there were lots of little streams of water in random places cos of blocked drains at the side of the road, freaked me out a bit
we took a little ride up the okataina lake road that was pretty cool too

**crashe** · 3rd January 2005, 16:22

For squeesing in a ride while all the kids are still on holiday....

Just get the older kids to come and visit you guys a lot more often....lol

**Holy Roller** · 3rd January 2005, 17:40

Shame to have missed you but such is the life of a shift worker. The Rotoma's are great for wearing out the toes of ones boots. Looks like you got some good weather the news just said more rain to come. Hopefully Jan/Feb will be better riding weather. All the best and have a great New Year.

**dangerous** · 3rd January 2005, 21:07

Sweet, wish we had warmer wether down here then I'd get out for a spin. Toads do you guys ride with ya head lights on? just a thought to what you said about the traffic pulling out on you.

**sels1** · 3rd January 2005, 21:46

Originally Posted by toads

Only had a few near death experiences with cagers trying to run me or Pete off the road, both times, the idiots driving were too busy overtaking traffic to look before making a passing manouvere .

I've had that a few times in the last month too. On one occassion I caught up with them at the next set of lights and was able to tap on the window and suggest they look behind them before pulling out. The indignant driver said I had "come out of nowhere" and she said I should ride with my light on. IT WAS ON!
If I could "come out of nowhere" (and presumably go back there) I think I could get a new job......

Whats the weather like in Gissy? I'm coming up this week

**Zapf** · 3rd January 2005, 22:16

Originally Posted by dangerous

Sweet, wish we had warmer wether down here then I'd get out for a spin. Toads do you guys ride with ya head lights on? just a thought to what you said about the traffic pulling out on you.

what the weather like in Chch Dangrous? I am thinking of heading down that way in March... good idea or bad?

**dangerous** · 3rd January 2005, 22:21

Originally Posted by Zapf

what the weather like in Chch Dangrous? I am thinking of heading down that way in March... good idea or bad?

it dosent get any better than March.... come on down, how far are ya planning on going?

**Jbee** · 3rd January 2005, 22:59

Awesome Toads,pleased to hear that you and Pete got the chance to get out and about and see some of our fine roads

, we left for our coast ride about 5 hours before ya, was darn windy and wet at matawai and traffids hill into the gorge but sweet as the rest of the ride. Im pleased you both had fun and enjoyed thee exsperience

**moko** · 4th January 2005, 01:38

Originally Posted by scroter

............ just a little short not like the waioeka gorge aye.

Is that the one on the road to Optiki? If so I did that one on my holiday a couple of years back,I got great weather and think I passed 2 cars the whole way.When I went down the Desert road the weather was evil,like riding through a river,enjoyed the run though,was on a BMW 1100 and not a lot fazes them.

**toads** · 4th January 2005, 07:23

Originally Posted by sels1

I've had that a few times in the last month too. On one occassion I caught up with them at the next set of lights and was able to tap on the window and suggest they look behind them before pulling out. The indignant driver said I had "come out of nowhere" and she said I should ride with my light on. IT WAS ON!
If I could "come out of nowhere" (and presumably go back there) I think I could get a new job......

Whats the weather like in Gissy? I'm coming up this week

the weather's beautiful at the moment, enjoy the ride! it should be a good one, weather is good for the next 2 days too apparently!

**toads** · 4th January 2005, 07:26

Originally Posted by dangerous

Sweet, wish we had warmer wether down here then I'd get out for a spin. Toads do you guys ride with ya head lights on? just a thought to what you said about the traffic pulling out on you.

Yes we certainly do and on high beam too cos our old bikes don't have the brightest of headlights. The guy that cut me off got a big fright and I pulled right off the road to save him having a head on, he then went on to cut another car off 6kms later on, so there was nothing more I could have done to be more noticable really, he was just in a big hurry and wasn't particularly concerned about other people on the road.

**ajturbo** · 4th January 2005, 08:37

good to get out eh!

bit of a bugger, though as i was sitting here yesterday, thinking it was a good idea to go for a ride and ....i got lazy and.....
if i had someone to meet......as rr is only 20minuets away,
na i was just toooo lazy
gota get a job................

any one want to employ a painter with over 20 years in the game,
between the hrs of 7am-3pm..(4pm)

lives in tga

pays well
dosen't mind being shown up....

andy