East Cape Escape

[doc]

we're doing palmy, round east cape and up to ngatea in one day for the four points

bet my house i have a sore arse by opotiki

I usually travel the same way. Trouble with riding is you want to experience the best ride thru the twisties between refuelling stops nonstop. But.... 10 days round the East Cape ferk imagine all the twisties and the stops where you got pics and saw things that were interesting, but never stopped at.... but always wanted too.

[MaxB]

I go up to the Cape as much as I can. It is one of my favourite north island trips. April was the last time I was up there.

As far as I know there is still fuel at Waihau Bay, Te Araroa, Ruatoria, Te Puia Springs, Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay. They are usually attached to general stores so they tend to keep shop hours.

There used to be pumps at Te Kaha and Hicks Bay but are long gone.

As an aside I was told today that the Mobil at Te Araroa is now owned by a lady who has done some good things with the store. Maybe it is time for another look.

[Blackbird]

And from what I understand fuel is only available up around the cape on weekdays...

Not unless it's changed since last November, we got fuel with no problem.

[Rosie]

We had no problems getting fuel in Te Araroa on a Saturday when we went around the cape in December.
The ladies in the general store were very helpful, and one came across the road to the petrol pump, unlocked it and offered to fill the bike for me.
I didn't look at what the price was per litre, I only needed 6 litres, and I'm happy to pay a bit extra sometimes to support out-of-the-way petrol stations.

[pritch]

Parts of East Cape are a bit "seasonal". What is available over the holiday season may not all be available mid-winter. So long as you realise you're a long way from Queen St and plan accordingly you should be OK.

I've done the ride both ways now, I was told North to South gives some better views and think in retrospect that is correct.

The ride is on my "to do" list again but this time instead of a quick blat I'd like to stop and stay at maybe Hicks bay or Te Araroa.

If the Blue Boar was still operating at Ruatoria that would've been a draw but that's now in the past apparently.

[Highlander]

we're doing palmy, round east cape and up to ngatea in one day for the four points

Did Tauranga, round the East Cape down to Wellington in one day on the Southern Cross, touch over 1000Km for the day. Not hugely dis similar to what you are planning.

bet my house i have a sore arse by opotiki

I gaurantee it.

Mr Maha, East cape is an awesome ride.
An alternate route from Wairoa to Gisborne is to head for Frasertown then go right and through the Tiniroto rd (well it was 20 yeras ago when I lived in the area), either road is a great ride, Tiniroto rd is a bit tighter and twistier though.

Echo the other comments re topping up your tanks: Do it when you can so when you can't you don't have to! (words to live by).

Also vouch for a night at Awakeri, we go camping there (but they have cabins & motel units) on a regular basis.

[paulmac:Me]

I've taken runs around the east cape twice in two years, had no problem with fuel. Te araoha is open 10 til 12 on sundays, opotiki to gisborne is a sweet day run around the cape. Try and do the direct route thru the gorge too if you can.

[banditrider]

An alternate route from Wairoa to Gisborne is to head for Frasertown then go right and through the Tiniroto rd (well it was 20 yeras ago when I lived in the area), either road is a great ride, Tiniroto rd is a bit tighter and twistier though.

Went though there about 3 years ago. Tight & twisty is right and you'll come just about every type of four legged critter known to man on the road. A good road to take it easy on - also watch out for the usual metal & crap all over the road in places. Quite nice scenery though...

[shafty]

Don't spend too much time looking for the pub at Te Araroa - it burn't down a few years ago, hence the RSA is used for 4 Points Check-ins now...........Have a blast, and expect to find gravel/roadworks without signage

[Maha]

Good on ya Maha.

East Cape is awesome

Oslers Bakery in Wairoa has the best pies on the coast, trust me

Sunset Lodge out on Mahia Peninsular is alway good for a stop over and a meal.

Cooks memorial on the hill in Gisborne is a pretty good place to survey the surrounding area from.

Tologa Bay Wharf is a must see, good Fish n Chips in town too.

The Fishing and Diving at Lottin Point Rocks, charter boats are avalible here so no need to lug any gear.

Stop at the Pub at Te Araroa and Ride/Walk up to the Eastcape lighthouse.

Te Araroa is also home to "Te Waha-o-Rerekohu". New Zealand's oldest and largest pohutukawa tree. It's around 600 years old.

Brace yourself when buying fuel at Te Araroa too. Price per litre is almost at highway robbery levels and he rounds the final sale up to the nearest dollar.

Awakeri Hot pools is always nice for a relaxing evening, good place to stay overnight too.

Plan ya fuel stops carefully cos there isn't many pumps between Tologa Bay and Opotiki and what there is closes at 5pm.

Hope this helps

Have fun.

Hey p38.....the pub at Te Araroa?....any rooms there?
We want to say at Tolaga and Te Araroa is close enough.

[yungatart]

Don't you go upsetting the locals up there, dude. They're a shit load bigger than your wimpy white arse!
Not sure about accomodation there, but someone will be able to help you.
You could try Hicks Bay..backpackers there.

[CookMySock]

Hey p38.....the pub at Te Araroa?....any rooms there?
We want to say at Tolaga and Te Araroa is close enough.

The pub at Tolaga bay is really good. Safe parking for bikes, great food, quiet place to sleep, great country pub atmosphere.

Don't you go upsetting the locals up there, dude. They're a shit load bigger than your wimpy white arse!

They won't hurt you. They take great delight in frightening itinerant whities. Just compliment them and eat a bit of humble pie and they go away grumbling but satisfied.

Steve

[Maha]

Don't you go upsetting the locals up there, dude. They're a shit load bigger than your wimpy white arse!
Not sure about accomodation there, but someone will be able to help you.
You could try Hicks Bay..backpackers there.

Whimpy? White Arse??.....
Spoke to a mate the other night about Hicks Bay, hes from that way and said its a cool pub. We have a B and B to stop at in Waihau (crayfish on the menu yum yum) which reminds me, whitebait will be sent to you asap.

PS: Cant bling you but love the little msg.....

The pub at Tolaga bay is really good. Safe parking for bikes, great food, quiet place to sleep, great country pub atmosphere.
Steve

Cheers Steve, sounds like a bit of me. See you on our way back.

Get pumping I hear you say?....

[P38]

Hey p38.....the pub at Te Araroa?....any rooms there?
We want to say at Tolaga and Te Araroa is close enough.

Not sure about the pub mate,

But there is a Holiday camp there too They got cabins, a bunkroom, tent sites etc.

check it out.

http://www.jasons.com/New-Zealand/Te...a-Holiday-Park

[Matt Bleck]

The pub at Te Araroa burnt down a couple of years ago and as far as I know it hasn't been rebuilt.