Summer '10

[deeanddude]

I know that things like this have probably been done to death, but the wife and I are looking at doing the NI feb '10, and I'm considering including the Gisborne, Eastcape, OPotiki loop in the tour. Any idea what sort of distance is involved, and availability of gas?
Heard the Gis-Opotiki road is bikers heaven.

Cheers

[spookytooth]

thats a good ride .Round the cape you can kiss a day good bye There is just so much to see, gas shouldn't be a prob.Then theres the gorge heading back to gissy well worth a blat to Matawai then back to Opotiki
I ride down from Tauranga now and again just to do the Waioeka

[Highlander]

There are a number of places fuel is available. Won't be cheap, and highly unlikely to be 95 or 98 octane, but even expensive 91 sure beats pushing because you ran out.
I have bought fuel at Te Araroa and Ruatoria the couple of times I have been around the cape. I think there is also fuel available at Te Puia Springs, Tokomaru Bay and Tologa, but haven't used it so can't say for certain.
Other than Fuel, don't be in a hurry, stop for photos and enjoy the scenery. The church on the road side at Tikitiki is all fitted out with Maori carvings and well worth a look.
We stayed at Brians Place backpackers at Tokomaru Bay when we did it at the end of Jan, nice spot on the hill overlooking the bay, a bit over a Km walk down the road to the pub for dinner was a pleasant leg stretch.

I would also include the Waioeka Gorge between Gisborne and Opotiki to complete the loop, but Gisborne to Napier is also well worth while, better still if you can get both in, even if you have to do one of them twice

[ntst8]

Waihau Bay has 95, you have to get off the main road and it doesn't stay open late.