Motorcyclist's body found (Paekakariki Hill Road, 10 Jan 2012)

**Katman** · 15th January 2012, 19:16

Originally Posted by JimO

i think she means she respects that road

Ah yes, having reread it I think you may well be right Jim.

My apologies to her.

**thecharmed01** · 15th January 2012, 20:05

Originally Posted by Katman

Ah yes, having reread it I think you may well be right Jim.

My apologies to her.

heh, yes I did mean the road has my respect.

**riffer** · 15th January 2012, 23:16

I've known people who've died on that road but I gotta say guys, its just a road.

Not that different from many I've ridden around New Zealand.

If you ride with full awareness of your surroundings, and good control over your motorcycle and definitely ride to the conditions you'll have a great ride on Paekak.

It reminds me a lot of what roads used to be like when I started riding. I remember going over that road when I was a teenager in the mid 1980s, freshly full licensed, following my Dad - he on his GT750 Kawasaki, and me on his beautifully restored KZ400, and we had a ball. I'd like to do the same with my kids.

I've since been over that hill dozens of times, with no incidents. And yet I hear about the perils of riding the goat track of death.

Please folks, don't try to build up the myth of the killer road - I couldn't bear to see us lose too many really challenging roads.

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th January 2012, 07:52

Originally Posted by riffer

I remember going over that road when I was a teenager in the mid 1980s, freshly full licensed...

I too, but in the early 70s. It was a joy among many such roads. Many of which have certainly been lost. Or had the speed dicked with and/or actively policed.

However, it is also fair to say, that ones like the Paekak are now infested with cages, particularly SUVs, c/w drivers who can't...

**RDJ** · 16th January 2012, 08:00

Originally Posted by Katman

Perhaps you give your respect away too freely.

That is certainly one mistake you don't make.

**riffer** · 16th January 2012, 08:34

Originally Posted by MSTRS

I too, but in the early 70s. It was a joy among many such roads. Many of which have certainly been lost. Or had the speed dicked with and/or actively policed.

However, it is also fair to say, that ones like the Paekak are now infested with cages, particularly SUVs, c/w drivers who can't...

As opposed to the drunken louts in HQs with 308s and worn Dunlop Aquajets, MKIII Zephyrs repowered with Capri GXL V6 motors, or blind old grannies in Morris Minors?

My point is that there seems to always be SOMEONE ELSE to blame. We all know what's on the road, there's always been other users on the road. I hear time and again how motorcyclists are supposed to be the elite amongst New Zealand's road users, and I just wish that more of us lived up to the promise.

/rant over.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th January 2012, 08:50

Originally Posted by riffer

, and I just wish that more of us lived up to the promise.

/rant over.

Oi Katman...how come you've logged on as riffer??

**riffer** · 16th January 2012, 08:52

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Oi Katman...how come you've logged on as riffer??

Sorry man. Been spending too much time going through this Safer Journeys thing for BRONZ. It's made me kind of morose.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th January 2012, 09:01

Originally Posted by riffer

Sorry man.

No need to apologise mate. I'm only having the two of you on. Nothing wrong with the odd safety message!

**MSTRS:Me** · 16th January 2012, 09:15

Originally Posted by riffer

As opposed to the drunken louts in HQs with 308s and worn Dunlop Aquajets, MKIII Zephyrs repowered with Capri GXL V6 motors, or blind old grannies in Morris Minors?

My point is that there seems to always be SOMEONE ELSE to blame. We all know what's on the road, there's always been other users on the road. I hear time and again how motorcyclists are supposed to be the elite amongst New Zealand's road users, and I just wish that more of us lived up to the promise.

/rant over.

I hear what you are saying (although Granny in her Morry Grinder was never on the Paekak. Or the Akas).
Still - it should be self-evident. There are many more people driving on such roads these days. Maybe it's old Murray taking the kids to show them where he used to hoon in the 'old days' - be that on his T250 or his hotted-up Mk I Escort/105E - or he actually lives there on his lifestyle block.
Chances of meeting anyone on THAT corner now are extremely high, compared to way back, is what I am saying. These roads are, in some ways, more dangerous now than they were.

**NordieBoy** · 16th January 2012, 09:48

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Maybe it's old Murray taking the kids to show them where he used to hoon in the 'old days' - be that on his T250 or his hotted-up Mk I Escort/105E.

My grandfather telling us how he used to drive home from 't pub with one eye closed so there were only 1 set of wheel marks to follow in the gravel.

Oh, and if you're going to use gelignite to fish for trout and eels in the river, from your boat, make sure the engine is running and throw it in downstream...