Tour de Kiwi

[Frankie]

Lovely, I do like the bike in those colours one hell of a fab trip

[kiwikrasher]

DAY 8

484 km.... So heading off from Tauranga along the coast to Opotiki, pretty mellow run with some great views. This was the area I lived in my teen years, so quite nostalgic. Stopped for a lunch break as per previous post, then headed off to Gisborne thru' the Waioeka Gorge in the Urewera National Park. It was a 140 km run with more corners than you could wish for. Had to be a bit subdued in the tight sections of the gorge as slips are common and rocks can appear on your line without warning. Then from Gisborne to Wairoa via the hills rather than the coast road. Another great run with plenty of corners, although being a rural road not many of the corners were speed posted so found myself having to hang right off the bike a few times as I'd gone in a bit hot, while other corners I'd been far too cautious. Still thoroughly enjoyable. Then the last run was 120 km to Bay View near Napier. While this is State Highway 2, it's still got some tight twisty sections and plenty of big sweepers, so definitely not boring! So although the day wasn't as balls out as day 6 was, it was still a great ride with minimal traffic. I'd rate it as my second best day so far. I did see one cop but I got my speed under control before he saw me I hope.

So I've ended up at my Nan's old house which is now a beach rental. I lived here for a year when I was 12 and this place holds some very special memories. My aunt owns it now and has build a place of her own next to it right on the beach. So this was my view while enjoying a catch up meal with her and Paul her husband.

So, tomorrow is even bigger still at 495 km planned. Doing a road that only got completely tar sealed three years ago. It cuts across a major mountain range and is quite the ride apparently!!

[Blade]

Now that does sound good, enjoy it kiwi and don't forgot to set the video if the temporary mount is still functioning.

[Kwacky]

I love the way you're combining biking with time spent catching up with your family.

[Blade]

What Kwacky said. Will definitely be a memory for life, awesome journey on an awesome bike seeing all your friends, family and childhood stomping grounds must be very special.

[DaytonAndy]

This looks like it ranks pretty high on the ultimate road trip list! Looking forward to seeing some video!

[kiwikrasher]

I did get a fair bit of video today, but only 3G here, no wifi so no chance to load it to YouTube. I might just wait till I get home and can do it all on the computer and edit the good bits all together.

[kiwikrasher]

RIP Nan.... I scattered her ashes here 6 yrs ago

[D6]

Fantastic thread and great to read all about it.

[kiwikrasher]

It did say ANGEL on the edge of the tyre when I picked it up

Just stopped for lunch, 200 km down, 300 to go, weather is a tad overcast but still dry. Roads I'm taking have been a bit out of the way so barely any traffic to contend with

[Mac]

I have to say KK, I'm quite envious of you, albeit in a good way. You have the open road, a beautiful country, a great bike, the visits of places and people dear... I'm quite enjoying living your adventure vicariously! It makes me envision a great adventure I should plan for myself. Thanks for the motivation, friend

[kiwikrasher]

I have to say KK, I'm quite envious of you, albeit in a good way. You have the open road, a beautiful country, a great bike, the visits of places and people dear... I'm quite enjoying living your adventure vicariously! It makes me envision a great adventure I should plan for myself. Thanks for the motivation, friend

Thanks Mac, it kind of happened all a bit suddenly the way it came about, but I have been enjoying it emmensely. It's been great to be back on a bike and especially such a beast of a weapon the Multi is.

[Frankie]

I have to say I am in the same opinion, it's great reading these posts on your adventure. I really, really enjoyed my trip into Europe a couple of years back with Kingfixer. Reading this and the posts I am seeing on facebook on various euro tours, I am going to get my arse in gear and start planning something for 2016.

[Rossgo]

Looks and sounds like your having a blast Kiwi. As other have said this really is a trip you will remember being so close to your heart. Keep the diary coming for all of us and for yourself to relive the memories at a later date [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

[kiwikrasher]

Had issues trying to get internet last night so will update yesterday and today once I hit base tonight.

Just stopped off in Coromandel for lunch.

Getting some great scenic footage today

[Kwacky]

Oh wow, what a shot

[kiwikrasher]

Oh wow, what a shot

It was a pretty top class ride yesterday. I did write up a big long post for the last two days and managed to lose it before I posted it

I'm heading off for practically a 2 hr commute ride back to Auckland to return the bike. It's pouring down as well, but I am thankful it held off for all the good rides this week.

I'll update again tonight once I'm in my accommodation.

[kiwikrasher]

Last lunch stop of the trip. About an hour away from dropping off the bike. But I want to keep it
Better get that Daytona painted so I've got a trade in ready

[kiwikrasher]

Ok let's give this another go....

DAY 9

So after getting up to do a sunrise photo shoot on the peeble beach in front of my Nan's place I headed off to conquer the Napier - Taihape road. This road has only been fully sealed for three years and goes thru a pretty isolated area of NZ. Well they claim it's fully sealed but there were about 20 km's of road works so it was a bit of false information! I didn't push it thru here as if you were to come off you'd probably be a long time on the side of the road before someone found you. The up side was I barely encountered any traffic for the 150 km. Once I hit Taihape it was back onto National Highways, but I went up thru the Tongariro National Park to Taumarunui ( you guys handling all these Maori place names ok? ) which is not heavily used outside of ski season so once again had little traffic. Continuing North thru farmland areas till I hit my mates place outside of Matamata. Pretty good scenery, and saw a lot of the North Isalnd I haven't seen before, or for a lot of years.

Stayed the night at a mates I joined the Airforce with many moons ago. He's out now too and running a poultry farm. Enjoyed a BBQ had a few beers. I must say I've drunk more grog this trip than I have in years!

Total of 466 km and once again some nice roads. I really have been running the gauntlet with my speed but the bike just doesn't like sitting at 100km (national speed limit) in top. It's much happier at about 130-140. I tried a few times to sit at the speed limit and it just felt ridiculous.

Here's a couple of shots from the morning sunrise

[kiwikrasher]

DAY 10

Woke to absolutely magic weather. Which considering I was travelling along some pretty nice coastal areas of the Coromandel Peninsula on this day I was more than stoked! I got warned that the 80 km to the start of the Coromandel was heavily policed as its a lot of straights and easy picking for them. So I behaved as much as I could. It was worthwhile, probably saved myself at least three tickets. Had to pass thru Paeroa again (went thru there on day 1), now this place is famous for soft drink. Sounds weird, but there is a kiwi soft drink called Lemon and Paeroa, or L&P these days. Originally it was made with spring water from this town, now it's just Auckland tap water I'm guessing! But because of that they have a BIG L&P bottle in the middle of town. I wanted to get a photo of the bike in front of it but you technically can't get vehicles in front of it due to bollards. But a bike you can. I was just going to chance it. But as I got there I spotted a cop 100 m down the road. Just my luck. So I thought bugger it and I went and asked him if he'd be worried if I did it. Turns out he was a biker too and told me to go for it then we chatted about the bike and where I was riding for about 10 mins! So, here you go... L&P, World famous in NZ!

So after that hi-jinx it was up to hit the coastal roads around the Peninsula. Fantastic views and more second to third gear corners than you could wish for. Footage from this day will be the first to get posted up once I'm home. Had lunch at Coromandel Town and sat by the waters edge yakking to a French couple campervanning about. ( Pic is a few posts back) this ride ended up back in Tauranga at Ed's house. It was 466 km all up but probably the most buggered I felt due to the plethora of tight corners I got treated too!