tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post6474032522647752549..comments2024-03-27T13:31:19.753+11:00Comments on The Road to Nowhere: New Zealand - Day 2 Rotorua to GisborneStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-86322841198616476132017-03-19T14:26:20.027+11:002017-03-19T14:26:20.027+11:00We I would have loved to ride the cape, maybe anot...We I would have loved to ride the cape, maybe another day. The best made plans sometimes dont work out.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-29592321928956749742017-03-19T12:47:21.013+11:002017-03-19T12:47:21.013+11:00Shame to not ride the cape road but for sure it wa...Shame to not ride the cape road but for sure it was too much distance - good excuse for going back another day!Motorcycle Paradise https://www.blogger.com/profile/13402800735593646123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-91072772421423014502017-03-12T11:58:09.077+11:002017-03-12T11:58:09.077+11:00Hi Andrew
It sure has been an adventure so far, bu...Hi Andrew<br />It sure has been an adventure so far, but there is more to come yet. I really enjoyed the gorge road, unlucky it wasn't completely dry though.<br /><br />I googled the bike shop in Whakatane and yes it was indeed Underwood and Wilkins, the guy there was fantastic he opened back up to help us out so yes I don't mind giving them a free plug as they were outstanding in getting us going again.<br />Cheers for reading!Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-29681971109399562082017-03-12T11:52:49.119+11:002017-03-12T11:52:49.119+11:00Hi Geoff
The gorge was a good bit of fun thats for...Hi Geoff<br />The gorge was a good bit of fun thats for sure and yes I agree not riding the Cape fatigued was a good decision on our part. Not sure about riding through that place at midnight, you kiwis sure do some crazy riding thats for sure. The traffic wasn't to bad as it was a bit wet the traffic was low.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-53321294042437905112017-03-12T11:49:41.131+11:002017-03-12T11:49:41.131+11:00Thanks Sonja, it's one trip we won't forge...Thanks Sonja, it's one trip we won't forget in a hurry thats for sure. So many memorable things that happened.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-78106045541565046702017-03-12T11:48:47.535+11:002017-03-12T11:48:47.535+11:00It sure was Andrew, wish I could have done it in d...It sure was Andrew, wish I could have done it in dry conditions and it would really have been a blast. It's a real shame we didn't ride the East Cape it would have been a favourite for sure. Riding it fatigued not a great idea I think.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-50122779454326042302017-03-12T11:46:41.548+11:002017-03-12T11:46:41.548+11:00Yes he got caught out big time, we were warned by ...Yes he got caught out big time, we were warned by several locals about surface conditions like this where they don't repair the roads properly. But still great riding though.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-60297569407095317592017-03-11T09:17:55.112+11:002017-03-11T09:17:55.112+11:00Shame about the rain, but as Sonja says it sounds ...Shame about the rain, but as Sonja says it sounds like an adventure. Great call on the Gorge, if you think the road surface on the gorge was dodgy at times, between Te Araroa and Tolaga Bay is often downright treacherous with subsidence, shiny patches and left over grit from roadworks that are no longer marked.<br /><br />Was the name of the motorcycle shop in Whakatane Underwood and Wilkins? Years ago a bunch of mates and I were riding back from the cape on a Sunday and one realised at Opotiki, that the vibrations were coming from his extremely worn, egg shaped rear tyre with the wires threatening to let go at any moment. He limped into Whakatane with me following and we called the after hours number on the window. One of the owners just dropped everything he was doing on his farm, came in, found a tyre that would work, fitted it and sent us on our way. The way he looked after us was amazing and deserves repeating at every opportunity.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13926757412637124421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-55014119105600408942017-03-11T08:16:07.665+11:002017-03-11T08:16:07.665+11:00Doing it tough in places buddy! Even if it was dr...Doing it tough in places buddy! Even if it was dry round East Cape, you did the right thing in cutting through the Gorge if you were fatigued. I always stop at that bakery in Opotiki too! Last time I came back through the Gorge, it was past midnight on my last 1000 miles in 24 hours endurance ride. I tell you mate, it's a lonely, scary place at that time of day. I guess there wasn't a lot of traffic when you went through it either!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-58118049415598842772017-03-11T07:34:07.862+11:002017-03-11T07:34:07.862+11:00The Waioeka is a blast - you should try it in pour...The Waioeka is a blast - you should try it in pouring rain or the middle of the night! I've also chased wild pigs off the road...<br /><br />Ya better come back at some stage to get in the East Cape road - it's a cracker!Andrew Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00716829007873864871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-3184729060066376632017-03-11T06:15:43.740+11:002017-03-11T06:15:43.740+11:00Poor Geoff, but what an adventure so far, rain and...Poor Geoff, but what an adventure so far, rain and all. A well told story and a great set of pics. This is how I love a travel diary.SonjaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12389245948579828531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5119951275142904676.post-91961224523835045282017-03-11T04:40:22.824+11:002017-03-11T04:40:22.824+11:00Quite the day you had. Quite the bruise Geoff had...Quite the day you had. Quite the bruise Geoff had too. Damn.<br /><br />It is hard to get into a rhythm when the road surfaces change that often. They say to be aware of change in color/change in texture as that will indicate the traction change, but it makes for slower going especially in the rain.Trobairitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com