The weather forecast was less than perfect and it looked like we would get wet before we had even go to Tauranga but it blew away and we were spared. An easy ride through to Rotorua where we stopped for gas and checked out why my bike had become so noisy. Turned out I had a lost a rubber pad that sat under my chain and the chain was rubbing on the swing arm, becoming very loud at low revs. Marty tightened the chain which helped a bit but I would have to live with it till we got home and a new one could be bought.
We stopped in Murupara for a coffee (very bad), leg stretch and loo stop. Murupara is a run down logging town where the majority are now unemployed and gang problems are a major problem. Having said that the locals we met were very friendly and happy to chat to us. One guy was very surprised to find out we were kiwis. He said only tourists (probably lost) ever stopped there. He then went onto to explain how the town was in a bowl and the bad weather just passed over them, in fact everything passed over them even God. An old lady (in her 70's) stopped and told us her son and grandson both had bikes and lived in Galatea. So a big Zero for coffee and 10 for friendliness. The toilets were surprisingly clean to. Haha.
A few kms out of town the 100km of gravel started. Tim and Jorg sped off leaving me to lead out Marty and Beate. That was never going to last long and after a short stop to recheck my chain after sliding around a corner - wrong gear - loose gravel being the real reason, Marty took the lead. I much prefer this on windy gravel roads as I don't worry so much about vehicles coming the other way. The road to lake Waikaremoana takes us through Te Urewera Ranges, which has to be some of the most beautiful bush in New Zealand.
The beautiful Urewera's
Marty waits for the girls - again!
We stopped for lunch at a picnic stop along the way. There was a picnic table but no top and the seat wasn't attached so when Marty sat on one end he nearly catapulted our food into the bush.
Eventually the lake came into sight. It was beautiful.
First glimpse of Lake Waikaremoana.
The road along the lake was gorgeous.
Me and Beate enjoying the ride
Marty went on ahead and stopped on a bridge for a photo shoot.
You can just see Marty on the bridge
We dropped in at the information centre, our gear covered in dust and cracked up when the German lady behind the counter said to Marty, "Are you on a motorcycle?" He replied, "No, I always dress like this when I'm in a car."
A short stop at the campsite further down the road to confirm our booking for our December tramping/fishing trip and we were off on the last stretch of gravel before rejoining the seal and the lovely easy winding road to Wairoa where we refueled. I took the lead for the first 70 odd km then Marty noticed I was becoming a bit tired (I mucked up a couple of corners) so he took over and I dropped back into the bunch. A much more relaxing position! We stopped again by Lake Tutira and against all rules we all (except Marty) had a small 'tot' of snaaps.
Lake Tutira
Time for a wee snaaps
It was just the reviver we needed after a long hot day . Half an hour later we pulled into our motel on the outskirts of Napier. 442kms for the day.
Not the best sleep in the world - small bed, hot cabin but it meant we were up early and on the road by 9am. But not before I discovered that the 2 jars of Achar (my homemade Indian chutney) which were travelling in my topbox had collided on the gravel the day before resulting in one jar breaking and throwing its contents in and through everything I had stashed in there. What a mess! What a smell. I had to hose it out. My road map will never be the same again!
Our plan for the day was to ride over the Gentle Annie to Taihape then down to friends in Wellington for the night before catching the ferry the next day. The Annie is slowly being sealed with only about 15-20km of gravel left, but it still an awesome road for motorcycles.
Not a speedy road by any means
Beate got a bit hot and bothered and had to strip
We stopped in Taihape for lunch and were joined by our friend Hartles from Auckland. He and Marty had a strange encounter with an odd bloke at the cafe. Hartles offered him a cigarette, Marty chimed in that it was all rolled ready to go and the reply was a less than friendly, "Keep your business to yourself" and he got up and stormed off down the road. Beate's passing comment of "Well that sure killed the conversation" had us in fits of laughter.
An uneventful ride down St Hway 1, (apart from the usual amount of cops patrolling the Hunterville straights) to the Johnsonville turnoff where we headed out to Makaroi, where our friends Lyn and Deane live. I hate this road. It is very narrow, windy and the surface is crap. It didn't help that my chain was making a really awful noise which was quite off putting. Still I made it and was very glad to be there. Lyn fed and watered us all like only Lyn can. She is a great hostess not to mention cook. I had a few nips Dean's OP rum before hitting the hay about 10pm. 414km for the day.
We were up at 5.30 and on our way to the ferry by 7am. We were lucky enough to board as soon as we arrived so it was straight to some comfy seats and more shut eye. I felt very tired. A very smooth sailing, followed by lunch at an english style pub in Renwick which set us up for the ride through to Murchison.
By the time we reached St Arnaud the weather had changed, rain looked likely and it had become quite cold so we stopped and put our wet weather gear on. It didn't rain but I was glad of the wind proofing the extra layer provided. I was nice and warm again.
We turned off St Hway 63 and headed out to Lake Rotoroa. Marty wanted to stop and have a look around the lake but everyone else carried straight on to the Braeburn Track. The first few kms weren't that much fun as it was very thick gravel and you had to be extremely careful. Thankfully it did improve and with the four river crossings it made for an interesting ride. I hit one crossing a bit fast and was rewarded with a large shower of water over me and the bike. Thank goodness I was dressed for it!
The last 22 odd km was sealed and a perfect motorcycling road. I really enjoyed it.
By the time we arrived at the pub in Murchison our numbers had swelled to 19. After dinner and a couple of wines It was off to bed. Took me a while to get to sleep as I thought there were rats in the ceiling. Turned out to be birds!
An easy day today only 230kms.
Marty was the only one not to feel the cold in Murchison.
A small dump of snow fell in the night!
Saturday was the start of the Vincent Owner's Riders Rally. To make the rally official we did have 6 Vincents taking part but the majority of the bikes were BMW's. We headed off towards the Buller Gorge. A fantastic ride if weather conditions are right and they were. About half way through we came across Bob and Claire (BMW's) on the side of the road. A petrol leak, so good excuse for everyone to stop and offer advise.
Even the Vincent riders couldn't resist stopping
Once the problem was sorted we headed off to our next port of call which was Blackball and more specifically the "Formerly the Blackball Hilton" pub for a late morning tea. Years ago Mr Hilton, father of Paris (say no more) took this little pub to court for calling themselves the Blackball Hilton. They lost of course but are now equally famous for being called "Formerly the Blackball Hilton". Also up the road is a great little salami place which did a roaring trade while we were there.
Us at the Formerly Blackball Hilton
Vincent riding is thirsty work!!
We left Blackball suitably fuelled and took the Atarau Road through to Ikamatua. We had never done this road always crossing the river and going up the other side. It was well worth it. The scenery was stunning and almost no traffic. We met up with everyone else in Reefton for lunch and a wander around this historic little town. It was the first town in NZ to get electricity.
Replicas of the original lights line the streets
We left Reefton with the threat of bad weather on the Lewis Pass. At Springs Junction this looked likely so we stopped and added another layer. We had patches of rain but nothing significant but the temperature plummeted so I was again very glad of the insulation my wet weather gear provides. According to Mel's thermometer on his bike it dropped to about 7 degC!!
There was one more bit of gravel road to deal with and that was the Leslie Hills Road to Waiau. This was a tricky piece to ride and required a bit of concentration but it was mastered and made the first rum and coke at the pub all the more enjoyable. 450km
The Waiau Hotel celebrated it's 100th anniversary the week before our arrival
We had a great stay at the Waiau pub. It is beautiful and has been well looked after. The publican was a bit stunned when we all arrived, (some hadn't booked) and the cooks were stretched to fed us, but they did and it was delicious. I'll definitely stay there again.
And so ended the Riders Rally for another year, it was time to head home. The publican had organised with the local garage owner to open up for us Sunday morning so we could all get gas. You don't get that kind of service in the big smoke!! We left with our group, but a couple of minutes down the road Marty discovered he had a flat tyre so by the time we had that sorted the group was long gone. We took the Inland Kaikoura Road, stopping every so often to check Marty's tyre. It never went down so we suspect foul play!!
Stunning scenery on the Inland Road
We arrived at our friends in Blenheim about 2. Marty met our fellow riders at Peter Jackson's air museum. I opted to stay behind and relax. I was too hot and bothered to go any further, even though it had been a short ride. Only 225km for the day. Our friends invited everyone around for a BBQ that night, even picking them up and delivering them back to their hotel at Spring Creek so beers flowed and tales were told well into the night. Marty did a make shift repair to my bike as the noise was now horrendous - even for those travelling behind me.
Back on the ferry and the final push for home.
It is always sad to leave the South
Marty takes time out to relax
Marty and I were travelling over the Rimautaka's and heading up to Onga Onga to spend the night with my brother and his wife. The others were heading north via Raetihi.
We arrived in Onga about 7.30pm having stopped in Masterton to visit a couple of people.
Somewhere between Featherston and Masterton I lost my repair and the noise was back. Luckily Andrew(my brother) had the correct part hanging in his shed, albeit a bit worn and it was soon fitted.
310km for the day.
After a short visit to some people in Waipawa it was a straight run home. The silence from my new old rubber was deafening!
415 km
A great week. I needed to go to work for a rest.
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