East Cape, New Zealand - 2018
- Left Boob
- Jan 20, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 23, 2020
The three founding members, Left Boob, Right Boob and Spare Boob had planned this trip for quite some time. In theory, it should have been simple, 3 guys, 3 bikes and 5 days away before the madness of Christmas descended upon us.
Problem was, I live in London and don't have a bike in NZ anymore. So, against all reasoning, I bought a Yamaha MT-01, unseen, and had Neil go pick it up for me. Then it started breaking down, a lot.
Turns out the MT needed a new fuel pump housing, $1,000, thank you very much, oh, and "we can't guarantee it will arrive from Japan in time for the start of your trip". I found a second hand one in Germany and got it couriered urgently to NZ.... it never turned up. Turns out DHL refused to send it, but didn't tell anyone. I then had three days to sort a pump from the UK. I managed to get one the day before we flew out, and had to put it in my carry-on luggage... and hide it from the wife...
Day 1 - Wellington to Waipawa - 250kms
The plan was for Neil to pick me up from Wellington airport, drive straight to the dealers, they would then fit the part, I then get on (having never even seen an MT-01 in my life) and ride 250kms, over the Rimutakas, and meet Mark in Waipawa for the first night.
The day didn't start well for me as I was up from 1am with the dreaded jet-lag; but all things considering it was a very successful day. The MT-01 was a dream to ride, 1700cc twin with 150nm of torque. Handled well for a big girl and I fantasised I was a World War I flying ace being hurtled towards the horizon by my huge, thumping engine.
Mark rode 400kms down from Waihi on his BMW 1150GS, and we all meet at Waipawa within 10 minutes of each other. Unfortunately, it turns out Waipawa is closed on Tuesdays; so there was nowhere to eat. We managed to muster up a three course meal from the service station of crisps, pies and lollies, all washed down with some duty free.
Day 2 - Waipawa to Opotiki - 420kms
After being way over-served the night before, the morning started a bit wobbly, with some terrible communications and navigation choices (a theme that would continue for the rest of the trip), we found ourselves on the waterfront in Napier. We promptly gave up riding and went in search of a medicinal fry-up.
Having refuelled our souls and our bikes we set off again, deciding to take the inland route to Gisborne and then through the Waioeka Gorge. Well, that was the intent. After a wrong turn at Frasertown, which no-one noticed, we were now heading towards Lake Waikaremoana, all well and good if you are riding an adventure bike, as there is about 100kms of gravel roads to negotiate! Not so good on a muscle bike.
I was at the back and realised we were heading the wrong way, so stopped. 10 minutes later Neil had back-tracked, realising I was no longer in his mirrors... as is expected when group riding... then we waited 2 hours for Mark; no show. Oh dear. No phone coverage. So we gave up and hoped to re-connect later. Neil and I had a great ride over the Tinoroto Road and headed for Gisborne.
Very low on gas, we pulled into the first petrol station we found in Gisborne, and what do we find parked at pump number 1? But a very dirty, beaten-up, old BMW 1150GS! Mark had carried on unhindered by the lack of activity in his mirrors and found some fantastic adventure riding roads through the back country and eventually joined the Tinoroto Road after negotiating many a stray livestock.
We powered through to Opotiki, having a great ride through the gorge, many cars and trucks making way for us as we progressed nicely through another great piece of winding New Zealand tarmac.
Day 3 - Opotiki to Tokomaru Bay - 330kms
Our originally booked accommodation had "over-running renovations", so we got bumped up to a much nicer motel, which was lucky as the first one rhymed with sit-pole.
It rained all night, and was still wet in the morning so we delayed our departure as much as possible. We unwillingly climbed into our wet weather gear and pootled off. As luck would have it, it didn't rain again all day and we were able to peel the waterproofs off after about an hour.
Some of the best riding of the trip was had, hugging the coast all the way to Hicks Bay. We then headed out to The East Cape, with 40kms of gravel track there and back. This is real, rural New Zealand, with local kids riding their horses bareback through town. Onwards to Tokomaru Bay where we stayed at a gorgeous batch across the lawn from the beach.
Day 4 - Tokomaru Bay to Kihikihi - 460kms
On the road early as it was another big day ahead. Light traffic all the way to Gisborne, stopping off to watch the surfers at Makarori Beach, waves were head-height and off-shore, pity you can't take a surfboard on a bike trip. Breakfast at a very busy Gisborne, then another great blast through the Waioeka Gorge.
Heading towards Rotorua and the traffic built up, glad to get out of there, then cross-country to Kihikihi to stay with a good mate for the night.
Day 5 - Kihikihi to Stratford - 250kms
Another delayed start as it was a bit wet. Neil left early as he had to head for Wellington. Mark and I headed south late morning after catching up with some good friends over brunch. The intention was to head cross-country and intercept the Forgotten Highway, but the MT-01 tank range would have meant cutting it very close, so we diverted to Taumaranui.
Although it was Saturday, 22nd of December the traffic was very light, being so close to Christmas we expected the worst, the road-angels were looking down at as favourably again.
Another fantastic blast through to Whangamomona for a very late lunch and a thirst-quencher, and on to Stratford to meet up with family for Christmas.
The Forgotten Highway (Highway 43) is probably my favourite biking road in New Zealand, so winding that I often end up motion-sick. There is about 30kms of gravel road in the middle, but it passes through some of the most beautiful native forest, and the roads either side are so epic, that you need a bit of a slow-down to catch your breath and enjoy the sites!
Stratford to Wellington - 500kms
After Christmas I headed down to Wellington, via the scenic route. Back along the Forgotten Highway, then south down the Paraparas (Highway 4) to Wanganui to visit my Mum.
The road from Wanganui to Bulls is open and sweeping, but heavily policed so not much fun these days.
And from Bulls to Wellington - Highway 1, is the dullest ride of them all, the least the said the better! Traffic, straights, police, and terrible drivers, it's just a slog.
A very enjoyable meal was had with Neil and Sara, who put me up for a few nights in Wellington. Although it probably wasn't particularly diplomatic of me to beat Neil at pool on his own table.
Wairarapa day trip - 250kms
A fabulous day ride over to the Wairarapa with all the Boobs, plus Mark and my cousin, Ben. So, technically we were Bros On Our BikeS And Cousin, or BOOBSAC for short.
Back over the Rimutakas, down to Martinbrorough (a lovely spot for coffee) and over to Gladstone for lunch, a traditional Wairarapa biker's stop.
On the way back we swung by the Akatarawa cemetery to see our grandparents; we did our best to liven things up with some over-zealous throttle use, but the residents couldn't have cared less.
Wellington to Stratford - 310kms
Mark and I made our way back up-country, slogging it up Highway 1 in the drizzle and calling in at Wanganui again before finishing in Stratford.
New Years Eve was had with close friends and family with boardgames, cards and fireworks, finishing up around 2am. Mark then had to get up around 6am for another big slog all the way to Whitianga, another 480kms!
Comments