Kaihoka Lakes

Ok, so while I was down South for Xmas to see the family and do Chrismassy stuff, I also happened to have an Adventure bike with and be located in an area where there are adventures to be had.  So after a visit to the beach on Boxing Day, I decided to sneak off for a short little ride.

After looking at a few maps I decided on the short trip out to the Kaihoka Lakes which were fairly near to the batch at Pakawau.

Turning off the main road I soon ran out of sealed road and was on gravel.  A few years back I'd ridden the V-Strom down this same bit of road as far as the Anatori river but this time I turned more Northerly to ride out to the lakes.

The start of the road was very corrugated (the bike struggling with drive) and I was pretty slow and careful on it and also was expecting traffic as some of the other roads further North had been busy during the day.  In the end there were only a few cars coming the other way and I was soon at the lakes.

Not a lot to see from the road

Leaving the lakes I decided to carry on down the road to see where it went.  I eventually ran out of public access road near a small bay in the Whanganui inlet.

Denied!

With not too many options available I had turn around to retrace my steps, stopping just once more to get a better view of the bay.

On the way back I dialed the traction control back a bit and the bike started handling a lot better being able to ridden harder on the gas.  I was a lot quicker coming back and had a blast.  Towards the end of the below video you'll notice how corrugated the roads were in places.

Back at the main road, it was very tempting to turn right and head further on down the coast but I behaved myself and pointed back in the direction of the batch.  Just one more picture stop at Pakawau.

Temptation nearly getting the better of me...

Returning back to the batch, I found that I'd done just over 40km.  Not sure if that really justified bringing the Tenere over the Connie but at least I did get to ride a little piece of road that I hadn't before.

Xmas 2016

Christmas this year involved a nice little ride South on the Tenere.  My sister had recently bought a batch in the beautiful Golden Bay and it was time for the rest of the family to invade and check it out.

Lovely Wellington weather....

My trip began early on the afternoon of the 23rd.  I loaded up and left Palmy at just before 1pm to meet the ferry.  I'd given myself way too much time to get there, thinking that the Xmas traffic might be bad but all the traffic was heading in the opposite direction.

I got dumped on a couple of times but got to the ferry really early and had about an hour and a half before boarding.  I tried to get onto the boat that was already loading but no dice.  We were warned of some bumps in the straits but after a bit of lurching around leaving the harbour, the rest of the sailing was pretty calm.

Arriving in Picton at around 8:30 I took off through Queen Charlotte Sound (a little damp in places) before hitting the main road to Nelson.  It was quite wet in places going over the Rai and Whangamoa Saddles and the inside of my visor got crud on it causing a wee moment entering a tight right hander.  Well, that woke me up and slowed me down for the rest of the trip down the hill.

I rocked up to my sister's empty house (they were already at the batch) in Richmond at around 10:15 and was in the sack not much later dreaming of the Takaka Hill...

In the morning I soon turned my dreams into reality as the Tenere pootle across to Motueka and then assaulted the 28km of corners that is the Takaka Hill.  In reality I actually took it pretty easy and even stopped for photos...

In Collingwood I made a quick stop for fuel so that I had a decent tankful for any possible excursions later...and then about 10km up the road I discovered the batch hidden in some nice bush.

Now the holiday could start...

Over the next few days there was plenty of eating, walking and playing with the kids.  A nice relaxing time...

Pictures can tell the story better!

Fresh Kawhai for the smoker

Cape Farewell

Wharariki Beach

The Grove

Pupu Springs

And maybe some videos:

Simply oodles of Tui's around the batch and the sing all day and most of the night...

Pupu Springs

Eventually, I had to head home and that of course meant another crossing of the Takaka Hill, this time maintaining a little more momentum and then back through Queen Charlotte again to the ferry.

  

One fantastic steak sandwich and a smooth crossing had me back in the North Island for a quite cruise home after an excellent Xmas in a stunning spot!  Wonder what we're doing next Christmas...

'Twas the tag before Christmas

'Twas the tag before Christmas, when all through the Manawatu
Not a rider was stirring, not even an Owl;
The bikes were parked in the shed with care,
In hopes of better weather and nice still air;
The bikers were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of curvy roads did dance in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains on our next lap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Old Tag

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The blur of a Yamaha was not just all show,
The rider remembering to keep it to 100 or below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature car, the driver with no idea,
With a little old driver so dopey and thick,
I knew in a moment he must be a dick.



Slower than a Harley but nevertheless he came,
And wandered all across the highway, the rider giving him a new name:
@#$% $#@%@ @#$% !$%@#% @$$!
@#$% $#@%@ @#$% !$%@#% @$$!



A bit more throttle meant rider took him on the hill
Then back off again lest he gets handed a bill
As leaves that behind the wild Tenere fly,
When an obstacle is seen, care is taken as it goes by;
So on to the tag the rider on bike flew
With a camera on board for the important photo too—
And then, in a twinkling, the picture was taken
And the search for the new tag undertaken.



As the rider mounted his horse, and was turning around,
Across the road a bunny did bound.
It was close the rider alarmed but the rabbit fleet of foot,
So very nearly was the bunny kaput;
Crisis averted the bike was back on track,
The rider not even turning back.



His eyes remained focused and throttle hand steady!
His visor was clean and his brake hand ready!
For the next little threat that might cross his bow,
Who knew what was next where he did go;
He did not worry nor clench his teeth,
And the helmet, it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
The Alpinestars added a few pounds just like on the telly.




He was quick and bright, very sure of himself,
And I smiled when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And posted his picture while giving a smirk,
And laying his finger aside on his mouse,
He noticed that no other taggers did rouse;
No need to be sad or to bristle,
He had earned steak, the others gristle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he road out of sight—
“The tag is mine, try as you might!”

New Tag

Never again...I promise!

2016 Coast to Coast

Yesterday was the annual Coast to Coast ride which supports our local rescue helicopter so it's always a cause worth supporting and an excuse for a trip over to Akitio.  Another bonus this time around was that the weather forecasters had made a real hash of things and the predicted wet and nasty weather didn't eventuate and it was hot work just getting out to Himatangi.

BRR bike parked next to a BRRBT Connie

After the usual riders' briefing and faffing around it was finally time to leave.  By now it was very warm and I'd removed my waterproof inner from my jacket and opened up most of the vents - gotta love those vents.

We were led (very slowly) from Himatangi, across to Sanson, Feilding and finally Ashhurst before crossing over to Woodville via the Saddle (more very slow riding).  In Woodville we gate crashed their Xmas parade (as usual) before parking up for our BBQ lunch.

Nice little Impulse - nearly as nice as my old one...

Team Kawasaki waiting patiently

Do 2 x 660 Teneres make a Super Tenere?

The cruiser boys were out in force

With none of the usual team going out to the beach due to other commitments, it was just me, myself and I who departed Woodville ahead of the pack (to stay clear of squids and mobile chicanes) to make my way across to the beach.

Along the way I did catch and pass a few others who had the same idea as me.  I still can't get over how poorly some cruisers are ridden.  The owners seem surprised when their bikes don't go around corners properly and they end up on the wrong side of the road - only to repeat at the next corner.  Oh well, the Connie leaves them behind fairly quickly...

At the beach I joined a few of the others who also choose to get there early and parked up for a cold drink and a snack.

Gotta be early to get a good park...

The weather was still pretty nice at the beach but there was a fairly decent breeze whipping up the odd wave and helping cool things off a bit.

An even wider mobile chicane

Still hardly anyone else at the beach

Over the next hour and a half more bikes turned up and the prize giving got underway.  I don't normally hang around for it but when I do...

Shirt might possibly serve me well as a tent

Having raided the prizes I mounted up and started off on my return trip via Dannevirke.  Just like last year I managed to find some rain (this time lighter) and contemplated stopping to put my liner back in but in the end I just got a little damp and having achieved that the rain left me alone and went looking for someone else.

Nearing Dannevirke I still had plenty of gas so didn't stop and made for Woodville.  A few more spits and a slow cruise got me the and it was finally time to gas the bike for the short hop home.