-
We've just returned from out 3rd Annual Rally, which we extended to include a tour around the East Cape. All up we covered 3000km in 9 days, including about 300km on gravel. I'll just post a few pictures of the highlights and won't bore you much with the details. Feel free to ask any questions, I am happy to answer them. If you have more pictures of the rally please go ahead and post them here or if you prefer, start your own thread.Just under a 100 people attended the rally. There were well over 60 bikes. The setting was superb and the rally ran without a hitch, as far as I could tell. I am sure we'll return for one reason or another. Oh, if I post a picture here with your mug on it and you want it removed, the picture that is, let me know immediately.The crowd at feeding time
The shiny bike competition (concourse d'elegance)Some said that the competition was rigged, but the judges could not find any evidence to support this outrageous claim
Oh, if you looked out the windows you saw this
We toured some of the local attractions, but the place names around here border on the verbose
Still, nice scenery where ever you looked
The brand new Otane cafe in the old library
Next stop Tolaga Bay, we stayed at the Tolaga Bay Inn, I don't recommend it. Nevertheless it's in a nice location.
The famous wharf, all 600 meters of it.
Who can resist a walk down Adventure St.?
Tokemaru Bay also has a wharf
When you get closer it looks like this
But when you look even closer you think you're at Kelly Tarton's 
Mt Hikurangi basking in the sun
Heading out to the East Cape light house
The light house, most of it anyway. I was already half way down the cliff to get this shot
The view from up there
Quick break, to be continued......A couple we met was using this as there transport around the Cape. I quite like it.
Just past Te Araroa
Got to have one with the church.
The wharf at Opotiki
We did the Old Motu road next. This was probably my favourite ride of this trip. The first 4km were quite tricky, until we managed to pass the grader. After that it was just a simple gravel road, with virtually no traffic. One ute passed us while we were stopped and we met a bunch of mtb riders coming the other way. I highly recommend this road. the scenery was stunning. Do try to stay on the road, though, as there is a massive drop off most of the time. Thankfully vegetation covers most of it and keeps the distraction to a minimum.
Hard to see, but you don't want to fall down here.
Stunning valleys
Gerda checking out the water crossing
before doing it in style
Once you reach Motu, take the time to ride out to the falls and swing bridge. I feel very insecure on these bridges.
Locals have said that during heavy rain the falls virtually disappear. 
Road block Kiwi style. 
Next we moved on to the Waikaremoana road. We did it from the Murupara side. This road was dusty and well traveled. It appears that people in 4x4s need to stay at least 1m away from the edge of the road and leave it up to the bikes to move into the loose stuff. Watch out for vehicles with boat trailers. Loved the scenery, especially on a rare almost cloudless day.
The lake is huge, but you mostly only see a side arm at a time
Interesting rock formations
After spending the night in Wairoa at the Cafe 287 we enjoyed the view and the breakfast.
Then we moved on to the Gentle Annie. There is about 20-25km of unsealed road left, but its is really one giant roadworks. It won;t be long and the whole road will be sealed. The current surface is not very enjoyable anyway. Getting lost in a cloud of dust from one of the large trucks is not very nice either. Again, the scenery is very pretty, but you may wish to wait until the road is finished before checking it out.
The last night was spent in Ohakune. There was still lots of snow left on the mountain, even though it was very warm in town.
We found this bird's nest and are looking forward to a similar situation.
Thanks for taking the time to read all this, I hope you enjoyed the pictures.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.