Motu-Matawai-Minginui Midwinter Madness 07

[Anonymous]

#2170

Well what a weekend, I had an absolute blast with a great team of guysIt was great to meet some of the other BMWOR members, and to see the HP2 and the G650X in the flesh  🙂I only need to be able to ride like them  😀Well here is my trip report - ENJOY  😀It started with an uneventful trip from Napier to Taupo (except for the torrential rain just prior to Taupo).I met with 2 other riders at BP Wairakei before we headed towards Clints place on the lake.We did have to stop in Rotorua while the Big KTM got some suppliesAfter we arrived and caught up with the others it was time to sit down to a fantastic meal of Chilli Beans and Chips, it was a good meal.Then we sat around and talked about all manner of things about bikes.Up on Sat morn at 6.30 to get ourselves ready for an 8am start so it would allow us enough time to get to the meeting place at Opotiki.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh3.google.com/RideNZ/RskDRunTGwI/AAAAAAAAAB4/oqDjiuFxMxo/P8180098.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]The driveway in and out of Clints pad is an adventure in itself …[img width=512 height=384]http://lh6.google.com/RideNZ/RskDZenTGxI/AAAAAAAAACE/drf88GpAmD8/P8180104.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]On the road just before 8am, and it didn’t take too long before we were riding off the black stuff and onto the gravel.We completed a few short gravel roads before meeting up with the others in Opotiki, before a quick muffin and coffee.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh5.google.com/RideNZ/RskD7OnTG2I/AAAAAAAAACs/aKU-4dNvzx4/P8180118.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]We left Opotiki and headed for the Motu, a fantastic piece of road through some of North Island’s most rugged and remote country.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh6.google.com/RideNZ/RskEMenTG5I/AAAAAAAAADE/ChGZFc_OirU/P8180129.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]The weather was overcast with the odd passing shower, so that was good in that there was no dust, and the track was nice and sticky.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh3.google.com/RideNZ/RskEqunTG9I/AAAAAAAAADk/vI24kB6aHdM/P8180137.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]The group of 9 bikes held really good pace, and were only spread out for a few minutes at a time.I was tail end Charlie for the most part, which was good, because I could stop and take the more scenic photos and to see the odd Scrambler take a close call with a water table after a water crossing…We regrouped in Motu Township and then decided to head down to the Motu falls, which I must say are quite spectacular.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh3.google.com/RideNZ/RskFeunTHEI/AAAAAAAAAEg/4Ha9TqoxZhE/P8180162.JPG?imgmax=512[/img][img width=512 height=384]http://lh3.google.com/RideNZ/RskFnunTHFI/AAAAAAAAAEo/JToMtfgPpMo/P8180167.JPG?imgmax=512[/img][img width=512 height=384]http://lh4.google.com/RideNZ/RskF1-nTHHI/AAAAAAAAAE4/5wOWRxglmNY/P8180173.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]Then onwards and upwards, next stop was Matawai for a cold drink and hot pie. A great place where we again talked about bikes for a small while, this is the joys of having a good group of riders that ride as a group at a similar pace, it allows more smoko breaks….Then onto Journeys End where our overnight accommodation awaits, as well as some great food, wine and beer. The hosts were incredible.Complete with Underground carpark and good accommodation, sky television and good showers.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh4.google.com/RideNZ/RskGA-nTHJI/AAAAAAAAAFI/HpZT3pU7zwI/P8180189.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]Someone didn’t think the conversation was too good thoughShame about the V8 race, there was a bit of mud flinging going around then!!One of the quirky things we discussed, was “how many sheep does it take to become a real farmer?” and more importantly “how does one breed sheep when you don’t have a ram?”Sunday was the bigger day of the 2, we again departed at 8am and headed South for Wairoa, of course along as many gravel roads we could find, the weather throughout the night was rather wet, which made the roads wet, but again no dust. We had a few rouge showers but nothing too damp.Some fantastic roads in this part of the country, at times we were riding along ridges, and then we would drop into deep valleys, with towering hills and majestic rivers alongside the road.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh6.google.com/RideNZ/RskGpenTHPI/AAAAAAAAAF8/zJrTgicc_Rg/P8190203.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]Then it was onto probably the longest tar seal section of the trip into Wairoa (70km), stopping for brunch at Oslers Bakery in the main road, here is where the sun came out and stayed with us for the remainder of the day.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh4.google.com/RideNZ/RskGw-nTHQI/AAAAAAAAAGE/zXSkrOgFIk0/P8190210.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]Then is was onto Lake Waikaremoana, for those of you that have not ridden this section of road, then you are missing one of the most scenic parts of the North Island you will see.The odd bit of traffic, however for the most part the road was ours! I am not sure whether I would want to be riding this road in the middle of summer though?Then it was time to say goodbye to 2 of the riders at the Minginui turnoff, as they has a long trip home and wanted to stick to the main road, whilst the rest of us headed South through the Whirinaki Forest to join up to the Napier Taupo Highway.This probably turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip for me; I really enjoyed it, even though I managed to bottom out the suspension on the GS a few times.Standing on footpegs whilst negotiating deep ruts is great fun.The track varies from native bush, forestry into almost desert type terrain, so a bit of everything for everyone.[img width=512 height=384]http://lh6.google.com/RideNZ/RskH4enTHZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/IzWkLrR04vk/P8190233.JPG?imgmax=512[/img]At the end of the track I sent my goodbyes and headed home for Napier getting back just before 6pm, so it was a good day ridingIt was a great trip and look forward to the Waikato one.Cheers Scott

[aegis4805]

#8274

nice report and pics Scott – glad you all has a great time – thanks fro posting 

[Dave Ross]

#8275

Excellent report, you are quite talented with a camera. I must check out Motu road one day.Cheers,Alex

[Anonymous]

#8276

Excellent report, you are quite talented with a camera. I must check out Motu road one day.Cheers,Alex

If you are thinking of heading through the Motu, let me know I am always keen to tag along/show you the way  🙂Its a great piece of unspoilt NZThanks for the positive feedbackRegards Scott

[Jim Young]

#8277

Great report Scott and teriffic pics  😎

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