[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Oh No – NZ’s top BMW rider got a helicopter ride #11687

Pretty harsh call there Mr. B. You could have at least waited for him to recover, before giving him a hard time. At least now I am not the only one who keeps getting reminded about helicopter cruises.Get well soon Dean. I saw your bike at the shop. It will live to ride another day by the looks of it. The scratched panel will give it some character.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Whangamomona and Fisher’s track Adv. Ride #11587

Bummer, it's really hard to find doable dates. 17th and 18th won't work for me, unfortunately. If 25th & 26th doesn't work for anyone else I'll reschedule for February.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Whangamomona and Fisher’s track Adv. Ride #11585

but I'll have to remember to watch out for nuts in 4WD coming the other way  😆

hehe, I guess people who sit in 4x4s and don't ride can't see why bike don't like to move into the loose stuff by the side of the road, especially not mid corner. Since I am really keen to do the motorway ride. I'll say the 25th & 26th. We'll just have to avoid the charity riders around Whanga. I think  it's best to drop the Fisher's track. We'll have enough to do with the Old Whanga Road. Better to take in more tunnels and ordinary gravel roads. It's meant to be fun and not a mission. Fisher's track will be there for another day. We'll also have to do the 42nd from the other side. Maybe those two can be combined more easily.If you guys could let me know by next Wednesday who's in, so I can make a booking.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11671

Great pics and report Alex, it looks like you had a ball, I was looking forward to doing the East Cape after the rally too but circumstances dictated otherwise.  🙁

Oh Jim, we heard about this at the rally, and I am sorry to say that due to the distraction of the remainder of the trip ( and a case of Altzheimers)  I forgot all about it. We were all very concerned about this and hope that it's much better now.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11669

Just to finish things off. Including the rally we've spent 9 days doing 3000km including 300km of gravel. We had one rainy day at the rally and got home dry before it started to rain an hour later.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11668

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.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11667

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 timeInteresting rock formations

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11666

The wharf at OpotikiWe 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 valleysGerda checking out the water crossingbefore doing it in styleOnce 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.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: AKL Feb.1 Lunch ride to Port Waikato #11678

I've rung them and they now offer coffee. We've been there once before, and it is a suitable location. People may want to combine this with a swim at the beach. There are changing sheds next door. It could be pretty busy though, but that's a risk we take. If it's too full I might move on to the Nikau Cafe via the gravel road.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11665

A couple we met was using this as  there transport around the Cape. I quite like it.Just past Te AraroaGot to have one with the church.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Annual Rally and East Cape Tour #11664

Hi Alex - nice report and great pics - looks like those who attended the rally had a great time - cheers S

Thanks Stephen. I've started to clean the bikes today. But it looks like it will carry over until tomorrow. They were pretty dusty.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Te Araroa #11450

Ah sorry guys, should take a breath before I reply eh  😐

Te Aroha and Te Araroa gets me every time as well. Currently there seems to be only one Cafe' there. I should have been more attentive. I thought it said Kari Basket on the menu board, something like that anyway. They served the best Steak and Egg Burger I have had so far. The meat was first class, absolutely no chewy bits.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Whangamomona and Fisher’s track Adv. Ride #11583

Yep, I'd be in for this. Dates from 14-23rd of Jan and 2nd Feb on work better for me. 26th i Auck Anniversary weekend I think.Donald I thought you got a new tyre. I'd be keen to see what you can do with a decent tyre. Or have you kept the bald on for the adventure rides?

I am happy to make it the 22/23rd. How will this fit with anyone else?

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Te Araroa #11447

and is something missing in your post

Don't have a photo or a name. But hey, it's Te Araroa, you'd have to be stock blind to not see it.Here's the Google Streetview link http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=te+Araroa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.956929,114.257812&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=-37.634031,178.369185&spn=0.006279,0.013947&z=17&g=te+Araroa&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=-37.633388,178.369186&panoid=BQ4W7JHdHdb9rRExRVkSnQ&cbp=12,64.01536254696433,,0,5That's how new it is!

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: It happened yesterday, just before Waiouru #11651

BMW R100GS/PD 1993 (in Purple with White)Plate: 74TWPBasic details    * Make: BMW    * Model: R100GS/PD    * Year: 1993    * Main colour: Purple    * Second colour: White    * Vehicle type: Motorcycle    * Body style: Motorcycle    * CC rating: 980    * Fuel type: Petrol    * Country of origin: Germany    * Imported damaged: Find out by purchasing the report    * Reported stolen: Find out by purchasing the reportIdentification    * VIN: N/A    * Plate: 74TWP    * Plate type: Standard    * Engine no: 02930355    * Chassis: 0068795Ownership informationFind out by purchasing the reportSecurity interestsFind out by purchasing the reportLicence    * Licence expiry: 2009, May 26th (expires in 4 months)    * Latest licence issued on: 2008, May 22nd at 16:07    * Licence type: Exemption    * Continuous licence: YesRegistration    * Registration status: Active    * Vehicle usage: Private Passenger    * Cause of latest registration: New    * Date of first registration in New Zealand: 1993, October 22nd    * Date of last registration: 1993, October 22nd    * Registered overseas: NoPlates historyPlate Effective date74TWP 1998, October 29th96STQ 1993, October 22ndWarrant of fitness (WOF)The WOF expires in 5 months (17th June 2009). Last inspection was successful on 17th December 2008.Odometer history    * Is odometer reliable?: Find out by purchasing the report    * Latest odometer reading: 15,490 (on 2008, December 17th, source: WOF Inspection)    * Latest usage: 0.67 /day (244 /year)Reading Date Source or reason Usage (avg), /day/year15,490 2008, December 17th WOF inspection 0.67/24415,482 2008, December 5th WOF inspection 0.12/4415,460 2008, May 31st WOF inspection 0.86/31315,454 2008, May 24th WOF inspection odometer decrease -99,200.00114,654 2007, October 15th WOF inspection 10.49/3,818110,584 2006, September 22nd WOF inspection 1.86/677Comment: Could be a sculpture?

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