On the road again

Monday, 12th, Tue 13th, Wed 14th, and Thur 15th February

Mon-12-Feb

The weather in Northland is very overcast today with the threat of at least a shower or even a heavy downpour ever present, especially over the coastline area. So I abandon my good intentions to ride down to Auckland 'off beaten track' via the Townships of Waipu ~~> Mangawhai and Leigh. Instead it's southwards along good ol' SH1 ... again.

Two hours later, I exit the northern motorway section of SH1 at the North Shore junction and head straight for the centre of Glenfield, then mount the kerb at a traffic light controlled urban crossroad, and park-up under the cover of a small shopping precinct's pedestrian overhang and phone 'Macktheknife'.

Within 10 minutes Mack arrives in his two-tone blue compact SUV, which I instantly recognise by its unique treasured number plate, "IT'S KIM" - so now guess what his wife's name is ... ??

That evening we go down town and meet-up in the micro-brewery pub called the Galbraiths Alehouse with a few other members of the excellent community website, KiwiBikers.co.nz.

From left to right: (1) natch smilin' 'Keith the Pom' - (2) 'Dave' - (3) 'klingon'; - (4) 'Jonny Rotten' - and (5) 'Macktheknife'

Twas a good evening

The following morning, Tue-13-Feb, I ride down town again, with Mack hot-tailing in his SUV, where I drop off the Trannie at the Honda dealers for its 12,000 km service. It's a BIG one this time, where every important element and component needs to be either checked or replaced. This, together with fitting of a brand new set of tyres, meant that my pair of wheels would be in the workshop all day.

Our next stop is right into the heart of Auckland's CBD (central business district), almost at the base of the Sky Tower, where we meet David, another Honda ST1300 owner from Seattle, in the State of Washington, United States.

We spend the rest of the day eating, drinking, and kicking tyres around several motorcycle shops. Excellent! These activities, together with a fascinating 2½-hour visit to the city's museum, meant that the day went quickly ... until it was time to collect the bike again on the close of play at five o'clock.



After breakfast the next morning, Wednesday 14 Feb, Mack and I take the short journey across the North Shore to the Takapuna district to meet-up with Dave again where he is collecting his rented BMW R1150RT sports tourer.

I take this opportunity to buy myself a new set of clear pristine visors for my Nolan lid, which otherwise might have been difficult to acquire back in the UK

At this point I must thank Mack and Kim again - official executive suppliers of wise words and travel toothpaste. Thanks for your kind support, time and patience; above all for the warm hospitality that you both provided freely and generously to me during the two nights of my stay with you in the North Shore. Goodonyuz both. Now go open-up a new business and consider naming it: 'Zen, and the Art of Motorcycle Chain Maintenance (NI Division) Inc'

.. ;o) ;o)

Dave and I are soon on our way, heading down south and east across to the Coromandel Peninsula via the coastal road through the townships of Whitford, Maraetai, Orere and Miranda.

Our initial speeds are deliberately slow while we scrub-in the new tyres (Dave's Beemer also has a brand new rear). But it's not long before the urge to roll-on the throttle begins. Difficult not too when riding around magnificent scenic roads.

By the time we reach Coromandel Township, around four hours later, we're convinced that our new tyres have lost their shiny mould release compound and at least some of their chicken strips

Yep, they're all run in.

Been here before .. several times

Throughout the rest of the day the riding just got better and better; I mean it was really excellent. We travelled clockwise around most of the Coromandel 'Loop' until after completing around 300 km (186 miles) for the day, we turn left and head further south to the seaside town of Whangamata where we finally call it a day at around 7:30pm. Then check into the first available motel that has a vacant two-bedroom studio 'unit'.

Thu-15-Feb

Awaking to a beautiful morning in Whangamata it’s time to say goodbye to David the merrycan; and after such a brief but good ‘whirlwind’ liaison too .. :o(

But by 08:45am Dave is on his way heading south towards his first major destination of Wellington ~~~> through Tauranga, Rotorua, and Taupo. With good early progress he might even make it down to the end of the bleak Desert Road, past Mount Ruapehu (NI’s tallest mountain) to a stopover point much closer to Wellington, thus shortening his Friday’s ride considerably

I’m ‘on my bike’, however, by the much more gentlemanly time of 10:00am … :o) and return back up north for 23 km (14½ miles), where I turn left, ride south and west to complete the ‘Loop’ … and start this classic ride all over again.

But this time up through Coromandel town towards and past Colville along near deserted roads until ...



.. I meet gravel!

Hugging the cliff road I finish my journey around 6:30pm this time at Fletcher Bay, which is located the very farthest northern reach of the Peninsular. 28 kms (17½ miles) across unsealed gravel & dirt roads ...











.. And I'm starting to get the hang of it too - staying upright on the darn stuff, that is! .. :o)

The cliff top coastal scenery along the way is quite remarkable; with off-the-beaten-track views that not too many motorcyclists get to see, I suspect ... but ..

... 'tis their loss.