River Head Forest Explore - A Rogeys Gravel Rash Adventure.

Saturday morning I headed off to join 40 other riders and the Northern Gravel riders club for an explore around the threstricted access  into River Head forest.  It was  wee bit chilly, but with the linings in the paints and jacket, the heated gloves on, and wearing two pairs of thermals it felt just like summer in Oregon.....(Sorry Brad and Brandy, couldn't resist, besides I needed to pick on some one else besides Geoff for a change)

First I meet Andy at that classic American icon of gourmet food "McDonalds".   Fellow IAM rider, mate, and serious nutcase on a dirt bike, who after much encouragement from me has got himself a great little DRZ 400, which he rides with the same finesse as his K1200!  He has just added the larger tank and slip on, as well as other farkles to it, so it was a good opportunity to get together on our own and talk  about....umm.....bikes.  

Very nice slip on.

Then we headed down the road to the meeting point.  From their it was only a short ride to the entrance of the forest.  There were a lot of challenge sections organised for this ride and a lot of pure trail riders were in attendance on KTMs and small dirt bikes.   I did one challenge section, other wise stuck to the gravel roads and tracks.  Now that I have had the GS for 9 months I am beginning to realise the type of riding that I really enjoy.  

Apart from the fact the GS is a we bit big for hardcore trail riding, it is not something I feel very confident at anyway.    I am sure a more skilled rider than myself would have no trouble taking it through trails but not for me.    I do very much enjoy the gravel roads and where they take us.  

Andy ripping it up.

Allan puttig his 1200GSa through the mud.

ME!

Riding through this was fun.

The last challenge section proved to be the most tricky with many of the bikes having to turn around due to the mud, narrowness and  challenge of it.  Unfortunately one of the guys had a we incident and broke his ankle.   This held up our exit a we bit from the forest, but the guys got him and his bike out OK.

The exit from one of the challenge sections, it was very steep and slippery.

After we left the forest we headed to Cycle Spot Euro for a lunch they had organised which was excellent.  They also sponsor the club as well.

It was a very enjoyable day with great company.  In a few weeks time they will be having a training day in the forest which I am looking forward to attending very much.

Gay Marriage?

It is very rare that my blog varies from motorcycling content, and I very rarely use if for social commentary. The main reason for that is that I tend to be a bit of a fence sitter when it comes to most topics.  It annoys me that I am like that , but most of the time I can always see both sides of the story...and therefore struggle to form a hard and fast opinion from just one view point.

And on this particular topic I am the same, I am neither for or against it.  To those that know me this may come as a surprise.  But I am afraid it just doesn't bother me one way or the other. What I do find amusing and I do have an opinion about is those who oppose it based on "the Sanctity of Marriage" argument.

Allowing gay marriage would diminish the sanctity of marriage?  Really?  I find this one a bit hard to stomach. Why?

Several reasons really and here are a few...just a few....the list could go on forever.

Britney Spears...annulled after 24hours,

That stupid Kadashian women...... don't try to tell me that was love, just a money making scheme.

That presidential candidate from a few years back that was caught with a love child while his wife dealt with cancer....

Do I need to go on.....?

Those that claim the sanctity of marriage needs to be preserved, need to take a long and hard look at what dominates the crap that is E-Channel.


A marriage is only special and sacred if the two people in it keep it that way.  Does it matter then, if both people in that loving and committed marriage are of the same sex?

 In New Zealand we have Civil Unions, where upon entering into one, all the benefits  of a normal married couple are inherited. This include issues like immigration, social welfare and matrimonial property  But it is not marriage.  It is not called marriage.  It is different.


The values that  gay couples exhibit in their daily lives are often indistinguishable from those of their straight neighbors. They're loyal to their mates, are monogamous, devoted partners. They value and participate in family life, are committed to making their neighborhoods and communities safer and better places to live, and honor and abide by the law. Many make valuable contributions to their communities, serving on school boards, volunteering in community charities, and trying to be good citizens. In doing so, they take full advantage of their relationship to make not only their own lives better, but those of their neighbors as well. ..Scott Bidstrap

OK, so that is my view for a change....normal motorcycle mayhem and gravel rash adventures will resume on the next installment.

Taranaki Tunnel Ride.

First Monday in June in NZ is always a public holiday as we celebrate Queens birthday.  Of course you have to live in a country that is part of the Commonwealth to get this, and to be sure I think some countries even celebrate it in a different day.  It is the last long weekend for a few months, and months earlier I had organised to attend the Gravel Riders club Taranaki ride, organised by Henry from BMW Experience.

Saturdays destination was to be Awakino, North of New Plymouth.  The route would take us through a series of gravel and sealed roads down the coast, missing Raglan and taking in Kawhia for lunch.  Some of the gravel roads were to familiar to me from when I had done the Waitomo Ride .  For me it is great to start to get familiar with some of this area, when the opportunity arises I will be able to go back and explore in more detail.

The weather played along all day on the Saturday, no rain but coolest temperatures.  As we got close  to Kawhia for lunch I went to brake just before a corner, when I realised I had no rear brake.  Later on inspection I discovered the link from the rear foot pedal to the brake was missing, I was to ride the rest of the weekend with no rear brake.  h well , just have to get on with it.

A tunnel leading down to the beach. 

Terrific view.

The Tarankai area is fast becoming one of my favourite places to visit and explore, littered with historical sites and numerous tunnels, all link together by some fantastic roads.

The accommodation at the Awakino pub for the night was excellent, and the price of just $60 including dinner and breakfast ensured no complaints from me.

Henry.

The view from just north of Awakino

On Sunday we were to continue our exploring around the "Naki".  We were joined by a few more bikes and by the time we left there was a over 20 bikes.   It was just after we left that I had the incident.

My confidence for the rest of the day was well dented.  The wet roads, lack of rear brake, and general knock of confidence saw me at the back of the pack for most of the morning.  After lunch I decided to bake away with Sue and leave the others.   We set  out and explored a few back roads ourselves.  I really enjoyed this.  I was able to relax, with out the pressure of riding with a big group and just get my confidence back.  It was a most enjoyable experience.  We discovered a few back roads and even bumped into another explorer on a KTM.  Sometimes you just have to take a backward step to move forward.

Accommodation on Sunday night was superb, and all negotiated by Henry for just $80 including dinner and full brekkie.....this adventure riding sure is hard work.  The New Plymouth international is a first rate motel and well worth the stay.

Sunday morning and the others were heading off for more exploring.  It was time for me to head back to Auckland as the kids were due to arrive later in the afternoon.

The ride home was eventful in itself with plenty of fog and wet roads to contend with.  I was having real issues at one stage seeing even a hundred meters infront of me.  It wasn't till I got to Pio Pio that it all cleared and  the rest of the ride home was quiet.

Now for those that think I abandoned Terry and went riding, well that is true, but before I left I cooked him a batch of shortbread, 2 batches of chocolate chip cookies and a tray of fudge........

One of those Moments.

The weekend just gone was a long weekend here in NZ, and I went away for the weekend with the Gravel riders club.  I will post up a blog about the weekend in the next few days, but first I will share one the most scariest moment I have ever had on a motorbike.

Because we are coming into winter I wanted to replace the Tourence tyre on the back of the GS with a knobbly.  With the prospect of dealing with more mud and slush in the coming months I thought it would be a good move.  I realise of course that I will sacrifice some on road performance.

So a couple of weeks ago I did just that.  My first experience with riding on knobblies was the last weekend with Andy where we did some exploring around Tuakau and on the beach at port Waikato.  I certainly enjoyed having the knobbly on the back as well a the front as the back of the bike did not move around as much and I seemed to get more drive through in the soft stuff.

Anyway, enough waffle and fast forward to Sunday.  We pulled out of Awakino where we had been staying for the night and headed south where we would explore some of the gravel roads around New Plymouth etc.  

As we pulled out it had began to rain quite heavy, we had only travelled about ten kms when I rode over some shiny and very wet seal, I was doing about 110kms and was feeling more than comfortable.  Suddenly the bike began to rev and before I knew it the back of the bike lost traction and began to fish tail violently to the left and right.  The back end slide continued for what felt forever.   In that brief moment where time stands still I wondered how hard the tarseal was going to be when I hit it.......I was sure I was about to be high sided, in fact that was exactly what was happening.  There was really nothing I could do but hang on and wait for the inevitable dumping......and then as quickly as it happened the bike caught traction again and straightened.  

I have had moments before on a bike but this one would of been the scariest, it was not a tank slapper but a complete loss of traction.  I seriously thought my biking days were over.....

Steve who was following me said he was sure I was a gonnna and couldn't believe how I never got thrown off,  in his words "one of the scariest things I have ever seen on a bike in front of me".

My confidence took a huge hit for the rest of the day, and later after lunch I pulled away from the group with another person and rode a slow and steady ride for the rest of the day.  Conditions in the afternoon improved but the conditions in the morning as well as the roads we were riding was some of the most unnerving I had ever ridden.   Ironically the knobbly was worth its weight in gold on the gravel and mud we later rode...but I have learnt a very harsh lesson and introduction to the difference from road tyres to dirt.....

In the dry the TKC 80s are not bad, but I in the wet caution is a must....

I am off to wash my underware now.

Did you know.......?

No this is not just any ordinary video.

The sound track is written and recorded by me.   I actually have a EP out, didn't exactly take off....still waiting for a call from Sony!   Still who cares, it was a lot  of fun although I don't play and write songs as much as I use to.  Believe it or not one of my songs actually got played on the radio, TWICE.

So as I did last night I have added  a few pics to my song and this is the result.  Ironically the song is called mud, and was written well before I was into adventure riding.  Be warned i am not the best singer...so listen at your own risk!

Playing...

Just a few pics I have put together off some of the adventures on GS.

Three Bloggers.

As many if you will be aware NZ has been blessed by the presence of well known international German/Canadian import and famous blogger Sonja.  Sonja has been in NZ on business and it was great to have caught up with her aseveral times over the last two weeks.  With only a few days left before her departure back to the land of the maple tree, Sonja organised to catch up with that other well known and international blogger/superstar, humanitarian and cat lover Geoff James.  So me of course always being up for a free feed and good wine decided I would tag along and gate crash their party at Geoff and Jennies lovely retirement village in the picturesque Coromandel. (Will probably get in the shit with Jennie for that one)

Heading off from Auckland early Friday afternoon ensured I had a nice relaxed ride down to Thames.  Getting into Thames well ahead of schedule  I realized that if I get to Geoff's too early I will probably finish the first bottle of wine before Sonja even arrives.   I decided it would be better if I took the long route around the coast, pass Whitianga and over the hill to Coro.  Adding another nice 80kms of twisty and wonderful roads to my Friday afternoon.

I enjoyed the ride but encountered a lot of sun strike which kept my speeds down and my observation skills on high alert. The sun was setting and I was greeted to the most amazing views.

The view from the "Village"

I got to Geoff 7 Jennie's a good hour before Sonja (around 6), where Geoff kindly offered me a coffee....which I polity declined and suggested a more refreshing drop was  the order of the night! So we cracked open a wine and talked about cats till Sonja arrived.  Seriously Geoff's cat Annie is obsessed with him... don't ask me why, cant see the appeal myself.

A great evening of freshly caught snapper, fresh greens and delicious home made pie (I think it was pecan). Three bloggers brought together by the love of a common interest and a passion for friendship.  Great laughs  and companionship.  Truly one of life's great pleasures.

Saturday morning and in the true kiwi spirit Geoff threw Sonja the keys to his Triple and we headed off over the hill to look at Whangapoua and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula. We caught up with Geoff 's mate Steve before Geoff and Sonja swapped places and I followed Geoff back to Coro, meanwhile Sonja was seeing what Jennie's MX5 was made off on the tight and twisty Coro hill.

Whangapoua

Here we are...

Sonja about to thrash the MX5

After grabbing some freshly smoked fish and mussels from the Coromandel Smoked fish company, I said my farewells to Sonja.  It had been a delight. I was so pleased for the opportunity to have met her, and show her some of the sights that I rave about constantly here on my blog, and develop a friendship which will last for years.  (Got to feed her some great kiwi grub as well).