There was a Cape to Cape ride in '97, I did it on me XR400. Started at Te Araroa and went through to Taupo the first day and then through to Cape Egmont on Day Two. Johnny and I did summat in excess of 1700 kays on our trail bikes in three days my arse was pretty sore as I recall. We got stopped by armed cops outside Taumaranui on the Sunday - it was the day of the Raurimu Shootings...
Was that the one that Henry P hit a car Waikarimoana. Had all this green stuff on him aparently. Thought it was out of his head.:eek1 Green Powerade from camelback
Will keep a close eye on post, opening sailing weekend same weekend so will have to flip the coin closer to the day. Sounds like a ripper tho.
Okay folks, time for a bit of an update. We have a basic route layed out. Colin's been busy on his computer on Basecamp and it's spat some distances out. Our plan A is Cape Egmont to Whakatane on day one and Whakatane to East Cape via Motu then back to Whakatane on day 2. Day 1 mileage would be around 560km plus your accomodation to the start distance. Day 2 around 550 km. So plan A involves big days. We will provide a GPS file so you can travel at your own pace and should you want to, can take an easier( main road ) So what's plan B. making the days shorter and taking an extra 1/2 day to do it and taking the Tuesday off work to get home. For those that have expressed interest in this ride, what do you reckon ?
Hi Steve. Whakaatane - Opotiki - Motu - then head north to East Cape via back roads. After East Cape carry on around the coast back to Whakatane.
so from Motu u mean carry on towards Gisboring via Whakarau Road, SH2 (aka Matawai Road ) Back Ormond Road, Waimata Valley road, Hokoroa Road, Tauwhareparae Road, Fernside Road, Mata Road . (now unsure if u can thru to Tuakau Road ) or you have to head back out to coast to SH35. Can Pete from Gizzy telll us (have sent Pete from Gizzy a message) If you can you then go onto Ihungia Road and come out just west of Waipiro Bay sth of Ruatoria -------------------------------------- Motu u mean carry on towards Gisboring via Whakarau Road, SH2 (aka Matawai Road ) Back Ormond Road, Waimata Valley road, Hokoroa Road, Tauwhareparae Road, I have done this bit and all ok. was a bit of logging going on up here from Waimata Valley road, Hokoroa Road, Tauwhareparae Road,
Bearing in mind this is a Cape to Cape ride, the distance for day 1 wont include the distance you will need to ride to get to Cape Egmont. As Phil has said these will be big days. Day two is pretty much as Steve said (pending confirmation the roads are passable). Returning either to Whakatane or Opotiki. Officially the ride will end at East Cape. Fuel stops will be an issue for some. 91 fuel is avaliable at Bennydale and a few places around the coast. Some bikes may need to carry or divert for fuel along the route. We will most likely run this as a GPS file ride. Riders will be able to ride at their own pace and indeed even choose their own route. Its the start point and finish point that matter after all. How much adventure you choose to have in between is entirely up to the individual.
No SH 38. While its a neat ride we want to go through Motu as its done less often, well, by us anyway. And it's a neat ride too.
problem going thru SH38 is past the Murapara end towards SH5 and if ya turn down Goudies and Plateau Road and head down that way its like going to the southern states of the USA. Can here banjo music playing. Locals got 6 fingers and webbed feet
One of the problems with 38 was tying it in with accomodation. Currently we are looking at the roads around the northern sides of the lakes then as stated the Motu and that whakawhateveritscalled road. As stated the start and finish are the only bits set in concrete. If riders choose they can ride 38, hell they can do the whole thing tarseal if they want. All that aside lets remember a simple thing. From East Cape, we have to come home somehow
If the weather is good that weekend & I end up going up for the ride I would prob look at cruising back down from Gisborne. Is the road back up to Whakatane quite cool? I would prob be taking some tarseal shortcuts too if it was getting late for my milo.
The locals looked after Jatz OK when he broke down on the DR 350 in there. Mind you, he's never spoken of that night in the Urewera's
The road from East Cape in either direction is great riding. The inland road from Gisborne to Wairoa is brilliant. Our route on either day has several options to get on the tarseal and cover some ground.
Thanks for the reminder Phil ..... Guess I'll have to go back to therapy now :eek1 There is some nice riding when heading south from east cape. I got from Tokomaru bay to the 2:30 ferry with a bit of sight seeing on route earlier this year, mind you I wasn't mucking about when on the bike Out towards the coast south of Hastings is pretty good too, Route 52 is a mint bit of seal if you have to "press on"
I will be a starter: contingent on work obligations ~ This is our busy time of the year with farmers.....
Yep, I'm pretty sure Tuakau is the one i'm thinking of. Yep, that's it. You can get all the way from Waimata Valley Road through to Ihungia and Pop out Just north of Tepuia (near Waipiro Bay) without coming back out to the highway). Mata road used to join up with Ihungia, but a section of the road is now officially closed from the intersection of Mata/Tuakau .