Time to ride home!
As mentioned earlier, I am not much of a pack animal. Most of the things in life I tend to do alone. So also bike riding. It is after all an solitary experience even when riding in a group. But even so, riding totally alone is my preferred way of doing it. I had therefore decided that I would ride home from Bream Bay to Napier alone. And I was looking forward to it too after a week of riding in a group.
I packed up my gear and got some contact details and gave out mine too. Then I said bye to the ones still there, started the K1 and rode out from the camping. And got lost... But after asking for directions of a nice old lady with purple hair I found the SH1 and I was on my way to Hawke's Bay.
The trip in it self was a non-event. There was the normal tailgaters who decided they would overtake me come hell or high water. So I allowed them to, only to pass them very soon as they got stuck in traffic...
I stopped at BP Connect in Takanini and noticed a big group of bike riders with a NZ bikers group flag flying high. Might have been a Sunday ride or a show of strength or something. I had a cuppa and a pie and took off. I had not seen any of them at the White Ribbon Ride and I was not really interested in their cause as I had had enuf of that for a while.
I enjoyed the ride and all was going really well. As I rode the new bypass past Taupo I turned on to the Taupo-Napier highway. There was not much traffic and I was riding in the sun on the long straights. The motor was happily humming below me and I was not speeding. One car came towards me on a loooong straight. (No other vehicles on that piece of road at that time) I did not even look at the car...until it was too late. He pulled on to the side, turned on his flashing lights and did a U-Turn. As there was nobody else on the road than him and me there was not much wondering needed to figure out who he was coming for, So I stopped and waited for him to tell me what his issue was.
He stepped out of the car and told me I had been doing 115k/h. "Ooopppsss..." I said. "I was sure I kept in under 110k/h all the time". "Nope" he said. I clocked you at one stage at 115..." It was after all close to end of the month and clearly he was a few tickets short of his quota. So I was not gonna argue. And as you might remember, my license was still in Hastings... He gave me a $80 fine for the speed but told me he would not fine me for not having the license on me. Good. That means I am still below 100 demerits....just.
Got home after just over 6 hours riding, so not bad. But the tiredness hit me now when I could fully relax.
I had done 3,225Km's since I left home Saturday a week ago.
Will add one more installment to this blog re me reflecting on the whole ride and what I took out of it. But will do that tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Day Eight (Saturday 27 November)
This day will be the Bream Bay ride and I think there is a show too where bikes and cars will be displayed. I have never been to it so it will be something new. But with Fridays acident still very fresh in my mind I am not sure how I will take riding in the group, and if I even will do it? We will find out.
Here the Bream Bay ride and show info:
Bream Bay Community Support Trust
Powhiri (welcome) at Bream Bay Support Trust 1pm, Takutai Place Ruakaka. November 26 2010
Departs : from Bream Bay Trust for Mangawhai Domain 10:30am Saturday 27 November
Arrive : Back at Bream Trust 1pm for prizes and entertainment.
Entry Fee: Food Vouchers or Non Perishable food – all proceeds to Womens Refuge.
This is written on Tuesday 30 November from home. I have now had time to catch up on all the things that were left waiting while I went out riding.
So to Saturday 27 (Day Eight).
This was a relaxed morning. Nobody woke us up at 5am. We actually were able to climb out of bed our self. Brekfast and ready to ride at 8am. But we rode back to the site for the days show at 10am. When we got there it was already hot and sunny. The stage was setup and had a big poster of Jack The Muss from the"What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" movie.
There was a little wait and more bikes turned up. I counted 100 bikes. We then had a brief and went for todays ride. It was not going to be a long one. Just to another White Ribbon event and back. We rode the backroads of below Whangarei and ended up at Mangawhai. Again we, the bikers, were the main attraction and some of the Patriots and Super Maori Fullas stepped up speak and challenge all to carry the ribbon for the whole year.
In New Zealand the bikes are for riding. Any customising is often to make the bike to handle better and so very seldom do we see any "real" customs (OK, you might see the American imported "customs", but I do not count them). Therefore any bikes that have that personal touch and is not put together by over the counter bits will stand out. Here one:
I refused any more bread and sausages and went for a icecream and a softdrink. There was a selection of prices given out and Raz got the one for the highest Apehangers. We stayed for approx an hour and then rode back.
As we turned up at the Beam Bay site things started to slowly happen there. Now there was slide and cars for the kids, performers on the stage and competitions going on. I had been given a ticket for a draw, but did not check it at I did not feel I was there to win but to promote the White Ribbon message and also part of the setup. There was not that much to do as all was in place, so I took my paper, a V can from my K1 (that I must say had been performing brilliantly for the whole ride and apart from the small clutch issue in Wellington nothing)
and I headed in to the shade under a tree at the further away side of the whole thing. I was happily sitting there reading my first paper in a week, drinking my can of V and eating allsorts and occasionally watchin the kids driving the small cars and hearing the adults telling them not to crash.
This was when the firebrigade started their demonstration. I must say I felt sorry for the guys dressed in all that heavy gear in the hot sun, but I suppose it is part of the job. Then they took out the "jaws of life" and in a few seconds chopped off the roof of a car and then the front seat. What an awsome tool!
As they started winding down their show I noticed that some of the White Ribbon Riders were taking kids and adults for rides around the footy field. There was a long line of hopefuls and four bikes doing the rides. I decided that there would be some that did not care if mine was not a HD, they would happily come for a ride. So I got the K1 and joined up. After 1/2 hour of rides and noticing that the same kids would get back in line and no new faces turning up, we closed the show. At that stage we had also taken a bride and groom plus bridesmates for a ride (there was a wedding happening at the rugby club). They were so happy with the additional bit to their wedding that they provided us with a big plate of seafood that had everything you could ask for, and some more. After finishing all that some decided it was time for a little siesta.
There was not much to do anymore. The Patriots had decided they would visit the local RSA but I did not really feel that it was where I wanted to go. And to my surprise neither did many others. So one of the trucks tailgate was made to become a makeshift table we could hang of, and some beers magically appeared. we spent until approx just after midnight sorting all the worlds problems until I decide it was time to call it a night.
It was a nice way to wind down and relax in the company of riders I had spent a week together with.
Todays riding was less than 100k.
Here the Bream Bay ride and show info:
Bream Bay Community Support Trust
White Ribbon Motorcycle & Classic Car Rally
Powhiri (welcome) at Bream Bay Support Trust 1pm, Takutai Place Ruakaka. November 26 2010Departs : from Bream Bay Trust for Mangawhai Domain 10:30am Saturday 27 November
Arrive : Back at Bream Trust 1pm for prizes and entertainment.
Entry Fee: Food Vouchers or Non Perishable food – all proceeds to Womens Refuge.
- This is an alcohol & drug free event
- No patches to be worn
- All bikes welcome
- Cars must be classic in origin /Hot Rod/or Modified
- Spot Prizes on the day for registered bikes & cars.
- Police Dog Display
- AOS Display
- Fire Brigade Display
- Harley Rides / Hot Rod Rides
- Food stalls
- Stand up comics
- Air Brush Display & much more
This is written on Tuesday 30 November from home. I have now had time to catch up on all the things that were left waiting while I went out riding.
So to Saturday 27 (Day Eight).
This was a relaxed morning. Nobody woke us up at 5am. We actually were able to climb out of bed our self. Brekfast and ready to ride at 8am. But we rode back to the site for the days show at 10am. When we got there it was already hot and sunny. The stage was setup and had a big poster of Jack The Muss from the"What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" movie.
There was a little wait and more bikes turned up. I counted 100 bikes. We then had a brief and went for todays ride. It was not going to be a long one. Just to another White Ribbon event and back. We rode the backroads of below Whangarei and ended up at Mangawhai. Again we, the bikers, were the main attraction and some of the Patriots and Super Maori Fullas stepped up speak and challenge all to carry the ribbon for the whole year.
In New Zealand the bikes are for riding. Any customising is often to make the bike to handle better and so very seldom do we see any "real" customs (OK, you might see the American imported "customs", but I do not count them). Therefore any bikes that have that personal touch and is not put together by over the counter bits will stand out. Here one:
I refused any more bread and sausages and went for a icecream and a softdrink. There was a selection of prices given out and Raz got the one for the highest Apehangers. We stayed for approx an hour and then rode back.
As we turned up at the Beam Bay site things started to slowly happen there. Now there was slide and cars for the kids, performers on the stage and competitions going on. I had been given a ticket for a draw, but did not check it at I did not feel I was there to win but to promote the White Ribbon message and also part of the setup. There was not that much to do as all was in place, so I took my paper, a V can from my K1 (that I must say had been performing brilliantly for the whole ride and apart from the small clutch issue in Wellington nothing)
This was when the firebrigade started their demonstration. I must say I felt sorry for the guys dressed in all that heavy gear in the hot sun, but I suppose it is part of the job. Then they took out the "jaws of life" and in a few seconds chopped off the roof of a car and then the front seat. What an awsome tool!
As they started winding down their show I noticed that some of the White Ribbon Riders were taking kids and adults for rides around the footy field. There was a long line of hopefuls and four bikes doing the rides. I decided that there would be some that did not care if mine was not a HD, they would happily come for a ride. So I got the K1 and joined up. After 1/2 hour of rides and noticing that the same kids would get back in line and no new faces turning up, we closed the show. At that stage we had also taken a bride and groom plus bridesmates for a ride (there was a wedding happening at the rugby club). They were so happy with the additional bit to their wedding that they provided us with a big plate of seafood that had everything you could ask for, and some more. After finishing all that some decided it was time for a little siesta.
By now the festivities had started to wind down and the only thing left was the auction of stuff to create some funds. We decided this was the time we had completed all our duties and a cold one was what was needed. We took our bikes and were guided to the local where we sat in the garden bar relaxing and talking about the week gone.
The two female riders
Then we were guided back to the camp (it is a well hidden secret and even if I had been there for the night I would have struggled to find the place again) by two female riders who knew how to handle their bikes!
We took a different route to the one last used and passed by a yellow sand beach where the road went between the houses and the beach. I decided this would be a perfect place to retire!
Back at the camp it soon was dinner time and the ladies again blew me away with their cooking skills. As I knew that many were leaving this evening and others early in the morning, I spoke to the Patriots asking them if this was not the time to hold the "thank you" speeches. Clearly they agreed as soon after this happened. I stood up on behalf of all the support riders and thanked The Super Maori Fullas for their passion and commitment to the cause, the Patriots for keeping us safe on the road, all my fellow support riders and also the hundred of people I had met o the road who had provided food, places to stay, encouragement and support. (I told everyone I would steal a minute of their time, but when I sat back down I was told that I still had 15 seconds left. considering that I can hold 5 hour monologues I did bloody well...)
Stacey the truck driver and a 9yo boy who liked me as I had promised he could use my laptop to stp him being bored and allow him to get on the net.
There was not much to do anymore. The Patriots had decided they would visit the local RSA but I did not really feel that it was where I wanted to go. And to my surprise neither did many others. So one of the trucks tailgate was made to become a makeshift table we could hang of, and some beers magically appeared. we spent until approx just after midnight sorting all the worlds problems until I decide it was time to call it a night.
It was a nice way to wind down and relax in the company of riders I had spent a week together with.
Todays riding was less than 100k.
Day Seven ( Friday 26 November)
When writing this we are now at BP Dairy Flats waiting for the days ride to start. The White Ribbon Ride has officially ended. Many of the ones who were part of it are still taking part in todays ride and also in tomorrows one. But some of the guys have already ridden home. I was seriously considering that too. I miss my boys heaps and also my home with all where I know where it is. Have showers when I want, a beer, work on my stuff and just chill.
But I knew all this when I "signed up". And it has been and still is a awsum experience. I will after all this do a synopsy (I think it is called???) re all this and give my view and what I took out of it all. After all this is my blog re the ride and not an official one. So I can write what I want (and I do...)
Woke up at 7am at the Manukau Top 10 camp we were staying. Had a cuppa and packed and we were away at 8am.
This days ride will start at 11.30. One hour away, so I will update Thursday and Friday a little but will come back to them later today and also do spelling mistake corrections.
There is now approx 40 bikes here. From last years experience we are expecting all up approx 100. The White Ribbon Ride officially ended yesterday, but as we are riding the Bream Bay Ride tomorrow it has become a custom (if you can call 2 years that?) to have a "Transission" ride between the two. So as the ride has no real name lets come up with one. How bout "Ribbon Reflection Ride"...
We had a visitor... Don't think he planned this: Smitty the politician in his white "company" car! Will add the pic here later.
It is now 5.30pm and we are at the camp ( Marsden Christian Camp ) after having had one last visit to a meeting house ( Amokura, Family Violence Prevention Consortium) run by Phil Paikea an ex gang member who is working hard to make a difference in this small community of Ruakaka/Bream Bay/Marsden Point.
But sadly something else will overshadow all this. We have a rider down. A chap from up north came to ride in the last days ride and was collected by a tanker truck at the intersection of SH 1 and SH 12 at Brynderwyn. At this stage we do not know how badly he is injured, but it sounds bad. The ride had turned off to Maungaturoto and he was coming past a little after everyone else. Of some reason he went straight ahead and in to the tanker that was halfway across the crossing. I will not speculate on what happened but when we came back to carry on up SH1 we passed the accident and it did not look good. To tell tre truth it shook me badly. The tanker was still halfway through it's turn and the blue bike still lying where he smashed in to the tanker. Would have been a very instant stop.
UPDATE: The rider is in hospital and has a broken pelvis and will recover! That is good news!
On the ride up I had, together with a few others, passed some slow riders. We were told not to do this at the pre-brief. But as the main ride disappered up the road and we were held back, we passed and raced to catch up. We did so and then carried on with the ride. I can just imagine how this would have felt for the rider who, I realised later, was a old chap on a silver Gold Wing (I think?) clearly coming to show his support and enjoy the ride. I planned to go and apologise to him as I felt bad re the passing. But never got round to it. Obviously this did not have anything to do with the accident and neither he or the ones who passed him was in an accident. But it made me feel a little uncomfy to put him through this. And to then have the accident on top of this really took the wind out of me. I was for a while contemplating riding home as I had enough. I am someone who rides alone. This whole week I have been riding with others for the cause. And even if I can not fault the Patriots for the way they have handled it all, I still do not like the riding in a group. (In fact just before the accident I had pulled to the side and waited for all to pass and thne I followed the ride at a few hundred meters distance. There was an instant feeling of relief and ability to breathe. Yep, clearly I have had enough for a while of others close to me.
We arrived in a very sober moode at the Consortiums building and were greeted by Phil and his group. A determined bunch they are! They had been working hard for the community and working on their building. Then it burned down! But never give up, and now they have a brand new building with all modern comms including under floor heating and air conditioning.. Thou up here I wonder what you do with heating up here?
After the welcome and a cuppa some more drama: Raz was accused of causing the accident!! This was absurd as he and Willie rode past the accident place 30 seconds before it happened. This caused some stirr and Raz took off. Once all the missunderstanding was sorted a search party was sent out to get him back. They went towards Auckland... little did they know that Raz was on his way up to Cape Reinga. Somehow Wllie and Mahu figured that out and rode up and found him. They were back at the Christian camp where we are staying at approx 1am. Mahu had also managed to help a mum who had been kicked out from her house and was wandering the streets in bare feet and not much else. The police stopped as the boys did look suspicious and so she was handed over to them, but not before she had been given what change the boys had, some drink and chocolate bars.
We are staying at the Tree Point Christian Camp. The looong water slide was in full use by the riders. The food that the ladies prepared for us was first class (we even got oysters and pudding!), so the least we could do was to wash and drie all the dishes!
I also counted the bikes that were part of the ride. I came to 50. They were hoping for a little more, but as Saturday is the real Bream Bay ride I think that is when everyone will turn up.
Today was not a too tiresome day as we got started at 8am. So I have started to catch up on some sleep. I also went to bed at approx 11pm, so all well.
Today we did ride 250 KM's.
But I knew all this when I "signed up". And it has been and still is a awsum experience. I will after all this do a synopsy (I think it is called???) re all this and give my view and what I took out of it all. After all this is my blog re the ride and not an official one. So I can write what I want (and I do...)
Woke up at 7am at the Manukau Top 10 camp we were staying. Had a cuppa and packed and we were away at 8am.
This days ride will start at 11.30. One hour away, so I will update Thursday and Friday a little but will come back to them later today and also do spelling mistake corrections.
There is now approx 40 bikes here. From last years experience we are expecting all up approx 100. The White Ribbon Ride officially ended yesterday, but as we are riding the Bream Bay Ride tomorrow it has become a custom (if you can call 2 years that?) to have a "Transission" ride between the two. So as the ride has no real name lets come up with one. How bout "Ribbon Reflection Ride"...
We had a visitor... Don't think he planned this: Smitty the politician in his white "company" car! Will add the pic here later.
It is now 5.30pm and we are at the camp ( Marsden Christian Camp ) after having had one last visit to a meeting house ( Amokura, Family Violence Prevention Consortium) run by Phil Paikea an ex gang member who is working hard to make a difference in this small community of Ruakaka/Bream Bay/Marsden Point.
But sadly something else will overshadow all this. We have a rider down. A chap from up north came to ride in the last days ride and was collected by a tanker truck at the intersection of SH 1 and SH 12 at Brynderwyn. At this stage we do not know how badly he is injured, but it sounds bad. The ride had turned off to Maungaturoto and he was coming past a little after everyone else. Of some reason he went straight ahead and in to the tanker that was halfway across the crossing. I will not speculate on what happened but when we came back to carry on up SH1 we passed the accident and it did not look good. To tell tre truth it shook me badly. The tanker was still halfway through it's turn and the blue bike still lying where he smashed in to the tanker. Would have been a very instant stop.
UPDATE: The rider is in hospital and has a broken pelvis and will recover! That is good news!
Maungaturoto
On the ride up I had, together with a few others, passed some slow riders. We were told not to do this at the pre-brief. But as the main ride disappered up the road and we were held back, we passed and raced to catch up. We did so and then carried on with the ride. I can just imagine how this would have felt for the rider who, I realised later, was a old chap on a silver Gold Wing (I think?) clearly coming to show his support and enjoy the ride. I planned to go and apologise to him as I felt bad re the passing. But never got round to it. Obviously this did not have anything to do with the accident and neither he or the ones who passed him was in an accident. But it made me feel a little uncomfy to put him through this. And to then have the accident on top of this really took the wind out of me. I was for a while contemplating riding home as I had enough. I am someone who rides alone. This whole week I have been riding with others for the cause. And even if I can not fault the Patriots for the way they have handled it all, I still do not like the riding in a group. (In fact just before the accident I had pulled to the side and waited for all to pass and thne I followed the ride at a few hundred meters distance. There was an instant feeling of relief and ability to breathe. Yep, clearly I have had enough for a while of others close to me.
We arrived in a very sober moode at the Consortiums building and were greeted by Phil and his group. A determined bunch they are! They had been working hard for the community and working on their building. Then it burned down! But never give up, and now they have a brand new building with all modern comms including under floor heating and air conditioning.. Thou up here I wonder what you do with heating up here?
After the welcome and a cuppa some more drama: Raz was accused of causing the accident!! This was absurd as he and Willie rode past the accident place 30 seconds before it happened. This caused some stirr and Raz took off. Once all the missunderstanding was sorted a search party was sent out to get him back. They went towards Auckland... little did they know that Raz was on his way up to Cape Reinga. Somehow Wllie and Mahu figured that out and rode up and found him. They were back at the Christian camp where we are staying at approx 1am. Mahu had also managed to help a mum who had been kicked out from her house and was wandering the streets in bare feet and not much else. The police stopped as the boys did look suspicious and so she was handed over to them, but not before she had been given what change the boys had, some drink and chocolate bars.
We are staying at the Tree Point Christian Camp. The looong water slide was in full use by the riders. The food that the ladies prepared for us was first class (we even got oysters and pudding!), so the least we could do was to wash and drie all the dishes!
I also counted the bikes that were part of the ride. I came to 50. They were hoping for a little more, but as Saturday is the real Bream Bay ride I think that is when everyone will turn up.
Today was not a too tiresome day as we got started at 8am. So I have started to catch up on some sleep. I also went to bed at approx 11pm, so all well.
Today we did ride 250 KM's.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day Six (Thursday 25 November)
This is the "real" White Ribbon Day. We will be in Thames and then in Auckland.
| Travel Time | Distance | Departing | Arriving | ||||
| 0645 > 0845 | 132km | Pacific Park Christian Holiday Camp 1110 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa Beach, 07 542 0018 | | Rider meeting point at Kopu Station Hotel, 1 Kopu Road, Kopu, Thames, to travel to event at Danby Field | |||
| 1025 > 1130 | 82km | Danby Field, Queen St, Thames | | Rider meeting and briefing point, Bombay Motorway Service Centre | |||
| 1145 > 1205 | 14km | Bombay Motorway Service Centre | | Event at Westfield Manukau Shopping Centre, Great South and Wiri Station Roads, Manukau | |||
| 1430 > 1510 | 33km | Westfield Manukau Shopping Centre, Great South and Wiri Station Roads, Manukau | | Event in Town Square, Pukekohe | |||
| 1730 > 1810 | 33km | Town Square, Pukekohe | | Accommodation at Manukau Top 10 Holiday Park, 902 Great South Road, Manurewa, 09 266 8016 | |||
Early wakeup (but getting used to it, just hope I can change back to my old ways later...). Had a nice bed but ended up sleeping on the sofa. All well. Found a can of V in the side pack of the bike so all systems go!
We rode to Betlehem just north of Tauranga where we waited for all other riders to turn up for this leg. A pie and a drink and we were away at 7am.
We took some backroads past Waihi that I have not ridden before. Apperently we cut 10 minutes from the ride. A stop at the Paeroa bottle and we headed for Thames
Next stop Bombay hill BP. This is where we meet up with the West Wind and also with any riders wanting to ride with us today. Suddenly we are approx 100 bikes. The West Wind will travel to West Auckland for the days activities and we, the East Wind, will do Manukau City. Heaps of cars on the motorway. I do not miss Auckland at all!!!
A cpuple of the riders ride off to get new tyres or punctures sorted and will catch up in Manukau City.
Mahus rear tyre (there is a screw...)
As it is now 25'th and the actual White Ribbon Day the events today are the focus and have a fraction higher empasis on them.
We park in the shopping centre and wait for what the plan is. Confusion is the plan it seems... One of the Patriots walk around tapping some riders on their shoulders. Then he pronounces: The ones who's shoulder I have touched will ride to the event and will park in a sertain way, then take celebrities for a ride. I was not to be part of them. A moment later: Who wants to ride there and take a celeb for a ride? I am asked if I want to. My answer (with tounge in cheek): Touch my shoulder otherwise I will not do it... ;-)
We ride to the other side of the complex and park up. The day is hot and we are given water, a packed lunch. We are treated to some nice singing and a MC with an american accent. The new Auckland Mayor talks to us and tries hard... and there is more half celebrities getting up. Then we take people for a ride round the Manukau City Centre. Of some reason I end up first with my pillion on behind. I come up to a police who directs me to the main road. I ride to the next red light with others following me, but figure that this is not right, so I turn back in to the parking where a police is red in face and waving and cursing. not my fault! I was just doing what I was told and following directions (crappy ones it seems...). Anyhow, no harm done and we ride once around then park up again.
From here we travel to Pukekohe where we are part of the White Ribbon message and stop and talk to passers by.
We give out all our last White Ribbons and I have a competition with a 20'sh chap who can do most. He grabs a whole class of highschool girls at once. Cheater! I miss the opportunity to chat to a patched up gang member, but his wife/girlfriend comes over and signs the banner! This is also the first time I come across males who do not want a ribbon and tell us to f... off. Interesting!
Some cracks are starting to show after this. Everyone is tired, there has been heaps to have under controll, all have done their best. But we are talking about grown up men who, even if they have a big heart and are passionate re the non-violence message, still are bikers (with all thet it brings). There is confusion re where to next. Someone says I know, follow me. Others say: No, this is how we do it. Me, I just follow whatever. I am in Auckland and know the place well. No way to get lost. The main part of the group end up at a run down caravan park in Manukau. Wrong place. So we turn down Great South Road and travel a little south and find the right place.
Some heated discussions, but after a while all is sorted and we are all OK. I pull away from everyone (have really had enuf of people around me by now!!) and ride to Maccas for dinner. Then back to my cabin and some work on the puter.
350 Km's and on the home straight!!!
Day Five (Wednesday 24 November)
Sorry, running behind here. Let's see if I can get some done now.
| Travel Time | Distance | Departing | Arriving | ||||
| 0700 > 0705 | 1km | Inn Paradise, 13 Leith street, Gisborne, 06 8633504 | | Event at Gisborne Boys High School, 80 Stanley Rd, Gisborne | |||
| 0900 > 1100 | 140km | Gisborne Boys High School, 80 Stanley Rd, Gisborne | | Event in Main Street, 128 Church St, Opotiki | |||
| 1300 > 1345 | 45km | 128 Church St, Opotiki | | Event at James St School, James Street, Whakatane | |||
| 1515 > 1615 | 66km | James St School, James Street, Whakatane | | Event on Main St, Cnr Jocelyn & Jellicoe Sts, Te Puke | |||
| 1700 > 1715 | 12km | Main St, Te Puke | | Accommodation at Pacific Park Christian Holiday Camp 1110 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa Beach, 07 542 0018 | |||
Last night I was planning to stay at the House of Breakthrough where we would sleep on the stretchers from the trucks and be able to have the bikes inside. Perfect I thought. But Mahu was determined to get me to sleep at the motel. So I followed him there. We got lost a couple of times (never realised that Gisborne is quite spread out actually). In the end we got there and all was good. The three others in my cabin settled in for the night, but I had a MOE proposal to complete. I started work on it but at 1am I did run out of steam, so the plan is now to sort it out when at Papamoa tonight.
I put all gear I did not need for the ride in to the truck. figured there was no need for me to carry it on the bike. Should have sussed that out earlier! I also checked the oil level on the bike and realised it was below the glass so time to find some 4 stroke bike oil. How hard could it be I figured. We would leave at 7am to Gisborne Boys High School. I had 15 minutes to find oil. "No wurries" I thought. Right... After having visited Shell, Caltex, BP and Mobile and only finding 2 stroke oil and 4 stroke motor mower oil I came to the conclusion that all bikie gangs in Gizzy ride two smokers (or mowers...). I was running out of time (and as I had already had more than one "telling off" by the Patriots about my ability not to be on time and coming to briefings... I was determined to be on time! So I grabbed a litre of the most expensive car oil I could find at Shell and raced to the meeting point. As I arrived the briefing had just started (naughty boy!). I then poured in 1/2 a litre and we are back in business. (Normally I would not use car oil in a bike as car oils are not made for wet clutches, but 1/2 a litre should not do any harm. And I will have done the 5,000 Km's when back home since last oil change anyhow so she will need another one.
We rode to the Boys school where a big mobile BBQ was set up. As soon as we arrived it started to rain but only for a few minutes. The students started to arrive and we spoke with them promoting the White Ribbon Message. (At times I wonder about this all: We look like a bikie gang, we act like a bunch of religious nutters harrassing people and then we talk about women...). The students are in middle of their exams and at their age that is enough to keep them worried so they were not too interested in what we had to say. But the free sausages and bread went down well. I spoke with quite a few and asked them what they had for brekkie. 9 out of 10 said that they had nothing for brekkie... So I used my vast knowledge base and informed them that the brain uses 70% of the energy they have ion their body and if they have nothing to feed the brain with it will not function as good as it should. And considering that they need all the brain power they have to pass the exams it was clearly not a well thought through plan on their behalf. (Would have loved to compare their results from today with another day when nobody gave them anything to eat. Wonder if we could see a difference?) I also took the chance to pass on some of my secrets from passing exams:
1. Do all the questions you find easy first.
2. Do all the questions that do not require a lenghty explanation first.
3. Once you have done these and you feel comfortable that you have them right, check if you have over 1/2 of the questions completed. If you have that, then you have already passed the exam!! That means the pressure is off and you will find that suddenly you can answer some of the really tricky ones too!
4. If you have the time, answer every question even if you have no idea re the answer as who knows, you might pick up a point or two...
From here we headed towards Opotiki. A little rain on and off but no real problem. We hit Matawai, the highest spot on the the road and I was looking forward to the desend down following the Waioeka Gorge. But in the little village there was a serious police checkpoint. We were all pulled over (somehow I felt like they were there only to check up on us...very few cars were stopped and when some rain came the police disappered under their covers) and all bikes rego's and WOF was checked. If you remember, I told you that I would come back to my license and my visit to Hogged... Well, yesterday evening I had a text from Louise teling me that I had forgotten my license in the bike shop, and she now had it. I looked at the police. There was easily 6 - 8 of them, but they had no clear strategy and all of them were like ants over a sugar lump. So I figured that they would have no idea if anyone had checked my license. With this clear revelation in my head I promptly parked my bike and went to the shop to buy some V (had run out of my stack of them in the small pack boxes on the bike). From the shop I could see two of them eagerly fussing around my bike. But as I had rego and WOF and she was all sweet I know there would be no worries. Thou they had some issues with them and poked and prodded. (Could be the way the WOF was mounted to cover parts of the rego as I tend to put the rego on hold now and then after the new increase but keep the WOF up to date...) Anyhow, as they left to fuss over another bike I went back to the K1 and noticed that they had managed to rip open the WOF holder so I would now loose the sticker. Nice work constable! I opened one of my new V cans and had a sip, then I wiggled the tab off, used a phillips screwdriver to get the screw out that held the WOF, put the screw through the small hole in the tab, and screwed it back in. The tab now functioned as a oversized washer and I would not loose the WOF sticker. Suckers!!
It looked like that was their days work done and we carried on down towards the next destination. I love this road. It is challenging but has nice long sweepers and the road is good. A real pleasure to ride. And once again following Raz and Willy. Love riding behind these guys!
Once in Opotiki we realised that we were just in time! The parade against family violence had just started so we tagged on at the back and slowly moved with them. Cool!
Opotiki children
Opotiki
We did our normal things with the welcomes, the speeches, the waiata and then talking to people re White Ribbon. We are by now getting quite good at this! There are 20 of us here. Some left yesterday but we picked up a few new ones.
Off we ride again. This time to St James School in Whakatane. As we get closer it starts to rain. The rain is really heavy as we arrive and park the bikes. All kids are sitting under a roof in middle of their school yard, but we stand in the rain waiting for the welcome. We hear a teachers voice say: "Quiet children! We will not welcome the riders before you sit down and are quiet." And the rain keeps on falling... A couple minutes later the children are quiet enough and we are wet enough for the teachers to start the welcome.
We sit at the front of the children and watch the welcome. Speeches, haka's and waiatas. By now I have seen enough of them to know how it all functions. As 80% of this always is done in Maori and my Maori extends to a handful of words and some phrases I have picked up from a few movies, I have problems following it all. But I am more interested in the kids anyhow. And they have lost interest in the proceedings long before me. I turn around and look at them
We arrive at Te Puke and get lost again... (A town with one street and we get lost...) But soon figure out where we suppose to go. We are told that this is a "low key event" and our mission is to tie white ribbons around the trees on the main drag through town...
What a brilliant camp! A huge hot water spa is available for us. The cabins have heaps of space and beds. Widescreen TV's and all modern coms.
This is the last night I have to complete the MOE proposal and I give it my best shot. But at 2am I have to admit defeat. Not even half way there and I need info and stuff from work. I do what I very seldom do: I give up and decide not to complete the proposal. I send a email to my Childcare manager telling her I just could not get it done. Sorry! And so I crash on the sofa for 3 hours before it is time to start a new day.
Another long day and 300 KM's.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Day Four (Tuesday 23 November)
| Travel Time | Distance | Departing | Arriving | ||||
| 0700 > 0750 | 55km | Dannevirke Holiday Park, 29 George Street, Dannevirke | | Event at Youth & Whanau Resource Centre, 6 McCarthy Terrace, Waipukurau | |||
| 0830 > 0855 | 26km | Youth & Whanau Resource Centre, 6 McCarthy Terrace, Waipukurau | | Event at Te Aute College SH2 between Hastings and Waipawa | |||
| 1000 > 1030 | 27km | Te Aute College, SH2 between Hastings and Waipawa | | Event at Flaxmere College, Henderson Rd, Flaxmere, Hastings | |||
| 1130 > 1200 | 21km | Flaxmere College, Henderson Rd, Flaxmere, Hastings | | Event at Maraenui Shopping Centre, Geddis Avenue, Napier | |||
| 1330 > 1515 | 117km | Maraenui Shopping Centre, Geddis Avenue, Napier | | Event at Marine Parade, Wairoa | |||
| 1600 > 1730 | 100km | Marine Parade, Wairoa | | Event at House of Breakthrough carpark, Cnr Lytton and Ormond Rds, Gisborne | |||
| 1930 > 1935 | 4km | House of Breakthrough carpark, Cnr Lytton & Ormond Rds, Gisborne | | Accommodation at Inn Paradise, 13 Leith street, Gisborne 06 863 3504 | |||
After a good sleep (even if a fraction cold) the wakeup was 5.30 (again...). A shower and packing the gear and we are ready to roll at 7am. Greg from work and his sister had ridden down fron Hastings and join us. The ride is a fraction cold, but no rain. And as we cross the boarder in to Hawke's Bay it gets a few degrees warmer (Seriously!!). No coulds in the sky and getting warmer; I know I am getting closer to home!
As we come in to Waipukurau we pick up a few additional riders and we do a tiki-tour through the town before riding to the Youth and Whanau Resource Centre. We are warmly welcomed by a bunch of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly in the community making a difference. Approx 10 more riders come down from Hastings and join in, and suddenly we have over 30 bikes there. At 8am on a Tuesday this is not the norm and we get some spectators, but they are reluctant to join in. The small children sing for us before they go off to school and we have a cuppa and some scones. Nice!
Just before Waipukurau
In Waipukurau
Te Aute College
Next stop Flaxmere College. I was asked to ride in front of the group to show the way. I have always found the different ways in to Flaxmere confusing and really only use one of them. But as that one was on the wrong side and would have made the ride too long I had to take the southern one and hope I would figure it out as I did ride. Luckily I got my bearings very soon and we rode in to the College and also managed to get the Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, on to a bike for a short ride in to the school.
We were warmly greeted by Henare O'Keefe and four bikes rode in to the hall. More welcomes, hakas (what a difference between these and the Te Aute College ones!) and speeches. Again Mahu did him self proud with his speech and the way he comes across. I highly admire and respect him. What a champ!
Mahu at Flaxmere College
We arrived at Maraenui where Hilda was waiting for us. She is another champion that works tiredlessly in her community. She also knows everyone (and their kids) by first name there! Lovely woman!
Once I had everyone there I left to pick up Mahus new leather pants. (As we were at the Marae in Porirua his oilskin pants got stolen. He had not told anyone as he did not want this to colour all the good work they were doing. But I noticed that he was riding in a pair of black jeans. And Monday was not a warm day! So when I asked why, he told me. But did not want me to say it out loud. As I love the guy and all his work I offered to sponsor him a new pair of oilskin pants. But after some research i found that we did not have these in HB. So the next best was sourced: A pair of black leather pants from Pakistan... )I left to pick them up while all others stayed to do their stuff in the Maraenui centre.
Hogged in Onekawa had a pair that was perfect size for my mate Mahu. But when I got there I was told that they do not take credit cards, do not accept cheques or let anything out the door w/o payment. EFT-POS was fine. But I did not have enough on my card... what now? I told the owner who I was, why I needed the pants, I even showed him my drivers license (bad move, more re that later...). But no go. So I had him to ring my job and check who I was. Yep, they still remembered me! And so I organised for Louise to cash a cheque and bring the money to him. By now he had taken a little pity on me (and perhaps was looking forward to some food money...) and allowed me to ride away with the pants before he held the cash.
I put the pants under my bum and rode back to Maraenui where Mahu was soon happily showing all who wanted to see his new leather pants!
Maraenui
Once back I went around and spoke with people. I found a patched gang member who did not have a White Ribbon. I offered him one and he took it and fastened it on his vest stating: "I will carry this one with pride!"
I also spoke with the police and asked if they could give us an escort out to Bay View BP. They happily obliged and we left with a police car leading the way with lights and sirens on. Cool! There was now approx 20 riders. As we came in to Bay View (and the 70K/h area behind the police escort we passed a bunch of police cars and one of those fancy new speed camera vans with a camera both ways. Inside my helmet I was laughing out loud! That was the last i had planned when asking for the escort but realised that without the escort we would have been doing over 80k/h easily all 20 of us. Brilliant!!
Once we had tanked up at Bay View we headed for Wairoa. This is one of my alltime favorite roads in NZ. Challenging, fun, fast in places and the view is stunning. To our surprise we found that there was not too many cars/trucks on the road and we did good time.
Just outside Wairoa at Cafe 27 we were met by Jason, one of the organisers and also a Wairoa police constable. He is also a keen biker and would, together with his boss, ride with us to Gisborne.
The event was held on the grass between the Marine Parade and the river and to get there we had to ride under the bridge. No problems for the bikes. But Stacy, our young truck driver that we had borrowed from the Army, also wanted to bring the truck there. Not a good idea he found out as he got stuck under the bridge...
To get the truck free we all jumped on the back to lower it. This was enough to get Stacy to be able to reverse it out. But some damage was done to the rear of the roof. But straight away a panelbeater offered his services for free. So while we got on with the event, Stacey took the truck for fixing.
Wairoa has more than it's share of small town issues. There are the two rival gangs, the unemployment, the distance to anywhere, lack of income, alcohol, drugs and sadly violence. But there is also the dedicated team who work tiredlessly to help. Thou I was told that it is demoralising when as soon as they have managed to help someone there is two more new cases to work on. I do admire them. So committed to their communities!
As we left we rode to where the truck and Stacy was. As we waited for a few minutes I noticed a group of men watching us and the truck. I rode up to them for a chat and found them to be road workers that had ended their day and had a beer. I asked if they knew re the White Ribbon and yes they did, but no-one had one. So I offered the two I had left. Two guys took them and pinned them to their shirts, but I sensed it was not what each of them would have done. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall later to hear the discussions and the differing opinions...
We rode on towards Gisborne in the settimg sun. Still dry and warmish. We stopped just before Gisborne at a look out spot for a small rest and a photo opportunity. Many of the guys had never been on this road.
On to Gisborne and House of Breakthrough. By now I was running on reserve (no, not the bike, me). As we got there we were greated by performance, song and speeches. All well and fitting. But I had sort of run out of steam for it. So I focused on the dozen or so kids on the grass at the back climbing in the tree. We became good mates and had fun while all the adults listened to the performances. A little girl was cold and I lent her my leather jacket and she decided she was a bat. One boy wanted to show me how high he could climb and jump down from, I had to spin some around and we were playing tag and laughing. That was fun!
After we were treated to a good dinner with nice pudding. All happy! I had a good chat to the reverent of the place who told me how they had no government funding but were running small businesses to get funds and also accepted donations. The main focus is on working with youth and giving them a second chance. Impressive facilities! I then found that he would ride with us the next day! How cool is that!!
I was to stay at the site sleeping on one of the camp beds we had in the truck. But Mahu would not have it and organised for me to sleep in the motel. Nice!
That was another long day and 400 Km's KM's of riding. There was some tired faces around!
On to Gisborne and House of Breakthrough. By now I was running on reserve (no, not the bike, me). As we got there we were greated by performance, song and speeches. All well and fitting. But I had sort of run out of steam for it. So I focused on the dozen or so kids on the grass at the back climbing in the tree. We became good mates and had fun while all the adults listened to the performances. A little girl was cold and I lent her my leather jacket and she decided she was a bat. One boy wanted to show me how high he could climb and jump down from, I had to spin some around and we were playing tag and laughing. That was fun!
After we were treated to a good dinner with nice pudding. All happy! I had a good chat to the reverent of the place who told me how they had no government funding but were running small businesses to get funds and also accepted donations. The main focus is on working with youth and giving them a second chance. Impressive facilities! I then found that he would ride with us the next day! How cool is that!!
I was to stay at the site sleeping on one of the camp beds we had in the truck. But Mahu would not have it and organised for me to sleep in the motel. Nice!
That was another long day and 400 Km's KM's of riding. There was some tired faces around!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Day Three (Monday 22 November)
Ooopppssss... Did in my haste post the wrong schedule here. The one I am riding is the East Wind one (and not the West Wind one I posted). Have now corrected it and here it is. As I am from Napier and have been a big part of planning all the 5 Hawke's Bay stop-overs I want to see how it all works out. Plus the weather in HB has the bigger chance of sun...
| Travel Time | Distance | Departing | Arriving | ||||
| 0730 > 0800 | 21km | Maraeroa Marae, Waitangirua, Porirua | | Rider meeting point, Ballantrae Place | |||
| 0810 > 0815 | 1km | Ballantrae Place, gathering point for riders | | National Launch, Parliament Grounds, off Molesworth St, Wellington | |||
| 0900 > 0930 | 21km | Parliament Grounds | | Event at Te Rauparaha Park, Porirua | |||
| 1130 > 1330 | 97km | Te Rauparaha Park, Porirua | | Event at Makoura College, Makoura Rd, Masterton | |||
| 1430 > 1520 | 64km | Makoura College, Makoura Rd, Masterton | | Event in Town square outside Bissett Honda, Pahiatua | |||
| 1630 > 1710 | 43km | Town square, Pahiatua | | Event in Copenhagen Square, Cnr Gordon & High Sts, Dannevirke | |||
| 1830 > 1835 | 1km | Copenhagen Square, Dannevirke | | Accommodation at Dannevirke Holiday Park, 29 George Street, Dannevirke, 06 374 7625 | |||
As already stated in "Day Two" the wakeup was early. In fact before the sun got up. Army... Anyhow, all good, it allowed me to complete yesterdays blog this morning. Now to todays one:
We were served a top brekkie with everything a growing man needs (well, the only thing growing is my tummy...). We signed the banner and there was some speeches in the morning before we left for the Beehive and a chat with the Ministers.
Yesterday I also had my first issue with the bike on this trip: When we arrived at the Marae the clutch suddenly would not engage properly and kept slipping badly. When I parked at the Marae I found that some stones had flown up under the clutch arm over the gearbox. Clean out and she was sorted.
Ric (YMCA National CEO) held the briefing and lost everyone after "When you ride out from here, turn left..." And apart from a rider who dropped his Triumph when he turned left on to the road, we all got away safely (He was also OK and after a helping hand he was back with us, I had a look at his bike later and could not really see any marks, so all good, only his pride dented). We rode in Wellington rush hour and I was glad I had fixed my bikes overheating a few weeks back (New sensor, flushed radiator and general check and she is all good), as the speed was snail pace. But we got to the parlament in time and parked in front of the Beehive.
And I got to kiss my second minister in two days! Anette King was there to meet us. She was very pleased with our work and the message we are promoting. And some of the riders had an opportunity to inform her what they thought about the progress...
And a nice group photo of all the riders and some politicians too...
That was the official start of the White Ribbon Ride (even if we all started on Saturday in Tauranga...). From here we rode back to Porirua where we gathered in the local park with the locals, had some games, took some of them for a ride and did the mingling thing. There was also a group haka that was still a little short of the Guiness Book Of Records Haka of 2000 participants that was done in (and you won't believe this...) Scotland!
Time to ride on. Here we split in to the West and East group and my East group cut through to SH2 and over the Rimutakas. At the Caltex just before Rimutakas we picked up 5 riders and as it was dry and fine we had no problems over the hills. In Featherston we picked up a handful of riders and my favorite rider from last year was back: Arthur (I am sure his name is), a chap that apperently is over 90 years old and rides his own bike. What a legend and inspiration! (Wish I had a pic of him!!!).
We travelled to Masterton now in a group of approx 30 riders again! Once there we headed for the Makoura College. Welcome and mingling was the order of the day. Some of the boys also took the opportunity to have ladies to give them a massage here. I missed out as I was too slow there...
so I focused on chatting with the students.
Arthurs 170cc bike in the front
As we travelled out of Masterton some of the riders peeled off and went to do whatever they had to, but a core of approx 15 riders was still left and we headed for Pahiatua. We were welcomed in the town centre by a massive (and very cute) haka by a primary school. Just love 5 year olds throwing them self in to it! There was singing and dancing to such and extent that we did run out of time for our cuppa and cake. But all well.
We rode to Dannevirke from here now approx 20 riders strong. In middle of town there was a reception for us and we again did the mingling, talking and listening. I was chatting to a chap who had built this awsome trike for his girl.
After a minute of chatting he says: "Are you Swedish Pete?" "Yep" I answered. It was what I used to be called when doing custom wheels for bikes a few years back. He then told me that I had made a set of custom wheels for his Honda Chop in early 90's and he had been very pleased with my work! Small world!
I chatted with Maxine, a local police woman, and discussed the violence problems in Tararua. Not as bad as some other places we have visited. Apperently a little over one per day gets reported. That is a little over one per day more than we want to see happening! (Sadly there s from experience 4 more that are not reported). She told me that her hubby rides and she has a bike too. I asked why she did not ride with us and it was obvious that this had never occured as a possibility. But I got a promise that I would see her riding with us next year! Looking forward to that.
I also ended up chatting with the new Mayor (after he stepped on my shoe lace and almost tripped me over...) He was interested in creating work for his town and we discussed options. But this thing about the White Ribbon was not at the forefront of his focus. Ah well, suppose there is not too many votes in stopping someone being beaten up compared to creating jobs. EDIT: I was thinking about my comments re the Mayor and realised that I was a little unkind. Often the violence comes from lack of work, lack of income and as a reult lack of selfesteem. Therefore the focus on creating work is helping with trying to find solutions to this issue of violence towards our women.
To the local camping place and in to our cabins after a good feed of KFC.
That was 312 Km's today.
Tomorrow will be my favorite day as we travel HB. But as I have a proposal to complete for Ministry of Education there is a chance that I will not have time for a lenghty blog sadly. But I will post something and then add more later.
Nite all.
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