| Author | Message | ||
     Danger_dave |
Wow. That was a day that just kept getting better and better. I knew it was going to be OK because I had to ride to a photo gig. OK, It’s not the most exciting of gigs. One of my best customers is a health care provider and I get to take pictures of Hospitals and Rest Homes. Try to make that sexy! But, they use my shots to decorate the places and it pays the rent - I usually ‘focus’ on the architecture. Sometimes it’s tough, sometimes easy. This one was out in west Auckland and I was pondering how to go about it as I was Buelling the Motorway West. I get there and it’s a modern, nice looking joint, and better still, one of the old dears has a green thumb and has turned the courtyard into an absolute explosion of colour. Much better than expected.      So I’m almost stoked. Money for rope. Now I’m three quarters of the way out of the city and – get this for an excuse – my bike is booked in for a service on Monday and is 1500km short of the 24,000 mark. “I need to rack up some K’s so I’ll take the long way home.’ The overcast had even started to break up and the sun was peeping through in patches. ‘Dirt. I need to ride some dirt.’ – it just came to me. Next thing you know I’m way past Helensville and turning off to the roads that Vege showed us on the Kaipara 200 ride. Like my favourite unsealed roads ever. This day is sudenly getting muuuuch better.  Looking back to the turnoff off Hwy 16.  The first part is nice sports bike stuff  Then the seal ends  And moves into some hilly country  Did I mention that the day kept getting better?  You wouldn’t even call most of them dirt roads. They are hard packed road base but unsealed - so there is a dusting of loose shite over a mostly smooth surface. On a XB12X. Say powerslides. Lots of them. Maybe the perfect roads for this bike.  That’s easy for you to say.      By this time I was completely freelancing. Ah! Turn right - That way looks good!  It turned into sports bike stuff – which was good. It’s always good to get back onto some sealed twities after the gravel. Feels sooo solid.  But soon we wuz slidin’ agin  Ooop – Getting better again!    Then I was in the pine forests. Just beautiful. It was warm and the sun was just out in full. 26c.   And then the road follows the ridge tops. The bump in the middle of this one pushed the rear right out and then the dip of the gravity well pulled it back as I just nailed it. That could be my favourite thing on ‘dirt’. I came through it, stopped, did it again and looked back for the photo.   And there was no let up  Until the sports bike stuff kicked in again  And I stopped for a refreshing European style ale at the Puhoi pub. (Cue Banjo music.)  After the pub headed the 50km back home down Hwy 1 with a detour to, and along, a beach or two. And the day kept getting better  Riding along the beach was cool  Even if it wasn’t exactly my idea   A little further south   and before you know it I’m back in the city  Really was one of those days that just kept getting better and better-er. | ||
| Ceejay |
excellent pics! | ||
| Sleez |
wow!!! i want to live and ride there!!! | ||
| Hotdog271 |
Danger Dave, Is there a dealer near you I can rent a bike from, or do you know what it would cost to ship mine there. Riding around where I live just seems so insignificant after seeing those pictures. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Harley or Triumphs are available from http://www.amps.co.nz Real good folks. Or there are places who rent beemers and stuff too. Nada Buells. It's not always fabulous - it's so green and lush because is does rain a fair bit. But the roads and the scenery make it all worth it. Jan - Feb is the best time weather wise. ...whay am I sitting at a keyboard.....oh yeah - work...bugger. | ||
| Mtch |
Great photos Dave. my brother spent a couple of weeks touring around the north island about 3 or 4 years ago in a camper. still thinking of making a trip myself sometime. will have to start saving some money after seeing those photos | ||
| Danger_dave |
cheers Rentals I forgot to mention Cookie is a Buell man and has a Triumph Scrambler and ADV bikes for rent too. http://www.coromoto.co.nz | ||
| Henrik |
Very cool pic Dave. Thanks for sharing Henrik (no - I'm not jealous, no really - I'm not .... grrrrrr) |
