NZ_2019...The Missing Link

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Close to target...back on asphalt at the SH43/ FWH, scratching the twisties of the Pohokura Saddle.


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It's gotta be up there somewhere!


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glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member

Own creek, own bridge, shed for the bikes, a pile of chopped firewood, sheep out the front door...paradise!!
:glu


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AGREED!!



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Could stick around here for a while, eh?


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glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Oh man...what a place!
And all thanks to Goodie who tripped over the booking.com listing in the first place.
:bow:


Another quick lookaround before Amanda shows up with the leg-'o-lamb dinner...


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The real owner of the place!


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Saloon-doors for the dunny. Cool! :so


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glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member

....and things turn nippy as the daylight fades quickly

(since I can't decide what's the best shot of the 3...here are all of them)


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What a mountain of highlights all jammed into a single day...incredible!
No question then... that's "one for the poolroom"!!
:party: :chug:
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
After "flying HIGH" for the last couple of days and checking the morning skies, the weather forecast of grey skies and showers across the 'Naki and Waikato areas sounds like bollox.
Let's see where this goes...

Second last day on the road and we're on for a major push north, towards Auckland. Of course via the back-roads and as much gravel as can be found along the way. First major stop is Piopio for fuel then...



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https://isn.page.link/qXAU


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Another cracker of a start. And while a bit fresh, the morning fog is lifting when climbing out of the valleys past Whangamamona.



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The further east, the better it gets :slobb



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glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Moki Tunnel aka The Hobbit Hole...before leaving the Forgotten World Hwy to tack further north.



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Ohura isn't exactly a lively place, looks like the Cafe closed about 50 years ago...


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More winding asphalt under blue skies and golden-autumn sunshine on the way to Matiere to find the Aria-Matiere Rd. gravel towards Piopio.


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Men and machines fueled, there's more delightful and traffic-free carving in the hills before it's it's back onto the beautiful gravel- ridges of the Waipuna and Awaroa Roads. Even more appreciated as it wasn't expected :chug:


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glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
A quick look at Kawhia on Doug's request got us down near the wharf...
...and a bit of a sad surprise.
Those who were along for the Hobbits & Bobbits Ride in Nov 2012 will most likely never forget the night at the Blue Chook Inn at Kawhia. A couple of pics for a quick memory-jog...



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....and here is what's left of it
:eek::(:(

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Using the mostly sealed main-route to Raglan, the shadows gets long a couple of hours later near Raglan, stop for the night.


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There's a bit of a feeling of the New Zealand sun saying its good-byes, burning across the bay and turning on the colour big-time.

While lucky today, there seems to be no escaping a final wet-bum for tomorrow's run into Auckland, the blackbellies are gathering just off the coast.
No whingeing though...today was yet another pearler in the bag.

:woot:



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Zuckerbaron

Tour Pro
A quick look at Kawhia on Doug's request got us down near the wharf...
...and a bit of a sad surprise.

....and here is what's left of it
:eek::(:(

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:eek: Never visit places again where you had a good time years before. Same happened to me in Ireland. Memories are always better than reality.:mad:
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Barely out of Raglan, the weather-frogs finally catch up with us, things get dark and damp...
A hesitant foray into Waimai Valley Rd. for the backdoor onto the coastal ridges, the high ground between the coast and Hwy22, results in a retreat + defeat.



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Back to Hwy22 for a light drizzle cruise into Tuakau, then a straight commute on the SH1 Freeway to a carwash for a cleanup and fuel-topup, then the Rental Depot.
Hans' DR is already parked there, looks like he made the return in the dry
.:so


https://isn.page.link/w1MV

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All blue and calm again the next morning for the flight home.:whistle::doh:


KIA ORA!



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Another big THANKS to Ant for adding his pics to this thread, lots of great shots there, mate
:gday:




The fortnight also resulted in a wealth of material to "close the gap" and complete the 14.600km New Zealand Adventure Touring Route, to be found here:
http://www.austouring.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=65
 
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