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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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The road is pretty curvy and you can get some speed with the good surface, but it was slow going at times as you had to be careful of the tight corners to make sure a local driving at speed was not coming the other way. The road hangs on the beach at times and then passes thru a few small settlements before rising up on the cliffs above the bay. We got caught behind a few cars and it was VERY dusty before they finally let us pass!
 Screen Shot 2018-01-14 at 20.43.03 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1771 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1775 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1810 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1812 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1818 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1821 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1828 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1838 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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It is faster to go south to Thames, but we wanted a new route and opted for the much longer way thru Kuaotunu. There is little traffic and we were only held up a few times by a slow moving logging truck or people pulling boats.
 Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 15.25.43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE1908 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Most of the route the limit is 100 and we could really fly. It was still a long way to go from Coroglen to get to Papamoa on time and we were of course late again. Here we had been invited to the home go Ruth and Roger who have traveled all over by bike. Roger is a friend of our friend Julio in Guatemala. Julio helped him out a lot when he was in hospital 6 weeks after being rear ended on his bike and having surgery.
We were warmly welcomed to their home on the beach and met their good friends and riders John and Susan. While we were chatting a killer whale was surfacing in the waves 10 m off shore! They had a comfy room for us, had moved a car from the garage for the bikes, put the laundry in right away, and served us up a feast for dinner! Got to love riders!!
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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We had only planned to stay 1 night as we did not want to impose, but they made us feel so at home and comfy we stayed a second! This meant we had a day off here to get some things done. They had an appointment this morning and dropped us in Mount Maunganui.. Here we walked the 45 min around the mount and along the beach.
 IMG_1854 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-65 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
When they got back we had lunch at their favorite spot and then did the 1 hour hike to the summit. Not difficult, but very hot.
 IMG_1862 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-66 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Roger was kind enough to drive us all over town and to 3 motorbike shops, 2 bike shops, Revco, and warehouse so we could get new gloves for Sara, a rear tube for the 800, chain lube, patch kits, and a tire gauge! PHEW. Then back “home” to wash the very dirty bikes, do the laundry from today, and have a  watching the waves. Again we are sad to leave our new friends, but there is a lot to see here.
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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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We had been advised not to stop or stay between Ruatoria and Tokomaru as “it is rough and we may not be treated well by the locals”. Not sure what people meant it looks the same as everywhere else. It was a very long day for us since we wanted to camp on the beach and this meant getting to Tamarau near Gisborne after 441 km.
We popped into town for groceries and then backtracked 10 km to the Tatapouri Motor Camp. We set up shop with a view of the sea, the stars, and the first light of the east cape at sunrise.
 FullSizeRender by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-67 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We rode north west “to the lake”. There is little traffic, but on the first 70 km off road the curves are tight and the route is very narrow. This means despite the good surface it was hard to get up any speed for fear of meeting a local coming at you at 80 km/h and likely towing a boat. The road hangs on the cliff above the lake and then drops down and widens after Ruatahuna. There are just a few scattered homes on this route and no services.
 FILE2094 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-71 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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14 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
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Just 7 km before we made the sealed road Dan had a rear flat. This would not have been so bad as we did get a new tube this week, but then it started to pour.
 IMG_1882 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1883 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had the wheel off and the bead broken when the rain started in earnest. We got the gear hidden under a tree and we hid under the tarp. The rain settled a bit and we got back to work. We found the nail hole in the tube, but could not see a hole in the tire. It must have been an in and out and the hole was small enough to take a while to flatten. After the problem we had in Iceland and Greece with the metal shards buried in the rubber we were worried. Interesting none of the 10 or so cars that drove by slowed or stoped to offer help. We got the tire inflated and it was holding air.
We had just packed up the tarp when it started bucketing. Getting our suits and rain gear on was a comedy as was finishing up the mounting of the wheel. We set off for the last few km of gravel that was now muddy puddles and by the time we made it to the pavement it was only showers. Murupara is 20 km on the paved road and by then it was sunny, our rain gear was dry and we disrobed to air dry the suits.
 FILE2152 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2174 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1884 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We also managed to get cell coverage finally to message Ash in Lake Okareka 70 km away that we were intact finally coming. He was kind enough to message us off HU and offer us a place to stay. He has motorbiked and biked all over the world. We enjoyed a nice hot dinner and some wine as well as lots of travel stories.
The weather forecast really sucks for the Rotarua area and all points south and west! This messes with our plans, but we are used to change. So we will stay here another night and then head south and east to Napier where the sun is supposed to be shining.
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15 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Today in Lake Okareka it was raining on and off and heavy at times until about 1 pm. This gave us some down time for “office hour” and we got caught up on emails and blogs. Dan’s 800 is still having on and off issues with idle and it did not sound great this morning, but by the time we got 10 km it was running perfectly. We made a break for it to town for lunch at a typical NZ cafe. This means good strong coffee (long black or flat white) and self service hot display cases full of yummy things like pot pies. The price may be premium here where the minimum wage is $17, but the quality is first rate.
Fortified we headed to the Kuirau Park in the center, which is full of thermal jets and bubbling mud pots (along with the sulfur stench as well). Then we did a tour of the lake front with intermittent drizzle. We stopped by KTM to price out tires and check out the options, but we will order them in Wellington. Next we made for the Pack n’ Save to get fixings for dinner for Ash and some of his riding friends tonight. We had another great evening exchanging travel and riding stories.
 IMG_1887 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1891 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1897 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1901 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1904 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-73 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-74 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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With some better weather forecast we will head south to Napier. We made one small detour to the mud pots in the Waiotapu Thermal area just south of Rotarua. Just about half way we took a brake in Lake Taupo for another great cafe meal.
 FILE2180 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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The weather turned cold and wet as we headed over the mountains on the highway 5, but 20 km before the turn off for the Taihape-Napier road we could see blue sky to the east.
 FILE2186 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2196 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2199 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
This is a recently paved cross road, which may be closed in winter and of the 134 km we did not pass a car until the last 40.
 Screen Shot 2018-01-17 at 17.33.05 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2217 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2219 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2243 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 North Island NZ 1-75 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2258 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We did meet quite a few sheep however.
 FILE2288 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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15 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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We have been so lucky to be hosted almost every night since we arrived, but we booked into a hotel in the art deco city of Napier. We were warmly greeted by the manager who came right out when we arrived to tell us where the best spot to park was. At check in he said that we had been upgraded as well. Dan was confused when they asked “what kind of fresh milk” he wanted. This was of course for “our tea”! only in NZ!!
For our rest day we lazed about in the morning and then did a 5 km walk around the city.
 IMG_1916 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_1917 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Our room had a full kitchen so it was nice to have all our meals at home!
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15 Mar 2018
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: RTW, From Vancouver BC 2012
Posts: 3,491
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Today it is cloudy and cooler.
 Screen Shot 2018-01-21 at 22.27.35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2325 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2336 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
We had planned to ride out to the Gannet colony at Cape kidnapper, but after getting most of the way out there we found the access is blocked by private land and you have to go on a tour. AHH no.
 Screen Shot 2018-01-21 at 22.27.49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE2341 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
So we continued south on the route 52, which a a nice secondary road thru the occasional settlement and past farm lands.
 FILE2351 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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