NO PLACE LIKE THE EAST COAST

Last week we were in Gisborne, then Te Puia Springs, Hicks Bay, Tokomaru and then back to Gisborne again.  Why?  We were there for our Yamaha East Cape Capers Trail Adventure, and along with us were a bunch of keen adventure-trail riders.  

Yes, there was some rain and the title of this post is probably not that accurate (not the Dusted bit anyway).  Some rain did not stop the group from enjoying the four days of east coast tracks and trails, and on the final day the weather was magic .  From rugged farm station tracks, forestry trails (complete with rising rivers), to riding  magnificent empty east coast beaches - there was plenty to experience..  

Everyone had a fantastic time and the East Coast welcomed us as only the East Coast and the down-to-earth locals can.  There were many laughs including the hard-case breakfast waitress at Hicks Bay who declared any man not having a cooked breakfast as having "a kiddies breakfast".  Then there was the dog running around dining room in Hicks Bay with a pair of men's boxer undies dangling from his teeth.  As our group had riding gear and other stuff strewn all over the back porch of our accommodation we could not be certain the undies did not belong to one of our group - though no one owned up!

UP NORTH NEXT

It was a quick turnaround when we got back home on Wednesday.  Unload van, wash and service bikes, wash riding gear, and repack bags. Then on Saturday Mike set off for the Far North to pre-ride the route for our Yamaha Northern Exposure Trail Adventure with our lead rider Mike J.  

Riders will arrive at our Kahoe (just a bit north of Kaeo) base on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. It's time for four days of varied and scenic riding from the north Hokianga in the west, to almost the top of the Aupouri Peninsula in the north, Totara North in the east, and lots of Far North hinterland inbetween.

BALI - HERE WE COME

Following the Yamaha Northern Exposure ride it is another quick turnaround for us. Three days after returning to our HQ in Hamilton we fly out to prepare for the first of two 2016 Bali By The Backroad tours . . . . just in time to escape the increasingly cooler weather.

BLOG UPDATES

During our time in Bali we will endeavour to do regular blog posts on our adventure so keep  an eye out if you are interested.

If you're out on your bike this autumn and winter please take it easy and ride to the conditions - stay safe out there.

Angela and Mike