Motorcycle Touring
Day 19
DAY 19 PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND
We rise to a clear day that promises to bring a perfect day for riding. The course covers roads with a lot of tight turns. This is truly motorcycle heaven. I separated from the group to use the road as I chose. I made a technical ride of it by putting the R1150 into some 8 10ths turns. I then made a side trip to Portland, a small community on the coast with a cement plant, dock and school. As I returned to the main road I was able to get back on track except for a few diversions. I did miss one turn that put me 30 minutes from the rest of the group that had assembled at a designated winery for the final ride to the agency. We returned the bikes in reasonable condition, the drops were not as expensive as they could have been if the parts were replaced. John, the owner, was a fair man and only charged for repainting those parts that could be. Damages are covered by insurance so the pain is not too great. We returned to the hotel and prepared for our last dinner together. Our dinner was a celebration of the time in NZ. Our guide presented each of us with a customized picture of a feature of NZ with our names on it and an inscription that we had left our mark on the country. We presented Reini with a 10 pack of sweat socks and a gratuity for his selfless concern for our welfare over the 3 week stay. We thank our host, John, Alison, Rex and Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours for one of the most memorable motorcycle experiences of our lives. We return to the frozen north anxious to throw a leg over and experience “clutchout”.
DAY 19 PAIHIA TO AUCKLAND
We rise to a clear day that promises to bring a perfect day for riding. The course covers roads with a lot of tight turns. This is truly motorcycle heaven. I separated from the group to use the road as I chose. I made a technical ride of it by putting the R1150 into some 8 10ths turns. I then made a side trip to Portland, a small community on the coast with a cement plant, dock and school. As I returned to the main road I was able to get back on track except for a few diversions. I did miss one turn that put me 30 minutes from the rest of the group that had assembled at a designated winery for the final ride to the agency. We returned the bikes in reasonable condition, the drops were not as expensive as they could have been if the parts were replaced. John, the owner, was a fair man and only charged for repainting those parts that could be. Damages are covered by insurance so the pain is not too great. We returned to the hotel and prepared for our last dinner together. Our dinner was a celebration of the time in NZ. Our guide presented each of us with a customized picture of a feature of NZ with our names on it and an inscription that we had left our mark on the country. We presented Reini with a 10 pack of sweat socks and a gratuity for his selfless concern for our welfare over the 3 week stay. We thank our host, John, Alison, Rex and Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours for one of the most memorable motorcycle experiences of our lives. We return to the frozen north anxious to throw a leg over and experience “clutchout”.
Auckland Towers
Auckland
