Eastcapescapade November 24,25,26 - 2017

[johnnyfive]

2017 Event - 

 

A few of us are planning to ride on smaller bikes from Whakatane(ish) around the East Cape and back over 3 days, at the end of November when its nice and warm but not too busy. 

No requirement on bikes, something unsuitable and small is preferable though. I'll be on a CT110, VG his NBC110, couple friends on scooters(~50cc). 

Looking at about 600km, about 200km/day. Thinking a riding speed around 50km/h should give plenty of time for looking around and activities and sightseeing during the day, but not too fast for the smaller bikes. 

Where possible the route is off busier state highways so there will be some longish sections of windy gravel, but little traffic and no rush means you'll be fine. 

Accommodation around Whakatane, Hicks Bay, and Gisborne should be easy to arrange, be it campgrounds, cabins etc. 

There will be a ute and/or trailer that can carry fuel/luggage/spare bikes as well if anyone wants/needs to sit out any parts. 

Coast trip Total by John Bell, on Flickr

Things to see and do on the route may include but not be limited to

Serenity

Lighthouses

Wharves

Churches

Time travel.

Horses, all of the horses

 Gangs

Waterfalls

Slip'n'slides

And some of this

You got 3 months

Holla at cha boy, what do you reckon?

 

[Vintage Grumble]

 Infinitely boned up over this.

Also, if you like microwave letterboxes, it's a must do trip.

[Shakotom]

Checking calander but hella keen 

[Mop Head]

Done. Booking 24th off as I type. 

[Vintage Grumble]

Excellent.

@Raizer you best be coming too, or there will be a lot of little bikes/scooters doing skids on your lawn Saturday night.

[Chris.QCR]

Damn dude that looks like the kinda mission I would buy c50 in north island and fly up with my 110 motor and do a quick 1 hour chop and come riding with you lads ! Enjoy guys looks like good times will be had

[johnnyfive]

Even though all my bikes are pretty weaksauce I do have 2 legal posties, could be convinced into raffling off the use of one if there is demand. Proceeds go to dud prizes and weekend beverages.

[johnnyfive]

And if there isn't demand, someone just ride the spare bike

[UTERUS]

Hi, I'd like to claim the spare postie bike for the weekend plz. I can trade shit beers and even shitter yarns.

[GuyWithAviators]

Very ken. This sounds like a bit of me for sure. 

[Mop Head]

Probably gonna need to take second dibs on the spare bike with my current luck. Though if I can't put something together by then, I deserve to ride in the trailer. 

Trying to source a 3 wheeled dream at the moment. Stay tuned.

[johnnyfive]

3 months should be plenty of time to get multiple bikes ready!

But yeah, even sharing the bike with a couple people could be an option. Or double up if you're into that kind of thing. 

[Shakotom]

Nuts to butts on a FA50 for 600km @MopedNZ

[Mop Head]

If enough people think I should, then I shall do it on a FA50. 600km is chump change. 

[kicker]

Dang, this'll be sweet

[johnnyfive]

You'll be joining us then?

[Yowzer]

As someone who is notoriously unprepared for any form of excursion, how does one kit out a bike for this kind of back country adventure?

[tortron]

Just now, Firetruck said:

As someone who is notoriously unprepared for any form of excursion, how does one kit out a bike for this kind of back country adventure?

take extra fuel, there is bugger all

[Vintage Grumble]

Just now, Firetruck said:

As someone who is notoriously unprepared for any form of excursion, how does one kit out a bike for this kind of back country adventure?

Yeh, like he said, maybe carry a little extra gas. There will be a support vehicle to carry stuff, but best to have gas on ya. And maybe a spare tube to suit your hog. Apart from that, any scooter/small bike should do the trick, its nothing more hard core than a few gravel roads.

[johnnyfive]

^^This

Fuel can be a little far between down there, I'll probably carry 10-20L extra on the bike just in case anyone gets caught out between fuel stops/rendezvous with the ute.

Luggage capacity is a thing if you had to carry all your requirements for the duration. But again, put what you'll need each night on the ute and just carry what you need for the day on your person. 

And yeah, as long as you're comfortable riding the thing (posture/butt/weather) and confident its reliable enough for the duration then you're golden. Few basic tools/spares and figure the rest out as you go. 

Depending on how confident you are on gravel some slightly more aggressive tyres could be of benefit, but you'd be just fine without. 

The East Cape is a pretty rough and desolate place, so it'll basically be exactly like this.