East Cape

Disaster Strikes

ImageA very pleasant night catching up with friends and their family. A modestly early start followed by a nice breakfast in the Napier mall, always a treat, I just love that art deco look. Spoke to Brian whio said he'd come down to join me at Opotiki for the night

Reversed the previous day going back to Wairoa intending to take the Frasertown route (down the Gentle Annie) followed by the gorge from Gisborne. By Wairoa at 12:30 numb bum had set in so stopped at the same cafe for another excellent coffee (next to the Gaiety Theatre).

 

It's different out there
Bruce from the AA
Half an hours stop and hopped back on but this time the bike would not start. Lights were on, all looked well but no turn over. I presumed it was me but checking and rechecking revelled nothing.

The cafe owner was helpful, he even called his mate who owns a BMW bike, and his mate called another mate. I finally rang the dealer (sunday afternoon) who went though the same stuff. Luckily I've kept up the AA membership, unused in 15 years or more, and they were promptly on the spot.

The man worked for a good two hours in the hot sun (I've rather caught a dose of the pinks too). Finally the fault was traced to a wire that had come off the starter switch. Mont would have had my guts if he'd found me using solder to fix a wire on with no mechanical joint. Bore out what another passing German tourist said, BMW are cutting back on quality to save cost. Piss poor, I can't help but imagine if I'd stopped in he middle of nowhere (as I had several times) and this had happened.

Crummy BMW workmanship
ImageEventually back on the road at 3:30 with hours ahead but these roads were some of the best of the trip. No traffic to speak of and predictable corners with fantastic senery. Just towards the end of the gorge I was flagged down by a rider who turned out to be Brian who'd ridden up to join me. A short ride for the rest of the gorge and we were in Opotiki

We can heartily recommend the Eastland Pacific motel and the Masonic Hotel in Opotiki who are not only motorcycle friendly but went out of their way to be of assistance and make our say very comfortable.