The annual DUVROC (DownUnder Vulcan Riders and Owners' Club) ride was held this year in the North Island of New Zealand. We alternate each year between North and South Islands.
Toa put together a great tour starting in Taupo, through back roads to Whitianga on the Coromandel, a ride up the peninsula to the village of Colville, then a ride to Waitomo via back roads and the Kawhia Harbour.
After that it was more back roads to Toa's place in Tauranga.
We had a varied but hard-core bunch of VROC folk - Toa (Alan) and Ali, Neil (Ghostrider) and Lexie, Paul (Peg) and Cec, Trevor (Horse), Richard (Spider) and me.
Our riders came from Canterbury in the south, Paraparaumu, Wellington, Palmerston North, Tauranga, New Plymouth, with cameo appearances from Canada (DD) and Te Puke (fart).
We were honoured to spend a sunny afternoon visiting with Dave (DD) and Romy, from Canada, on the eve of their departure home to Alberta.
We also got in a visit with Dave (fart) and Gaylene, and Kiwi Don, in Papamoa. The weather was fabulous throughout, and each backpackers' lodge stopover was quite different and enjoyable.
The following photos are a selection from our ride. Don't know if the order will come out correct, but you will get the picture one way or another!
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Spider, Neil, Horse in Palmerston North heading north.
Three Vulcans and a Royal Star.
Stop for coffee just out of Wanganui, at Upukongaro, at the start of the Parapara Highway.
The Wanganui River was referred to as the 'Rhine of the South'
Up at Raetihi Richard was still tinkering with loose baffles, so we encouraged him to take 'em out...
(or we would never have got to Taupo on the same day!)
The Makatote Viaduct between Raetihi and National Park.
Mounts Ngaruahoe and Tongariro were quiet, only a little steam venting to remind us of the eruption earlier in the summer.
At about the same time Toa and Ali were leaving Tauranga for the gathering in Taupo.
Our backpackers lodge digs in central Taupo.
PLenty of bars nearby. The menfolk engaging in deep discussion about the problems of the world (as you do....)
Sunset from the lodge balcony. Hints of another glorious day to come.
The mountains at the southern end of the lake snuggled up in their duvets for the night.
Leaving Taupo, follow the Burgman!
Back roads to Rotorua for brunch.
Stopped at the Lakeside Cafe on the waterfront - well frequented by bikers (and VROC)
On toward the Bay of Plenty via the old Te Aroha Road- this pic as we went through Fitzgeralds Glade.
The Kaimai Range to our right, as we headed toward Te Aroha and Paeroa.
Trev is tail end Charlie.
Paeroa after a lunch stop. L&P was especially nice with Southern Comfort and ice, if I recall my youth correctly!
Sports Bar in Whitianga where we spent some time, in honour of our Canuck Long Rider friends!
Some scenery of the Whitianga boat harbour - photos from Richard.
Some of us managed a swim in the beach a hundred metres or two from the lodge. Water was warm.
Round the top half of the peninsula, to Coromandel Town
which is at the bottom of this hill.
We rode on to near the end of the sealed road, to the village of Colville. The tide was out, and the mangroves were high and dry, so we went back to the cafe in the village and had lunch.
Alan and Ali checking out the tidal flats. Lots of tiddlers in the tidal pools.
Heading back to Whitianga, over the hill. I stopped at the lookout for some pix, then had a wild race back to catch Neil on the Road Star.
And a wonderful afternoon and evening, with friends in the courtyard of the backpackers.
Romy, Neil
Dave, Trevor
Alan with the usual expression
Dave (DD) was on his best behaviour.
Mrs 'Peg' - Cec finally met with the gang.
Peg joined us for the night.
Ali and Romy
Really need a caption for this pic. Neil not raising his pinkie.
Richard (Spider)
Howard was on his best behaviour, chatting to Cec.
Dinner in a Greek-Italian restaurant in Whitianga.
Shadow portrait of the Burger with Alan and Ali.
Richard decided to sample the other side of the yellow line - it was less congested over there!
Trevor going by in a blur.
We stopped half way down the peninsula to Thames where the tramcar houses are. (Old tramcars set up as holiday homes, and some now barely recognizable)
l-r: Neil, Paul, Cec, Trev, Howard, Richard, Alan, Ali.
Paul and Cec. Nice nomad!
Neil and Lex on the nice Road Star.
The Kopu Bridge out of Thames.
We stopped for lunch in Morrinsville and ate at a cafe over the road from this shop.
More back-road riding to stop at Kihikihi at the national champion pie shop.
We then turned west just out of Otorohanga and rode the look road to Kawhia Harbour and on to Waitomo Caves.
The Burger leading us to the west coast, after starting the day at the East Coast.
Richard settling in to F&Cs at the backpacker lodge cafe.
Next day, via more back roads in the rolling Waikato dairy and maize countryside, we skirted the mighty Waikato River and crossed one of the many hydro dams, just north of Putaruru.
(Now down to three bikes - Neil and Lex, and Richard having left for home from Waitomo to meet work commitments.)
After a coffee stop at the Okoroire Pub, we continued to the main Kaimai Range crossing, and on to Tauranga, where we spent the night at Alan and ali's place.
Visiting with Dave and Gaylene in Te Puke. Trevor and I headed home the following day, calling in on KiwiDon at Papamoa on the way.
We arrived home at my place yesterday. I did about 1700kms on the ride. Trev has headed south to meet the mid-day ferry, and will arrive home either tonight or tomorrow.
Here is a video Toa put together of our run from Whitianga across to Coromandel, and down the Thames coast to Waikawau Bay.
