Hi, I’m Callum from Auckland, New Zealand. This channel will chronicle some of my rides.
Most at the moment are here home in NZ.
Many at the moment are little short trips, interspersed with some more Long Distance type rides.
I’m a fan of great scenery, which should come through pretty clearly.
Most recently, I have 5 days riding a Harley Davidson Road Glide to and from Las Vegas via Death Valley, Oatman (Route 66), Sedona, Jerome, Bisbee, and the Valley of Fire.
Going back, there’s a ride in the UAE from Dubai up to Jebel Jais, and 3.5 days riding in Spain - which was a real highlight.
I own a 2016 Yamaha Super Tenere 1200. That replaced a 2006 R1200GS which, in turn, replaced a 2009 KLR650. My first bike was my parents farm bike, a Suzuki TS185 two-stroke.
Yes Glendowie area. Let me know if you want to know anything on the S10. Mine is the current model, though 16/17. I recently rode a 2012 in Aus. Felt identical. There’s some for sale at the moment. I know one of them.
Remember going through the Danseys many moons ago as support for a couple of tour coaches. Got interesting when we met a couple of stock truck/trailer units coming the other way.
@@motogusnz The coaches pulled up as close to the river side of the road as they could and the truck drivers did the work. Absolutely phenomenal driving skills. Would have been lucky to have 100mm clearance to work with.
Great job Callum. Nothing worse than looking forward to a big juicy steak at the end of a day riding only to be let down. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Callum. Brought back memories of being there in 2013. You'll enjoy walking the Daintree with the family. The ferry crossing has some history. Croc's hang out nearby hoping someone will have a paddle. Seem to recall a car drove off the ferry mid channel a few years ago. Port Douglas a great place & you can go out to the Reef from there. Danger signs everywhere though, don't swim here, Croc's, Stingers, you name it. Swarms of Bats fly over at night!
Thank you Tim, much appreciated. It’s a beautiful rich part of the world. I was a bit blown away by the scenery and wildlife potential. My mate Brad warned me that you die if you go in / near the water. So I kept that in mind ;-). Looking forward to the bush walks. Thanks again.
@@motogusnz When we were there some Asian tourists were near the water so I had my camera ready just in case. The good thing about NZ is that the only thing that will kill you is a Ford Falcon whereas in Aus the critters are waiting in line!
Looks like a great trip South... love to do the trek through to Culvedon... good to see a little highlight. I went through Ethleton and out the back roads but chose a differing direction ont he day with intent on going back. :)
Nice! So just checking it wasn’t you who woke me up riding past gore ambo with your loud exhaust! Massive effort. Well done on the max score! Always enjoy your commentary on the wee towns of NZ :)
Thanks very much, OG. Definitely not me on the noisy exhaust. I purposely don’t have one because I don’t want to be that A-hole turning up to a checkpoint loud in the middle of the night ;-). Well done to you, too. I think you went max points too.
Thanks Dan. Was definitely a good day. Not a spot of rain, and pretty good going after Kaiteriteri. Thanks for the mic feedback. It does clip the voice a bit and doesn’t pic up the bike much compared to the helmet mounted camera with lavalier mic. So it also doesn’t pic up conversations. Hence need to turn cardo off and make sure camera audio is working for those parts. Using the Cardo means I can’t simultaneously sync it to my phone or GPS. So that aspect is a bit of a limitation
15:14 pretty sure I could see my headlight in that rain cloud hahaha! Looking forward to these results coming out in the next couple days. Might be time to stop polishing my vids and just put them up! Love watching every one else's journeys :) - imagine forgetting to take your photo... gutting! How could you let that happen to you!!! Graeme, what a legend, saved me a few times along the years and had a good chat with him fri avo in Takaka
Funny how you cross paths. I guess it’s not surprising given the checkpoints but it’s always a buzz to spot people. Lumsden was weird because I was even questioning myself on why the heck I had a fuel stop there vs Te Anau - but didn’t question. It was the only place I didn’t double check my sequential notes. The GPS had probably already assumed I’d been there. On your vids, get em up - so we can see them. ;-). If you haven’t already check out Glenn’s at @kiwimotoadv
Thanks Phil. You’re in the next one, or will be when I get onto it. I ditched dreams of Lumsden and went to Clutha something to get the points I needed instead. A bit more efficient. Thanks again, Phil. Callum
Thanks Andrew. Yeah it was probably my most fun day, looking back. It was funny on the gravel. At times, I got down to 1st and 2nd gear. Whereas sometimes you’re happy to purposely go backwards and forwards across mounds. The Super Tenere is definitely reliable. And suprisingly liftable ;-). Thanks again, Andrew.
Thanks for that Steve. I was at a bit of a loss. I was sure it should have been okay. But was worried I’d drain the battery. Andrew Thompson mentioned the same as you to me at the finish. Possibly something about cranking the throttle as well? I was actually a bit stuffed in that position too as I couldn’t put the side stand down and it was way to heavy to push out on my own. I figured someone else would be along in 15 - 30 mins.
Thank you Shane, much appreciated. The pegs were my third improvement hack for this year. They worked really well when it was breezy. And surprisingly didn’t fall off, apart from 1. Thanks again, Shane.
Thank you Mikey. I’ll admit it was quite a long day, after those gravel checkpoints were quite hard work. I had my Garmin watch on and my heart rate was surprisingly high. A good workout, it seems. Thanks again for your comment.
Haha. Thank you my friend. I’m mainly doing the TT so I can hang out with you and Marty ;-). Love your vids on it too and look forward to your next episode.
What a cracker video. That first day was awesome, annoyingly I was on those road last week for work, but not on 2 wheels :( Looking forward to day 2!! Have you done a video on the new lights? They look bloody useful!
Thanks very much for that ;-). Day 2 should be more interesting again. A bit of drama to start the day. It’s an epic part of the world for sure, and I was pleased to see some of the best bits in day light. ;-)
Hi Callum. Like you this was my fourth time competing in the TT2000. Myself Tiger 1050, Duncan BMW S1000XR and Wayne BMW R1250R did the riding 'riding the beat' course. Our route for the first day was similar to yours other than we went to Greymouth and stayed the night at Darfield in a real character unit opposite the NPD. It could be us at 21.59 riding up the viaduct. Maybe not. Thanks for putting this up as it was good to show my wife and daughter (Husqvarna 401) a lot of the route we rode. And the countryside is just achingly beautiful. I have often ridden on many of those roads and every time it just takes my breath away. Just cannot wait for TT2000 2025. Of its type it is surely the best event on the motorbiking calendar. I will look out for you and say hi in 2025.
Nice one, thanks Nick. That would have been between 7:55pm and 8:05pm, I reckon. Agree the scenery is bonkers through there. I was so pleased to do it in that light and in the dry ;-). I look forward to meeting you guys. The TT2000 is a very special event, for sure. Thank you again for your comment and feedback.
August 1888 Reefton became the first place in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere to have a public supply of electricity, even before the fashionable suburbs of London and New York.
Greetings Andrew, and thank you for that very kind comment. Next week I’m heading down to do the TT2000 again so will hopefully have a few more videos on the way. TBH, the screen is a bit of a revelation to me. It’s a GIVI, which insurance replaced after the UBER hit me. I had already put on a taller screen but still needed a screen extension. I’m 6,4. But with this screen, I’ve taken the extension off and ride pretty comfortably with the visor open. All day. I’ll try and get the model # for you.
Pretty sure my screen is the GIVI D2119ST. 11 cm higher than stock. Also wider where it matters. Getting the wind off your shoulders etc. All reduces fatigue on a long trip
Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41. About to move to my 4th set, I think. Previously Continental TKC70s and 80s on my GS. The AX41 gives up a ‘little’ on gravel but feels better (compared to the TKC80) on road cornering and braking (way better). To me, anyway.
Thank you very much. Well done for the loops. It’s a beautiful road. I haven’t been back since the cyclone. I may do a gravel loop there before this year’s TT2000 - just to test lights etc.
Nice one. I has wondered about the track up to the lighthouse. Mind you, I don't think I have the cardio capacity to hike up those steps now. It almost killed me last time wearing all the motorbike gear.
Thanks for that info. I just searched that term and see how wide spread it is, as you say. And really almost a hard clay. www.mountainstosea.nz/papa-geology/ Thanks again.
Thank you. Happy New Year, too - and appreciate your comment. It is a stunning part of the country and there’s a lot of it around there. The distance out to Te Araroa is deceptive. I’d been wanting to go around there again for a while. I also want to go back through the Te Ureweras and Lake Waikaremoana. Another trip ;-). All the very best and thanks for your support this year.
Thank you very much Peter, and best wishes to you and yours for the festive season too! I’d been for sometime to get around the East Cape again. All the best again.
