Day 8

Friday 25 November

The White Ribbon Day. Today all rides have a “main event” planned in to their itinerary. Our one is in Nelson this afternoon. But before that we have Takaka and Collingwood School.

A semi-relaxed wake up and we leave at 8.30am. We ride a short distance to the meeting place and pick up the local boys who have slept in their own beds. It is a warm and sunny day, so will be nice riding today!

Eru has decided that he wants to be up in Bream Bay for the North Wind part of the WRR (just south of Whangarei) on Saturday (tomorrow). And so he leaves for the ride that will take whole of today (including the ferry), and he is hoping to be there for the ride tomorrow morning. I was part of that ride last year and would love to travel with him. The Km's dont worry me, but the rider numbers here on the West ride of SI does, so I stay. (Later I hear that he made it there safely and in time). Sent my greetings to Mahu, Willie and Raz, and hope to catch up with them this summer as they all (including Eru) live in Hamilton.

There is only one road to Takaka and it is over the Takaka hill. This is a nice biking experience! Heaps of tight corners with slowest ones being recommended 25Km/h. The road is good and there is no real problems. The sports bikes ride ahead as we push a little more here. Afterward I find that I have worn the toes of my boots… And used the full capability of the tyres. Looking forward to the ride back later!

We arrive at the Takaka event at 9.30 and find a bunch of dedicated people organizing it. This is a smallish village and I am told that there is not too many issues here. But sadly the violence is also here. I talk to a lady who tells me she has managed to, after 12 years, get out of her violent relationship. We give out ribbons and do our chatting.

Takaka event

 

Two of the lovely Takaka organisers

Time for the official welcome. There is a Maori presence here and Joe replies (and does a top job!). I do a speech focusing on the hidden violence and how we need to give the victims a safe place and contacts so they can get away from it. Often in small communities like this the hindrance tends to be that people are afraid that, if they come out and ask for help, it will become common knowledge in the community. Donald from Patriots adds his speech.

After some more mingling and some sausages we travel to Collingwood School. This is a school that caters for students from 5 to 18. When we arrive I see a well-cared for school with big areas for the children. The principal welcomes us and we decide that the best option is to bring the children out in to the warm sun.

Collingwood school

An old chap rides his BSA 1937 to the event and does not get left behind in the hills!

I am up first and address the children focusing on their future and how we are all responsible of providing them a secure place, in the school and at home. I feel I wanted to say more, but somehow I just can’t find the right words. After Donald one of the local organizers speaks to the children. She is an ex primary teacher and is brilliant in connecting with the children! One thing she says I will borrow from her: She asks the children to think about someone they can go to if/when they need to talk. She asks them not to tell us, but to store it in their memory so that they always have it there and they know who they can talk to. Nice!

We then give the kids an opportunity to sit on our bikes. That goes down well. They really want to hear the bikes “roar”, so we start our bikes and do some revving to the background of delighted screams.

The Collingwood "dudes"

From here we ride to “The Grove” where some big native trees have started growing on top of big rocks. We walk through some narrow passage ways and come out on a viewing platform overlooking Golden Bay.

Nature finds a way

Narrow

I like this part of the ride: Azza is taking us to see some of the sights that we pass on the way. We agree that this should be part of the White Ribbon Ride’s as it would get more riders to join.

We then have some discussions re where to for lunch. In the end we ride back over the hill and to the camping ground to sort out the accommodation for the last night on the ride. Once that is done we realize that there is no time for any more stops, as we need to get to the Nelson event.

We arrive at downtown Nelson where there is a stage. Ron, the YMCA Nelson CEO is there and welcomes me. He is surprised to see me there in my leathers as he was not expecting me to be on the ride. (I thought everyone in the Y knew?).

Awsum Nelson haka

SI West Wind in Nelson

We are welcomed and do our speeches. This time I focus on that it is the 25’th and the official White Ribbon Day, and every woman and child needs to have a home that is a safe haven for them. Donald again does a good job with his speech. One of the YMCA Nelson staff tells us about their boxing programme where they are working with 4 – 14 year old boys. A success it sounds like! And the official part is over.

I have one of their yummy meat patties and some delicious Maori bred. Then time for photos on the steps by the monument.

A 35’is chap comes to talk to me. It turns out that he has been a perpetrator, but now is going through a “12 step” programme learning to deal with it and to change. He has been offered to work as a volunteer with the boxing programme. He also asks me re riding with the Ride next year, I tell him about the ride, how it all works, that he needs a bike minimum 250cc and encourage him to join next year. I think we will see him there!

Time for dinner. There are four of us left (Mike, Azza, Sarah and I) who will stay at the camp. Azza takes us to an Indian restaurant that has very nice meals. A relaxing time in good company.

Then time for getting back to the camp and sorted for the last day tomorrow.

Travelled 282Km’s

Pictures to come!