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Captains Log 17.11.16
White Ribbon Ride South Island kicked off today with Southern and Northern riders meeting up in Picton. Riders from both islands have battled adverse weather conditions ranging from light showers to torrential rain, snow, floods. We were welcomed on to the beautiful Waikawa Marae located just out of Picton township where we are overnighting. Tomorrow looks to be fine and sunny for us to begin attending our scheduled events.
White Ribbon Ride 2016……bring it on!
Colin
Captains Log 18/11/16
A full on day starting at 5.30 am when a rider (who shall remain nameless), had everybody up and awake at 5:30 am. Thanks Mr McKenzie. Ooops!
Our first official event for 2016 got off to a fine start at Marlborough Boys College where we were given a grand welcome and treated to a breakfast of bacon and egg butties and hot coffee.
We then went to Nelson College and were moved by a beautiful haka. Immediately after we then went to Nelson Intermediate where they also performed their school haka. When we left the students formed a guard of honour for us to ride through.
A couple of riders have had mechanical problems that are visiting a local bike shop. Some locals have loaned us a couple of bikes for the riders to carry on with.
We were welcomed onto Te Awhina Marae and were treated to a wonderful meal by the local Waimea Soroptimists Jill and Jill. We really appreciate the support form the Soroptimists. I’ve already had to extend my belt by a notch.
The riders are currently relaxing as we face a big ride tomorrow down the West Coast to Hokitika.
Colin
Pete and I have again joined the White Ribbon ride this year. The last time was 2014 as we couldn’t make it last year. It has been great to catch up the team and meet new riders.
It was a bit of an early start today, but at least Colin couldn’t growl for us being late. It was a refreshing ride from Picton through to Blenheim, where we had a great breakfast – bacon, eggs, sausages, buns at Marlborough Boys High. Definitely saw us through the day. Apart from one bike breaking down and having to be trailered to Nelson, we had a great ride. We traveled up Trafalgar St and onto Nelson College. We received a warm welcome and had some fun with the students. It was the first time that we had been there and they would like us back next year. After having a chat with them, they performed the college haka which was amazing to watch – so much power and dedication by the boys. From here we traveled to Nelson Intermediate. We received another warm welcome and Blair gave a good speech to the students about his life. We were also presented with a haka which was in competition with the boys college. The students then formed a guard of honour for us all to ride through, and it was amazing. We then stopped at Zumos for a coffee. On the way to Motueka, another bike decided to give up the ghost, but we got it to the shop to keep the first bike company. We continued on to be greeted at the Te Awhina Marae. A wonderful meal was supplied to us by Waimea soroptmists. We have certainly received great support from all communities.
We are now relaxing as we have a long ride tomorrow and the weather may be changing. I guess nothing unusual for the West Coast….
Nicola and Peter McKenzie
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Captains Log 19/11/16
Another early start when another rider who shall not remain nameless ( Graeme ), had everyone up a whole hour before they needed to be. At least we got away in good time and managed to miss any rain on our journey down the coast. Great ride through the Buller Gorge …made for motorcycles!

Lunch break at Broadway Tea rooms in Reefton where White Ribbon Riders were treated to a magnificent feast. Thank you to the ladies there for preparing all this delicious food.
The Broadway Tea Rooms in Reefton provided us with a sumptuous array of food for lunch, and many of the locals and visitors to the town stopped to chat and to check out the bikes. Back on the road again we kept up a steady pace to get us to Hokitika on time for the scheduled event at Crass Square in Hokitika where the ladies from the Westland Soroptmists had organised a “Walk the Talk” event. The local college First XV team lead a walk around the square and what a fine bunch of young men they are. With music, face painting and a barbeque the place was humming.
Riders had a little time to spare before our next event, so we caught up on some shopping, (the ladies) opossum slippers being the number one choice.
Shrek had a mini meltdown when he couldn’t find his phone. He had visions of it being left somewhere, or it dropping on to the road from his pocket. When asked if he had checked his pockets thoroughly he was adamant that yes he had, twice in fact but he checked again. When he was asked what did it look like he looked rather sheepish and said “like this one” and produced it from a pocket that he obviously missed. Were going to get a lot of mileage out of that one.
Our evening meal was provided by the Westland Soroptmists ladies and no one could complain of being hungry! What a feast! Big thank-you to Rayleen, Nicole, Jo, Sue, Chris, and Amanda we really appreciate your help and support.
Colin
Flying the White Ribbon Flag Hokitika
Lunch break at Broadway Tea rooms in Reefton where White Ribbon Riders were treated to a magnificent feast. Thank you to the ladies there for preparing all this delicious food.
Lunch break at Broadway Tea rooms in Reefton where White Ribbon Riders were treated to a magnificent feast. Thank you to the ladies there for preparing all this delicious food.
Lunch break at Broadway Tea rooms in Reefton where White Ribbon Riders were treated to a magnificent feast. Thank you to the ladies there for preparing all this delicious food.
Lunch break at Broadway Tea rooms in Reefton where White Ribbon Riders were treated to a magnificent feast. Thank you to the ladies there for preparing all this delicious food.
White Ribbon….Walk the talk at Cass Square Hokitika, organised by Soroptmists International Westland.
White Ribbon….Walk the talk at Cass Square Hokitika, organised by Soroptmists International Westland.
White Ribbon….Walk the talk at Cass Square Hokitika, organised by Soroptmists International Westland.
White Ribbon….Walk the talk at Cass Square Hokitika, organised by Soroptmists International Westland.
White Ribbon …tea at The Old theatre in Hokitika, hosted by Hokitika Soroptmists ladies Rayleen, Nicole, Joe, Sue , Chris and Amanda. These wonderful ladies then gifted us some fuel vouchers to help riders with travel expenses.
White Ribbon …tea at The Old theatre in Hokitika, hosted by Hokitika Soroptmists ladies Rayleen, Nicole, Joe, Sue , Chris and Amanda. These wonderful ladies then gifted us some fuel vouchers to help riders with travel expenses.
White Ribbon …tea at The Old theatre in Hokitika, hosted by Hokitika Soroptmists ladies Rayleen, Nicole, Joe, Sue , Chris and Amanda. These wonderful ladies then gifted us some fuel vouchers to help riders with travel expenses.
White Ribbon …tea at The Old theatre in Hokitika, hosted by Hokitika Soroptmists ladies Rayleen, Nicole, Joe, Sue , Chris and Amanda. These wonderful ladies then gifted us some fuel vouchers to help riders with travel expenses.
Captains Log 20/11/16
Torrential rain overnight in Hokitika had everyone gearing up for a wet ride this morning. However the clouds parted, and after the obligatory West Coast Whitebait Pattie Breakfast we headed off to make our way to Wanaka.
A good riding day although the wind was a problem from Franz Joseph through to Haast, making it hard riding for many. At every stop we attracted a lot of attention from tourists and locals alike, so although we did not have any official events to attend, we were still flying the White Ribbon Flag, answering questions, and posing for photographs.
A compulsory stop at Haast Gate ( Hells Gate) for photos and a rest stop.
Weather forecast isn’t looking too bad either!
Colin
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Amber here.
I can not express how much I am enjoying this ride!
The ride today from Graymouth to Haast was very windy. I had to slow down and let many past so I could cruse at my own speed. But once we left Haast,…… well…… I have never enjoyed riding so much in my life! I still can’t get the stupid smile off my face!
I am blown away by the reception we receive from people everywhere we go. We are being approached by so many asking where we are off to, what the ribbons mean, and then there are the ones that recognise the ribbon and just want to thank us for spreading the message.
The people on the ride are all amazing, and I feel we are doing the cause proud!
I will be back next year with bells on! And if that means I actually need to put bells on….. I WILL!!!
Cheers,
Amber.
Captains Log 21/11/16
The day started with a visit to Wanaka school where we were once again welcomed in style.

Colin, Libby and daughter Amber
Wind has been the biggest problem today, however everyone has managed to handle the conditions. The ride over the Crown Range was stunning, but again very windy. Rain threatened off and on for most of the day but never really eventuated.
A short stop at the Cardrona Hotel had all the cameras out and clicking madly before we headed to Invercargill
We made a late arrival for a short notice event at the Warehouse in Invercargill where many of the locals were intrigued with the bikes and spent a while talking bikes and White Ribbon.
KP catching 40 winks amongst the potting mix
Ken with a young fella on his bike at the Warehouse Invercargill
Its always heart-warming when so many people know about White Ribbon and express their support.
Colin
Captain’s Log Day 5 22 November 2016

China
We awoke to a glorious morning in Invercargill after good night’s rest at Toimairangi Marae, which is a wee haven of Nga Puhi in the middle of Invercargill. We had a good run through Central Otago to Gore, Miller’s Flat, then Alexandra. Sweeping curvy roads and not much traffic. The landscape changed from the towering craggy mountain terrain of the Southern Lakes District, to the wide sweeping rocky vistas of Central Otago.

Boot making an eight pointed star
First stop was Gore where we were hosted by Women’s Refuge. Hannah talked to us about the Million Star Campaign, which is an anti violence campaign. Hannah and the other ladies showed us how to make eight pointed stars which will be sent to the Gold Coast to make up the million stars which will be used to make one enormous star for the Commonwealth Games.
Next stop Miller’s Flat School where we were welcomed with a hearty waiata a ringa from the children who were very excited to see the motorbikes. Koro Moari returned the favour and Eru and Tiki talked to the children about the White Ribbon Campaign and then we were fed and watered (again) before we were off to our last stop for the day at Alexandra School. More excitement from the children again, and Animal was the definite favourite. Alexandra School is part of their Positive Behaviour For Learning initiative. Eru and Makz talked to the children about bullying and the White Ribbon Campaign. The children got to sit on the bikes and give them a good rev up! Eru took the Principal for a blat, yet another cuppa, then we were off to the camp ground which was a welcome reprieve as the temperature skyrocketed.
China
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