🚨 I’m riding my Ape tuk tuk 1400+ km from Rotorua to Wellington and back for the Jolly Good Chaps 50cc Scooter Charity Challenge! 🚨
🚨 The Grand Annual Jolly Good Chaps 50cc Scooter Charity Challenge – Piaggio Ape Edition! 🚨
Alright, folks, buckle up because I'm taking my trusty Piaggio Ape on the ride of a lifetime! You may remember the legendary journey I did from Sky City to Christchurch 1200km for Gumboot Friday. Well, this time, I'm cranking it up – I'm riding this little beast a crazy over 1400km from Rotorua to Napier, then off to Wellington and taking the long way home back again! 😆
It’s going to be a whole lot of 50cc action – more than any sane person should ever sign up for – but I’m doing it to raise money for local Hawkes Bay charities. 100% of the funds raised go straight to these incredible causes, so every dollar counts while I’m busy giving my Piaggio (and myself) the adventure of a lifetime.
Picture it: a grown adult, a Piaggio Ape, and way too much road between Rotorua, Napier, and Wellington. Donate and help fuel the madness – my back, my sanity, and the Ape are all gonna need it! 😂
Let’s see if we can make this legendary 1400km+ journey happen without the Piaggio turning into a roadside relic. Help me out, and let’s make some magic (and laughter) happen on this long wayÂ
My Updates
Tuk-Tuk Ride: A Whimsical Adventure on Three Wheels
Monday 17th FebThere is something magical about cruising the open road, wind in your hair, engine humming beneath you. But when that engine belongs to a tuk-tuk, the journey is not just about the destination it is about turning heads, spreading smiles, and embracing the unexpected.
Welcome to the Jolly Good Chaps Ride, where three wheels, a bit of character, and a whole lot of adventure come together for an unforgettable experience.
Setting the Scene
Picture this: a bright, quirky tuk-tuk decked out with just the right amount of charm, rolling through town like a tiny carnival on wheels. The plan? To ride, film, and share the joy of slow travel, spontaneous detours, and the delightful absurdity of tuk-tuk life.
The Ride Begins
With a cheerful honk and a wave, we set off, embracing the world at a modest (but respectable) tuk-tuk pace. There is no rush just the rhythmic purr of the engine and the occasional chuckle from onlookers who clearly were not expecting to see this kind of rig on the road.
First stop: A scenic overlook, the kind that makes you want to sip a cup of tea and ponder lifes grand mysteries  like whether a tuk-tuk can actually outrun a bicycle. (Spoiler: it is a close call.)
Encounters Along the Way
Every stop brings a new story. Curious kids run up to ask, What is that thing? An elderly couple reminisces about their own adventures in a tuk-tuk back in Thailand. Fellow travelers wave, smile, and sometimes even hop in for a quick photo. The tuk-tuk, it seems, is an instant conversation starter a rolling invitation to connect with people.
The Unexpected (Because It Is a Tuk-Tuk, After All)
No great journey is complete without a bit of mischief. Whether it is an impromptu roadside repair (duct tape: a tuk-tuks best friend) or an ambitious off-road detour that quickly turns into a game of How Stuck Can We Get?, every twist in the road adds to the story.
And let us not forget the soundtrack: the steady putt-putt of the engine, punctuated by laughter, friendly honks, and the occasional OI MATE, LOVE YOUR RIDE! from a passing car.
The Grand Finale
As the sun sets and the adventure winds down, there is only one way to celebrate a well-earned meal and a few final clips for the video. The ride might end for the day, but the story lives on through film, photos, and a growing love for this wonderfully weird mode of transport.
What Is Next?
More rides, of course! More stories, more adventures, and possibly even a pop-up tent on top of the tuk-tuk (because why not?).
If you enjoyed this journey, keep an eye out for the video, where I will be sharing all the best moments including the ones where things did not quite go to plan. Until then, keep the wheels rolling, the engine humming, and the good vibes flowing.
Cheers to the road ahead!!
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Might enter myself next years. Safe travels champ.