I've been chasing a dry spot on the Saturday night to (todays miserable rain reminded me more about that really wet Sunday on the '10 ride). I might end up in the container to... Cold I can handle, heavy rain is just a pain in the bivvy (reminds me, must buy a small brolly! ).
Rangatik's full but they'll do some floor space for me on the night.
Well, new 21 inch TKC at the front door waiting for me to go out and fit it. New sprockets in hand. Waiting on chain to arrive...
I've screen printed each pages of Clints' course notes & uploaded to my IPOD as jpgs. Not quite as good as SatNav but it'll work for me (with country roads book as backup).
A side note / forethought:
Broadcast it and end up with more tourists up there, then road upgrades because they get stuck, then more road upgrades because they want to take airconditioned coaches and articulated camper RVs there, then eventually we've got ourselves another straight sealed road with double yellow lines 90% of the way... (or riding in the dust of more campervans or finding them coming around every second corner on the wrong side...) Is that what we want (of our playgrounds in general)?
Joni Mitchell sang of things along this line in 1970 & it still applies, "They paved paradise to put up a parking lot". (Ref: "Big Yellow Taxi" in Ladies of the Canyon or in Miles of Aisles (Live)). That's on my IPOD to now .
It's a public access easement over forestry roads, maintenance is entirely on the whim of the forestry company, eg the route around the washed out crossing remained a rough 4x4 track for over a year. What I'd be worried about is if the track gets lots more use inevitably there will be issues & Kaingaroa Timberlands will be looking for ways to restrict access. Already public access to the Kaingaroa estate has been severly curtailed compared with in the past.
Cheers
Clint
Been watching this with interest, we have similiar problems in the Naki .
A bunch of recent visitors to the province were given half true information about "paper roads" etc. I believe they are now planning rides etc that will only end with access to these areas being shut off completly forever.
Totally agree Clint, some people need to research things better before they make avaliable or use information.
Ok enough thread hijack :
MMMM, hmmmm, tossing up between the Beemer on dual sports with heated grips, comfy seat, and warm toes
Or some harden the f up pills and a blue bike
Clint, do you have any idea what time you will be stopping at lake Waikeri? Am thinking I might do a day trip, meet up at the lake continue to Tiniroto/Ruakitura road intersection then head home. Have planed a cool route on the GPS incorperating some of yours in two sections: Havelock to Waikeri (194 klm 3.28 hrs) via some backroads and Waikeri to Havelock highway (255klm 3.47hrs). Long day in the saddle but fun! That is if the weather is ok of course, Im not too fussed on frezzing the little man hood I have left off
....wherezz that track go
There is a little optional section just before Minginui that, weather & time permitting, I may lead those with lighter bikes, decent knobs & the desire to help push the 640 up a couple of slippery bits through. It's only a couple of km though so I wouldn't base bike & tyre selection on that too much.
Cheers
Clint
I was under the impression that Marty was going to ride up to Lake Waikaremoana, so wasn't looking to do the loop?
I am going to ride up to Napier Friday (got the day off), & will overnight there. I'll ride up to Rangitaikei early Saturday morning.
The ride thru the Forestry & down to Lake Waikaremoana are core parts of the ride to me. That & the Motu on Sunday.
I will be doing Sunday ride thru the Motu to Opotiki, then intend to ride back through the Motu, Whakerau Rd, then back to Napier. Home Monday.
Any Southern riders that want to hook up for the ride up, or back, please let me know.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks