Auckland - Dualsport day at the sandpit.

[.chris]

Who would be keen for a bit of a dual sport day at the sandpit?

Plenty of tracks out there that are semi suitable for your mid sized DS bikes, and plenty more for people who like to pretend they are a trail bike.

Cost $25 per rider for those who have never been.

[Kokopelli]

semi suitable
Please define semi suitable :-). At least the Waitemata Family Day trail rides have an ambulance in attendance. Mind you they probably have these on the weekends as well.

There is also this one coming up. It should be dry by then.

http://www.waitematamcc.co.nz/events/rtdec12.jpg

[.chris]

Please define semi suitable :-). At least the Waitemata Family Day trail rides have an ambulance in attendance. Mind you they probably have these on the weekends as well.

There is also this one coming up. It should be dry by then.


Well that track your photo (in that other thread) was from one of the easy trails, but because of the sand those trails are not that easy to ride at all.

There are a couple of tracks (convict and criminal, I think they are called) which are no where near as sandy as that one you took.
But saying that once you get your confidence up at riding in the sand, even the sandy bits can be ridable.

I have been meaning to get out to riverhead for one of their trail rides, as I bet even in the dry riverhead could be a challenge.

[Kokopelli]

After struggling on the "easy" bit I had no intention of finding out what the enduro section would be like. I went past the convict track and I think you may be right, it did look a lot more like the Muriwai end tracks.

I've been reading up a bit on sand riding, my technique was sort of right, but there is certainly room for improvement. Some people suggest starting in second gear and using your weight to steer a lot more at lower speeds.

I guess what unnerved me where the trees. Maybe I should just go and have a good run along the beach to try things out, without the fear of hitting stuff.

Also, ending up under a 210kg bike did not appeal to me all that much, even if it is on soft sand.

[Baldyman]

I would be keen, pretty much any of the dates above should be ok.

[Crisis management]

Just a word of warning...Riverhead is never dry and would be a very serious challenge on a dual sport bike, it's a serious challenge on the 200EXC!
There are guys that turn up there on trail bikes that give up after 30 minutes and go home.

Not a good idea.

Woodhill, there is never an ambulance in attendance but they are readily called, if there were enough volunteers I might be tempted just for the embarassment value but you want to get in soon while it is still wet to get some traction, good tyres essential.
The convict would be ok, the criminal not, the dead forest is ok and the farm loop is do-able but be prepared to sweat abundantly. Chris is right about the easy trails they really are soft sand and a pain even with a light bike, the single track is better (harder surface) but is very tight for a big bike (over 450cc).

[Kokopelli]

I wasn't intending to go to the Riverhead ride, it's only a suggestion for the gung-ho crowd here :-).

I've I have time I might come up and watch.

Yes, the wet sand offers more traction. Maybe I should have tried the convict trail. Having never been there before I wasn't going to take any chances. Riding in a small group would be a lot more confidence inspiring as well.

I've been through the Muriwai-end trails on a DRZ-250 once, that was pretty easy and a lot of fun.

[warewolf]

Wish I could be there! :weep:


I've been reading up a bit on sand riding, my technique was sort of right, but there is certainly room for improvement. Some people suggest starting in second gear and using your weight to steer a lot more at lower speeds. Sand is like riding in molasses. It eats power - you need lots of it because you are throwing sand more than getting traction, especially when getting accelerating. Ditto stopping - come off the power, the bike sinks in and stops. The bike kinda surfs in sand - get your weight back, on the power so the front is floating, then you steer with footpeg pressure (I suspect because it causes the powered wheel to bite on one side) in a kind of gliding motion. Trying to ride like a road bike on tar simply doesn't work. Turning the bars does very little without weighting the correct peg. When the front sinks, tucks and plows, you have to wind the throttle open to power on and lift the front wheel back up to get steerage way again - it took me a while to get the thinking part of the brain to override the instinctive brain saying "you're already crashing - don't make it worse by adding throttle you idiot!!" :lol: The fastest way to stop is to lock both ends and get the bike snow-plowing.

Great fun once you work out how to control the bike.:2thumbsup

Convict is definitely good; that and the dead forest are the two non-deep sand (mostly) loops. Both had hundreds of metres of flat deep sand to access them though. At least, it was like that 4 years ago when I last rode there.

Go visit the Off Road forum, bound to be lots of good advice.

[Cary]

WoodhillThe convict would be ok, the criminal not, the dead forest is ok and the farm loop is do-able but be prepared to sweat abundantly.Come on Iain, your not on the 990 now :Pokey:

Took the XR up when I first had it, not a problem.

I would not do Woodhill on an Adv bike without knobbys.

[.chris]

Come on Iain, your not on the 990 now :Pokey:

Took the XR up when I first had it, not a problem.

I would not do Woodhill on an Adv bike without knobbys.

Knobbys are not essential, the Sahara 3's I had on the 690 were pretty good in the sand. But then again, a tire named after a huge fracking desert should probably be quite good in the sand.

I think the sandpit is fun on (almost) any kind of bike, I even enjoyed riding my KLX250s out there, combine the terrible Dualsport tires and lack of power with the very soft suspension made it hard work, but still fun.

Do not let all these people scare you into thinking woodhill is so difficult to ride, it has its easy trails too. And sand is only hard when you are not doing it properly, once you have sand riding nailed you will have a ball.

[Cary]

Knobbys are not essential, the Sahara 3's I had on the 690 were pretty good in the sand. But then again, a tire named after a huge fracking desert should probably be quite good in the sand.

I think the sandpit is fun on (almost) any kind of bike, I even enjoyed riding my KLX250s out there, combine the terrible Dualsport tires and lack of power with the very soft suspension made it hard work, but still fun.

Do not let all these people scare you into thinking woodhill is so difficult to rideDepending on what tracks you do yours is a fair comment. I took the XR on tracks I would do on the KDX & some would be very difficult if not near impossible on non knobbys. Stick to main trails and yes any bike could do it and have fun to boot.

So long as i'm not working/busy on the date selected i'll be there. Very good idea Chris.

[Kokopelli]

You don't think the weight of the bike is an issue then?

This sort of surface I'd ride any day.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/Berwyn/Woodhill%20Trail%20Ride/DSC00384.jpg

[.chris]

You don't think the weight of the bike is an issue then?

This sort of surface I'd ride any day.


Nah I would not say that, but I still think there are a few trails out there which would be great fun on the R80, you can hardly expect it to handle like a trail bike, but you can still have some fun.
Some of the trails out there are not too different to your screen shot. It is just a matter of finding them, and getting stuck on a 1 way system of deep nasty sand trying to find a decent trail is not an ideal way to spend your day. So coming out with others who have ridden there before who can point you/guide you around the easier trails could be ideal for you, and for other dual sport riders.


Depending on what tracks you do yours is a fair comment. I took the XR on tracks I would do on the KDX & some would be very difficult if not near impossible on non knobbys. Stick to main trails and yes any bike could do it and have fun to boot.
Exactly, I was not suggesting that all the trails are easily dealt with, as some of them are pretty damn tricky even with the right bike/tires, but if we pick our tracks to suit the rider/bike we could have a really good day out there.

[Kokopelli]

Nah I would not say that, but I still think there are a few trails out there which would be great fun on the R80, you can hardly expect it to handle like a trail bike, but you can still have some fun.
Some of the trails out there are not too different to your screen shot. It is just a matter of finding them, and getting stuck on a 1 way system of deep nasty sand trying to find a decent trail is not an ideal way to spend your day. So coming out with others who have ridden there before who can point you/guide you around the easier trails could be ideal for you, and for other dual sport riders.

Yes, that's what I needed, someone to show me which trails to ride. And pick me up and dust me off occasionally. Too bad that I am now running out of time for this sort of thing.

Hopefully you'll have a good turn out, and if it's at all possible, I'll turn up too.
None of the MX'ers are going to mess with a group of adventure riders :-).

[Taz]

Too bad that I am now running out of time for this sort of thing.


Come on you're not that old......

[Crisis management]

Come on Iain, your not on the 990 now :Pokey:


I'm not stupid either......well, maybe sometimes..:(

Ok, I'll turn up assuming it's a time that suits but so far it looks like, Chris, you, Andy???, me and some Bald bastard (as distinct from moi).

We will see, I'm heading out there next thursday to try and remember how to ride the trail bike. I'll review any decisions after that experience.

[Baldyman]

and some Bald bastard (as distinct from moi).


:Oi:

I know who my parents are.

[Kokopelli]

[QUOTE=Anthrax;1129448378]Come on you're not that old......[/QUOTE

sometimes I do feel that old :-), but nah, I am busy this time of the year.

If it was my choice I would be a professional potter around on the bike kind of a guy. But the pay is terrible and I am not the sort who can write interesting stories and make money from them.

[warewolf]

Knobbys are not essential, the Sahara 3's I had on the 690 were pretty good in the sand. That should read, the 690 was pretty good in the sand.

[rogerh]

I have'nt been there, but would be keen. Planning is hell for me, so any date is pretty much a lottery, but when you get a date, I will try and make it.

[Bass]

:Oi:

I know who my parents are.

You attended their wedding then?

[.chris]

Ok, seems to be no outsanding results from the poll, so I am going to say ....


Saturday 24th, 10am start

Since 30th I plan to be doing the 42nd/Fishers rerun.

[Baldyman]

You attended their wedding then?

Good point. I have always just taken their word for it.



I was just objecting to being called a bastard. It is usually only after people meet me that they establish that.:laugh::laugh:

[Crisis management]

I was just objecting to being called a bastard. It is usually only after people meet me that they establish that.:laugh::laugh:

I was simply starting off as I usually continue, saves disapointment later in the relationship. :innocent:

24th I can't do, as I will be out of town, being polite to relatives, worse still I can't do the following weekend at national park either.

Must be time I organised a ride.

[.chris]

Ok, so this saturday, who is coming?

[rogerh]

I'm keen. Never been there. Maybe two of us. Will PM you.

Have some S12's in the shed, but those may not be knobblys when I get there if I don't use a trailer from Hamilton :(

[.chris]

an underwhelming result.

Might just be the 3 of us Roger.

[rogerh]

Might just be the 3 of us Roger.

Doesn't bother me. If the place is open I will be there. Been meaning to go for quite a while now and have never made it. Just put knobblys on the rims tonight and will put them on the bike tomorrow.

[Taz]

So how'd it go? The date wasn't suitable for me.

[Cary]

Yeah sorry bout the no show.

Was keen but then thought if i'm going to the Sandpit may as well take the dirt bike to, then thought i've ridden their plenty so why not take the dirtbike somewhere new and Mamamarua ride was on........

Thursday evening ride might be worth a try? promise i'll make it if not working

[paddy]

Ok, so this saturday, who is coming?

Ahhh... bother. That was yesterday.

[rogerh]

Was good. Many thanks to Chris for showing us how it all works. Would have been a bit painful for a beginner with out him.

It is a great bunch of tracks though. Took my 11 year old son, and he had a great time. I have to say it is an excellent place to improve technical riding skills. When we both left at about 4:30 we were two very knackered campers! And I have been reminded about muscles I have not used in some time. The 640 was fine on most tracks and by the end of the day, my son on an older YZ80 had picked up the pace to the point where keeping up on the 640 was pretty exciting.

Highly recommended for skills practice, and although I do not really like riding in sand myself I still enjoyed it heaps, but going with someone who knows the tracks and the place in general the first time is very worthwhile. Bit of a haul from Hamilton, but certainly worth it, particularly for my son.

The easy tracks are not really that easy for a beginner rider, or for heavier bikes, as they are mostly pretty deep sand. The enduro ones are actually easier, as they are a bit firmer surface, but the contour is a bit more challenging, and there are a few ruts and roots to contend with, but nothing too bad if you pick your line and keep the speed down until you get the hang of it.

Recommended. Son wants to plan the next trip already.

[.chris]

Was good. Many thanks to Chris for showing us how it all works. Would have been a bit painful for a beginner with out him.

It is a great bunch of tracks though. Took my 11 year old son, and he had a great time. I have to say it is an excellent place to improve technical riding skills. When we both left at about 4:30 we were two very knackered campers! And I have been reminded about muscles I have not used in some time. The 640 was fine on most tracks and by the end of the day, my son on an older YZ80 had picked up the pace to the point where keeping up on the 640 was pretty exciting.

Highly recommended for skills practice, and although I do not really like riding in sand myself I still enjoyed it heaps, but going with someone who knows the tracks and the place in general the first time is very worthwhile. Bit of a haul from Hamilton, but certainly worth it, particularly for my son.

The easy tracks are not really that easy for a beginner rider, or for heavier bikes, as they are mostly pretty deep sand. The enduro ones are actually easier, as they are a bit firmer surface, but the contour is a bit more challenging, and there are a few ruts and roots to contend with, but nothing too bad if you pick your line and keep the speed down until you get the hang of it.

Recommended. Son wants to plan the next trip already.

Glad you and you son enjoyed it. He sure seemed to enjoy that 2nd loop.

Will have to organise another DS day at the sandpit sometime when there are a few more people around.

Feeling the pain myself, my shoulders are pretty sore today, was partly from the ride, and part from pulling the bike apart to put the new rack on. :done:

[rogerh]

Feeling the pain myself, my shoulders are pretty sore today, was partly from the ride, and part from pulling the bike apart to put the new rack on. :done:

It was the ride! Better be, or I am a very sad case.

5th time round the loop Alex was getting pretty quick. Not sure he was fully in control, but he was moving! He also liked some of the tracks further north. We ended up doing quite a few k's during the day.

I would be along for the next one if I can, and again thanks heaps.