Southward Bound (Auck to Wellywood) 3-7 Jan

[.chris]

I have a rough plan, looks somewhat like the attached, but will really depend on the weather and how I feel about the comfort of the bike.
The general plan has me doing about 400km per day, keep to the quiet roads with a fair splashing of gravel.

Day 1, coast roads from Raglan, Kawhia, Awakino south then inland to Whangamomona,

Day 2, might duck down the Whangamomona road if I feel keen, up the big pointy mountain Taranaki for a look see, and have a general perv at anything that looks worthy of a look on the way down. Head towards Whanganui

Day 3, Not really sure about getting further south from there, I hear good things about the Whanganui river road, but that is not really on my way, but could be done.

Day 4, get to wellington from where-ever day 3 puts me, or if I am already there relax in the city, maybe hit up the locals for a day trip around wellywoods (anyone keen? as I could make an effort to be in wellington area for a ride if anyone is keen.)

Any suggestions for roads/routes I can do on the way down?
Probably stay at pubs/camping grounds along the way, nothing booked as my km's per day might be quite variable.

I have my ferry booked for the evening of the 7th, so my plan is to make it to wellington in time for that (11pmish on the 7th).
.

[bart]

Hi Chris. That looks a bit mind numbing from Wanganui to Welly. If you slip over to the east side and go down the Wairarapa, I could show you a few 'woohoo' roads.:woohoo:

I'll be at a loose end around then too....(and been dyeing for a ride on a 690)....shit, did I say that out loud. :whistle:

[.chris]

Hi Chris. That looks a bit mind numbing from Wanganui to Welly. If you slip over to the east side and go down the Wairarapa, I could show you a few 'woohoo' roads.:woohoo:

I'll be at a loose end around then too....(and been dyeing for a ride on a 690)....shit, did I say that out loud. :whistle:


Hi Bart, yeah that part of the country is pretty new to me, so I was thinking of just following my nose.

I had a play with my maps (which are not detailed enough, bloody AA, at least they were free), but mapsrouce has way more detail.
I found a cool road called Tarere Rd (point c on this (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Ohura+Rd&daddr=Pembroke+Rd+to:Eltham+Rd+to:Surf+Hwy+to:Skee t+Rd+to:Tempsky+Rd+to:Ohangai+Rd+to:Tarere+Rd+to:I ngahape+Rd+to:Tarere+Rd+to:Whitehead+Ln+to:Wanganu i+Metropolitan+Mwy&hl=en&geocode=Fay0qv0dFBxqCg%3BFec2qP0d-JtgCg%3BFa5Opv0d0LpgCg%3BFYZGpf0dQt9dCg%3BFXmHpf0d AVtfCg%3BFTI1pf0de19iCg%3BFS8PpP0ddMRkCg%3BFTWwpP0 d8G5mCg%3BFTz_o_0dUh9mCg%3BFQTIo_0dxM5mCg%3BFUGvof 0d6ARmCg%3BFfx2nv0dXgVvCg&mra=mr&mrcr=3&via=2,3,4,5,6,8,9&sll=-39.76329,174.74493&sspn=0.116516,0.215435&ie=UTF8&z=10)), which leads to a track called, stock track which leads a bit closer to the lake.
Which could be fun, anyone know anything about that area? Locals?

As far as the Wairarapa, I plan to do the east coast on the way north (late feb) so I shall post up when that journey beings.

[Crisis management]

Chris, be a bit careful of the GPS based maps as they may show a number of paper roads that aren't real, I recently ended up in a farm paddock following one of "those" roads. I have to say the AA maps usually are very accurate with what is actually a road.

Have a good trip south, if your doing the DB I will see you there.

[.chris]

Chris, be a bit careful of the GPS based maps as they may show a number of paper roads that aren't real, I recently ended up in a farm paddock following one of "those" roads. I have to say the AA maps usually are very accurate with what is actually a road.

Have a good trip south, if your doing the DB I will see you there.

Yep, I understand that some roads just plain are not roads anymore, or never were, that is partially why I have not made any accommodation plans, as I am bound to end up doing some back-tracking.

Yep doing the DB, looking forward to it :2thumbsup

[alane]

Just did it 2 weeks ago,on my Super Sherpa farm bike.It was in pretty good nick really.(The road,NOT the bike:rolleyes:) Someone has corduroyed the hole through the tunnel with pungas.I was just behind a couple of katoom Adventures & a transalp:cool:
.A couple of options going south
(1) Turn left @ the southern end of Normanby & go down Ohangai Rd,& come out on the main road @ Mokoia,it,s no further than the main road,but it misses Hawera.
(2) Turn right @ Maxwell -maxwell stn. Rd.--& go down Rapanui Rd etc ,into Wanganui. A little bit of gravel ,but no real challenge.
(3)A bit off from your main direction ,but the Turakina valley is quite a good easy ride.you,d hit the main drag near Taihape.
(4) A bit out of my neck of the woods but one road I,ve never done,& I think would be good is the Akatarawa Rd from Waikanae to Upper Hutt.
The Wellywood boys might put you/us straight on this one??:niceone:
You,ve got te gear down to a minimum.Doe,snt include a tent,doe,s it??
Happy travels ---AL.

[.chris]

Just did it 2 weeks ago,on my Super Sherpa farm bike.It was in pretty good nick really.(The road,NOT the bike:rolleyes:) Someone has corduroyed the hole through the tunnel with pungas.I was just behind a couple of katoom Adventures & a transalp:cool:
.A couple of options going south
(1) Turn left @ the southern end of Normanby & go down Ohangai Rd,& come out on the main road @ Mokoia,it,s no further than the main road,but it misses Hawera.
(2) Turn right @ Maxwell -maxwell stn. Rd.--& go down Rapanui Rd etc ,into Wanganui. A little bit of gravel ,but no real challenge.
(3)A bit off from your main direction ,but the Turakina valley is quite a good easy ride.you,d hit the main drag near Taihape.
(4) A bit out of my neck of the woods but one road I,ve never done,& I think would be good is the Akatarawa Rd from Waikanae to Upper Hutt.
The Wellywood boys might put you/us straight on this one??:niceone:
You,ve got te gear down to a minimum.Doe,snt include a tent,doe,s it??
Happy travels ---AL.

Thanks for the info.

My gear will be pretty light, going to stay at pubs/camping ground/b&b's so no tents and stuff needed, plenty of tech onboard tho, camera + dslr + gps + laptop etc (just the essentials), couple of changes of underware/teeshirts and my togs, which is everything I should need (or can think of).

Will be riding with MX boots on which will be bloody hot and probably a pain, but safe, and easier than putting them on the back somehow. I have been thinking that taking some secondary riding boots might be a good idea, have to see how I manage to pack all this gear in on the day before. Taking the mx boots along is pretty much essential for me (plan on some serious trail rides in the south island)

[Lucy]

Thanks for the info.

My gear will be pretty light, going to stay at pubs/camping ground/b&b's so no tents and stuff needed, )

There's a nice bike friendly Backpackers in Raetihi if you end up riding up the Wanganui river road or the Paraparas...it's cheap too, but you have to be careful, the owner doesn't have a bike at the moment and somtimes drools.

[marks]

Hi Chris. That looks a bit mind numbing from Wanganui to Welly.

wot he said - Wanganui to Welly via SH3 and SH1 is a boring pox.

take the back roads east from Wanganui (No 3 line or No 2 line) across to Kapakapa Rd - either Taurimu Rd or Makuhou Rd and ideally end up at Vinegar Hill on SH1

then either up to Ohingaiti and right towards Managa Mako Rd towards Hinau or down onto SH54.

Work your way across to Ashhurst then either head down SH57 to Shannon or if time - through the gorge towards Woodville but turn right onto Ballance Gorge Rd then right onto Hall Block Rd and onto North Range Rd - its a really great ride - then west down the Pahiatua Tract to SH57 and down to Shannon etc

if you have time - when you leave Ashhurst go over Saddle Rd and left (north) up Whariti Rd to the radio towers at the top - awesome views and a great lumpy rd - then do the North Range Rd bit

you can easy spend a day getting from Wanganui to Wellywood. and very little is boring (Levin to Welly is unavoidable and yuck)

if you have time I'll show you through the Mungatooks - it will take a good few hours) - which will bring you from Paraparaumu out in Upper Hutt (via Karapoti)

Have a great trip

[.chris]

wot he said - Wanganui to Welly via SH3 and SH1 is a boring pox.

take the back roads east from Wanganui (No 3 line or No 2 line) across to Kapakapa Rd - either Taurimu Rd or Makuhou Rd and ideally end up at Vinegar Hill on SH1

then either up to Ohingaiti and right towards Managa Mako Rd towards Hinau or down onto SH54.

Work your way across to Ashhurst then either head down SH57 to Shannon or if time - through the gorge towards Woodville but turn right onto Ballance Gorge Rd then right onto Hall Block Rd and onto North Range Rd - its a really great ride - then west down the Pahiatua Tract to SH57 and down to Shannon etc

if you have time - when you leave Ashhurst go over Saddle Rd and left (north) up Whariti Rd to the radio towers at the top - awesome views and a great lumpy rd - then do the North Range Rd bit

you can easy spend a day getting from Wanganui to Wellywood. and very little is boring (Levin to Welly is unavoidable and yuck)

if you have time I'll show you through the Mungatooks - it will take a good few hours) - which will bring you from Paraparaumu out in Upper Hutt (via Karapoti)

Have a great trip

Cheers, added to my route.

I was going to touch base with you welly guys when I am on my way back north as then I shall more time. But with my current plan I might be able to make it to wellington area on the 6th, which leaves me all day on the 7th to do something, but that being mid week is hardly going to be convenient.

[bart]

Cheers, added to my route.

I was going to touch base with you welly guys when I am on my way back north as then I shall more time. But with my current plan I might be able to make it to wellington area on the 6th, which leaves me all day on the 7th to do something, but that being mid week is hardly going to be convenient.

Cnut on the 7th then. I'm in.:woohoo:

[.chris]

Cnut on the 7th then. I'm in.:woohoo:

YES! :rockon:

[marks]

the 7th is my birthday so I'm in regardless of where we go.

I'll start working on a present list :wari:

[bart]

the 7th is my birthday so I'm in regardless of where we go.

I'll start working on a present list :wari:

Cool. Cnut, then a party at your house. :woohoo:

[marks]

Cool. Cnut, then a party at your house. :woohoo:

cnut cnut cnut :yes:

Do we want to risk breaking Chris at the beginning of his big trip?

[bart]

cnut cnut cnut :yes:

Do we want to risk breaking Chris at the beginning of his big trip?

He'll be fine. It's that pretty orange bike I'm more worried about. :innocent:

[marks]

He'll be fine. It's that pretty orange bike I'm more worried about. :innocent:


the depth of your concern is overwhelming :no:

[.chris]

the depth of your concern is overwhelming :no:

I need not your concern, just your help up :yes:

No thread hijack to be seen, this sort of ride is exactly why I posted this thread.

[Paladin]

I need not your concern, just your help up :yes:

No thread hijack to be seen, this sort of ride is exactly why I posted this thread.

Yeah get that 690 up Cnut Chris... show Marks how its done!
:shutup:

[.chris]

Yeah get that 690 up Cnut Chris... show Marks how its done!
:shutup:

I will try.

So where is this hill you guys speak of?

I will probably be staying the night of the 5th in Whanganui/Bulls or near by. And will have the 6th as a bit of a gentle day probably do that "Whariti Rd" one you mentioned MarkS.

Where should I say for the night of the 6th?
Would be great if I am nearby somewhere I could drop my gear as cnut hill hardly sounds like one I will want to attempt fully luggage'd.

[marks]

I will try.

So where is this hill you guys speak of?

I will probably be staying the night of the 5th in Whanganui/Bulls or near by. And will have the 6th as a bit of a gentle day probably do that "Whariti Rd" one you mentioned MarkS.

Where should I say for the night of the 6th?
Would be great if I am nearby somewhere I could drop my gear as cnut hill hardly sounds like one I will want to attempt fully luggage'd.

its at the bottom of the Wairarapa below Martinborough

if you do Whariti Rd and North Range Rd and go east down to Pahiatua and get accommodation at Masterton or Carteron or somewhere similar

I'll meet you at a coffee shop called Tuis or some bloody thing (was called Toppy's and should be called Titties) in Martinborough 9.25-10ish on the morning of the 7th

Bart - are you in for the 7th?

[That looks like fun]

Forget Maxwell Station Rd :girlfight: turn left at Kai Iwi and take the Rangitatau East Rd, Bruce Rd loop. Awesome Rd and scenery, brings you out into Aramaho at the top end of Fonganewey :2thumbsup

[bart]

Bart - are you in for the 7th?

At this stage I'm in. We'll see how things develope. I'm off now until the 11th, so hope to get plenty of riding in once xmas/new year are out of the way.

I might have to get another tyre, as I doubt the Trail Wing look alike would get me up there.

Chris, I may be able to play tour guide on the 6th also. If time and it's a nice day, you could possibly skip Whariti and do Takapari. :2thumbsup

[junkmanjoe]

I will try.

So where is this hill you guys speak of?

I will probably be staying the night of the 5th in Whanganui/Bulls or near by. And will have the 6th as a bit of a gentle day probably do that "Whariti Rd" one you mentioned MarkS.

Where should I say for the night of the 6th?
Would be great if I am nearby somewhere I could drop my gear as cnut hill hardly sounds like one I will want to attempt fully luggage'd.

HI Chris..

welcome to camp here mate.

the KB lodge.

i wont be able to join in for the ride, as im working over xmas new year..

JMJ

[.chris]

At this stage I'm in. We'll see how things develope. I'm off now until the 11th, so hope to get plenty of riding in once xmas/new year are out of the way.

I might have to get another tyre, as I doubt the Trail Wing look alike would get me up there.

Chris, I may be able to play tour guide on the 6th also. If time and it's a nice day, you could possibly skip Whariti and do Takapari. :2thumbsup

Sounds good, no problem for it to be "sort out on the day jobbie"

JMJ, could be keen to take you up on that offer, but do you have a bed or a couch as I am riding tentless. And where is your place, I googled craparapa results were not obvious :eek5:

[alane]

Forget Maxwell Station Rd :girlfight: turn left at Kai Iwi and take the Rangitatau East Rd, Bruce Rd loop. Awesome Rd and scenery, brings you out into Aramaho at the top end of Fonganewey :2thumbsup
Must checkitout:2thumbsup---although I can,t find "Bruce road" after rangitatau E Rd --my map says Kaurapaoa rd --then Kaiwhaiki rd--comming out @ Upokongaro on hiway 4---is that what you mean .:confused:
:drinknsin AL.

[That looks like fun]

Upuk is on the Eastern Bank of the river :crazy: If you come out there you will have gotten very wet at some stage or you will have been across a bridge. The nearest one of those being in Fongaknewey. Forget the Bruce Rd (wrong one it dont exist) go with the Kaurapaoa Rd. It ends In Aramahoe. Its an excellent ride and some awesome scenery. When you come round the corner and the Wanganui River is suddenly before you its a catch your breath fall off your bike in wonder moment :2thumbsup

[marks]

go with the Kaurapaoa Rd. It ends In Aramahoe. Its an excellent ride and some awesome scenery. When you come round the corner and the Wanganui River is suddenly before you its a catch your breath fall off your bike in wonder moment :2thumbsup

went part way along this in the car a while ago. hopefully my wife couldnt see the tears as, under my breath, I chanted "want to be on bike ,want to be on bike ,want to be on bike ...."

beautiful road - made for an adv bike - and not ,especially after a big storm, made for a big fat mud plough Diamante

[.chris]

Upuk is on the Eastern Bank of the river :crazy: If you come out there you will have gotten very wet at some stage or you will have been across a bridge. The nearest one of those being in Fongaknewey. Forget the Bruce Rd (wrong one it dont exist) go with the Kaurapaoa Rd. It ends In Aramahoe. Its an excellent ride and some awesome scenery. When you come round the corner and the Wanganui River is suddenly before you its a catch your breath fall off your bike in wonder moment :2thumbsup

Looks good, route file updated.

Just trying to work out how many km's to do in a day, I have myself doing around 350-400 per day, I do intend to take my time, and take plenty of photos.

Also do not want to tire myself out before cnut hill.

[cooneyr]

...Just trying to work out how many km's to do in a day, I have myself doing around 350-400 per day, I do intend to take my time, and take plenty of photos.....

If you work on the average of 50kph which is very common for us down here (it may be diff for the north isle with all its small humps and turns) then thats 7-8 hours riding a day which doesnt leave much time for photos if you want to leave at 9 and be in by 6. If you are happy to kick the day off early and not arrive at your destination till much later then that is an ideal distance for the day.

We often find that a 300km day with plenty of photo taking and checking stuff out and home by mid evening is a great day out.

Cheers R

[alane]

[QUOTE=That looks like fun;1129582388]Upuk is on the Eastern Bank of the river :crazy: If you come out there you will have gotten very wet at some stage or you will have been across a bridge. The nearest one of those being in Fongaknewey.
YEh!!!! Of course ,your right,:niceone: Thought I must,ve had ANOTHER senior moment :Oops:,but then looking @ my AA map (latest version) It shows the Kauarapaoa/Kaiwhiaki Rd merging with hiway 4 & no river inbetween.:(
the old AA maps are better.:2thumbsup

:buggerd: not enough time to do it when i go to the ferry on the way to the Dusty Butt.---Oh! well ---some other time.:whistle:
CHEERS AL.

[That looks like fun]

jeez howd you get a leave pass to the DB? or are you sneaking out before daybreak :lol:

[junkmanjoe]

Sounds good, no problem for it to be "sort out on the day jobbie"

JMJ, could be keen to take you up on that offer, but do you have a bed or a couch as I am riding tentless. And where is your place, I googled craparapa results were not obvious :eek5:

yep we got a sleepy thing....some where...

pm for details closer to your travel date..

KB Lodge, movies on the big screen all night long.....

JMJ

[alane]

jeez howd you get a leave pass to the DB? or are you sneaking out before daybreak :lol:

Spose your talking to me???

SHE-- HOO-- RULES don,t know yet! :laugh:

Naa! ------ Just kidding:cool:

Will pay the price,the rest of the year I spose. :buggerd:

[.chris]

I think I am all ready, just packed up the gear and attached to the bike, need to do a dry run around the local to ensure nothing falls off.

Plan is
Day 1 - Auck to Whangamomona, west coast roads :Punk: (420km)
Day 2 - Whangamomona Rd, Up Mt Taranaki, down to Whanganui/Bulls (350km)
Day 3 - Whanganui/Bulls to via Ashurst/Woodville up Whariti Road for look at the wind farms, down to Masterton to possibly stay with JMJ (280km)
Day 4 - Masterton to Martinboro for a look at Cnut hill with MarkS, evening Ferry to Picton

Day 5 - Maybe chill out around the Picton area, go find some fun roads up in the sounds, or duck down to CHCH, possibly via Rainbow
Day 6 - Wherever day 5 takes me to Fairlie.

[alane]

If you wanted a change from the Waitonga road from Awakino to Ohura & you had the time,you could go back up through the Awakino gorge (best road --2Wheels magazine ? 1982:clap:).Near the top of Mahoenui hill turn R onto Totoro rd --go to Aria & then down to Ohura via Waitewhena Rd.
Another option ---instead of going right to Awakino,----turn L about 47km befor hand @ Moeatoa (onto Pomerangi Rd,which is bloody narrow.) & go east from there to piopio.
Decisions!!! Decisions!! :rolleyes:Happy travels
:drinknsin Al.

[.chris]

If you wanted a change from the Waitonga road from Awakino to Ohura & you had the time,you could go back up through the Awakino gorge (best road --2Wheels magazine ? 1982:clap:).Near the top of Mahoenui hill turn R onto Totoro rd --go to Aria & then down to Ohura via Waitewhena Rd.
Another option ---instead of going right to Awakino,----turn L about 47km befor hand @ Moeatoa (onto Pomerangi Rd,which is bloody narrow.) & go east from there to piopio.
Decisions!!! Decisions!! :rolleyes:Happy travels
:drinknsin Al.

I have done the Awakino Gorge Road before, so I am going to skip that one. And have done the run from Oparau down into PioPio a few times before (and loved it)
The trip I have planned is a little over 400km which is about as far as I am prepared to go in a day I reckon. Which combines a nice mix of road and gravel.
But cheers for the suggestions they are both great roads.

[.chris]

All packed up, bike ready to go.
Leaving sometime in the AM, rain is scheduled, which is just great news :(

If no-one hears from me in the next week please come looking for me, I will probably be sitting on the side of the road somewhere wishing I had purchased a more reliable bike
. :bash:

My mobile/gps setup does a location upload kinda like the spot system (but requires cellphone reception to upload) you can check my progress here (http://www.gpsed.com/user/Chriswnz) if you feel the inclination.

Bart, looking forward to seeing you in Ashhurst on wed, and Marks on thursday (where are we going to meet again?)
JMJ, will touch base with you on tues night/wed to let you know if I make it through to take you up on the bed offer.

My trip has been officially renamed the NZDakar in honor of the fellow 690 racers doing the real Dakar, I will be doing a few pretend race sections to use the full power of the 690 since they can't :confused:

[alane]

I wonder how the JAFFA boys makein out??? If he did Whanga. Rd ,it,d be a bit greasy as we had over 30mm of rain Sun. night.-------Zippiddy -do -da--------

[marks]

Cnut Hill

I will be at Toppy's (now Tui's?) in Martinborough tomorrow morning at 10am supping a latte.
lunch at Sutherland's Hut followed by an run at Cnut

all welcome - even adventure cruisers should be able to make it to the hut......
bring me lots of birthday presents :yes:

[Box'a'bits]

:weep: :weep: Waiting.....2-3 wks on parts...:crybaby: :crybaby:

[marks]

:weep: :weep: Waiting.....2-3 wks on parts...:crybaby: :crybaby:

you can just post me a present then

[Waihou Thumper]

For what Steve? A new KTM branded washer mate? :)
:weep: :weep: Waiting.....2-3 wks on parts...:crybaby: :crybaby:

[bart]

Cnut Hill

I will be at Toppy's (now Tui's?) in Martinborough tomorrow morning at 10am supping a latte.
lunch at Sutherland's Hut followed by an run at Cnut

all welcome - even adventure cruisers should be able to make it to the hut......
bring me lots of birthday presents :yes:

I'll be there. I'll pick Chris up from JMJ's on the way.

We went for a nice little ride up Takapari today. Locked gate is gone and track has been maintained. We made it right to the end of the track. Awesome. Hardly any wind, so it was a rare day up there.

Oh, and Happy Birthday. Here's ya present......:finger:....................:bleh:

[Box'a'bits]

you can just post me a present then

After you send me one. Mine was first, on the first....

[Box'a'bits]

For what Steve? A new KTM branded washer mate? :)

Inlet rocker cam follower bearing has gone. Will replace the exhaust rocker cam follower bearing as a precautionary measure, & do a waterpump rebuild. Mileage is about right for that work, so no real surprise...just the timing could have been better.

[marks]

After you send me one. Mine was first, on the first....

I allready arranged for one for you

you found it when you lifted the cam cover on the ktm

[junkmanjoe]

Hey guys, .chris here bodysnatching at jmj's (stealing joes computer and too lazy to switch users)

All good for tomorrow, had a great day out with bart, local knowledge is a goldmine around these parts.

marks & bart, see you tomorrow.

[bart]

A couple of shots from today

189531189532189530

[andy mac]

As usual nice photos Bart. I will join the Cnut assault team, will be at Te Marua speedway at 9 Mark.

[bart]

andy mac is king of the hill.....:not:.....:2thumbsup

[junkmanjoe]

so the cnut is been beaten..............way to go andy mac... you da man...

JMJ

[NordieBoy]

So now it's >150kg bikes that are the challenge?

[JATZ]

andy mac is king of the hill.....:not:.....:2thumbsup

Pics or it never happened :yes:

[andy mac]

Pics or it never happened :yes:

Sorry photos out of sequence
1 Mark celebrates with a cucumber sandwich at the top
2 Pre-briefing
3 Lying down on the job
4 Bart
5 Mark on Cnut
6 Note 2 spectators in distance - top right

[andy mac]

1 At the far end, the locked gate was removed.
2 Chris
3 View over Palliser Bay

[dino3310]

never thought a transalp would be the first,
wheres the pic's

[dino3310]

:doh: to slow once again.
looks like u fellas had a bloody awesome day:niceone:

[marks]

Woohoo - what an awesome way to spend a day

victory

<img src=http://webcoda.com/images/bike/IMG_6130.640.JPG>

only one way to get to the coast - via cnut

<img src=http://webcoda.com/images/bike/IMG_6142.640.JPG>

[Woodman]

Well done................. Shit that does look like a nasty hill.

How far did you get up on the Dr bart?

[junkmanjoe]

nothing else to say,,,,:niceone:

job done.....:clap::clap:


who want to help me get the 9fiddy up...:eek:

JMJ

[Woodman]

nothing else to say,,,,:niceone:

job done.....:clap::clap:


who want to help me get the 9fiddy up...:eek:

JMJ

easy peasy,just give it to me for a few weeks prior to do some training first and then we'll knock the bastard off.

[bart]

Well done................. Shit that does look like a nasty hill.

How far did you get up on the Dr bart?

Not far at all. Trailwing tyres just wouldn't do it. Had 3 or 4 attempts, but didn't even get half way.

I did walk to the top though, and got these photos:

189613189614189612

[NordieBoy]

Is this the sort of thing you'll be showing us the day after the CCA?

[Padmei]

Congrats guys. But for us Sth Islanders a bit more detail please. Does it count if you fall off halfway up? Extra points keeping your feet on the pegs?

[XF650]

Go the Yamaha's. Well done.

[bart]

Andy made it up first go. It's not the kind of hill where you can stop half way. You need to keep momentum.

This doesn't count, eh Mark....

[bart]

189635189636189637189638

Here's a few more. Most of my photos from yesterday came out like crap. Teach me for trying to be tricky and experiment with different settings.

Those up hill ones are from the lead up to the real Cnut.

[marks]

This doesn't count, eh Mark....

fooker

there is a difference between 'push to get going' and 'push all the way to the top' :yes:

I was already disqualified by taking the DT to Martinborough on a trailer and I was glad I did - I was so knackered (and sore - I fell off 3-4 times) by the time we left the pub I was in no conditions to ride over the rimutukas in those high (gail force?) winds.

Andy is certainley the man for riding straight up that hill - very impressive skills.
He used more energy helping me pick up and push START my bike than he did on his own ascent - thanks Andy

[bart]

Haha. Bloody trailer trash. :lol:

OK....who's going to be the first to get a REAL bike up there. Bring the KLR. ;)

It's going to be funny next time when I ride all the way there with a full on knobbly, doing about 70kmh with ultra low gearing. :2thumbsup

[bart]

OK, just catching up on some photos. Here's some more from the other day.

1. On the way up Takapari
2. Half way up the hill
3. A Frame hut
4. Big puddle. Deeper than it looks.
5. Chris dodging puddles
6. and again

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[Paladin]

Big Ups to Andy Mac, and well done to all you guys! A couple of really good photos in there too that show just how bad cnut is covered in big loose rocks - a bastard of a hill! Looked like an awesome day out!

[bart]

7. track was a bit knarly in places. Quite freaky riding at this height with HUGE drop offs.
8. The end of the line
9. Heading back
10. Ain't that orange thing pretty
11. An idea of the size of these things. You can just see Chris at the bottom.
12. Must be some dust on this lens

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[Paladin]

Looks like you & Chris had a fun day out Bart - it was a mad coincidence meeting Chris in Ekatahuna; us being there the same time fuelling up after Benjah & I emerged from Route 52! Chris, it was good to meet you finally and will hopefully catch up more when JMJ & I head South on Jan 22nd!
Have a fun & safe ride on the rest of your mammoth trip mate!
:2thumbsup

[Taz]

Must come down sometime and ride this little hill.

[marks]

Must come down sometime and ride this little hill.

I'm sure we can arrange a group to keep you company.

I'm keen to try and get up in one run - might have to bring the trailbike methinks

[Woodman]

i'm sure we can arrange a group to keep you company.

I'm keen to try and get up in one run - might have to bring the trailbike methinks

klr klr klr ....................

[marks]

klr klr klr ....................

the klr was hard enough to get up the first gnarly bit and it gave me a major 'shit my pants' moment on the way back down
Aint no way its going up the 'Scree of Despair' as Pampara so aptly called it

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[.chris]

Hi Guys

Arrived in Fairlie after a longish day down from Blenheim yesterday.
Bart, thanks heaps for the guided tour on wed, that was bloody good fun, definately one of the highlights of the trip so far, that Takapari road was excellent, truely mind blowing views.

Dave, great to catch you in Ekatahuna, always nice to see other riders out on the road especially ones you know.

Joe, cheers heaps for the bed for the night and the BBQ, your hospitality is legendary, look forward to seeing you guys on your trip to the south.

Also thanks to Marks, Andy and bart for taking me up to the cnut hill, sorry I did not make and run at it, but figured I would just end up making a cnut of myself and break something.
I have not done much hill climb stuff like that before and had already had a moment or two getting to the bottom of it. That was enough adventure for me.
Great track up to the hut tho, was bloody good fun.

Cheers to Andy for riding with me through the ranges into Wellington, that was pretty hairy through there, but worth it to cruise into wellington along side the train, and make it to the ferry early enough to catch the earlier one.

I just uploaded a few of the photos I have taken so far.
<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px; no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/TripSouth?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S0eI_C-sC1E/AAAAAAAAGPk/DKdyuE7m9DA/s160-c/TripSouth.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/TripSouth?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Trip South</a></td></tr></table>

Bart, can I get some copies of those photos you have uploaded full size please?
Great work with the camera too, you are so active with it good job :first:

[marks]

Some really great photos Chris - makes a gret slideshow

where is Meremere Track - looks worth exploring?

Keep the photos coming

cheers


Mark

[.chris]

Meremere Track is up near Lake Rotorangi North east of Hawera, if you hvae a look at this tracklog (http://www.gpsed.com/track/8224305799827020224), it was the last section of that it is incomplete and I am pretty sure I got onto it from Meremere road, it was a seasonal track I think it was closed for winter due to the clay surface, was good fun even with the luggage on the bike (would have been nicer without it)

Had a fun trail ride today with my bro (xt400) and mate (XR400R) had a rip around my mates farm and up and down the local riverbed, bike is looking much cleaner now it has been dunked in a few clean rivers - tracklog here (http://www.gpsed.com/track/8224305795882352928).
No photos today, but my mate got a few. Will upload when I get them off him.

[bart]

Bart, can I get some copies of those photos you have uploaded full size please?


I'm not at home at the moment, so will sort it out early next week.

Severely pissed about most of the photos from Cnut not coming out. :angry: Must learn more about the manual settings.

[.chris]

I'm not at home at the moment, so will sort it out early next week.

Severely pissed about most of the photos from Cnut not coming out. :angry: Must learn more about the manual settings.

No prob, just like to have some highres versions.

Mangaed to get the photos from my mate, and have uploaded.
<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/OpihiRiverPagesRun?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S0lq53jHG7E/AAAAAAAAGUc/72jqOOqQYY4/s160-c/OpihiRiverPagesRun.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/OpihiRiverPagesRun?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Opihi River &amp; Pages Run</a></td></tr></table>

[NordieBoy]

Some sweet shots there :D

[bart]

No prob, just like to have some highres versions.

Mangaed to get the photos from my mate, and have uploaded.


Nice shots.....that poor XR looks like it gets a hammering :2thumbsup

Photos now up in my signature thing. Keep clicking on the photo and they will eventually get big.

[.chris]

Nice shots.....that poor XR looks like it gets a hammering :2thumbsup

Photos now up in my signature thing. Keep clicking on the photo and they will eventually get big.

Cheers, you got some great photos there.

Yep he sure likes to ride like mad, if the XR had not been there I am pretty sure he would be doing the same jumps on the XT.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/I58oEh6NGdUAjSH1UrsrnQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S0lrk8PtVvI/AAAAAAAAGUc/AzFhM4yUwcA/s144/P1096071.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/OpihiRiverPagesRun?feat=embedwebsite">Opihi River &amp; Pages Run</a></td></tr></table>

[Waihou Thumper]

Nice photos Chris, looks like that route near Hawae is a good one. Might have to try that sometime. Nice to see you had a good time and see you in Fairlie...

[.chris]

Survived the Dusty Butt and got a few photos along the way.
<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/DustyButt1000kmMotorcycleRally?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S1OTRFQGt2E/AAAAAAAAGqc/G0P4Lq97QvY/s160-c/DustyButt1000kmMotorcycleRally.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/DustyButt1000kmMotorcycleRally?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Dusty Butt 1000km Motorcycle Rally</a></td></tr></table>


Also went for a ride up to Tekapo and had a look around which ended poorly, but that is another story for another day.
Got some good photos anyway (more photos clicky clicky)
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JGfz3yyQ7nY0GQNfJENG4w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S1V_uvVxCSI/AAAAAAAAGvU/ZbJDFgq6Kog/s800/IMG_3055.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/TekapoMacauleyRide?feat=embedwebsite">Tekapo, Macauley Ride</a></td></tr></table>

[.chris]

Phase 1 of the trip is now done and dusted, back in the north island now for a few weeks, then back into phase 2.

And news on the bike front is good.
But I guess I should go back and explain this one. It happened here
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/i2EAqQ7GEUvM0px2Ys_KJg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S1V_5IDtEbI/AAAAAAAAGvs/DRV-kog2StE/s800/IMG_3095.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/TekapoMacauleyRide?feat=embedwebsite">Tekapo, Macauley Ride</a></td></tr></table>
Now what happened was I drowned the 690 while crossing the Macauley River above Lake Tekapo. First of all, stop laughing you cheeky bastards! :Oi:
Somehow while doing one of the easier crossings I had done that day I managed to hit a rock and knock her into neutral and if you have ever been in the Macauley River you will know that is not going to end well.
The current on rivers like that is pretty different to most rivers, it moves damn fast and the bed of the river shifts under your feet/wheels as you cross, makes for tricky crossings and means you need to check every crossing in both directions to make sure it has not changed too much when you return. I had checked the crossing and should have been ok, but got caught out regardless.
I was quite proud I did not panic and let go of her, just let the bike be swept to the downriver side of me and yanked her back up, a total of about 2 seconds in the water.
That is where the fun began.
Field stripped her down to try and remove as much water as possible, and gave her some time to dry out.
No luck getting her started.

I at least had the foresight to have removed the bags from the bike so I did not drown the camera/phone at the same time.
I started up the phone and much to my suprise I had reception, called the AA for a pickup.
At this stage after about 2 hours in the middle of the river, with no shade I was starting to feel a bit rough, had plenty of water and some food (standard solo adv touring equipment) and I had already taken a page out of Bear Grylls book and had my teeshirt wrapped around my head like a turban so I was at least not terminally sunburnt. I then cracked into pushing the bike back down the river to at least make it easier for the AA guy. After about 2 hours I reached a spot they could get at me easily enough.

Then spent another 2 hours in the shade waiting for the AA to arrive.
Got the bike back to my Dad's workshop and had a go at getting her going, but had no luck, tried all the usual guff.
Not wanting to cause any more damage to the bike while trying to get it going, decided to send it to the pro's.
And I have just heard back and the guys at Superior Motorcycles in CHCH have got her all sorted. Big up's to those guys!

Now that is what I call and adventure!

[cooneyr]

Sounds like you had a bit of "fun". Hope you get some advise on the tricks to dry the bike out and get it running again from Superior. Next time your might not have reception (seriously suprised you had any up the Macauley!).

So its been a while, about 20 years to be presice since I was at Lillybank and I'm wondering what is the likely hood of getting bikes and gear up the Macauley hut (outside bath that you light a fire under sounds interesting). It's probably not the best time of year to go exploring up there with the all the melt water but that obviously wasn't bad enough to put you off, or should it have been?

Cheers R

[.chris]

So its been a while, about 20 years to be presice since I was at Lillybank and I'm wondering what is the likely hood of getting bikes and gear up the Macauley hut (outside bath that you light a fire under sounds interesting). It's probably not the best time of year to go exploring up there with the all the melt water but that obviously wasn't bad enough to put you off, or should it have been?

I had planned to get up to the hut for a look, was going to return trip it, but have planned a fishing trip with my brother up there on the bikes which we shall stay a night or two. This one was a recon trip.

The river levels were ok, I would not have called them particularly hard crossings, I just completely stuffed up.
I had already crossed 4 crossings which were deeper than the one that caught me.
Rest assured I shall be trying again in mid feb, but this time I think I might do a bit of baby walking my bike through the crossings.

I have had a fair bit of advice about river crossings from various people, but it can all be summed up as "when you are crossing, dont f**k it up"

[Waihou Thumper]

Good news then Chris.....:) I guess there may be a moral to this story or maybe Aesop has a Fable....:)
Anyway, glad it all worked out....Could have been a tad catastrophic! Phew....

[alane]

I had planned to get up to the hut for a look, was going to return trip it, but have planned a fishing trip with my brother up there on the bikes which we shall stay a night or two. This one was a recon trip.

The river levels were ok, I would not have called them particularly hard crossings, I just completely stuffed up.
I had already crossed 4 crossings which were deeper than the one that caught me.
Rest assured I shall be trying again in mid feb, but this time I think I might do a bit of baby walking my bike through the crossings.

I have had a fair bit of advice about river crossings from various people, but it can all be summed up as "when you are crossing, dont f**k it up"

Yea! I know all abought dunking a bike up the Lillybank.:eek5: I took my F650 funduro up there with two mates for an evening ride in Feb. a couple of years ago.We got to the hut/bath alright,but had some trouble finding the track @ the mid section,among the braided river bits. That made us a bit late,& your truely did the submarine act after hitting a bigger boulder in one of the crossings ,i blame failing light:rolleyes:.Luckily fairly well upstream(smaller flow) but had to take the plug out & clear motor. :sweatdrop
Thought I was right ,but headlite had water in ,& of course bulb blew ,getting dark by this time,so had to ride beside mates KTm 950 back to Tekapo.
Journey shure turned into an adventure.
One thing that was amuseing----the rabbits scampering across in front of the headlights,looked like they were leaving vapour trails ,with the dust they kicked up.:D
Cheers AL.

[cooneyr]

I had planned to get up to the hut for a look, was going to return trip it, but have planned a fishing trip with my brother up there on the bikes which we shall stay a night or two. This one was a recon trip.

The river levels were ok, I would not have called them particularly hard crossings, I just completely stuffed up.
I had already crossed 4 crossings which were deeper than the one that caught me.
Rest assured I shall be trying again in mid feb, but this time I think I might do a bit of baby walking my bike through the crossings.

I have had a fair bit of advice about river crossings from various people, but it can all be summed up as "when you are crossing, dont f**k it up"

Sweet thanks for the info. Re advise the one bit that worked really well when in a 4x4 and has served me well on a bike as well is that when the water is flowing fast try and run down stream when you cross. This way the water helps push in the direction you want rather than push you over if you are crossing perpendicular to the flow. Only problem is your need to find a good spot for this as you take longer to cross. I've seen somebody (who shall remain nameless) try to cross perpendicular to the flow of a swift river and had his back wheel spin up. Loss of traction on the rear wheel mean the water pushed it sideways and he was very quickly pointing upstream for few seconds then went under water.

Cheers R

[.chris]

I certainly used the pushing the bike downstream technique when I was pushing the bike back down the river, cause damn it was hot, even balls deep in the cold river.

I will definitely get some photos and a gps track log of my next attempt.