RR: Southhead - Muriwai

[.chris]

Went for a blat on the beach with Matt on his new TTR600.

The entry to Wilsons Road / Beach Access road.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ANzvsiuX_ubjJFNL3CtEJA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62ngk5_fWI/AAAAAAAAIQI/1TfCIKSFmac/s800/IMG_3766.JPG" /></a>

Matt playing.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-1Y1Nj-acODQP6iXN-H8iA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62nhj4TF6I/AAAAAAAAIQQ/-DWZCfUXi_Y/s800/IMG_3797.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5PU1aniAIVtwS8ulCPC4VA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62niJgA8II/AAAAAAAAIQU/V9A-JZzc41o/s800/IMG_3789.JPG" /></a>

Top of the dunes
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SjNVK2uYM2nQXBlH0Bd5OA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62njaPQHpI/AAAAAAAAIQc/94NRHyu54ig/s800/IMG_3833.JPG" /></a>

Dakar style on the dunes.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JjBIq2qXHcIGWI2FLHIOcg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62nki4GH5I/AAAAAAAAIQk/MuWqwUCysi0/s800/IMG_3837.JPG" /></a>

A few more here (http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/ADVSouthheadMurawai#)

[bart]

Nice shots man. More.........

[dino3310]

awesome chris, looks like use had a fab day. Great looking beach/dunes..
Nice buy Matt, i was close to buying a TT600, great bike

[junkmanjoe]

some thing about this photo, almost looks like a painting..

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/S62ngk5_fWI/AAAAAAAAIQI/1TfCIKSFmac/s800/IMG_3766.JPG

cheers chris,

how you like your bike in the sand,,,,dakar style,,,

JMJ

[marks]

some thing about this photo, almost looks like a painting.. JMJ

wot he said

[.chris]

Nice shots man. More.........

Cheers, you know how easy these nice cameras make it :yes:


some thing about this photo, almost looks like a painting..


cheers chris,

how you like your bike in the sand,,,,dakar style,,,

JMJ

Yeah the camera caught the colours just right on that one, shame about the sign in the thing, took the photo with the helmet on so I could not see the whole viewfinder.
But still came out pretty cool I reckon.

It is damn cool riding in the dunes, when you get used to it can be heaps of fun, probably pretty hard on the bike tho, I did give her a really good wash when we got home.

Tracklog here (http://www.gpsed.com/track/8224305798282559781) if anyone wants it.

[Padmei]

Great pics. I remember riding up there as a young fella. My bro still lives out at Muriwai.

That TT looks the business too.

Riding the Molesworth yesterday going flat out onthe long dry straights in the middle of nowhere Iwas dreaming I was at Dakar. If there were sand dunes at the Hamner end it would have been perfect (well, as well as a coffee cart)

Did you hit any soft spots & launch yourself?

[Padmei]

Forgotto ask- are you still allowed inthe dunes? I thought there was a stink about that a few years ago?

[cooneyr]

Forgotto ask- are you still allowed inthe dunes? I thought there was a stink about that a few years ago?

Whot he said - isn't it a no no to go riding on the dunes. Fraglie and plants that stabalise them very slow growing etc etc.

[dino3310]

i work for EW:shifty: and fark if i wana ride dunes i just ride em:shutup:

[dino3310]

must be time for you to organise a ride along aucks west coast Chris:msn-wink:

[.chris]

Forgotto ask- are you still allowed inthe dunes? I thought there was a stink about that a few years ago?


Whot he said - isn't it a no no to go riding on the dunes. Fraglie and plants that stabalise them very slow growing etc etc.

That I am not too sure about, but guessing from the fact they fire bombs and explode things not far from there, I am guessing they are not too precious about the dunes.


must be time for you to organise a ride along aucks west coast Chris:msn-wink:

I did, it was yesterday did you not hear about it? (just kidding, was just me and matt out for a spin).

I have been doing a bit of riding out that way and can recommend some decent places to ride so I guess doing a organised ride is possible.
But to be honest its 45km from Muriwai to South head (approx) and its not exactly super exciting to cruise along the beach, the best parts are the access roads to the beach I reckon.
The Wilsons Road (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=wilsons+road&sll=-36.804929,174.783847&sspn=0.011923,0.02547&ie=UTF8&hq=wilsons+road&hnear=&ll=-36.599405,174.279985&spn=0.047821,0.101881&z=14&iwloc=D) entrance we took is pretty good fun, and a half decent bit of sand based tracks to get through to the beach.

I have heard good things about riding up the other side of the Kaipara Harbour, I have been meaning to do a ride up there sometime, only problem is you have to go as far north as Dargivlle which makes it a 500km+ round trip.

[dino3310]

might head up for a spin one winters day, lots of fun in southhead, espeically when your getting chased:shifty:

[Devil]

Certainly was fun! Looking forward to getting up there again soon. Geez, i'm still washing sand out of the bike!
20L tank and rox risers on the way for the TTR, not to mention some MT21's, not that they'll help much in the soft sand!
Wilsons rd was hard work for a sand virgin!

Only dropped it once, on the beach when my donuts got a little too tight!

[dino3310]

chuck one of these on the back Matt http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Tyres/auction-279929924.htm

[Devil]

chuck one of these on the back Matt http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Tyres/auction-279929924.htm

:D !
Thats what I needed to get going when I accidentally stopped in the deep stuff heading uphill. Handfull of throttle and paddling along with my feet. I was still hardly moving!

[dino3310]

hows the TT handling the road miles

[Devil]

Fantastic actually. 5 Speed, but really well spaced gearing. 110km/h gives a not unreasonable level of vibes and it's a reasonable seat (although I did break out the padded bike shorts that I bought when I had the 690sm!).
Tank range is shithouse. 10L tank standard. First tank hooning around town got me 105km to reserve (6.5 Litres), but mixed commute and open road took me to 120km on 6-6.5L so that's acceptable, but the 20L tank should make it useful for adventuring. Currently has a Sirac on the front and a distanzia on the rear and i'm very impressed.

One big road area i'm happy with though is the suspension. Very stable. Low speed compression damping is great, no diving or wallowing in the corners, but the high speed damping soaks up the big bumps/judderbars/puppies.

I have strained my kick start leg a little however!!!

[Padmei]

wow no electric leg?
funny how we get so spoilt nowadays.

[dino3310]

nice mate real nice

[Devil]

Yeah, no electric leg. Starts pretty easy though. Good compression on the thing, have had it kick back a couple of times. Auto decomp too so dont have to fiddle with any levers.

[NordieBoy]

chuck one of these on the back Matt http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Tyres/auction-279929924.htm

And don't expect to be able to use the rear brakes :D

[johannvr]

I have heard good things about riding up the other side of the Kaipara Harbour, I have been meaning to do a ride up there sometime, only problem is you have to go as far north as Dargivlle which makes it a 500km+ round trip.

I've been threatening ever since I got the DR to do that ride via Darga down to Glinks Gully, etc. into teh Northern Kaipara harbour area, but still haven't gotten around to it.

So - why don't we put something together? I reckon it'd be good. Accomodation in Dargaville or thereabouts now that the "season" is just about history shouldn't be too dear? Could even try to rent a bach down Tinopai or Whakapirau or thereabouts somewhere for a Sat night & share the costs?

?

[dino3310]

but the 20L tank should make it useful for adventuring.
!!!

http://www.acerbisshop.com/?page=catalog&view=product&product_id=816

[Devil]

http://www.acerbisshop.com/?page=catalog&view=product&product_id=816

Already on its way!
Just looked again. 23 Litre. bastard. I never found that while googling for it! Nor a decent price from acerbis. In fact I couldn't even find the shop!

[.chris]

I've been threatening ever since I got the DR to do that ride via Darga down to Glinks Gully, etc. into teh Northern Kaipara harbour area, but still haven't gotten around to it.

So - why don't we put something together? I reckon it'd be good. Accomodation in Dargaville or thereabouts now that the "season" is just about history shouldn't be too dear? Could even try to rent a bach down Tinopai or Whakapirau or thereabouts somewhere for a Sat night & share the costs?

?

Sounds to me like you have it half organised already, keep going I say (just make sure it's a weekend I am free :shifty: ).

I think I might head up to Muriwai on friday for another run if anyone is keen to join me.
High tide is 1pm so would need to hit the beach earlyish (thinking Muriwai entrance about 9:30am) head north, have a play in the dunes and duck back out on Wilsons road before the tide gets to high.

Was also thinking of doing another day out at the Sandpit, anyone keen for that? Plenty of dual sport bike friendly trails out there.

[BMWST?]

:D !
Thats what I needed to get going when I accidentally stopped in the deep stuff heading uphill. Handfull of throttle and paddling along with my feet. I was still hardly moving!

thats what GS s are like in the sand.......

[Devil]

Thats what I was thinking about while riding along that trail. 'Thank god i'm not on the GS... Poor Ewan and Charley!!!'