The Long Way Round Adventure Ride [Archive]

Crisis management

9th May 2012, 12:10

My take on it is that it is primarily a road ride, manageable on fat pigs with some sort of knobs but the challenge sections are suitable for "smaller enduro bikes, fitted with knobs and a competent off-road rider". That last bit is a bit disappointing as the challenge sections are the interesting ones for me (usually very entertaining for everyone else) but I may well think about it and then do the 42nd and a few other interesting tracks the following day....it is just the saturday?

What date's the MMMM again?

.chris

9th May 2012, 12:51

Scroll down the page a little, all the details are there.

250's - 1200's, knobblies not required for main section, but they have 3-4 challenge sections... and so on and so forth

Ah crap, yeah I did miss that part (infact I think I only read the flyer). Apologies.

Gremlin

9th May 2012, 13:18

Ah crap, yeah I did miss that part (infact I think I only read the flyer). Apologies.
:lol: You got all excited with only a flyer? I was about to ask questions, then scrolled down... pretty much all I could need!

Transalper

9th May 2012, 13:26

that main photo is taken down by reefton, bit far away from taupo..

JMJ

Yea, that's a bit checky using a South Island photo to advertise a North Island ride.
Assuming you're right and it does look a lot like it, something about false advertising me thinks :oi-grr:

Transalper

9th May 2012, 14:42

Ah ha !! Found it in the NII #1 thread from, yes, Reefton (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/96066-North-Island-invasion-of-South-Island?p=1129290474#post1129290474) !

CrazyFrog

9th May 2012, 15:42

:no:
Yea, that's a bit checky using a South Island photo to advertise a North Island ride.
Assuning you're right and it does look a lot like it, something about false advertising me thinks :oi-grr:

Yeah, I've counted 3 pics on the brochure from Nelson Lakes area, def false advertsing. Wonder if they paid Bart any royalties? :no:
Cheap bastards burgling photos from the intraweb to make "their ride" look pretty.

junkmanjoe

9th May 2012, 15:46

Yea, that's a bit checky using a South Island photo to advertise a North Island ride.
Assuning you're right and it does look a lot like it, something about false advertising me thinks :oi-grr:

yea im right as its Eddie Dave and my self riding, as eddie and i swapped bikes and bart took the photo.

http://www.epicevents.co.nz/file/adventure_rides/long-day-2.jpg.
this also has my self in it but im not sure where it was taken, barts bike in front the black one..
looks like mark beside me. iit almost looks like the track up to cnut hill, southerlands track.

JMJ

_Shrek_

9th May 2012, 17:13

well I guess they have to use southern pic's coz the north ones an't as good :laugh:

bart

9th May 2012, 19:58

This is the first 'adventure ride' Epic Events have organised. They needed a few images for advertising, so asked if I'd help them out. I gave them permission to use a few of my photos.

These guys have organised plenty of trail rides in the past and seem to know what they're doing.

I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but I'm more than happy to help them out a bit.

reofix

9th May 2012, 21:45

Looks like a good time to me ... nice hotel for a couple of nights .. a bit of a dinner .. no harleys .. 450 ks in and about .. a whiskey or three to ease the pain.. a bit of bullshit ... new bunch of people ......... but of course staying home and moaning is fun too !!!!!:shit:

cooneyr

9th May 2012, 22:00

I'm going. Ferry booked. Organisers did the DB1k and talked me into it at the time. Besides I've had next to no helmet time this year, the dates work and done bugger all NI riding so why not. Couple of other SIers (not KB regulars) going up and talk of a bit of a looksee on the Sunday as well (though I'm catching the 0825 ferry on Monday so will need to head a bit of the way south on Sunday night).

Cheers R

Shewolf

9th May 2012, 22:50

looks interesting - one of these route sheet holders (http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7TO4NNER/title/torpedo7-enduro-route-sheet-holder) might come in handy on sale at T7

For $30 I can't be bothered raiding the tupperware drawer and finding a rubber band. I did have one and lent it to some cute Tenare rider who's yet to return it :oi-grr:

DR Girl

9th May 2012, 23:15

LOL Where do I stand then . . . 50 cc short ???:argh: Epic have always been happy to take my dollars for their Bern Busters & Trail Blazers which are far harder riding then this!!:bash: I know they will think my little 200 won't be fast enough but really. . . .:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Gman71

9th May 2012, 23:15

I'm planning on doing it, probably taking Friday off, leaving north shore and taking every back gravel road I can find to taupo, and same deal for the trip home on Sunday. Have a couple of likely starters already if anyone else wants to join the convoy....

Not really worried where the photos came from, riding anywhere down there is great with the pumice base and rolling countryside.....

It wasn't me. It was like that when I found it. Honest.

DR Girl

9th May 2012, 23:23

_Shrek_

10th May 2012, 03:25

had a read looks good, but we off to the north today so have fun

Steelie

10th May 2012, 06:11

Looks good. Im in, all payed up. Looking foward to it.

Dosnt get cold there dose it......

Might finish wiring up the heated grips.

mazz1972

10th May 2012, 14:47

Looks good. Im in, all payed up. Looking foward to it.

Dosnt get cold there dose it......

Might finish wiring up the heated grips.

mmmmmmmm nice toasty heated grips

bart

10th May 2012, 20:17

LOL AGAIN. I just realised I'm in one of the photo's with XRJohnny coming out of Makairo Track, on last years RRRR. They will have to let me ride now won't they ? :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:
Hey thanks Bart :wings:

No problem. You might notice most of the pics are of bikes that start with 'S'. Must be their major sponsor. :msn-wink:

I might tag along and take some pics so next year they'll have some valid advertising material.

NordieBoy

11th May 2012, 08:38

To be fair, it does say "Adventure Riding Around NZ" above the lower pics :D

NordieBoy

11th May 2012, 08:39

No problem. You might notice most of the pics are of bikes that start with 'S'. Must be their major sponsor.

Slow ?

bart

11th May 2012, 19:53

Slow ?

Slowzuki maybe?

MXNUT

27th May 2012, 18:40

Right, just working on a few small work issues ( bastards expect me to work for my salary :( ) and then i will have the entry form in this week hopfully .:niceone:

Shewolf

27th May 2012, 20:56

a badge and stickers? I'm in! :clap::clap:

I'm planning on doing it, probably taking Friday off, leaving north shore and taking every back gravel road I can find to taupo, and same deal for the trip home on Sunday. Have a couple of likely starters already if anyone else wants to join the convoy....

sounds good, will PM ya for meet up

Steelie

28th May 2012, 16:08

Yep , I'll be a starter for the convoy from the north.

DR Girl

28th May 2012, 16:11

Planning to be there also :banana::clap::niceone: unless weather is deemed to be a storm. Will book in as close to the date as I can. Coming over with Waipukbiker ( Ross ) & will meet up with Taupo based bikeflite ( Bernard ) who has a GPS, so no lunch box for me. :lol:

Waipukbiker

29th May 2012, 16:54

According to the event directors, allow at least 150 kms between available fuel.

Clubman

5th June 2012, 21:26

Cold - Went out for a ride on Monday over the Wairarapa with This Taupo ride in the back of my mind about how cold it would be and how my gear would stand up . Well I can say I had warm hands from the new gloves I recently purchased & My legs where good with Jeans and Spidi over pants But where I felt the cold was through my jacket .I was wearing a Spidi jacket with a Oxford chill out top and still felt the cold - So I'll be better prepared for Taupo . Some might say I'm just getting old and soft - Not that my Wife says anything :cold:

DR Girl

6th June 2012, 08:41

mazz1972

6th June 2012, 09:32

For anyone not wanting to replace their grips but wanting toasty hands, there's these (http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7GRHN0GH/title/torpedo7-moto-grip-heaters)
:msn-wink:

Steelie

10th June 2012, 17:04

Finished wiring up the Heated Grips yesterday. Test ride this morning and all good, except one side is warmer than the other? :confused:
Shall be a bloody asset for this and the MMMMM .:niceone:

I should be good for Friday ride from the north. Any suggestion on adventurous roads to take to Taupo ?

Waipukbiker

10th June 2012, 21:26

Hot grips for my lil ole kwaka, hmmmmmm Wonder if they make a 6 volt version........Yeah Right

cooneyr

18th June 2012, 13:07

Right so just under two weeks away. Who's travelling up from Wellington and which way are you going? I'm on a ferry across on Thursday nigh and have all of Friday to explore. I've never done Napier-Taupo Rd (SH5) nor the Napier-Tihape Rd (Gentle Annie). If not bucketing down I'm thinking of doing one of these but am looking for an semi interesting way to get between Welly and Napier that doesn't involve SH2 or hours grovelling in mud i.e. I'm after gravel roads.

Also on the Sunday I'm exploring around Taupo for a bit but have a 8.25am Monday morning Ferry so want to head at least a bit of the way south Sunday arvo. Plan to leave around lunchtime and thinking of Wanganui River or a gravel road somewhere to the west of the Tauraua's/Ruahine's. Also want to have a look in Palmy to remind myself why I hated living there so much in 2000 when I had my first job post uni.

Any Wellingtites have any plans and mind a straggler hanging on? I'm on a 400+km fuel range 450EXC and don't mind if we take all day and don't see a coffee or pie shop etc at all. Of course if you must have your latte hit I'll tolerate a few minutes sitting still ;)

Any ideas welcome otherwise I'll take the GPS and just get lost somewhere trying to avoid highways.

Cheers R

Gremlin

18th June 2012, 13:36

cooneyr

18th June 2012, 16:58

I wouldn't see much point in SH5, it's one of the most policed roads in the country and is pretty much as boring as hell... I'd even do the Gentle Annie twice, as you see different things going different ways. Remember it's all sealed now, but the last trip through, guys reported it was wet and quite slippery, so take care if it's been raining. Do you need to be in Napier or Taupo? The ride is out of Taupo...

Other option is Wanganui way, or Forgotten Highway area, lots of gravel in there to get lost in... You could spend the night in Palmy, to remind yourself, and it gets you south :killingme

Only mentioned SH5 because I've never been there. Guess it means I'd be no mates noddy if I went that way ;) Gentle Annie definitely high on todo list for that area. Only worry was that its reasonably high so if weather bad then might be fun. Mangaohane Rd on the western end looks like a more interesting alternative though I'd miss the other Erewhon in the country (real Erewhon is down here by the way and it is proper gravel only access).

Forgotten Highway is another good idea on the to do list. Maybe that is the bad weather route and the good weather is the Gentle Anne (with Mangaohane Rd). Both about 600km to get between Taupo and Welly.

Sunday route still looking like SH1 with maybe Tangiwai to Hunterville via Papanui Junction? I'd rather spend the night in the bush in a bivy bag than Palmy but will probably suffer it.

Anybody keen?

Box'a'bits

18th June 2012, 17:35

SH 52 is a viable alterative to SH 2 & is an interesting ride. There are a lot of greats road you can link to from there. Just map out the windy bits you want to see before you go.

SH 5 is great to go thru if you've not done it before. There are some good road linking to that from Taradale.

Don't go up the West Coast - snooze material to until you are past Palmerston North. Then the roads get interesting - if yu are going that way head up Pohangia Valley past Ashhurst

Sorry, not going to the Long Way Round ride. :baby:

Waipukbiker

18th June 2012, 19:41

Im in, Just registed, so who else from HB is going???????

Gremlin

18th June 2012, 20:06

Don't go up the West Coast - snooze material to until you are past Palmerston North. Then the roads get interesting - if yu are going that way head up Pohangia Valley past Ashhurst
Good point actually... Here's an idea, take as much or as little as you want... http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=wellington&daddr=-41.1924628,175.5860954+to:-40.94863,175.68269+to:-40.6514482,175.8999618+to:-40.3654441,175.7614641+to:-40.295405,175.807303+to:-40.1518708,175.8290798+to:-40.0502226,175.9141923+to:-39.9691311,175.91248+to:-39.940082,175.907251+to:taupo&hl=en&ll=-39.91395,176.830444&spn=3.897202,8.453979&sll=-41.053984,175.606155&sspn=0.47896,1.056747&geocode=FcQEiv0drN9qCinLdOlJ_LE4bTFwtBOiY-8ACg%3BFfJzi_0dLzt3CikZkZsIS9VAbTFQo6wGYe8AEw%3BFW osj_0dgrR4Cim7XUArWCFBbTGhU6oGYe8AEw%3BFUi1k_0dOQV 8Cik1hKTYiAxBbTEQUKkGYe8AEw%3BFXwSmP0dOOh5CilFSqbV drBBbTHguKzAZO8AEw%3BFRMkmf0dR5t6CimPZ4VaorlBbTHxe eAGYe8AEw%3BFcJUm_0dV_B6CilPK-GhIcRBbTEAZaYGYe8AEw%3BFdLhnP0d0Dx8CinN1ds7Mt1BbTF d33pn283W2A%3BFZUenv0dIDZ8Cil9ehlzat5BbTExvaUGYe8A Ew%3BFQ6Qnv0dsyF8Cinl9AakyN9BbTFg38wGYe8AEw%3BFQS0 sf0dQp5-CilbFksUd-9rbTHgCaNDYe8ABQ&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&t=m&z=8

Plenty of roads out the back of there that look interesting... gawd, it's when you do things like this that you realise there are so many roads you still haven't done :eek:

Apparently the section around the Manawatu Gorge, Hall Block and North Range Rd are quite rough, so perhaps not the best idea when loaded up in winter...? I posted a thread on here about, when heading north from welly, then got distracted with other roads...

It's simple really... come up more often... I go down south every year and bite off another chunk...

Howie

18th June 2012, 21:00

Couple of other options here, although the km get up pretty high by the time you get to Napier.

http://goo.gl/maps/FRbr (point K is worth a look if you enjoy waterfalls)

http://goo.gl/maps/zLLV (between points S&T you can ride along the beach if the tide is right)

cooneyr

18th June 2012, 22:16

SH 52 is a viable alterative to SH 2 & is an interesting ride. There are a lot of greats road you can link to from there. Just map out the windy bits you want to see before you go....

Was thinking route 52 (not highway any more - highways are the sponsors product). I when up and down 1 a few times in 2000 and know the yawns well!

...Apparently the section around the Manawatu Gorge, Hall Block and North Range Rd are quite rough, so perhaps not the best idea when loaded up in winter...? I posted a thread on here about, when heading north from welly, then got distracted with other roads...

It's simple really... come up more often... I go down south every year and bite off another chunk...

Know North Range Road pretty well. Spent 6 hours extracting a 4wd from a hole one day. Also previously done the Ashurst north bit on my way to head up the track up the Ruahine's (can't remember its name now). Still thinking east coast and Gentle Annie if WX OK.

Why go to the NI when there's such horrible riding down here. Nothing to see - nothing at all ;)

Couple of other options here, although the km get up pretty high by the time you get to Napier.

http://goo.gl/maps/FRbr (point K is worth a look if you enjoy waterfalls)

http://goo.gl/maps/zLLV (between points S&T you can ride along the beach if the tide is right)

Some good stuff there. Might mix and match to keep time/km under control.

GPS going to be loaded with routes and see where things get too.

Cheers R

cooneyr

18th June 2012, 22:24

Im in, Just registed, so who else from HB is going???????

Clearly I'm thinking of heading through your area. If my route works for you let me know.

_Shrek_

19th June 2012, 08:50

Was thinking route 52

we did that heading up to the CD not a bad ride......

Waipukbiker

20th June 2012, 20:36

Clearly I'm thinking of heading through your area. If my route works for you let me know.

Because mine is a 32 year old 250 with a 6 volt headlight, Its heading over on a trailer along with another small bike from HB. The thought of riding over the Napier/Taupo rd in the dark, possibly in crap weather with a headlight that struggles to light up a hi-vis vest at 20 paces dousnt do a lot for the fun side of riding a bike, well that's my pathetic excuse anyway.

Thanks anyway, c ya there.

cooneyr

20th June 2012, 21:16

Because mine is a 32 year old 250 with a 6 volt headlight, Its heading over on a trailer along with another small bike from HB. The thought of riding over the Napier/Taupo rd in the dark, possibly in crap weather with a headlight that struggles to light up a hi-vis vest at 20 paces dousnt do a lot for the fun side of riding a bike, well that's my pathetic excuse anyway.

Thanks anyway, c ya there.

No worries.

Plans turning to rubbish - cause I'm heading past national office in Welly I'm now being asked to head in for couple of hours on Friday. I work for a shirt and tie organisation so turning up in riding gear with panniers over my should should be interesting.

Transalper

20th June 2012, 22:00

...cause I'm heading past national office in Welly I'm now being asked to head in for couple of hours on Friday.....Hope they are paying for your ferry tickets or similar then since they are messing with your trip.
Have you not told them you don't have time ??!

cooneyr

20th June 2012, 23:13

Hope they are paying for your ferry tickets or similar then since they are messing with your trip.
Have you not told them you don't have time ??!

You know I'm a bigger fool than that :baby:

mazz1972

22nd June 2012, 10:24

Hubby's entry done :niceone: I was going to tag along for a weekend away, but looking like I will have to stay home with a sick dog :(

bart

22nd June 2012, 17:05

I'm out. Staff away next weekend, so some mug has to work. :(

DR Girl

22nd June 2012, 23:15

I'm out. Staff away next weekend, so some mug has to work. :(

Thats a shame, had room for you at my sis in laws holiday home in Taupo if you needed. What will you do with the golden (free) ticket??

GSers

23rd June 2012, 10:37

Sorry wrong ride
GSers

reofix

26th June 2012, 19:42

Thermals .. check !
Toiletries ... check! ( its a flash joint)
Sunblock ... check!
Nurofen.. check
Whisky... czheck!!

Roll on saturday ..................... Check!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shewolf

27th June 2012, 21:36

+1 and roll on Friday for skyvving off work for another adventure ride :yes:

Roll on saturday ..................... Check!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cooneyr

28th June 2012, 08:13

On the road lunchtime today for ferry sailing tonight. Hope you NIers turn on some good weather for weekend. No rain forecast and forecast temps looking pretty decent compared to those down here at the moment. -4 yesterday morning.

See you all tomorrow night.

Eddieb

28th June 2012, 08:21

cooneyr

28th June 2012, 12:00

It's looking pretty nice in Wellington at the moment.

Cheers. See you in a few hours.

Yay - this is the last thing I write with my work computer for 4.5 days. Longest I've left it off for in 6 months by a very very big margin.

Waipukbiker

28th June 2012, 21:19

The latest is Fine :2thumbsup with a frosty start :cold: and a max of 12c, sounds like a nice day for a :ride: Could be a tad icey on some of the shaded areas .

alane

28th June 2012, 21:42

Could be a tad icey on some of the shaded areas .

Ice tyres -----with studs-------------CHECK!!!!!!!! :laugh:

vegeman

29th June 2012, 07:24

...looking forward to the photos and stories. Wish I could be there...

Enjoy the ride :ride:

Vegged vegeman

DR Girl

29th June 2012, 14:25

We will all be thinking of you vege man. Gear packed, bikes loaded ( yeah we trailer trash today:bleh:) but have all the fly fishing gear you could imagine :facepalm:

MXNUT

29th June 2012, 15:21

Cant make it down for the sign in tonight due to work commitments :angry2: Still in Whangarei .
Will trailer down at 5.00 am tomorrow and see you all out on the trail somewhere or at the :drinkup:later.

Shewolf

1st July 2012, 17:03

Great weekend, really well organised - thanks Epic Events :Punk:

1. Assembling at Bombay
2. Torpedo7 did a roaring trade leading up to this weekend
3. It's early and cold, but a great sunrise over the Mountain
4. 7am at the start point
5. Team Auckland!
6. The first farm bit

265750 265751 265753 265752 265754 265755

Shewolf

1st July 2012, 17:08

Thanks Greg for organising the ride down. Good on ya Julie! And Olwyn... you stubborn bugger, it was awesome finishing, and in only slightly hypothermic :woohoo:

1. Farm bit
2. this was fun, I got a few tumbles on video of this hill
3. Fuel stop
4. the lookout near Turangi
5. Snapped a pic to prove we made it around
6. It's beer o'clock surely? Lets get a rattle on

265758 265759 265760 265761 265762 265763

Olwyn took a nasty tumble, seeing his XT cartwheel in my mirror I knew it wasn't going to end well. We had our worries over him but after lunch he got back on and rode like a trooper. Legend!

Waipukbiker

1st July 2012, 17:21

WHAT A RIDE, Me and mah lil ole kwaka did it (1981 KL250). left Taupo at 7 am along with Robin (DRGirl) and Bernard who has been Adv riding for many years and was our navigator. The temp going out past Acacia bay was a Balmy MINUS 4 degrees but it was fine all day although we were still seing heavy frost in the sheltered areas at 3pm. Saw a whole lot awesome country with a wide variety of trails through the varios forests and farms. Got back into Taupo at around 6pm ish and had 461 kms on the odometer. There were 77 registed riders which included pillions and a big variety of bikes from a couple of old twin shockers to
1200 Beemers, an 800 Triumph Tiger (sounded very nice too) and good mixture of everything else. Most of the muddy farm tracks were frozen solid so no probs there. Apart from one shingle track which had large loose chip on it the rest were fast with well defined wheel tracks. The organisers did a wonderfull job setting up this ride and is much appreciated plus the evening meal was a very nice buffet with plenty of tucker for all. The drink prices were a bit eye watering but it was an awesome atmosphere at the evening get together and it was great to put some faces to some of the KB names. The event director is seriosly thinking about doing this again next year so this may turn into an annual event subject to all the usual consents etc. Again a huge thanks to all those involved in setting this up.

reofix

1st July 2012, 21:50

icey start ... slippery early middle .. deep gravelly late middle .. long cold dark end... & icey again ..

At the end of the day ..20 minutes in the shower and a couple of glasses of whiskey ( well known for its healing power) , a great dinner and an early night ...

Thanks to all the workers... see you next year ... on TKC's :)

bart

2nd July 2012, 15:10

Looks like you guys had an awesome day. Must have been cold.

Still a bit pissed I couldn't make it. Maybe next time.

cooneyr

2nd July 2012, 20:32

Back home again now. Did a 450km day on Friday, 470km day on Saturday and 460km day on Sunday. Understandably I was pretty keen to stand when riding to the ferry this morning. Cold, cold and more cold. Don't think I've ever ridden with that many thermals on down here! No decent photos as have just discovered that little man put his fingers on the camera lens some time prior. Guess better keep and eye on that one.

Met a few fellas including a Fielding local who took us back via a bit of gravel south of Tihape. Was the only bit of "real" gravel we day all weekend. You north islanders don't know what a gravel road is. Ours are much much worse - really ;)

Was a fun ride on the EXC. Tried a couple of the challenge loops including the 3rd one with the stream crossing and the hill climb (took two attempts). The twisty seal and gravel (massive gravel!) after the forest down to Taumarunui was awesome. Minimal chicken strips on the knobblies after the seal.

Was fun to have to use the navigation materials, mainly GPS but with roll chart backup, on a ride not knowing where I'm going.

Cheers R

Shewolf

3rd July 2012, 06:23

a bit of vid

http://youtu.be/RzxeuQVuRno

mazz1972

3rd July 2012, 09:41

Very cool Shewolf! Nice to see some of the ride, as the furtherest I went was the long way round the Taupo shops

DR Girl

3rd July 2012, 11:24

Great pics & video Shewolf.:yes:
WOW. . . what an awesome day. Riding from & 7.00am till 6.00pm. A bit nippy at minus 4 degrees for the 1st hour or two. :cold:
Thank you Claire, Gordon, Tamy, Ryan (Cooneyr) & the others for an amazing, well organised ride & fab evening meal in a very nice venue.
My hat off to to our superb navigator Bernard :rockon:. Great job buddy. The only slip up being, turning too soon after the gums. Had to laugh to find out when we got back, that not only was Claire waiting with fuel for those who wanted it at the 70k mark but. . . .hot chocolate & moro bars :cry: Though as you said Claire, you had a truck load of bars left so it wasn't just us who got it wrong.
No 'challenge' sections for us. The river crossing up to your thighs :cold:, needing x2 to push bikes up hills in parts was enough to stay to the main route. Seeing the pics on Suzi's Northern Gravel Thread made me v v v grateful I didn't miss the briefing to find out 'challenge' was EXTREME. Great to see you again Suzi, How was the shopping?
What a laugh you New Plymouth riders are, both on track (lost at the same section with no hot choc drink either) & at dinner. What a tough pillion you are Anne. We will keep in tough. Goes for all the lady pillions & riders, well done.
Hat off :yes: to Claire for riding the track prior on her own to check ride instructions :woohoo: & to Gordon for cutting the plaster off his broken & wired foot a week before it should have come off, pulling on a mx boots & riding the route the day before & sweeping on the day. You are one hard man!!:headbang:
Nice to catch up with you Motorxnut, you sure had a tough day. . . & Cooneyr what a SUPEBB effort from you!:woohoo:
Thanks Bernard & Ross for a great weekend.

Shewolf

3rd July 2012, 18:35

a bit more vid

http://youtu.be/tG__q8dgI-Q

Shewolf

3rd July 2012, 23:15

last bit of vid...next ride can't come soon enough :yes:

http://youtu.be/ye5UlOuczc4

Eddieb

4th July 2012, 18:10

a bit more vid

What happened at 4'30"?

NordieBoy

4th July 2012, 18:17

What happened at 4'30"?

Muslims are very religious...

Shewolf

4th July 2012, 19:04

What happened at 4'30"?

Olwyn looked at the ditch.

He was a bit sketchy for a spell there, luckily Claire wasn't too far away with the van. A bump to the noggin and a sore wrist but he rode the rest of the day.

Fryin Finn

5th July 2012, 07:32

I didn't read my roll chart properly and got a little lost (well a lot lost really) and ended up in this mysterious looking canyon. No harm done found my way back home. Great ride - shame about the cold and I really should have taken heed of the river crossing in the challenge section - I was wet for the next 200km.

alane

5th July 2012, 20:59

Was probably the biggest frost & the coldest night/day of the year for the central Nth. Is.

Anybody like to say what clothing & gear worked for them & what didnt.

i.E. anyone have electric vest or heated grips etc etc.

A balaclava would be important ,I would think?

Just Wondering.:Offtopic: :facepalm:

Thanks for the reports/pics Guys.:niceone:

Shewolf

5th July 2012, 21:08

funnily enough I've been googling heated clothing since :laugh:

one more ride (MMMMM) to sort layers out before riding in Bolivia. I put my rain jacket on as the day cooled and it helped...a little. Rain gloves also worked really well keeping the wind off, you look a bit daft wearing rain gear on a beautiful day but hey - I'm all about function not form.

Gremlin

6th July 2012, 01:14

Anybody like to say what clothing & gear worked for them & what didnt.

i.E. anyone have electric vest or heated grips etc etc.

A balaclava would be important ,I would think?
BMW has factory grips, they could get a little warmer. The Hornet has Oxford Heated Grips, great quality. For the cold road rides I use a Rukka suit, which pretty much doesn't let anything through, but it costs a fortune. For more dual purpose rides I use a Revit Suit, which lets stuff through, but then the outer is mesh for hot days. Throw a cheap rain jacket over the top to block out wind and rain. The use of a balaclava is certainly good as it stops the wind from sapping heat from your exposed bits.

As for heated vest, I use an Exo2 StormRider. I wear it close to the core (normally 2 thin layers then it) so it's thermally very effective. Exo2 is definitely good quality, OEM for Triumph, was, maybe still is OEM for BMW. When you're riding a lot, staying warm isn't an option. You HAVE to inject more heat...

bart

6th July 2012, 16:40

Balaclava can stretch your helmet....well not really...but you know what I mean. When you stop using it in summer, the inside bits are compressed so helmet is loose on your noggin.

Waipukbiker

6th July 2012, 19:35

The balaclava I wear is very thin and it makes the helmet a bit harder to get on but its well worth it. Its important to make sure the bottom of the balaclava is tucked well down under the collar of the jacket, I normally put mine on prior to the jacket.
The 2 main requirments to staying warm, 1, Ensure that any heat generated by the body is trapped against the skin and this is done by good quality thermals, Marino is the best because wool dousnt loose its insulating qualities when its wet plus marino wool does not ich like any other wool. 2, Dont let the wind reach any part of your body, On the "Long way round" ride in Taupo I wore a thin windproof and showerproof tramping jacket over my bike jacket and I was warm and comfortable the whole way. It has elastic cuffs on the sleeves and a high collar which can be domed up tight against the balaclava. Its also thin enough to stuff into a big pocket when not required.

My hands suffered a bit because my hands are sensitive to the cold anyway. I will be getting a pair of handelbar gauntlets for winter riding from now on. These have been around for many years and were designed for farmers etc. The local Suzuki shop has them here for $45 and they are Vinyl on the outside and wool lined on the inside. Here is an example of another type. http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/450-over_and_under_gloves/9142-wfo_handlebar_gauntlets.aspx
These would allow you to wear a summer type glove so then you retain a better "feel" on the controls compared to a bulky winter glove.

Many years ago I was lucky enough to spend 2 summer seasons in Antarctica which included riding snowmobiles so wind chill was a major factor for survival and as long as the 2 points I mentioned above were followed, it wasnt an issue.

Cheers

Eddieb

6th July 2012, 20:32

My hands suffered a bit because my hands are sensitive to the cold anyway. I will be getting a pair of handelbar gauntlets for winter riding from now on. These have been around for many years and were designed for farmers etc. The local Suzuki shop has them here for $45 and they are Vinyl on the outside and wool lined on the inside. Here is an example of another type. http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/450-over_and_under_gloves/9142-wfo_handlebar_gauntlets.aspx

Before you get those go to RD1 and check out the ones they sell for quads. I use them on the DR, wool lined, really wind proof and a sort of waxed outer like the outdoor coats.

dino3310

6th July 2012, 23:19

Before you get those go to RD1 and check out the ones they sell for quads. I use them on the DR, wool lined, really wind proof and a sort of waxed outer like the outdoor coats.

was thinking about those myself... question: do ya hands slip out easy in an off?

sorry for the hijack:whistle:

Gremlin

7th July 2012, 05:48

Balaclava can stretch your helmet....well not really...but you know what I mean. When you stop using it in summer, the inside bits are compressed so helmet is loose on your noggin.
Good point... I use a Revit Balaclava that is thin on the top so takes up very little helmet space then thick lower down to stop wind etc. Here: http://motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rebatrackerther.aspx

I think it's that one... a few are pretty similar... Only annoying thing over the old one is that the eye area isn't elastic so it's a bit loose which lets heat out and up onto the visor...

Eddieb

7th July 2012, 08:23

was thinking about those myself... question: do ya hands slip out easy in an off?

sorry for the hijack:whistle:

Dunno, I haven't crash tested them but your hands come out easy enough while riding if needed.

NordieBoy

7th July 2012, 09:40

was thinking about those myself... question: do ya hands slip out easy in an off?

sorry for the hijack:whistle:

They use them racing in muddy x-countries.

Try them on your bike first though, as the mirrors may get in the way of doing them up...

bart

7th July 2012, 10:43

They use them racing in muddy x-countries.

Try them on your bike first though, as the mirrors may get in the way of doing them up...

I've used them on farm bikes. Great on quads, but not for me for 2 wheels. When everything goes to custard, you need your hands and arms for protection. With hands trapped at the bars....head first. There are times you have to get well clear of the bike, real quick.

As for the balaclava, I had a very thin merino one. Still stuffed a helmet. Now I use a neck loop scarf thingy. Does almost as good a job.

dino3310

7th July 2012, 14:31

i was thinking of cutting along the sides and putting a strip of velcrow there so if need be it would rip open

NordieBoy

7th July 2012, 16:41

I've used them on farm bikes. Great on quads, but not for me for 2 wheels. When everything goes to custard, you need your hands and arms for protection. With hands trapped at the bars....head first. There are times you have to get well clear of the bike, real quick.

I raced an icy 3hr x-country with them once on the XR250.
Bloody brilliant and no muddy grips.

Your hand's aren't trapped. The material will bend and flex as you go over the bars.

The same could be said about alloy hand guards vs open ones...

bart

8th July 2012, 20:37

I raced an icy 3hr x-country with them once on the XR250.
Bloody brilliant and no muddy grips.

Your hand's aren't trapped. The material will bend and flex as you go over the bars....

You obviously don't fall off enough.:shutup: When getting away from the bike in a hurry, you often need to lift your hands vertical from the bars. With the mitten things you either have to pull hands back or rotate around the bars.

The same could be said about alloy hand guards vs open ones...

Yep. Broken wrists if you don't release quick enough, but....at least you get the chance to release.

Perhaps we should start a new thread...

dino3310

8th July 2012, 22:30

When getting away from the bike in a hurry, you often need to lift your hands vertical from the bars. With the mitten things you either have to pull hands back or rotate around the bars.

Perhaps we should start a new thread...

or a lowside when ya put ya lower arm out to absorb some of the impact instead of ya shoulder taking the biggest hit.
cave weta could design some tear away adv ones:corn:

new thread sounds a good idea

sosman

15th July 2012, 21:10

Awesome vid there Shewolf! I take it you saw our mate falling over in the carpark at the begging on his Moto-morini? lol
I had a wicked ride & really enjoyed the variety of terrain & most of all just enjoyed wondering where the hell I am ha ha.
I traded the ol GSXR1000 for a DRZ400sm in Nov last year & loving it! I love it even more now that I have put some Off road rims on & a bigger tank.
The only gripe I had was when we stopped at Whakamaru for our first fuel stop, they were no more pies...hmph :weep:
Can't wait to do more adventures

Cheers, Sean