Auckland: Mangamuka Playdate: 22-23 March 2014 [Archive]

GravelRashKid

2nd March 2014, 08:38

The weekend of 22-23 March we are having another playdate ride (including overnight) through some famous Northland twisties.

Saturday: Auckland to Kaitaia, via Waipoua Forest.
Sunday: Kaitaia to Auckland, via Mangamuka Gorge about 5 times.

Saturday 8:15am at GravelRashKid's home in New Lynn. Leaving at 8:30am.

Roughly planning one hour ride legs. Google says 6hr49 for our chosen route north.
Recent experience shows we need to be very efficient with stops, otherwise this will become a 10 hour trip...
We will sit down for a very short lunch, otherwise we only stop long enough for gas and toilets.

Accommodation will be at Ahipara Holiday Park, 168 Takahe Street.
http://www.ahiparaholidaypark.co.nz/index.html
I have booked a large room initially. First in first served for beds, otherwise the couch or floor.
If numbers grow, we can book a second room.

Confirmed so far are:
GravelRashKid
Juniper
Angle

Not a learner ride

Riddler

2nd March 2014, 17:07

Its a little short notice but I'm keen. Only thing is I don't finish work till 9am Saturday morning. Would you mind leaving around 930 or just before. I'll try get away from work earlier though.

Riddler

2nd March 2014, 18:00

Bugger, just realized I already have something else on this weekend. :facepalm: Have an awesome time though.

GravelRashKid

2nd March 2014, 18:50

Bugger, just realized I already have something else on this weekend. :facepalm: Have an awesome time though.

Bugger :weep:
Yeah it is pretty short notice eh. Next time!

Juniper

3rd March 2014, 06:58

Lets be hoping the weather holds out!!

Short notice I know :(

angle

3rd March 2014, 11:25

I am now out for this weekend as well. I do apologise! Hopefully we can re-schedule for the next weekend.

angle

3rd March 2014, 11:34

I am now out for this weekend as well. I do apologise! Hopefully we can re-schedule for the next weekend.
I've just realised that it's an ART day next weekend... 22-23 is the only weekend I can make it this month...

Juniper

3rd March 2014, 11:51

I've just realised that it's an ART day next weekend... 22-23 is the only weekend I can make it this month...

I'm marshalling at that ART day!! Both days actually.

Ummm I'll see what else I've got planned....

f2dz

3rd March 2014, 11:52

Sitting my CBTA this weekend, otherwise might be keen. Will defo be down for it next time you guys organise one and I have a new bike!

GravelRashKid

3rd March 2014, 16:35

The ride won't run this weekend. Too short notice for everyone.

The next potential date is March 22-23. Although not confirmed yet.
Watch this space!

Virgil

3rd March 2014, 22:41

The ride won't run this weekend. Too short notice for everyone.

The next potential date is March 22-23. Although not confirmed yet.
Watch this space!

Bugger, the 22/23 I've got a Fire Training course.

Keep trying though!

Juniper

4th March 2014, 15:58

Lol :rolleyes:

I don't think we'll be able to keep everybody happy. Majority wins.

And anyway I need to visit up there as I've got someone I need to catch up with up there. :cool:

Mongolian

5th March 2014, 00:56

I'm not sure at this stage, just got back from aus, gotta confirm dates as im out in the coromandel the 17th-21st.

GravelRashKid

5th March 2014, 06:51

Bugger, the 22/23 I've got a Fire Training course.
Keep trying though!

I'm not sure at this stage, just got back from aus, gotta confirm dates as im out in the coromandel the 17th-21st.

If either of you guys are interested, there's talk of a small quick group doing the coro loop this Sunday :chase:

Juniper

13th March 2014, 10:22

Hey guys,

So whose keen for next weekend?? Gota get the last of the good riding in while the last of the good weather is around!!

GravelRashKid

13th March 2014, 10:32

The next potential date is March 22-23. Although not confirmed yet.

Hey guys,

So whose keen for next weekend?? Gota get the last of the good riding in while the last of the good weather is around!!

I'm keen.
Got a room booked for the Saturday night of March 22.
I'll keep the first post updated. Unfortunately I can't seem to change the thread title for the new dates.

Juniper

13th March 2014, 10:59

I'm keen.
Got a room booked for the Saturday night of March 22.
I'll keep the first post updated. Unfortunately I can't seem to change the thread title for the new dates.

Ask a mod?

MODS could someone please change the title?? Cheers!!

Gremlin

13th March 2014, 11:03

Ask a mod?
*poof* done!

george formby

13th March 2014, 11:11

Whats wrong with this weekend? Just pack a snorkel..
Went over the Mangamukas on the DT last week. No traffic, tar seal is in good shape, bliss. Lots of road works south but probably all done now.

GravelRashKid

13th March 2014, 11:24

Whats wrong with this weekend? Just pack a snorkel..
Went over the Mangamukas on the DT last week. No traffic, tar seal is in good shape, bliss. Lots of road works south but probably all done now.

Haha, yeah we considered this weekend, although instead some are doing ART on Saturday, then some are marshalling on Sunday. I'll take the snorkel to Hampton Downs.
(Last I heard, still short of marshalls on Saturday, if you feel like we wee trip south :) )

GravelRashKid

19th March 2014, 09:41

Because of who we have for this trip so far, it's easier to leave from my home in New Lynn, at 8:30am. I have coffee!
Other's are still welcome to join us. There are ample spare beds.

george formby

19th March 2014, 16:03

I shall keep my fingers crossed for you this weekend.

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast1.php?type=rain&region=nzni&tim=72

Quite fancied tagging along for a bit if that's ok. Fancy it a bit less in the wet with my slippety doo da rear tire. Could always take out the little' un I s'pose.

Juniper

20th March 2014, 11:08

george formby

23rd March 2014, 10:02

Pleasure to meet y'all yesterday.
T'was, er, an interesting ride. Half the time I couldn't see, my anti fog fogged and when I lifted the visor my eyeballs got peppered.
Must get new tires, too. My rear kept heading over to have a look in the ditch. Bit disconcerting.
Great fun, though. Cheers. And a lovely bit of road, will be heading that way on a dry day.
Hope you get a dry run toady.

Juniper

24th March 2014, 07:24

Hello Russell road. The new love of my 2up life!!

george formby

24th March 2014, 08:11

Hello Russell road. The new love of my 2up life!!

Good call! One of my favs!

GravelRashKid

24th March 2014, 10:09

Great weekend! Thanks to those who joined us for various stretches.
Great company, food and roads - This is living!

A bit of rain, although never got too slippery. 'twas a good chance to work on smooth riding skills such as trail braking (a brand spanking new one for me!). Another new one is steady throttle on before starting to turn in for the corner, in order to set the bike - so much more stable!
I almost want more wet riding to develop these concepts (almost!! I still despise the wet, and ride slower than anyone I've met)

Lot's of sun too. Most of the important roads were dry - Waipoua Forest, Managamuka Gorge, Russell Road (my new favourite too!).
Haven't worked out how or why, I imagine it comes down to innate and intuitive skill (and a lot of hard work) from Juniper as a pillion. The result is that we were occasionally cornering harder, faster and smoother than I ever have solo riding.

george formby

24th March 2014, 13:40

You ride the same speed as me. Two up. We are the slowest.

Juniper

24th March 2014, 16:43

You ride the same speed as me. Two up. We are the slowest.

? makes no sense.....

george formby

24th March 2014, 16:59

? makes no sense.....

I get that a lot.......

GRK was happy riding at the pace on Saturday, I certainly did not want to go quicker. He was two up. So if he considers himself to be the slowest person he knows in the rain then he has a mate. Me.

Hope that's a bit clearer.

GravelRashKid

24th March 2014, 17:36

I get that a lot.......

GRK was happy riding at the pace on Saturday, I certainly did not want to go quicker. He was two up. So if he considers himself to be the slowest person he knows in the rain then he has a mate. Me.

Hope that's a bit clearer.

Haha, got ya! Yep that was my max wet road speed, without getting tense, at my current confidence level.
Well led, nice and consistent.

george formby

24th March 2014, 18:05

Haha, got ya! Yep that was my max wet road speed, without getting tense, at my current confidence level.
Well led, nice and consistent.

In lots of places that road surface was pants. I was looking for the grippy bits through the corners. The shiny bits made my rear slipometer kick out on exit.
Def keen to catch up next time ewes head north. Nice to ride with folk who don't try & stick on me back wheel, hustling the pace. Kudos.

Juniper

24th March 2014, 20:23

I get that a lot.......

GRK was happy riding at the pace on Saturday, I certainly did not want to go quicker. He was two up. So if he considers himself to be the slowest person he knows in the rain then he has a mate. Me.

Hope that's a bit clearer.

He?

I'll only let you get away with that because admittedly I was asleep for most of the wet riding.

george formby

24th March 2014, 20:54

He?

I'll only let you get away with that because admittedly I was asleep for most of the wet riding.

Extra Kudos. They then. Ewes even.

Is that handle on the tank for you? I've lost a bit of hair, scratching, trying to figure out what it was.

GravelRashKid

25th March 2014, 06:47

Is that handle on the tank for you? I've lost a bit of hair, scratching, trying to figure out what it was.

Hope you don't mind if I butt in again :-) Yep, the handle is for Juniper. It attracts regular intrigue.

After a couple of rides last year it turned out we were in unison 2-up on the bike. So we decided to keep riding together, and play with our riding style for a bit of fun.
Many riders disagree with the concept of the pillion moving around on the bike, and previously I was in two minds about it too. Yet somehow Juniper makes herself not just invisible, but she assists cornering. She is often more exhausted than I am after a good ride. Both of us drop a knee, and both of us move part way off the seat.
So the pillion tank handle makes this fun style a lot safer. It's more secure than hands flat on the tank. It's less weight on me than her hands on my hips (or using those clothing mounted handles).

It turns out this style creates more safety margin in the tyres too. This weekend included some of our smoothest and hardest riding (in the dry, lol), yet the chicken strips have grown...

george formby

25th March 2014, 08:38

Hope you don't mind if I butt in again :-)
It turns out this style creates more safety margin in the tyres too. This weekend included some of our smoothest and hardest riding (in the dry, lol), yet the chicken strips have grown...

Can't find the pillioning thread so will banter here. It certainly sounds like everything has clicked. Some of the corners on the Old Russell road are tightening radius, not immediately obvious either, so you must have been pretty smooth & had good lines to avoid putting in that extra last second lean.
That tank handle is genius, gives Juniper 3 points of control same, as the rider. Just needs a throttle on it..:yes:

GravelRashKid

25th March 2014, 08:48

That tank handle is genius, gives Juniper 3 points of control same, as the rider. Just needs a throttle on it..:yes:

Shhh, don't give her ideas! I'm already receiving the occasional nudge forward lol.

GravelRashKid

25th March 2014, 09:11

Can't find the pillioning thread

We found a pillioning thread here a while back. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/148606-Pillioning-Is-it-discussed-enough
It's been very helpful for both of us, a lot has evolved. Probably my biggest lesson, is that there is a lot still to learn.

angle

25th March 2014, 12:01

Haven't worked out how or why...

Well, it was my secret but I will tell you why... The reason is me. My aura of awesomeness is so great it affects other people when they are within a certain radius from me.

insomnia01

25th March 2014, 14:08

Juniper

25th March 2014, 14:43

Well, it was my secret but I will tell you why... The reason is me. My aura of awesomeness is so great it affects other people when they are within a certain radius from me.

Wasn't you then. We were way outside your radius on the twisties

GravelRashKid

25th March 2014, 14:58

Wasn't you then. We were way outside your radius on the twisties

lol... :corn:

GravelRashKid

25th March 2014, 15:08

was up there middle of last week & it was AWESOME !!!!!!! stayed in Rawene for a few days headed down to Kaikohe,Okaihau, Mangamuka's turned off & headed to Kohukohu to catch the ferry back to Rawene & repeated the loop once more for the hell of it..........

Mmm, nice loop. Did you manage to squeeze in the Waipoua Forest at all? It was really dry and clean on Saturday. A little miffed about the few sections of new un-swept seal without any signage at the northern end though :eek5: Not the adrenalin buzz I was seeking...