Wellington: Strange desires... [Archive]

Paul in NZ

11th December 2006, 19:32

I've be sheltering an odd desire to go here one weekend...

http://www.rivervalley.co.nz/new-zealand-adventure-new-zealand-adventure-lodges-rangitikei.html

I'm thinking late Summer early Autumn. Big range of accom options and food on site. Not quite a rally as such but just an overnighter with a gentle ride up and back, bit of vino, nice surroundings etc Maybe not a rave up if you know what I mean.

Some gravel (no biggie I'm told) on the way in.

Anyway - just an idea at this stage. Anyone else keen?

Paul N

Trudes

11th December 2006, 19:42

Paul in NZ

11th December 2006, 19:52

Sounds quite cool, especially the spa treatments immmmmmmmmm!
Gravel, my favourite thing, anymore than about 500 meters and I'm turning around. (Unless someone wants to teach me how to ride through it faster than about 5kmph).

Yeah Vicki thought the treatments sounded pretty good...

Gravels no biggie - just ride it in 500m sections ;-) I may go up for a reccee mission and check it out. Some of the rooms look cool but you could spend a motza if you went nuts..

Paul N

Trudes

11th December 2006, 19:53

Yeah Vicki thought the treatments sounded pretty good...

Gravels no biggie - just ride it in 500m sections ;-) I may go up for a reccee mission and check it out. Some of the rooms look cool but you could spend a motza if you went nuts..

Paul N

Sweet.
I have an idea, you guys go and I'll house sit for you, what a wicked place you have!!! If you're ever selling, let me know!

Paul in NZ

11th December 2006, 20:04

Sweet.
I have an idea, you guys go and I'll house sit for you, what a wicked place you have!!! If you're ever selling, let me know!

Thanks - we like it. It was our design cleaned up by the draughtsman. I'd change a few things but not much.

Cheers

apteryx_haasti

11th December 2006, 20:45

Looks interesting! Can my GN ride on gravel?

Or is this one of those "If you have to ask the answer's no" scenarios???

Skunk

11th December 2006, 21:00

Sounds good Paul. Check it out and post back.

Apteryx Haasti - any bike can do gravel. It a skill (an easy skill) every rider should have.

Ms Piggy

12th December 2006, 02:25

Sounds like fun!

Colapop

12th December 2006, 05:58

But there will be booze and bikers though won't there???
Sounds good.

sels1

12th December 2006, 07:26

I may go up for a reccee mission and check it out.

Give me a whistle if you want company on the reccie

Paul in NZ

12th December 2006, 07:59

Looks interesting! Can my GN ride on gravel?

Or is this one of those "If you have to ask the answer's no" scenarios???

Actually - your GN would be fine on gravel - better than most in fact.

Sounds like there is enough interest to make a nice night of it. Vicki has volunteered to test out the massage / hot tub bit (sigh) and I will check out the food / drink supply.

Cheers

Paul N

Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)

12th December 2006, 08:06

Looks great - I'd be keen to go.

Slingshot

12th December 2006, 17:45

I've been there...it's a wicked place!!!

There's not a heap of gravel...maybe 5 or 10 Ks at most. We went and had a family gathering there...while we were there the Kiwi Exp bus arrived with the european tourists..how you say oh la la?

Anyway...dug out a of pic of the river that runs next to the lodge:

kiwisfly

12th December 2006, 18:30

They have a "propa" coffee machine...hmmm!
Anyone keen on some sort of adventure activity...white water rafting perhaps?

Paul in NZ

12th December 2006, 19:06

Yeah - I'll sus that out too - could be fun.

apteryx_haasti

12th December 2006, 20:20

Cool - I'll be interested to find out more!

Specially if I can enhance my skills by learning to ride on gravel....

Jeff Sichoe

12th December 2006, 20:54

This sounds like it could be fun, will keep my eye on the thread.

I especially like the 'adventure' aspect too! Whitewater rafting or quad trips would be outside the norm :)

Hailwood

13th December 2006, 08:18

Sounds like a great plan likewise will keep an eye on this thread

Paul in NZ

13th December 2006, 15:34

Cool as... I have a plan forming but I suspect there will be a limit purely on beds availiable but there is camping and we can arrange a car to haul tents.

My loose thoughts are tending in 2 directions (quite tightly focussed for me)

1. Ride up in a leisurely manner - dropping in for lunch at the Herb Farm or Beyond the Bridge Cafe or the Pub in the valley followed by Paul's idle along deluxe tour of the valley and back roads arriving late in the pm in time for a dip in the hot tub / massage thingy for those that want it (Vicki) before a fixed course dinner (assuming Vicki wakes up from the massage) and a few bevies in the bar

or

2. High tail it up there as fast as poss for an 'adventure' event - dinner / drinkies etc

I'm trending to number 1

Bunk room rates are reasonable so 2 nights for the adventure junkies is doable.

Like I said - probably limited numbers but definately enough interest to chase it farther - so i will... It will be next year - not sure about the date but the valley is very pretty early autumn with the leaves on the turn and the riding is warm but the evenings cold enough for a fire and... You get the picture...

frankly - if i get my way we will slowly eat and drink our way over the lower north isalnd in a relaxed fashion...

apteryx_haasti

13th December 2006, 19:40

frankly - if i get my way we will slowly eat and drink our way over the lower north isalnd in a relaxed fashion...

Ha ha! SOunds fab!

Will keep an eye on the thread. I like the sound of option 1....

kiwisfly

13th December 2006, 20:58

Sounds all terrific. A laid back relaxing weekend in the company of some marvelous people!

Paul in NZ

13th December 2006, 21:01

Sounds all terrific. A laid back relaxing weekend in the company of some marvelous people!

Well if you put it that way - its got to be a winner eh?

Seriously though - I think we could do a bit more of 'that' kind of stuff..

phantom

14th December 2006, 05:20

Sounds like a great idea, I'd be a starter:scooter:

Ms Piggy

14th December 2006, 05:52

I'd be for plan #1. I'm keen to go for a Horse Trek...

Trudes

14th December 2006, 06:00

Yeah, I'd join you for that one Cathy, Could do with a fang on a horse, I'm actually a better horse rider than bike rider (that's not hard really!).

Paul in NZ

14th December 2006, 11:14

Yeah, I'd join you for that one Cathy, Could do with a fang on a horse, I'm actually a better horse rider than bike rider (that's not hard really!).

OK

I called the chap and they can do large groups (50 to 70) BUT have a contractual arrangement with Kiwi Experience etc so it will be very date specific. I'm aiming for a March to May window.

The road is sealed all the way to the gate so there is only about 1km of gravel (their driveway)

What will happen next is that I will post up a seperate thread (soon) to this one with a registration of interest and you will go onto the website and give me a few clues as to what you would like, ie adventure activity etc so i can email a rough outline to the guy and he will get back to me with some possible dates and potential activities.

I will keep it very bare bones budget wise but it won't be cheap cheap cheap. It will be a fun overnighter into some interesting countryside that you may not otherwise visit. It will be suitable for couples and 250's and people that have never ridden anywhere overnight plus anyone else of course.

I will endeavour to provide a luggage service but thats only a maybe for the moment.

Ideally - you can free ride to the venue plus I will try to organise a 'guided tour' for those that want to ride in a group.

I think this could be a bit of fun...

Cheers

Trudes

14th December 2006, 12:28

Sure does sound good Paul!!

chanceyy

14th December 2006, 19:52

Yeah, I'd join you for that one Cathy, Could do with a fang on a horse, I'm actually a better horse rider than bike rider (that's not hard really!).

well mrs KD .. i have two in shannon ;)

Trudes

14th December 2006, 20:01

well mrs KD .. i have two in shannon ;)

Wicked, if you ever want a riding buddy, of either the bikes or the horses, just give me a yell!!!:rockon:

chanceyy

14th December 2006, 20:06

Wicked, if you ever want a riding buddy, of either the bikes or the horses, just give me a yell!!!:rockon:

well hopefully if we have turned the corner with the rain I will be riding every day after i get back from up north .. starting to get real pissy with mud, water, mud & more mud .. the horses think its great though .. dirty gromets

as for the bike still working on that .. hopefully be spring next yr .. then will be riding solo while i get confident on it ;)

Trudes

14th December 2006, 20:11

well hopefully if we have turned the corner with the rain I will be riding every day after i get back from up north .. starting to get real pissy with mud, water, mud & more mud .. the horses think its great though .. dirty gromets

as for the bike still working on that .. hopefully be spring next yr .. then will be riding solo while i get confident on it ;)

Yep, fingers crossed for more weather like what we've had this week!!
I used to have an Appaloosa (white with brown spots) and that bugger loved the mud, couldn't keep him clean for longer than about an hour!!

chanceyy

14th December 2006, 20:18

Yep, fingers crossed for more weather like what we've had this week!!
I used to have an Appaloosa (white with brown spots) and that bugger loved the mud, couldn't keep him clean for longer than about an hour!!

I have two chestnut thoroughbreds .. gelding 16.3 hh & mare about 16hh .. I ride both in halters (parelli ) love it ..

both are well trained .. well gelding too sensitive to let anyone else ride him .. mare is real good .. if you can ride she can be a baggage if you can't ride she is gentle as ..

she looks like butter would not melt in her mouth .. but she knows how to undo electric standards ... when its going .. & she loves getting dirty ..

he will bend over backwards to please you .. & does not like the dirt as much as she does

davereid

14th December 2006, 20:30

Its a nice place, there is a good bar, a sort of bandstand thing, and the river is great. Its got a flying fox gadget so you can maroon the plonkers on the other side of the river. They have canoes and stuff too, so you can go for a paddle. There is even a 9 hole golf course, but bring plenty balls cos they go into neverneverland real easy. The road is OK, but the private drive gets steep as at the end, there is a hairpin bend on gravel to get around. But go slow, and its really easy. And yer cellphone dont go YE HA

ceebie13

14th December 2006, 20:44

... couldn't keep him clean for longer than about an hour!!

Bit like Nige then, aye Trude?

Jeff Sichoe

14th December 2006, 20:52

Yup, this sounds pretty sweet, even if it was just a case of bumming around the 'grounds' and taking in some sweet, sweet, country air - i'd be happy.

Trudes

15th December 2006, 05:55

Bit like Nige then, aye Trude?

My god, you know him so well already!!!

Paul in NZ

3rd April 2007, 13:26

Well - time to revive this thread if folks are still keen?

I was thinking thinking of a nice autumn weekend away to River Valley Lodge - Its suitable for couples so consider pillions etc and I would probably even take a car as well so folks are not burdened with luggage.

Speed would be suitable for GN250s etc and of the gentle touring variety.

Wellie people meet at Kapiti (our place), others can go vis SHW2.

Lunch at either the pub in the Pohangina Valley or the Herb Farm OR the cafe Beyond the Bridge.

Trundle north via Vinegar Hill, Pohangina Valley or other assorted back roads.

Stay the night, head off indepentently next day OR via Hunterville back road to Fordell...

Anyone keen? There is a little bit of gravel close to the lodge but really - nothing to worry about..

chanceyy

3rd April 2007, 18:01

Paul in NZ

4th April 2007, 09:19

Keen as .. esp since I have a bike !!!!!

when ya thinking of there paul ??

Well - I'm pretty easy with the dates but it depends on numbers because they have contracts with tour companies etc. Apparently it starts getting quieter from now on though so i was thinking late April OR how about June 23 / 24 for a mid winters ride?

chanceyy

4th April 2007, 09:58

Well - I'm pretty easy with the dates but it depends on numbers because they have contracts with tour companies etc. Apparently it starts getting quieter from now on though so i was thinking late April OR how about June 23 / 24 for a mid winters ride?

june sounds good