Winter Solstice Sunday Ride 24 June

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Back over the easter rides I mentioned at the Short Straw Cafe a winter solstice ride and perhaps Staglands. Well flag Staglands the Akatarawa road heading out there, though only 16km or so is too winding, narrow and slippery this time of year.

Meanwhile, here is a suggestion for Sunday Ride 24 June:

Rimutex - Martinborough (coffee/food) - Greytown - Carterton - Masterton (through town)- Alfredton - Eketahuna - Masterton (bypass road) - Carterton - (coffee/food) - Rimutex.

I have not done the Masterton - Alfredton - Eketahuna - Masterton loop...what is the road like out there this time of year? I may try and get up there before the solstice weekend.

Allowing for the two stops I think we would be looking at 4 to 5 hours Rimutex out and back.

I have noticed the Rimutaka Hill this week is getting quite a bit of low cloud and twice I have only gone up as far as 13km winding road sign as the road had that wet and slippery appearance, needless to say numerous stock trucks too.

So for the shortest day winter solstice a [corrected time to 10.45am]10.45am departure from Rimutex getting back around 3.30 - 4pm may be about right.

This will be purely a social cruisie ride. (I will post a link over at the TCSMR to this thread.)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=48572&page=10

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Kinje]

I have not done the Masterton - Alfredton - Eketahuna - Masterton loop...what is the road like out there this time of year? I may try and get up there before the solstice weekend.

Hey Buckbuck

I shot up this road yesterday. I think you were talking about it if dryish but not sure if you would have come over or not as it was dampish.

Road is a nice one. Nice and twisty all the way. I took it a bit easier as it was damp but still felt like I had plenty of grip. There are sections where it is a bit tighter, and there are some sections where it opens up a bit and you can see right through the corners and give it a bit more.

They have resealed parts of it, and there were a few bits that had a small bit of gravel left in the center of the lane. Like any small country back road, beware of driveways, stock on the side of the road and places where stock have crossed the road.

I went right through from Masterton to Pahiatua which was about 75km and took 45 min. To Eke you turn left at Alfredton rather than right, and the distance from Mstn to Eke is probably 65ish km so maybe 35-40ish mins

I might come on the ride next week, will see what I'm doing :yes:

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Road is a nice one. Nice and twisty all the way. I took it a bit easier as it was damp but still felt like I had plenty of grip. There are sections where it is a bit tighter, and there are some sections where it opens up a bit and you can see right through the corners and give it a bit more.

They have resealed parts of it, and there were a few bits that had a small bit of gravel left in the center of the lane. Like any small country back road, beware of driveways, stock on the side of the road and places where stock have crossed the road.

I might come on the ride next week, will see what I'm doing :yes:

Thank you Kinje for the feedback. I am actually thinking that perhaps the direct route: Rimutex (rather than out to Martinborough on the way) make a coffee stop at Carterton - Wild Oats then onto Masterton - Alfredton - Eketahuna - returning back to Rimutex (with a detour on the way back Masterton to Martinborough for those who may want a longer ride.)

Reckon may have to nominate you as ride captain out of Carterton.

Good weather please.

Heads Up and Enjoy:yes: :scooter: :yes: :scooter: :yes:

[Lissa]

I will be there. About what time will you be at Carterton? I'm probably meet you all at Wild Oats... warming myself up with a coffee :yes:

[Dodger]

Would like to be there, but doubt I will. :mellow:
have quite a busy weekend coming up with work functions etc. :rockon:

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TCSMR meet for 10am departure, but as this weekend is near the shortest day, I was thinking of around a 10.45 for 11.00 departure, or perhaps 10.30 for 10.45, see what the consensus is later in the week.

Heads Up and Enjoy:yes: :scooter: :yes: :scooter: :yes:

[KoroJ]

I am actually thinking that perhaps the direct route: Rimutex (rather than out to Martinborough on the way) make a coffee stop at Carterton - Wild Oats then onto Masterton - Alfredton - Eketahuna - returning back to Rimutex (with a detour on the way back Masterton to Martinborough for those who may want a longer ride.)


Difference (coming out on East Taratahi Road) is about 25km and about 28km difference via Gladstone. Not much difference time-wise because you're out of the SH2 traffic and avoid the long towns. It's also easier to keep a group together out of the traffic. Just need to watch it through those roads if it's wet, but that applies to the Alfredton road as well.

[Kinje]

Yeah, come through Martinborough, then go through the middle road to Carterton for a stop at Wild Oats (very good choice btw) and avoid SH2 until then. The time difference is sweet FA and the ride much nicer.

I prefer the more twisty riding earlier on when fresher and can concentrate better, then a cruisy ride back down SH2 on the way back.

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Yeah, come through Martinborough, then go through the middle road to Carterton for a stop at Wild Oats (very good choice btw) and avoid SH2 until then. The time difference is sweet FA and the ride much nicer.

I prefer the more twisty riding earlier on when fresher and can concentrate better, then a cruisy ride back down SH2 on the way back.

'Middle road to Carterton' not familiar with but hopefully on Sunday we will have a someone that is. [The middle road is that the turn off to the left as you are coming into Martinborough?]

Heads Up and Enjoy

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Difference (coming out on East Taratahi Road) is about 25km and about 28km difference via Gladstone. Not much difference time-wise because you're out of the SH2 traffic and avoid the long towns. It's also easier to keep a group together out of the traffic. Just need to watch it through those roads if it's wet, but that applies to the Alfredton road as well.

Google Mapped it;
Left into Ponatahi Road, Kokotau Road, then Moreton Road into Carterton.

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Difference (coming out on East Taratahi Road) is about 25km and about 28km difference via Gladstone. Not much difference time-wise because you're out of the SH2 traffic and avoid the long towns. It's also easier to keep a group together out of the traffic. Just need to watch it through those roads if it's wet, but that applies to the Alfredton road as well.

KoroJ, when you Sels1 and I came back down along the Masterton bypass and back onto SH2, that would be near the East Taratahi Road turn off to then loop back through Martinborough on the way back. Or proceed up to Greytown and do the small loop Bidwell Cuttings Road right back onto "53" and back into Featherston.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Kinje]

'Middle road to Carterton' not familiar with but hopefully on Sunday we will have a someone that is. [The middle road is that the turn off to the left as you are coming into Martinborough?]

Heads Up and Enjoy


Google Mapped it;
Left into Ponatahi Road, Kokotau Road, then Moreton Road into Carterton.

Yep, thats the one I'm talking about. You turn off to the left just as you enter the 50km/hr zone if entering from Fstn/Greytown direction. Some lovely sweeping bends :D More open and flowing than the back road from Mtb to Mstn with no narrow bits and much much more interesting than SH2

Yep, I should be there on Sunday. Prob won't make it to Rimutex but could meet perhaps in Fstn or at top of hill if I drag myself out of bed in time...I hate sunday mornings!

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Road is a nice one. Nice and twisty all the way. I took it a bit easier as it was damp but still felt like I had plenty of grip. There are sections where it is a bit tighter, and there are some sections where it opens up a bit and you can see right through the corners and give it a bit more.

Kinje, what would be the approx riding time Masterton Alfredton Eketahuna Masterton?

[Kinje]

KoroJ, when you Sels1 and I came back down along the Masterton bypass and back onto SH2, that would be near the East Taratahi Road turn off to then loop back through Martinborough on the way back. Or proceed up to Greytown and do the small loop Bidwell Cuttings Road right back onto "53" and back into Featherston.

Heads Up and Enjoy

After riding out of Mstn towards Wgtn, East Taratahi Rd is on the left at the end of the 1st passing lane. Takes you down along the long straights past the turn off to Gladdy and links onto Kokotau, Ponotahi (what I call the middle road), Mtb. There are quite a few roads linking between that middle rd and SH2 between Mstn and Ctn.

Confused you yet?

[Madness]

BB, could I suggest you add it to the Events Calendar?

Got a $900 TSS bill today, now for a rego & some gas money..............

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Confused you yet?

No sweat and I'm an Aussie...:dodge:

[Kinje]

Kinje, what would be the approx riding time Masterton Alfredton Eketahuna Masterton?

I think I said around 35-40 min to Eke through Alfredton (there is nothing there, only want to stop to regroup). From Eke to Mstn prob 25-30 min. Its not really huge times or distances.

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BB, could I suggest you add it to the Events Calendar?

Got a $900 TSS bill today, now for a rego & some gas money..............

Will post it up on the calendar tomorrow, the few suggestions tonight have been helpful to develop a riding route.

$900 ouch!:gob:

[Kinje]

No sweat and I'm an Aussie...:dodge:

Wow, I was told I was bad at giving directions. And now I've got an Aussie understanding...I must have improved a LOT! :p

[Lissa]

Yep, I should be there on Sunday. Prob won't make it to Rimutex but could meet perhaps in Fstn or at top of hill if I drag myself out of bed in time...I hate sunday mornings!Its a ride man... course you will drag yourself out of bed!! Sheeezzz.. whats wrong with ya?? :p

*puts hand up* I'm confused. We are stopping at Wild Oats then? I might have to meet you guys in Feathers if its fine. Hmm will pick up Kinje on the way to make sure he up and ready.

[Kinje]

Its a ride man... course you will drag yourself out of bed!! Sheeezzz.. whats wrong with ya?? :p

*puts hand up* I'm confused. We are stopping at Wild Oats then? I might have to meet you guys in Feathers if its fine. Hmm will pick up Kinje on the way to make sure he up and ready.

True, what was I thinking. I'll be up and bursting to get out the door!

I think so. Fstn, Mtb, Ctn (wild oats) then up round Alfredton to Eke and back to Mstn. I think BB was guna put it in the calander but not sure if its in there yet.

[Wasp]

im in, provided i have a bike

if i dont and stil have the shop bike then i get to fuck about on that :D

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I think BB was guna put it in the calander but not sure if its in there yet.

Calendar Event here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1308&day=2007-6-24

I did the ride today, and took some pictures.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Lissa]

It was stunning weather yesterday BB1!

I have to be back in Masterton at about 1.30pm for the mentor ride that I am doing. (kinje you are invited too). So will tag along as far as I can. (or if we sort something else out) :)

Ohh and The Wild Oats has the yummest food!!!! Well worth a visit over here... I will be there at 12pm on the dot!

[Skunk]

I'll have to miss it. :( Got bucket racing that day in Brooklyn.

[Lissa]

Weather report is cold and windy on Sunday.

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Weather report is cold and windy on Sunday.

Cold I expected but wind.........Shhhhh

Plan B:

TCSMR take it on the fly and may decide a ride on Wellington side if it too windy for the Rimutaka Hill and Wairarapa.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[ceebie13]

Bleedin' wuss's !! (...just like me!) :yes:

[ceebie13]

I did the ride today, and took some pictures.


Oi you!! Pic 1: That's my parkin' space! Bloody Suzuki riders...you'll be doin' a runner next!

[Kinje]

Yeah, these bloody Suzuki riders thinkin they're all that! I ride with a few all the time so gotta keep em in line, I'll take care of BB if you wuss out on Sunday

[merv]

Hey BB if its fine I'll be there (at my age you get choosy about the weather) as I escaped Sydney yesty after crap weather there all week until the storm blew over and it came right - blew my plane home fast after leaving 30 mins late last night we were in 15 mins early - fastest trip I've had over the Tasman. The people I were with did a pub crawl Monday night, a few bars in the city, then eventually ending up at the Cross at The Bourbon and then Barons - I escaped back to the city by cab around 2am from Barons while some of them went to about 3 more bars for a few more hours. Never saw your wanted posters anywhere.

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Merv

At B&B's, Bourbon and BeefSteak, right hand corner front open window, picture stuck underneath chair, that's where the picture was: if you ordered Rib Eye - medium rare, with a bourbon straight up, that was BuckBuck's special. The waiter would have known and told you where the picture was...shhh you arrived at 11.15 and left at 12.55am in a red Legion cab.

Catch you Sunday

Heads Up and Enjoy

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Bleedin' wuss's !! (...just like me!) :yes:


Oi you!! Pic 1: That's my parkin' space! Bloody Suzuki riders...you'll be doin' a runner next!


Yeah, these bloody Suzuki riders thinkin they're all that! I ride with a few all the time so gotta keep em in line, I'll take care of BB if you wuss out on Sunday

Going by the longterm forecast it is not looking good for over the hill Sunday.....Hey ceebie I left room for you and Kinje back behind the car right at the front door.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Kinje]

I'll try and get up and put a weather update on here on Sunday morning. Can't make a firm promise tho as I have drinkies on Sat night and AB's and Americas Cup starting...

[Nasty]

I gotta do some work tomorrow ... so its off for me .. but have a great ride!!!

[Kinje]

Blasted up the takas this morning and was a bit windy but not really enough to cause any problems. Just relax the arms and enjoy the ride :Punk: :Punk:

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Blasted up the takas this morning and was a bit windy but not really enough to cause any problems. Just relax the arms and enjoy the ride :Punk: :Punk:
Went out yesterday afternoon and this morning each time up to Te Marua and back Mangaroa Valley, Wallaceville Hill and Trentham. Each time on SH2 was a bit windy and turned off before Moonshine this morning coming back from Mangaroa Hill.

Fingers crossed for weather forecast tomorrow, winds easing.

Heads Up and Enjoy

[Paul in NZ]

Sorry - charity work all weekend... have fun!

[merv]

OK so this is still 11am at Rimutex right?

[Lissa]

I dont want to jinx the ride or anything but its looking pretty darn good for tomorrow. :yes:

[Nasty]

11 am Rimutex it is ... have a great ride .. I am doing computer shit!

[Lissa]

11 am Rimutex it is ... have a great ride .. I am doing computer shit!

:( oh bugger. I will think of you as I sip my Latte at wild oats on a glorious rapa afternoon. :yes:

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:scooter: Well in the calendar post I said I was leaving at 10.45, ah what the heck another 15minutes is neither here nor there.:scooter:


[corrected first post this thread to read 10.45am departure from Rimutex]

Pending how the weather is shaping up and looks as though it is improving:

I am thinking - stay with the Ponatahi Road for back way into Carterton, and if we decide to abandon Alfredton, then back through Gladestone to Martinborough:whocares:

Heads Up and Enjoy

[merv]

That's why I was asking about time coz this thread said 11 while the other was different.

If I come I'll be there before 1045 probably anyway.

Don't abandon Alfredton.

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That's why I was asking about time coz this thread said 11 while the other was different.

If I come I'll be there before 1045 probably anyway.

Don't abandon Alfredton.

My picture's not on any walls up there in Alfredton....that right? Should be okay then.:scooter:

[cowboyz]

ashhurst boys are going to see about meeting up with you guys in carterton,. should be there not long after 12.

[Lissa]

My offical weather report is... blue sky, alittle chilly atm, cloud about the Tarauras, but otherwise great riding weather. Not sure if Kinje will be on to give his weather report.. prob still in bed with a hangover or something.

[James Deuce]

Won't be able to make it. Have fun.

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Blue Dome Day.

Heads Up and Enjoy - Ride Your Own Ride
:yes: :scooter: :yes: :scooter: :yes: :scooter:

[Kinje]

Wind on the Takas is reasonably stable. As at 8 am was 40km/hr gusting 60. This is slightly less than yesterday when I went up which was 50 gusting 80. No rain. Very ridable.

Here in Mastreton sunny and not too windy- 10 gusting 30.

Will try and meet you guys at the top of takas shortly after 11 :yes:

[Kinje]

Wind built in the last hour to 9 am- 48 km/hr gusting 70. Still all good tho

[sels1]

Stayed up late and watched the rugby......off to Fiji for work tomorrow..need to get a few things done around home...might give it a miss today. Have a good one.

[Trudes]

Is this where we write up our excuses? Ok, mine is, it's too cool and I'm a sook!:shutup:
But I hope the rest of you have fun!!

[Slingshot]

I turned up at Rimutex at about 10:20, nobody else in sight...waited for ten minutes then got sick of waiting.

Did anyone actually turn up?

[Madness]

Did anyone actually turn up?

17 bikes I believe.

Pictures coming to verify my story, any minute.......

I abandoned the group early, had a date with a lawnmower.

[cowboyz]

we met up in carterton. didnt count the bikes but there were a few there. Had a good ride out alfredton and the southern crew and ashhurst boys split at e-tuna.

Good day out.

[Ronin]

we met up in carterton. didnt count the bikes but there were a few there. Had a good ride out alfredton and the southern crew and ashhurst boys split at e-tuna.

Good day out.

The kids a tuna asked me if I could wheelie. I said 'nah, but the dude that rides the green bike is the shit. Ask him' :gob:

Was a great day and a great ride.

[cowboyz]

fuck it. Did I miss a wheelie oppurtunty fueled by ego?

My wheelies are pretty sad after I put a different tyre on the rear actually. Not quite sure why but harder to pick the front up than it used to be.

oh well........

[merv]

17 bikes I believe.

Pictures coming to verify my story, any minute.......

I abandoned the group early, had a date with a lawnmower.

Yeah I've started the pics thread here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=52422