Akatarawa adventure

[Balrog]

I received a call from Pampa late Saturday night.
Rob8888 is taking us up into the Akatawara's for a bit of an adventure ride.
Bring some lunch and its an early start.

We met up at Caltex around 9:30 ( yes thats early )
and headed off up the valley for some great riding and fantastic scenery.

- Top of the Akatawara's
- A few K's in, just after the first steep bit
- First of the many gnarly bits, thats me nearly at the top
- Pampa starts the climb
- nearly there
- nice rocky road

[H00dz]

Wicked!!!

I'll stick to the road myself but it looked like wicked fun

[Balrog]

- Rob goes mountain climbing for a photo of the valley
- Gets a bit more challenging
- Lunch at the top
- The way down to Waiotauru hut
- In to the forest
- looks ok, how bad could it be?

[Balrog]

- Oh
- Yes thats the track
- Coming down was easy
- Just checking how to get back up
- This is going to be interesting
- Well I made it down, not that I had much choice once I hit that loose stuff

[Balrog]

- Pampa starts his descent, Rob ready to assist
- Made it
- Great fun, riding through this
- Waiotauru Hut
- Trying to cool off, getting ready for the return trip
- Rob on the way back up

[Balrog]

- A nice steep hill, dropping 90 degree's into a rocky stream, hill climb combination
- or not
- After picking the GS up a few times you stop getting fussy where you park.
Top marks to Pampa and Rob for helping with the odd push
Cheers guys

- Another great exercise in traction control
- Rob's turn. As usual he zoomed up like a pro
I was winning the crashing competition , with Pampa coming second.
Rob had yet to score :niceone:

- I really stuffed this up the first time and ended up on my side in the rocks.
Rob and Pampa to the rescue, helped me drag the bike back toward the camera. Then a nice straight run at the bank.

[Balrog]

- Rob coming down the last big rut
- Resting in the shade.

A great day ( slightly terrifying at some points ) but over all fantastic.

Cheers for the great day guys

:stoogie:

[Trudes]

How cool Jim!!! Those look like some wicked roads/tracks, must be tons of fun!

[magicfairy]

Did BusaJim mention that when he got home he barely had the energy to eat, wash, then crawled into bed at 9:30 complaining about being an old man.
Said he had a great day though.:2thumbsup

[marks]

Surely this must rate as the extreme end of where a 'sane' person can take an 1150?

This was one of the first trails we did when we got the chinese trail bikes late last year. They never looked the same again and it took us a couple of days to recover - we were shattered.

I may be a big girls blouse but I wouldn't have enjoyed taking my 660 through there. mucho kudos to you all.

Sorry I could'nt be there. Am keen to go through on the 450 if you guys are ever silly enough to want another shot at it.

[tri boy]

Looks like a very challenging track for the errr heavier bikes. Great pix.:cool:

[Crisis management]

Great report and ride Jim, well done getting the GS thru there, shows what you can do with a bit of determination (and testosterone?)

Now, why don't we have any tracks up here like that!

[cooneyr]

Awesome work guys. Wish we had tracks like that! Will have to visit the Norf Island some time (it will happen one day).

Looks like you are getting plenty of tough technical section training in for the DB1k Jim :D

Cheers R

[young1]

The pics remind me of riding in there on my DRZ400 prior to moving to New Plymouth, dont think I would like to take the 990 in there though unless it had some decent nobs on the back!

[warewolf]

Top effort that man! :clap:

[cooneyr]

Wana lead some of us for a ride around the area on Anzac weekend when we invade for the KTM Capital Coast Adventure ride (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=61381) in 08?

Cheers R

[Blue Velvet]

I received a call from Pampa late Saturday night.
Rob8888 is taking us up into the Akatawara's for a bit of an adventure ride.
Bring some lunch and its an early start.


That's an awesome ride! Wish I could have joined you. Have stayed at the Hut a couple of times. Have cooked a curry on the pot belly stove and slept under the stars. Did you go past the Hut to explore?

How's the track looking now? A few spots after the tank tracks were looking dodgy earlier in the year... Looks like it was nice and dry for you. Last time I did it there were some fun mini lakes to get through :D

Edit: I've broken a couple of levers on this track :o

[pampa]

It was an awesome day, aaand a great ride. Was amazing how the gnarly bits that looked difficult at the start were easy at the end. The most difficult ones for me anyway were the ones that involved steep downhill with a very loose surface followed by a sharp turn.
Good fun overall and a recommended ride may be better to go in group unless you know what u r doing. Have to say It took its price, brake the bolt that holds the mirror (Thanks bm to charge 37$ for it, broken it 3 times in less than a month) and bent the arm of the center stand (if that makes any sense :D).
Thanks Rob to suggest the ride and push me/us to keep going, we would've turned waaay before :D

[Balrog]

...
Looks like you are getting plenty of tough technical section training in for the DB1k Jim :D

Cheers R

Yeah, the DB1k is pretty much my riding focus at the moment,
trying to haul the old bod into shape ( other than round :laugh: )



Wana lead some of us for a ride around the area on Anzac weekend when we invade for the KTM Capital Coast Adventure ride (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=61381) in 08?

Cheers R

No problems,
Be happy to organise a dusty tour :)

[Zukin]

Sound like you have inspired someone BusaJim :eek:

I bet he read this topic and thought if he can do it so can I
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=78845&fm=psp,nwl

[Dafe]

Sound like you have inspired someone BusaJim :eek:

I bet he read this topic and thought if he can do it so can
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=78845&fm=psp,nwl

Was just thinking the same thing........

A search of "Akatarawa" on KB led me here!

[marks]

Be happy to organise a dusty tour :)

Now that could be fun - a loop from Paraparaumu through to Karapoti then through the Akas on the road to the summit then up along Oldins rd to the green hutt. (or Karapoti-Paraparumu (refreshment stop) Akas- Odlins Rd)

Glen and I did this a month or so ago (didnt go right into the hutt) it was a good 4 hr ride.

[mattsdakar]

Great photo's Busa, looks like a great day out

[Balrog]

Now that could be fun - a loop from Paraparaumu through to Karapoti then through the Akas on the road to the summit then up along Oldins rd to the green hutt. (or Karapoti-Paraparumu (refreshment stop) Akas- Odlins Rd)

Glen and I did this a month or so ago (didnt go right into the hutt) it was a good 4 hr ride.

Sounds good, Im in :laugh:

Karopoti is always worth a look. No problem with the permits,
I arranged one for a south island rider over xmas.

[Aslan]

Jim - I salute you - amazing b*lls - I'd find most of where you and the equally brave Dakar rides went a real challenge on the big GS - specially when one gets off balance on a steep uphill section :-) :banana:

[rob8888]

Hi all
Bloody good day was had. Pretty sore and I think it took a day to rehydrate from all the sweat loss.

I have to hand it to Jim for getting the big GS all the way to the hut...but getting it home was the hard bit - heavy bikes, lots of loose rock on tight grades while being already physically stuffed - even the Dakars took enough hard work - let alone yours Mate!

Here are some shots with us still looking fresh.......

Cheers
Rob

Pic #1 - Odlins Road about 1/2 way
Pic #2 - Jim's first obstacle
Pic #3 - Pablo looking fresh

[rob8888]

Pic #1 - Jim looking fresh still
Pic #2 - Waiotauru Hut, Pablo, Jim & Rob
Pic #3 - Nearly at the top.....delirium starting....the short sidestand trick...."it's easier to reach my muesli bars from this side...."

[Balrog]

Great pics Rob :niceone:

[pampa]

Great pics Rob :niceone:


Pic #1 - Jim looking fresh still
Pic #2 - Waiotauru Hut, Pablo, Jim & Rob
Pic #3 - Nearly at the top.....delirium starting....the short sidestand trick...."it's easier to reach my muesli bars from this side...."

The critters, the critters! :2guns: they changed the side stand from right to left! I've seen them putting my bike out of balance :whistle: or what other reason is there to allow such a well balanced bike and rider to hard land so many times? ...

Well anyway good pictures mate and thanks again for the patience and pushing us to get to the hutt:clap:

[windboy]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

What a ride guys! seriously looked like fun/hard work!

I take my hat off for busajim for hauling that baby up and down without breaking any bones...!

later,

[magicfairy]

I take my hat off for busajim for hauling that baby up and down without braeking any bones...!



Lucky he of a "bouncy" build, plenty of padding

[Zukin]

Lucky he of a "bouncy" build, plenty of padding


HAHA
What does that make me then :laugh:
Built for comfort not for speed :bleh:

[Blue Velvet]

Jim - I salute you - amazing b*lls - I'd find most of where you and the equally brave Dakar rides went a real challenge on the big GS - specially when one gets off balance on a steep uphill section :-) :banana:

+1

That track would be hard work on a big heavy bike. My friend takes his DR650 on it and that is a mission in parts.

:2thumbsup

[RedKLR650]

Pic #1 - Jim looking fresh still
Pic #2 - Waiotauru Hut, Pablo, Jim & Rob
Pic #3 - Nearly at the top.....delirium starting....the short sidestand trick...."it's easier to reach my muesli bars from this side...."

Fantastic photos Rob, :niceone:

Anyone would think you did it for a living..... :whistle:

More exciting than skink photos don't you think ?:slap:

Stu:scooter:

[K slider]

looks like I missed a great ride.

[Eddieb]

Me too

Which entrance do people use to head in from?

[Blue Velvet]

I went to do the track on Sunday but it was a disaster of a ride. I didn't even make it to the saddle! I offed at the place you took some pics, the clay part under the trees with the huge rut in the middle, and broke my brake lever off at the bolt. Replaced this and should have turned to head back home but carried on and proceeded to get more and more unco :crybaby:

My most memorable moment was coming back (I finally called it quits as my bike was getting a right beating), on a steep slip, coming down I thought I heard a vehicle coming up from the bottom round the corner so bike went one way and I did a nice Superman dive onto some squishy grass on the side of the track.

Lesson learnt (again) - turn back if you feel the ride is starting to turn to shit.

I took some pics, but seeing as I didn't make it anywhere noteworthy on the track I don't think I'll post them. I'm too embarrassed :o

Pic: Looking towards Kapiti Coast

[pampa]

Aye don't be embarrassed good on you that dare to go alone :headbang: it's nice track with some (well quite a few) tricky bits and without easy access for some to help in case thinks go nasty :confused:

Post some at least :stupid:

Cheers,
Pablo

Top effort that man! :clap:


I went to do the track on Sunday but it was a disaster of a ride. I didn't even make it to the saddle! I offed at the place you took some pics, the clay part under the trees with the huge rut in the middle, and broke my brake lever off at the bolt. Replaced this and should have turned to head back home but carried on and proceeded to get more and more unco :crybaby:

My most memorable moment was coming back (I finally called it quits as my bike was getting a right beating), on a steep slip, coming down I thought I heard a vehicle coming up from the bottom round the corner so bike went one way and I did a nice Superman dive onto some squishy grass on the side of the track.

Lesson learnt (again) - turn back if you feel the ride is starting to turn to shit.

I took some pics, but seeing as I didn't make it anywhere noteworthy on the track I don't think I'll post them. I'm too embarrassed :o

Pic: Looking towards Kapiti Coast

[pampa]

Me too

Which entrance do people use to head in from?

We got to the top of the Akatarawa road were the car park is, starting from Caltex on SH2 passing Upper Hutt. Then right (coming from the hutt) or northwest, up to the gnarly rock. It is all rutted for couple of K and then cools down to an nice track up to the top. From there the way down to the hutt is the most difficult bit I believe.

Cheers,
Pampa

[K slider]

Hi Pampa where do you come out at odlins road, will have a ride soon.

[pampa]

Hi think Jim didn't post this one with Rob showing his magic :clap:

[Balrog]

Hi think Jim didn't post this one with Rob showing his magic :clap:

I would have if I'd had a copy of it :)
Must have missed some of the pics on your USB drive.

[Taz]

Hi think Jim didn't post this one with Rob showing his magic :clap:

Is that your support crew in the background?? ;)

[marks]

Is that your support crew in the background?? ;)

That was why Jim didn't post that photo. He didn't want us knowing that those quads were needed to tow his 1150 up the hill. Pampa deliberately posted it so we wouldnt be misled.

thanks Pampa

[Balrog]

Is that your support crew in the background?? ;)

:laugh:
Actually they did help drag my GS back after I dumped it in the river bed.

[Moki]

You found the outer limits on that GS yet Jim? The man's a legend...

[Balrog]

You found the outer limits on that GS yet Jim? The man's a legend...

No, but I did find the outer limits of this corner the other day

:Oops:

[cooneyr]

No, but I did find the outer limits of this corner the other day

:Oops:

Jees dude - take it easy! I know magicfairy said you were of bouncy build and could handle the odd knock but no need to prove her wrong!

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

but no need to prove her wrong!

Or to prove her right!

:D

[marks]

Glen (my son) and I went for a ride up through the Akatarawas to the hut today. While it was pretty easy on trail bikes there is no way I would want to punt a bike heavy leg crusher like a Dakar or an 1150 through there.

you guys (Jim Pampa and Rob) should be certified.....