Karapoti first ride

[Furiousone]

Well I have been enjoying reading this site for years now and thought id have my first post.
Recently we purchased a 04 KX85 for the wife and I just brought myself a 07 RM250. We shot up to Karapoti on Sunday with a mate on his Honda tornado 250. Well as expected it was packed with everyone getting some training in for the up and coming Karapoti classic in March 08. It was raining so it was nice and cool. The track was wetter than expected. It had rained for one night, but as it had been fine for 4 days previous the ground was rock hard, so the water was just sitting on the surface. Qudos to my mate with his bauld road tires sticking in thier :niceone:. We made it up to the first major river crossing but the other 2 wernt to keen to go across this time round. So we took the other main track and went on for another few Km's. We then turned around and headed back as it was just a 'lets have a look ride'. The kx85 went really well, seems suited for the wife, shes having a blast, and the RM :devil2:....well it's one hell of a bike, certianly better than my old 1990 CR250 thats for sure. I might go down 2 teeth on the rear sprocket for a little more top speed, not to sure yet as i havnt gone any futher on than what we did, so not to sure if the track stays as open as it was or whether it closes back up like the begining of the track.

Anyway if your up that way and see a rm250 and a kx85 feel free to say hi, always keen for a chat.

:niceone:

Furi

[FlangMasterJ]

Awesome. Welcome to the site. I'm up the Karapoti fairly often so you're bound to bump into me.

Here are some pics from my latest Karapoti adventure: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=60480&highlight=560&page=2

[clmintie]

" I'm up the Karapoti fairly often"

Nah.... Too easy.....:whistle:

Welcome to KB Furi...

Can you take a camera with you next time, would like to see the track....

[Furiousone]

Thanks guys, I will happily take a camera next time.

[F5 Dave]

There is a number of small trails off that route but it really leads to the rockgarden track which connects to the devils staircase. Best way to do it is go down the staircase & up the rock garden. Not many will get up the staircase. Going down is just a matter of several drop offs. The rock garden is fairly bumpy going.
1. I'd never take a learner down there, or a small wheel bike, or a big bike.
2. I'd never go in winter or after heavy rain. We went couple of weeks back before the heavy rain & still the bogs were deep, there are ways around most though.

The rest of the tracks are pretty easy. The first crossing is much better than in the old days but watch for big boulders after heavy rain. Track a little way after is very slippery clay but that changes to pretty easy tracks. Leads all the way out to Para. Some neat pylon tracks off main track, don't go anywhere but ok for a laugh.

For heavens sake be careful on the first stretch out of the carpark. People returning to the carpark are often going too fast to stop on thier 2nd wind.

Try silver bullet site for organised rides in much better areas

[Furiousone]

There is a number of small trails off that route but it really leads to the rockgarden track which connects to the devils staircase. Best way to do it is go down the staircase & up the rock garden. Not many will get up the staircase. Going down is just a matter of several drop offs. The rock garden is fairly bumpy going.
1. I'd never take a learner down there, or a small wheel bike, or a big bike.
2. I'd never go in winter or after heavy rain. We went couple of weeks back before the heavy rain & still the bogs were deep, there are ways around most though.

The rest of the tracks are pretty easy. The first crossing is much better than in the old days but watch for big boulders after heavy rain. Track a little way after is very slippery clay but that changes to pretty easy tracks. Leads all the way out to Para. Some neat pylon tracks off main track, don't go anywhere but ok for a laugh.

For heavens sake be careful on the first stretch out of the carpark. People returning to the carpark are often going too fast to stop on thier 2nd wind.

Try silver bullet site for organised rides in much better areas

*****************************
Thanks for the heads up on the return to the carpark. From around that first river crossing , wheather you go over it or not, do both tracks stray fairly open for high speed or do they close back in....ie single track/forest track type stuff. I know i'll find out soon enough, but a little heads up is always nice. That way i can plan my new sprockets if they are fairly open and fast tracks, or stay were i am if the tracks tighten up again.

[F5 Dave]

They are pretty simple tracks but you won't be using top gear for sure. Leave it where it is.

[Furiousone]

They are pretty simple tracks but you won't be using top gear for sure. Leave it where it is.

Cool Cheers Dave, currently top gear good for about 55-60mph I hear if its WTFO, so i proberly wouldn't get above 50mph I would think. I did use 5th a few times while out there but it was for more cruzing than anything else on the long straights.

[F5 Dave]

most of the tracks will be like 3rd.

[mazz1972]

Sounds like you are having fun up there!

Just a few words of advice re. speed - there are places up there where you can ride fast, as the terrain is open and you have a good view of what's ahead. But where the track is windy and in the trees, you are asking for trouble to go too fast as you don't know who is around the corner. The tracks are also open for trampers/walkers/hunters, and as you know, mountain bikers. Keep left on the main tracks. Trampers, and mountain bikes generally will hear you coming but a bike coming the other may not.

Haven't been up there for ages myself - we come in from the Kapiti side.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah & the quads, ridden by car drivers with the family following on their quads.

Dad is up front showing off so is speeding off sliding into corners but then looking back to see how junior is going. No helmets, 2 up, looking backward, sliding. Not the nicest thing to meet coming around the corner.

It would be a funny slant if I hadn't seen it too many times & I don't go there that often.

Organised rides will provide much better riding. There are some real nice places to ride on these runs with the generosity of the land owners & hard work of the clubs. Do it while it's still doable.

[Furiousone]

Sounds like you are having fun up there!

Just a few words of advice re. speed - there are places up there where you can ride fast, as the terrain is open and you have a good view of what's ahead. But where the track is windy and in the trees, you are asking for trouble to go too fast as you don't know who is around the corner. The tracks are also open for trampers/walkers/hunters, and as you know, mountain bikers. Keep left on the main tracks. Trampers, and mountain bikes generally will hear you coming but a bike coming the other may not.

Haven't been up there for ages myself - we come in from the Kapiti side.

Thanks again for the heads up, generally we only stay in 2nd, low end 3rd when were in the trees, so perhaps doing 25kph at most. Were always carfull in the tree area's and its only when it opens' up a bit that i had a little fun but ill certainly be keeping it well under control, no way do i want a 'close encounter of the quad or mum and dad kind', thats for sure.

Hope this weekend is drier than last, really keen to get across that first river crossing and explore the other side.

[Furiousone]

Yeah & the quads, ridden by car drivers with the family following on their quads.

Dad is up front showing off so is speeding off sliding into corners but then looking back to see how junior is going. No helmets, 2 up, looking backward, sliding. Not the nicest thing to meet coming around the corner.

It would be a funny slant if I hadn't seen it too many times & I don't go there that often.

Organised rides will provide much better riding. There are some real nice places to ride on these runs with the generosity of the land owners & hard work of the clubs. Do it while it's still doable.

Thanks so much dave for all your advise and input, ill certainly take it easy. And i checked out the silver bullet site, I didn't realise how may road and offroad trips were organise through them, im really keen to get the wife on one of those, thanks mate.