Cruise gravel riding in 'rapa Sat 28/2 [Archive]

Aslan

24th February 2009, 06:04

with the beyond Suthererland's Hut attack being aborted after a recce by JunkManJoe et al last weekend, I'm intending to take out my leven fiddy for a cruisey gravel ride to Martinborough (coffee at Toppys), out to the Coast - back through Hinakura and over Admiral Rd to the Gladstone - wet the whistle and on up to Eketahuna via back roads from Masterton.

anyone else interested - I plan on leaving Caltex Rimutuka at 10am and intend reaching Putura near Eke late afternoon to join whanau.

marks

24th February 2009, 06:27

Aslan

24th February 2009, 07:13

Hi

I'm keen but I've got nothing to ride yet... (DT needs a service)

The header gasket for the KLR has turned up so if I can get that fitted in time and solve the tire/exhaust clearance problem I will hopefully be there.

Cheers for that Mark - I'm flexible as to arrangements - just keen to give the bimmer an airing since the DR is my weapon of choice for the more challenging stuff - hope to see you and others - go well

Howie

24th February 2009, 16:00

Hi, I"m keen to get out for a ride if all goes to plan. Thanks for posting up the thread Aslan.

Paul

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 16:35

Hi Aslan, which coast you be looking at traveling to, white rock..

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 16:38

HI Aslan i can tie up a tidy set of back gravel roads towards ekey if you interested.
one being a paper road, more than suitable for the bigger bikes.

pete376403

24th February 2009, 19:03

Hi

I'm keen but I've got nothing to ride yet... (DT needs a service)

The header gasket for the KLR has turned up so if I can get that fitted in time and solve the tire/exhaust clearance problem I will hopefully be there.

you've got 4 bikes and nothing to ride? Jeeze...

Rubber mallet from Super Cheap ($4.50) will adjust tyre/exhaust interface.

marks

24th February 2009, 19:18

you've got 4 bikes and nothing to ride? Jeeze...

Rubber mallet from Super Cheap ($4.50) will adjust tyre/exhaust interface.

Its a bit rough isnt it...

I fitted the new exhaust gasket on the klr tonight and started it up and it still sounded like a tractor...wtf....

I put my thinking cap on and started it again - its not coming from the exhaust - its coming from under the tank - bet I know what that is...

Pulled off the tank and the plug the PO had put in the EGR port in the top of the head (by the sparkplug) had blown out and was lying next to a nice big hole right into the exhaust port. I'm glad I didn't try and continue the ride - I think I would have cooked an exhaust valve (looking in while the exhaust was off - one valve port was black and one was gray - the one with the open egr hole)

I'll get something permanent sorted out tomorrow to plug the hole.

Jumping to conclusions is a risky thing - new tire plus rubbing on exhaust plus sudden exhaust leak = blown exhaust gasket :no:

what a dork I are :yes:

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 19:20

Ok Aslan.

cast your eyes over this
only one road will be weather dependent. can easy leave it out, its has a great view of valley, top of dorsets rd.
ok here it is.
after the drinkies at pub.
travel north a short stint along sthwy 2, turn off for whangaehu valley, head up to dorsets road, ( aprox 1km paper road ) bottom of dorsets road,left turn on to mauriceville rd,right in to jacksons line, right on to west rd,left on to north rd,right on to hastwell rd,right in to bowen rd,right on to mangaoranga rd,left at bridge,left on to bartons line, right on to alfredton rd, and in to eketahuna.
i think aslan heads of to family, other riders sthy 2 to my house welcome for coffies at my house before heading home.

70% of these roads are gravel and suitable for BIG bikes.
there only short roads, and tie togeather for a neat ride.

aslan your thoughts please.

Aslan

24th February 2009, 19:25

junkmanjoe - joe sounds kewl - haven't checked on Google maps but I'm happy to go with your judgement - so you reckon we meet you at servo on entering Featherston? - welcome your start time recommendation in Featherston :rockon:

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 19:33

roads are short some tight and twisty some longer and stright, some will have grass in the middle, and aprox 1km of dorsets road it a old road, with metal base, but is wheel tracked, is a safe road.
so you keen to head to white rock.
at the end of the day you will end at eky

Aslan

24th February 2009, 19:39

Joe - you da man - you've embraced this KiwiBiker thing with gusto! Top man - yes White Rock's fine - cheers S :niceone:

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 19:41

okies we ride rain or shine, as my bike needs a wash...
hope to have the tank on, so will be a good test for it.

Aslan

24th February 2009, 19:49

I've just checked out the route proposed by Joe - looks interesting - certainly shows the benefit of local knowledge - in your hands Master Joe - cheers Aslan :rockon:

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 20:14

Aslan

24th February 2009, 20:18

it was best way not to double track over the roads, it sort of winds its way up north,
if your not happy with dorsets road, we can go back down.
it will be ok if its not pissing down.... i wouldnt take you some where silly, now would i..............:devil2:

sweet Joe - I'll take my chances - forecast is for rain at this stage - cest la vie - put my faith in the TKC80's on the bimmer - so you reckon we still do Featherston - Martinborough - Toppys and out to Coast? leaving Featherston say 10.30am? :wari:

Paladin

24th February 2009, 20:23

Joe - you da man - you've embraced this KiwiBiker thing with gusto! Top man - yes White Rock's fine - cheers S :niceone:

He's gonna have to change his name to RapaJoe!!! :clap:

Nice going Joe & Aslan - wish I could join you guys, looks a nice ride ya got planned!

I'll be back asap tho!

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 20:26

mate was wondering where you were. come two up, we send you home on the bus.....:2thumbsup

Aslan

24th February 2009, 20:32

mate was wondering where you were. come two up, we send you home on the bus.....:2thumbsup

Dave - Joe's right you could ride Pillion on my Bimmer - I'd be very careful promise and come back on public transport perhaps - over to you PM if interested. Cheers S

Paladin

24th February 2009, 20:32

.............. we send you home on the bus.....:2thumbsup

oh piss off!! :angry2:

pampa

24th February 2009, 20:32

So what's the idea timewise, starting at? idea of finishing?

cheers,
Pampa

Paladin

24th February 2009, 20:39

Dave - Joe's right you could ride Pillion on my Bimmer .............

Actually pillion on the rubber ducky could be fun except for one major problem - I really don't think i'll be gripping anything with my left hand even by this weekend and honestly don't fancy holding on all day with just my right hand - thx for the offer tho!

Aslan

24th February 2009, 20:42

So what's the idea timewise, starting at? idea of finishing?

cheers,
Pampa

Hi Pampa - I think it's going to be 10am from Caltex Rimutuka Sat AM. Meet Joe in Featherston at 10.30am (correct me if I'm wrong Joe) aiming to finish up at Eketahuna no later than 4pm say for those wanting to ride back to Wellington for commitments - incidentally I prolly need to take mine a bit more seriously - I'm planning on being on the RRRR the following weekend :clap:

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 20:49

Aslan second half of ride should take around 3 hrs, is a tight neckwork of roads. with a 1 1/2hr return to welly from ekey

1st half of ride, ummm let me think.

3 hr return from white rock, summer hill aprox 1hr and
40mins beer time, pit stop.
hows that looking
thats about 8hr + 1hr from welly in morning.+stops= aprox
9 hrs give or take, from welly back to welly

so a earlier start be good, hows 9.30am.
your thoughts.

joe

junkmanjoe

24th February 2009, 20:52

it possably be more around 8 hr total, subject to weather and stops, how many jugs at glady e.t.c

Aslan

24th February 2009, 21:10

it possably be more around 8 hr total, subject to weather and stops, how many jugs at glady e.t.c

OK .... Junkmanjoe and I have conferred and start times will be as follows - Caltex Upper Hutt 9am (groan I hear some of you say) and 9.30am at Mobil in Featherston.

Hope to see as many familiar and new faces as choose to join us - remember ride safe and look out for one another - we all take part in these informal rides at our own risk :oi-grr:

Cheers Aslan :2thumbsup

andy mac

25th February 2009, 07:27

I'll be there if the forecast isn't too wet! :scooter:

Aslan

25th February 2009, 08:07

I'll be there if the forecast isn't too wet! :scooter:

cheers Andy hope to see you Sat 9am Caltex Rimutuka :done:

pampa

25th February 2009, 09:52

Hi, I'm ok with early start, not sure if I can make it tho :baby:

Cheers,
Pampa

OK .... Junkmanjoe and I have conferred and start times will be as follows - Caltex Upper Hutt 9am (groan I hear some of you say) and 9.30am at Mobil in Featherston.

Hope to see as many familiar and new faces as choose to join us - remember ride safe and look out for one another - we all take part in these informal rides at our own risk :oi-grr:

Cheers Aslan :2thumbsup

NordieBoy

25th February 2009, 12:04

Actually pillion on the rubber ducky could be fun except for one major problem - I really don't think i'll be gripping anything with my left hand even by this weekend and honestly don't fancy holding on all day with just my right hand - thx for the offer tho!

Camera in the left.

Paladin

25th February 2009, 14:52

Camera in the left.

And since I won't be able to grip the camera I could just gaffer tape in on for the whole day I guess! :msn-wink:

junkmanjoe

25th February 2009, 20:00

maybe we could tape you to your bike.......:2thumbsup

NordieBoy

25th February 2009, 20:51

maybe we could tape you to your bike.......:2thumbsup

Real men use bungies...

junkmanjoe

26th February 2009, 19:58

ummmm might be a bit unsafe, if we bunge paladin to his bike,,,,what happens when he comes a gutsa again, just think of the recoil,,,,,,,,,,,ouch............................: nono:

Paladin

26th February 2009, 20:05

ummmm might be a bit unsafe, if we bunge paladin to his bike,,,,what happens when he comes a gutsa again, just think of the recoil,,,,,,,,,,,ouch............................: nono:

The whole thing is starting to sound rather sado masochistic! :shit:

junkmanjoe

26th February 2009, 20:32

The whole thing is starting to sound rather sado masochistic! :shit:

okies thats the end aye mate.. hurry and fix that hand, so we can go riding again.....

Paladin

26th February 2009, 21:33

okies thats the end aye mate.. hurry and fix that hand, so we can go riding again.....

Hey I'm working on it! :soon:

Trust me the thought of you lot all buggering off Saturday for a nice ride without me just pisses me off no end! :mad:

Got so hacked off with the pain of it today, cut the damn strapping off to release the pressure on the joint and so I can start exercising the damn thumb - ok so one needed exercise was being able to roll ciggies two handed again but hey its still exercise!!! :laugh:

Actually feels better without the strapping on!

Will be doing my utmost to be on the RRRR next weekend mate!

Aslan

27th February 2009, 05:35

Hey I'm working on it! :soon:

Trust me the thought of you lot all buggering off Saturday for a nice ride without me just pisses me off no end! :mad:

Got so hacked off with the pain of it today, cut the damn strapping off to release the pressure on the joint and so I can start exercising the damn thumb - ok so one needed exercise was being able to roll ciggies two handed again but hey its still exercise!!! :laugh:

Actually feels better without the strapping on!

Will be doing my utmost to be on the RRRR next weekend mate!

Dave - your'e in my thoughts pal - go well and look fwd to seeing you Sat next week - positive thoughts eh - cheers S :Punk:

Paladin

27th February 2009, 09:48

Dave - your'e in my thoughts pal - go well and look fwd to seeing you Sat next week - positive thoughts eh - cheers S :Punk:

Thanks my friend! My gut feeling is I'm gonna be ok for the RRRR, maybe still not 100% but probs good enough to get out there! Just better not have any more offs yanking that thumb back tho. Gonna be an early start for us - I'll still plan on coming by to meet you at your place for the ride up. Will update you after the weekend.

Aslan

27th February 2009, 12:19

Hi - for anyone planning on joining us on this ride - the departure time is 9am tomorrow (rain or shine) from Caltex Rimutuka or 9.30am at the garage on right as you enter Featherston.

cheers :wari:

pampa

27th February 2009, 17:50

Hi - for anyone planning on joining us on this ride - the departure time is 9am tomorrow (rain or shine) from Caltex Rimutuka or 9.30am at the garage on right as you enter Featherston.

cheers :wari:

See u there

Cheers,
Pampa

Paladin

27th February 2009, 18:12

You guys have a great, and safe, ride tomorrow - have fun - see ya next weekend for the RRRR !!!!!! :niceone:

junkmanjoe

27th February 2009, 18:35

hi chaps, will meet you at featherston mobil, ill be there just after 9am,

weather up date at 7:32pm very warm out side, no wind at all, high over cast skys, can still see the hills.
no sign off any rain so far.........

see you in morning.
sadly my new tank has not turned up in time for this ride.
.....:angry2:...ill just have to hope it gets here before next weekend...

after ride tomorrow, all riders are welcome to my place for cupper and cokies.......;)

marks

27th February 2009, 20:23

sorry guys
to much to do this weekend around home :wacko:

have fun

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 05:40

Aslan

28th February 2009, 06:13

weather report. for the rapa.

there is a light intence solid down poor at the moment.
but has eased off to just pissing down now. so thats good.

im just going out to soap up my bike so it can get water blasted as i travel to featherston.
so see you there. under a roof some where.:eek:

thanks Joe - am up breakasting and still planning on seeing you Featherston 9.30 - plan on wearing long johns for the wet butt and putting the liners in my gear. CU Featherston

thanks to Paladin and MarkS for their kind thoughts - CIAO Aslan :soon:

andy mac

28th February 2009, 06:46

We must be mad to ride in this forecast. My excuse is I want to check if my gear is waterproof? Checked out the rain radar & the majority of rain is west of the Tararuas but I guess it's pissing down on Rimutaka hill. CU at Upper Hutt.

bart

28th February 2009, 08:47

Good luck you crazy guys. Pissing down here.

pampa

28th February 2009, 09:15

Good luck, is pissing down here as well ... sorry to not show up Stephen

Cheers,
Pampa

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 16:17

Aslan

28th February 2009, 16:52

All right for all you ladies who decided to stay home.

we had a great ride, and my bike got washed as well.
it keeps ya skills up, rideing in the rain, gravel roads were fast and slippy in some places, a bit of nice drifting going on,:eek:. we all meet in the rain, road in the rain, chated in the rain, and finished up at my house in the rain.
for nice hot cuppa.
i did however find out what leaked and what didnt, with my riding gear,and everything leaked, and my boots fill up with water as well....:doh:...

cheers aslan,andymac,and howie for comming over.
i showed the guys some new roads.

all went off with out trouble.

cheers all.

Home safe - showered and starting to thaw out! - Hey Joe what a magic day - great roads in addition to the tried and true Hinakura to Gladstone via Admiral's road. I specially enjoyed the grass track and managing to stay upright on the bimmer.

Thanks to all for your supportive? messages Bart, Pablo (sorry to miss seeing you) and big thanks again to Joe for Navigating in the 'Rapa just North of Masterton. Ta also AndyMac and Howie for your company. Ciao Aslan :niceone:

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 17:17

Top ride, and always a pleasure to ride with you.

will get on to the new roads i was telling you about, keep it under ya hat for now.....secret ride....Hmmmm..
:2thumbsup

Howie

28th February 2009, 18:03

Great day for a ride, thanks Aslan for putting the thread up, and Junkmanjoe for the guided tour of some of the grvel roads north of Masterton. My extra layer of wet weather gear kept most of the water out, and my boots stayed dry which surprised me.

Cheers

Paul

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 19:00

must say top marks for andymacs all terrain smooth rear tire.
once again it broke all the laws of off road travel, on wet grass track. mud tracks. its just amazing.....:cool:

pampa

28th February 2009, 19:06

Glad to hear u guys had a good ride good on u that went out.

Cheers,
Pampa

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 19:19

have to be a tiny bit nutty to ride in crap weather just for sumting to do, i enjoyed my self, managed to get a little lose on a few corners, good for bike control.

welcome to come over and i r happy to re run the course any time.

JMJ

pampa

28th February 2009, 19:24

Hi, I'd be keen depending on time availability (which is what I'm lacking <_<) but anyway keen ...

Cheers,
Pampa

have to be a tiny bit nutty to ride in crap weather just for sumting to do, i enjoyed my self, managed to get a little lose on a few corners, good for bike control.

welcome to come over and i r happy to re run the course any time.

JMJ

junkmanjoe

28th February 2009, 19:32

anytime
plenty of time,
roads wont be going anywhere

marks

28th February 2009, 19:54

roads wont be going anywhere

maybe not but eventually some bastard will seal them all ....:no:

andy mac

28th February 2009, 20:46

Well after 9 hours in the rain I'm also now warm & dry with several medicinal rums tucked away. . Good news is the Dririder gear is waterproof, but boots & gloves NOT. It took much scrubbing to get the glove's black dye off my hands.

:stupid: Cheers to the 3 other lunatics silly enough to ride in a monsoon!

Record of Fact: The T/A does not have a rear racing slick but a Metzler Tourance. However when the front end washed out on the grass & I hit the deck, I had a serious case of knob envy :msn-wink:

The loop of gravel roads north of Masterton was brillant. I managed to hang out the rear end a few times(easy with the slick), followed by some dramatic fishtailing. Thanks to our tourguide Joe, now known as RapaJoe :eek: