The MAPMEA ride

[Cary]

Cary i hear there were ear plugs needed in the bedroom hahaha

Very handy things when bunking with others! Think we were both trying to imitate our XR's

[MXNUT]

PIC 4.Post 97 Is that our new HQ !!! (check out the name on the building)

Hey speak for yourself

[Taz]

Cary i hear there were ear plugs needed in the bedroom hahaha

Have shared many a cabin with Cary........
You get used to it

[young1]

I am glad everyone got home safely, we were very lucky that the weather didn't all happen one day earlier!

As it is I am at home today trying to shake the cold I picked up :-(

The pick of the roads for me in the weekend was that one yesterday after the tunnel (at the end of it the Northern team split and headed home via Whangamomona). What a great road, grass growing down the middle, good gravel and views of bush and river.

As we say onwards and upwards, Phil (again not that he knows it yet!!) and I will plan something even better for next year.

Triboy thanks for posting the positive comments about the accomodation (although I do wonder what happened to the happy hour at the Irish Bar - the sign did say 4pm - 7pm!)

[clint640]

Big thanks to Mike & Phil! A great ride & the overnight stops at the Awakino Pub & the Forrestal Lodge were very well chosen. The mix of riding on Saturday was very cool - from the scenic cruise along the coastal highway through to the muddy fun of the old Whanga road 'challenge loop' & everything in between.

Cheers
Clint

[Rosie]

(although I do wonder what happened to the happy hour at the Irish Bar - the sign did say 4pm - 7pm!)

It's an Irish happy hour, the don't discount the drinks, they give away free food

[MXNUT]

I am glad everyone got home safely, we were very lucky that the weather didn't all happen one day earlier!

As it is I am at home today trying to shake the cold I picked up ........

Rain has finally gone and there is Snow here on the top of Mt Pirongia for the first time in 8 years so good call with the weather

[clint640]

Just got started on the ride report, over on advrider:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512936

Cheers
Clint

[MXNUT]

Only managed a handfull of pics from the weekend so here they are

Roger / Cary
Rosie
Aslan
Nic / Paul
Struan / Neil
Rosie again

[young1]

Great write up Clint!

[XF650]

Got back late last night from an 8 days on the road, that included work and the MAPMEA ride - just perfect and it was a privilage to represent the mainland.
After the ride I hired a car & did work trip around the Waikato & King Country, including going a few places possibly outside the rental contract terms.

My impressions:
1) Taranaki weather is very West Coastish (which might explain the absence of irrigators).
2) 21" front wheels steer better in gravel than 19" (thanks Roger for the Freewind comparison).
3) The Taranaki smells different (or was that the unwashed riders?)
4) Wanted: 1 x DR650 front wheel (or location of Nordies parts bike)
5) Taranaki rain made the waist of my riding pants shrink
6) 'Sensational' is the only way to describe the way Paul rides his 640.
7) Taranaki has heaps of tunnels, which are very dark when wearing sunglasses.
8) Very disconcerting to be told by lady publican of the Whangamomona Pub that she knows me from Ashvagas - my cover was blown.
9) Ford Territory's can go quite well off road (that's what rentals are for, aren't they?)
10) Aslan & Rogson snore like hell yet still blame others.

The MAPMEA ride is a great way to see the Taranaki back blocks & gravel, and to ride & socialise with an awesome bunch of chaps & chapettes, old faces & new.
Special thanks to Mike & Phil for putting the ride together - these guys are very well set up, with both their bikes and their pillions.
A few pics: