Thompsons Track, take 2

**rogerh** · 7th April 2010, 11:09

I am told the track in in a pretty good state at the moment, as they ran a bulldozer through there a few weeks back. Waikato side anyway. Other side can be tough from what I have heard, but never been there. Saharas should be OK i would imagine.

**bvaut** · 7th April 2010, 13:01

Have fun, we tried from the Katikati end last weekend and managed about 1.5km from the car park before calling it a day. We came to a clearing about 60 m long with 5 - 6 bogs holes in it and no easy way around them. The first bog was over the boots and more and the others looked not much better. Didn't see much point busting arse to get over it and then having to get back aross it later. We did meet some mountain bikers who biked over and were on a return trip to Te Arhoa, they said there was plenty more bogs like this which we would have to cross before wer hit the top. So pleased we wissed out then.

**rogerh** · 7th April 2010, 13:26

Maybe I am getting chicken in my old age, but I will not go into a bog I cannot see the bottom of these days. I get bored dragging my bike around, and do not like to punish it more than I need to, so I am good with being a chicken. The 640 is also a pretty serious anchor when stuck (DAMHIK....).

**Crisis management** · 7th April 2010, 14:12

General note......my ride rules are simple:

We stay together and no one gets left by themselves.
Whenever we reach a point of anyone feeling like thats far enough we turn around.

Sounds about what I expected on the Tauranga side so it should be interesting!

**.chris** · 7th April 2010, 14:55

Originally Posted by Crisis management

General note......my ride rules are simple:

We stay together and no one gets left by themselves.
Whenever we reach a point of anyone feeling like thats far enough we turn around.

Sounds about what I expected on the Tauranga side so it should be interesting!

Are we going to there-and-back it, or just a up to the top and back?

**Crisis management** · 7th April 2010, 15:54

Originally Posted by c.h.r.i.s

Are we going to there-and-back it, or just a up to the top and back?

Dunno at this stage, seeing as you are on questionable tyres, Roger has his son in tow and we don't know what the "other" side is really like I thought we would wing it.....with Roger trailering there I supppose it is logical to expect to come back out the way we came.
Last time I found the waikato side quite rideable, you won't have a problem and that seems to end at a summit so getting that far is a given, it's just what the other bit is like after that. I would like to attempt the other side and see how we go, like I said before, when we feel it's far enough, we can turn around.

**rogerh** · 7th April 2010, 16:06

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Dunno at this stage, seeing as you are on questionable tyres, Roger has his son in tow and we don't know what the "other" side is really like I thought we would wing it.....with Roger trailering there I supppose it is logical to expect to come back out the way we came.
Last time I found the waikato side quite rideable, you won't have a problem and that seems to end at a summit so getting that far is a given, it's just what the other bit is like after that. I would like to attempt the other side and see how we go, like I said before, when we feel it's far enough, we can turn around.

Seems good to me. Son in tow may be able to get further than me on the 640! He did fine in some if the wires stuff last weekend. (I was not on the 640!) I will look after him, and we may turn around at some point on the other side seperate from you two, but I think winging it is good, and we will decide at the time. Lots of side tracks too I am told. Keen to look at anything really.

**dino3310** · 7th April 2010, 16:52

and make note of any deer sign

**tri boy** · 7th April 2010, 19:08

Hi Ian.
Sorry about not replying earlier, but the laptop shat itself just before Easter, and I have just got it back.
My Sat/Sundays have got a bit disorganised, so I won't commit yet, but hopefully I can find time to a: Get the mighty 200 prep ed for a killing, and b:get some balls.
Please go ahead with this lunacy with or without me, as I am voyeuristic by nature.

**MXNUT** · 7th April 2010, 21:54

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Saturday it is, meet at Te Aroha at 10.00am (somewhere in the main street it's only 100m long) and have some fun.

Right 10.00am Saturday it is then, see you there.

**rogerh** · 8th April 2010, 20:59

Originally Posted by MXNUT

Right 10.00am Saturday it is then, see you there.

Mark. You riding across? Or would a lift on the trailer be useful? I have a spare slot. Copied your trailer rig

**MXNUT** · 9th April 2010, 19:05

Originally Posted by rogerh

Mark. You riding across? Or would a lift on the trailer be useful? I have a spare slot. Copied your trailer rig

Looks like great weather tommorow so i will ride across thanks Roger.

**dino3310** · 9th April 2010, 23:41

watch out for the 4wheel bunnys and have fun guys

**Crisis management** · 10th April 2010, 18:07

No deer sign Dean... mind you I wasn't quite sure what sort of tagging they did so I may have missed something.

Very briefly:
Drier than a couple of weeks ago, a beautiful day with incredible scenery, we got within 3kms of the Kati Kati end (if the GPS is to be believed) before chickening out (me) at a somewhat deep bog hole.
Marks' bike is now known as the yellow submarine and I had to hose the mud out of my boots when I got home so I could get them off my feet.

I didn't fall over!

Chris has got some incriminating pics which I'm sure he will post up.

Thanks to Chris, Mark, Roger & Alex for making the day enjoyable.

I'm off for a beer.