Pureora Forest - NZ's best kept secret: Middle Earth quite literally!

[Dingledoo]

Thanks NZKTM for the write up on Pureora.

We've just got back from a great weekend doing the centre of the north Island. We also stopped at the Forest Tower.
We stayed at the Forge at Black fern lodge last night - it is excellent, great food, great accommodation, and a superb gravel road ride to reach it.
We also did a really nice little bit of track from the end of Okauaka Road through to Piropiro flats on Kokomiko road, a really nice bit of dirt track. Has gates to access it but these are unlocked.

[nic]

I went for a little ride through the forest yesterday and I though I'd share a few pics...

I'm fairly new to riding on gravel roads and the XT is my new wheels (previously riding a DR 650).

I went from the western access side through to near Bennydale. I stuck to one of the main routes through (link road) because I was a) on my own and b) i found myself minus my map

It was a great day for a ride (not too hot) and link road was in good condition - my dual sport tyres were just fine.

On the way home I did Ranginui Road

[Waihou Thumper]

Good stuff Nic...Magic little area isn't it... The Ranginui road used ot be mainly metal, shame now, most of it has been developed but the Benneydale end is nice through that little grove of native bush.

[thepom]

Thats one happy chubby guy....

[Waihou Thumper]

Thats one happy chubby guy....

Guy? ummm, think not?

[junkmanjoe]

nice photos..thats a neat little bike you have there...........

JMJ

[nic]

Thats one happy chubby guy....

Chubby? I think not!!!

Also, NOT a guy.

[Taz]

Chubby? I think not!!!

Also, NOT a guy.

Nice pics chub You should have let me know and I coulda ridden down

p.s. - Is your rear wheel tubeless?

[Waihou Thumper]

Chubby? I think not!!!

Also, NOT a guy.

aint that Pom rude... fancy thinking you were a guy....
Oh, and also chubby....
Maybe you gotta get that helmet fitting better .....

[Taz]

Thats one happy chubby guy....

Uh oh.... .

[Waihou Thumper]

Nice pics chub You should have let me know and I coulda ridden down

p.s. - Is your rear wheel tubeless?

good spotting there Taz....looks like it aye!

[Eddieb]

Popcorn - Check
Front row seat - Check.

Right, let the fun begin. Go Nic!

[Waihou Thumper]

Nic decided to take a bit of a tour over the Mamaku Ranges and join me for a day out. Since I had a newchain, sprockets and pads, it was a perfect opportunity to get out and play tourist around my patch.....
Nic joined me at Putaruru, and once I got the thumbs up, a flat white was ordered.
We planned a loose route, well, I did, she just nodded at the right times The plan was to do a bit of a loop of Arapuni dam, then head towards Pureora Forest via Ringinui Rd and a few little known paper roads....
Taupaki Rd was one of them....Not long but nice and twisting and never seen a car, ever...
Ringinui Rd is an awesome through rd bisecting Landcorp farms either side and it goes for ever with a great finish through native bush.
Nic showing off her lines....

We had lunch at Pureora Forest park after finding 'Lavatories' Nice to be with a lady aint it...
A quick chat and a bite to eat, we then headed through the forest with a side detour of Cabbage Tree Rd and another, this linked up to link Rd and was a tremendous little metal road through some felled bush and forestry.
Of course we had to see the centre of the North Island Plinth, Nic hadn't got the compulsory photo, se we obliged.. (mine was blurred Nic, hands musta been shaking girl!)
The road to the YMCA camp was a dead end, the gate was locked which was a pity because Awakino Rd ( I think) goes almost all the way to Whakamaru.
I was impressed with the little XT, the fuel range was great, even the KTM managed to squeeze out 300Km without hitting reserve. I have to ride more often with Ya Nic, you will save me pennies.....
The Damn Cafe was a nice refreshing stop and a Super Tenere pulled up, fresh out of the shop, but the riders didn't say hello, geez the bike looked like a tank!
The ride homeward included some little back roads near Lichfield, I then introduced or re-introduced (she wasn't too sure) Leslie Rd and Cecil Rd. It was bone dry, so the ruts and the big holes were easily seen. Even my little bike wash puddle was dry as a bone. Normally it is rotor deep, makes for good photo's
Lunch stop and a pose for the camera.

It was a great day out, the company was awesome and we had a good laugh. Anytime you want a ride out and explore Nic, give me a yell. I am always keen. I am glad you like the colour orange That little XT is perfect for ya! You did well, very well, I was impressed....

[nic]

You did well, very well, I was impressed....

Well....that was easy!

Thanks for being a very nearly excellent tour guide and photographer.
It was really great to see more of Pureora Forest

[nic]

I was impressed with the little XT, the fuel range was great, even the KTM managed to squeeze out 300Km without hitting reserve. I have to die more often with Ya Nic, you will save me pennies.....

Are you sure?? You'll only be able to do that once!