Mmmmm 2014

**clint640** · 9th July 2014, 14:14

The world famous MMMMM Ride is on again 16-17 August

Similar format to last time:

The ride will kick off from the Rangitaiki Tavern on the Napier-Taupo Rd Saturday morning at 8am sharp. There is food, beer, basic cabins & camping there for those who want to arrive Friday night. Phone them on 07 384 2803 to book yourself a bed.

More comfy accomodation, & extra bunks are also available 5km back down the road towards Taupo at the Rangitaiki Lodge. They have a couple of nice motel units, some tidy cabins & a bunkhouse. Call them on 07 384 2800 to book. As the Lodge bar usually closes at 8 the main Friday night gathering/meal/beers will be back at the pub.

8am Saturday we will leave the Pub & head North along the Waipunga Rd. We will use the cornerman system through the forest to Minginui. Weather & time permitting there will be an optional short challenge section for those with light bikes & decent tyres, maybe a different one to last time if I get a chance to scout it out.

If anyone wants to join in at Minginui go hard. We will stop in at the Waikaremoana Motor Camp for a coffee & fuel.

We will then continue on from Waikaremoana, to Wairoa (if you need gas), Tiniroto Pub for some refreshments & a few backroads to Matawai. I will post up a route sheet & GPS tracks so people can do their own pace Minginui - Matawai & have the choice of bypassing Wairoa on backroads if time & fuel range permits. You need 230km fuel range to bypass Wairoa.

At Matawai there is accomodation at the Pub ph 06 862 4874 & the campground over the road has basic bunks, ph 06 867 5016, 06 862 4800 or 027 445 8755. Also try the Motu Community House - contact Paul Cornwall 8635002
The pub does a good dinner but don't expect it to be fast if we are a big group so get your order in early. They may do a buffet, so watch here for details.

On the Sunday we'll head off down the Motu Rd to Opotiki, From there the route is routesheeted again via some highway & a few more backroads back to my place at Rotoiti. There are a few side trip options if for Sunday if the weather's nice too.

Any trailer scum planning to attend are welcome to drop their car & trailer at my place for the weekend. If you are travelling far from home & would like to crash on my couch on the Sunday night get in touch.

Remember this is a MIDWINTER ride. Based on previous MMMMM rides there is an 85% chance it will rain, a 30% chance of snow, an 80% chance it will be bloody cold & a 100% chance that all those mad enough to do the whole ride will have lots of fun. The main route is all tar & gravel roads, nothing technical, do able on any adventure bike with any tyres. Some of the gravel is often fairly rough & muddy though so you will enjoy the ride more with some knobbyish rubber, particularly if you are a n00b or on a bigger bike.

Distances:

Taupo - Rangitaiki Pub - 35 km (no fuel)
Rangitaiki Pub - Minginui - 75km (no fuel)
Minginui - Waikaremoana 70km (thats 180km from Taupo - pack extra gas if you've got a small tank)
Waikaremoana - Wairoa 60km (Waikaremoana - Matawai on Ohuka Rd etc 230km)
Wairoa - Matawai 180km
Matawai - Opotiki 75km

Check back on this post closer to the day as more info will be added.

I will probably head over to Rangitaiki on the Friday through the forest as usual. Will sort out a time closer to the day.

Cheers
Clint

**Danger Dave** · 9th July 2014, 15:05

Sounds like a lot of fun, might have to put my name down for this

**GPS MAN** · 9th July 2014, 16:40

I'll put my name in the Hat for now...

Closer to the date I'll have to look at my work schedule...Always been a good ride..although COLD

**koba** · 9th July 2014, 18:59

What's the pace like?
Top speeds?

**Eddieb** · 9th July 2014, 19:08

I'd really like to do this on something different this year, but I'm not sure if it would be ready in time.

**Shewolf** · 9th July 2014, 22:02

yeehaaa lets ride

**R650R** · 10th July 2014, 08:37

Cool, calendar marked. Keen on doing the whole trip this year.

**Tug Boat** · 10th July 2014, 08:39

MMMMINT will be into it again.

**Crisis management** · 10th July 2014, 09:11

I'm in (again).

**clint640** · 10th July 2014, 10:53

Will be great to see a few regulars back!

Originally Posted by koba

What's the pace like?
Top speeds?

Top speeds around the 200km/h range, a bit more on the tarseal maybe

But seriously, given the bulk of the ride is following your routesheet/gps you can go as fast or as slow as you like. You won't need to go fast, but if you are going slow I would suggest not stopping for a photo/cuppa/whatever too long or too often so you get to the pub before dark.

Cheers
Clint