Dirty Takas

**Marknz** · 8th July 2006, 17:34

Was up the Taka's today and it's fairly dirty for about 40-50% of the climb from the Hutt side to the top, so if you're planning on heading up there tomorrow folks, take it easy first time up and have a look to see where all the shit is. Didn't head down the 'rapa side, so can't comment on that.

BTW, there is a brand spanking new MV Agusta Senna on the hill, and it is feckin mint

**Colapop** · 8th July 2006, 17:35

Takas are closed at least overnight, possibly the day tomorrow as well

**Fatjim** · 8th July 2006, 19:17

Yeh, the hill came down just after the first passing lane on the hill proper on the Feathers side, that one with a slight right hand kink at the end of the passing lane. Apart from that, that side was mint.

The UH side has a bit of clay spread around it, probably about 30%, has a little less grip than you'd want but can still be fun. And it was DRY, well dryer than it was last weekend due to the wind.

Man that Senna had some ooomph.

**Fatjim** · 8th July 2006, 19:23

Just checked the AA site.

SH2 between Featherston and Upper Hutt
Transit advises CAUTION 08/07/06 5:34 PM
Land Slip - Reduced to a single lane
Open- Reduced to one lane overnight due to slip. Extreme care to be taken.

MD · 8th July 2006, 21:29

I blame Jim's loud Vtwin with hot pipes for bringing down the slip. We all did a blat (about the third one) from the top to the twin bridges. Me chasing the Senna and Jim's VTR behind. The rocks were starting to fall and we were down to one lane. Mr Plod was just pulling over with his lights on to check it out. But after the thunder twin goes by ... well lets just say we shot back up and things were getting really interesting passing the rock falls. Nervously watching the hill above as we creep passed.

As for the Senna, the pictures don't do it justice. Bloody beautiful in the flesh. Was it's first day out and after only an hour in the saddle the owner was over the moon with the performance. Said it was much quicker steering and smoother power etc...than his previous MV1000. The poor 636 was working overtime to keep up. Have no show when he's run it in and goes beyond half throttle.
Man we had some fun runs today. Gotta love sports bikes in the right environment.
I will add a picture of the Senna in a minute.

MD · 9th July 2006, 13:04

Went up this morning only to find the Hill closed so it was an all bike gathering at the Black Stump cafe (whatever it's really called?)
11am they pulled the pin and we were off. Weird sensation near the top we passed the last line of cars so the rest of the hill was deserted of traffic ! what a blast until the next slip half way down the Feathers side.
Take care on a few corners loose stones have come down making it a fun slalom ride.

**Hitcher** · 9th July 2006, 15:09

There's only so many times in a weekend a boy can cope with Highway 1, Haywards and the Goat Track of Death. Here's hoping for some fine weather and a clean hill next weekend.

**James Deuce** · 9th July 2006, 15:48

Just did some laps of the Wainuiomata hill as an alternative. Great fun. You can work on corners and there's enough lanes to get out of the traffic.

Upset the lads (old, bald, fat, baseball cap the right way round lads) in the SV8. They sure went fast down the straight bit though.

What a beaut day in Wellington. Warm, dry, and Winter's liquid light.