Road closed!

**Motu** · 1st October 2006, 20:26

I took a 300km run down to Oparau and back today to test out my tyre set up - a new Michelin T63 on the rear,and a half worn IRC GP21 on the front.Not the sort of thing I'd recomend anyone to do....but I don't even listen to my own advice! I was hoping the T63 wouldn't over power the less aggresive front,But I found the IRC to be good in gravel,and the 2 stroke is easy on the front,so a calculated gamble.

No worries - the rear being able to overpower the front was outweighed by the engines ability to overpower the rear tyre.The DT230 lights up the rear at a touch of throttle,or a flick at the clutch lever,and once that rear tyre is spinning the front wheel is along for the ride....you could have a ski out the front for all it matters...and if the rear wheel finds enough traction to hook up,then the front has ample grip too.I had a variety of surfaces to cope with,and even though it was a handful in the thick stuff,it wasn't worse than a horrible front heavy 4 stroke.Good to have a tyre to push on the road again too - with the front used all up there were 12mm of chicken strips,it'd take some leary motard corner entries to get rid of those.

The road from Raglan to Kawhia splits and you can go via Bridal Veil Falls,or around the Aotea Harbour coast,I usualy go down one way and back the other.Today I went down via the falls,there is a slip at the end of this road,has been for nearly a year,there are signs saying road closed - but I know I can get around,there is still enough room for a bike,done it several times.....but today the signs are bigger,more serious.Probably just because they are actualy trying to fix it finaly....I should be able to get past the road works,no one will be there today.

But when I get to the slip I find the road gone! It's gone right back to the bank,and there is a drop of 40 odd metres to the river below.I reckon I could get my trials bike across without thinking....the DT has better suspension than my old TLR200,but there is no way I'll risk a fall down the bank with no one around for miles.So I back track and go around the other way,back to the slip from the otherside,maybe 50km worth.While I'm looking at the slip I see a car come down to the river,ford it and trundle off over the paddocks.....hmmmm.Then I see where they went in.....I'll be back.

I carry on down to Oparau,do the Pirongia West Rd that loops up into the National Park - superb views and a great road.I go onto reserve about 5km from Oparau,then fuel the bike with 9 litres of premium,and myself with a plate of chips and a Waikato.Now,I've got some unfinished business to do....

Back at the slip I go through the gate,shutting it behind me of course,and go down the paddock to the river,and check out the ford.As a trials rider I have to ''walk the section''....well I can see pretty well from the bank,there are a few rocks but nothing too bad.The prefered line is further up,and you can see it in the photo,shorter,deeper,and with no rocks to avoid.But they are covered in slime,not good for traction...and I know rocks cleaned by tyres offer the best grip,so it's the long way and a turn at the end.Actualy this is practicaly the first time I've had the DT230 off road,so there is a bit of trepidation....but I've done streams a hundered times worse than this in trials,so I don't think I'll have any trouble.And I didn't,that was a bit of fun,then I go over the paddocks to find the next ford....go back and forward a couple of times to see how the DT takes this terrain at speed.Well,now I know I'll never exploit this bike to it's limits,the suspension is fine for my meager pace.The other ford is deeper,but shorter and just a sandy bottom,then the track goes up to an old abandoned house,through another gate and back on the road.

Road closed my arse.

The pictures....The slip,looking down to the river and ford,on the other side,and the first ford.

**Motu** · 1st October 2006, 20:35

Next picture I'm directly under the slip,then the other ford,next up to the house and the road,then the house from the road.

Road closed my arse.....

**DR650SE** · 1st October 2006, 20:39

sounds like a good ride we should do it some time when im able again

**Maha** · 1st October 2006, 20:40

Bet the Lada would have made it as well Motu......

But, by the looks of the cortina?......mmmmm Maybe not, cool pic's tho'

**Motu** · 2nd October 2006, 09:37

The car I saw go through was an old beat up Corona,I doubt the Lada would have any trouble at all,let alone a DT230.But cars don't fall over.....Rocky streams are fun,but you can't really see where the rocks are.Big ones above the surface are easy,but you only have a metre at the most of visability to see and react to what's under the surface,you can avoid one rock to find yourself heading into trouble you can't get out of....or find a big hole.That's why you need to walk it if possible,but I could see enough from the bank to know the way through......just got to remember when you get back on the bike,that seems to be the hard part these days.....