Rimutakas in a bad state - 16 Jan 06

**skelstar** · 16th January 2007, 20:58

Went for a ride over the Takas tonight around 5pm and a large part of it was melted tar. The Wgtn side was mostly melted at the bottom section (where it starts to get interesting), but it seemed most of the Feathers side was melted.

Not. Fun.

Coming back much later and they had dumped lots of pea-gravel with sparsely associated 30km/h ice/grit signs.

Naturally the ashphalt (sp?) is all good, although it has a mean black stripe on it, but the crappy surface they put on the rest last May is the part that melted. There was a thin strip in the middle of the melted lane that was safe as far as I could judge.

I imagine if I was more cynical, old and grumpy I would lament the state of the roading in NZ or something. All I know is that I wont be going all that quick on the hill anytime soon.

Disclaimer: best to have a look yourself...maybe it will be great tomorrow.

**Wasp** · 16th January 2007, 21:07

doh, never thought the takas would be wrecked when i had the bike

cheers for the heads up, been thinking about heading up that way by myself

**Timber020** · 16th January 2007, 21:28

Bloody hot day today, we were working in a big pine near a road overlooking the harbour on the other side of newlands. Tar stuck to everything, (including my now blacker lab pup) I cant imagine there would be many road surfaces around wellington that would be much fun to ride on.

**Steam** · 16th January 2007, 21:34

What's riding on soft tar like? Like rain-wet slippery?

**skelstar** · 16th January 2007, 21:37

I didnt go fast enough to find out. I dont really push my luck in bad conditions like that. Id say it was worse than rain-wet slippery. Much worse.

**skelstar** · 16th January 2007, 21:37

Should point out it wasnt just 'soft', it was down right 'wet'.

ps-post not intented to sound dodgy.

**Shadows** · 17th January 2007, 00:24

I headed over Horowhenua way to have a look at a bike. Large sections of the Akatarawa Road were the same, so I took it even easier than that road would normally dictate to the sane ones among us.
I coasted down the other side in neutral, enjoying the sun and smells and looking at the trees and shit. I even got overtaken by some dude on a bicycle who shouted g'day to me as he flew past.

**James Deuce** · 17th January 2007, 05:10

Originally Posted by Steam

What's riding on soft tar like? Like rain-wet slippery?

It's like riding on diesel thanks to the oil in the bitumen leeching to the surface of the soft bitumen.

Told you this was going to happen the first time the Sun shone on that road.

I wonder what the surface of the Pahiatua track is like?

**Kendog** · 17th January 2007, 05:22

Originally Posted by Shadmeister

I even got overtaken by some dude on a bicycle who shouted g'day to me as he flew past.

Classic

**Grub** · 17th January 2007, 05:52

Darkman's going to be spewing that he can't get his Wednesday night Takas run tonight

**elle-f** · 17th January 2007, 07:23

is anybody going over the takas today and stopping at the top? i am heading up there soon but it would be great to meet somebody up there.

yep, yesterday when we came over the hill at about 4pm the road was disgusting.

**Hitcher** · 17th January 2007, 08:18

Mrs H and I went over the Hill last night for some dinner in Greytown. As well as lots of soft tar on the Wellington side, Fulton Hogan had gone mental with grit spreading on the Featherston side -- there are four good bursts of grit. Take care over there folks. I would recommend that TCWNR avoids the Takas tonight.

**Ronin** · 17th January 2007, 08:44

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Mrs H and I went over the Hill last night for some dinner in Greytown. As well as lots of soft tar on the Wellington side, Fulton Hogan had gone mental with grit spreading on the Featherston side -- there are four good bursts of grit. Take care over there folks. I would recommend that TCWNR avoids the Takas tonight.

Ahhhhh, So it was Mr and Mrs Hitcher we rode past last night

Love the bike