healthy debate ... i subscribe to the theory of ... permission is paramount
Hardcore Biker
... you know it's a bit windy when you get passed by your own dust ...
Unknown Disorder
There used to be quite a few paper roads in Rodney that you could ride. They've all been closed now and the land handed back due mainly to four wheel drives carving them up and annoying the neighbors by spending all day grinding and winching their way through them.
Impromtu gravity attacks
Right, after much heated debate and legal pontifigating...we went for a ride!
Myself, Rogson and Windboy braved torrential downpours (well maybe a couple of showers) to ascertain the public access in Woodhill.......
to find the gates closed and locked!
Actually we meandered our way from Riverhead to Woodhill, and after finding that closed, made our way via Kiwitahi and Inland roads (pleasant gravelly slush...) to Kaukapakapa and on to Puhoi via Tahekoroa.
This being only the third time i have been on gravel was an interesting experience, luckily we were riding far enough apart that my screams of terror didn't put them off......there was a regular litany of "Oh Fucks" as I approached any corner. Remind me not to lean into the corner on a dirt bike....it definately doesn't work!
After three valium and leisurely coffee at Puhoi we headed back via upper Waiwera road to Wainui.
Windboy provided the adventure component by forgeting to put any gas in his tank....the outlook from the top of Noakes Hill is quite spectacular but you can't actually spot any gas stations from there! Luckily for him, it's all downhill from there.
waits quietly for excuses and protestations from Windboy.....
Watch out for country kids....they stand on the side of the road waving.
Thats ok, I always wave to people, but these little darlings were standing at the start of a sharp, off camber, downhill right hander.....which I carefully entered way to fast (still waving, mind) and spent the next 5 seconds trying not to visit the dairy herd and almost made my own contribution to the manure supplies.
A quiet lie down, three more valium, and all was rosey
The rest of the journey, via Ararimu valley and another coffee stop concluded the trip..... about 200kms in total, about 60% on gravel.
Good roads and really neat countryside, definately a good way to get north from Auckland but pretty much limited to those roads, as almost everywhere else is sealed. Bastards!
Right, next trip to Port Waikato and south to raglan etc....
Unknown Disorder
You'll love the coastal route from port waikato to raglan.
There are still a few gravel roads on the east coast between Wellsford and Warkworth that are worth a look as well.
Impromtu gravity attacks
Yup, do Raglan next then back up north to Warkworth, Pakiri, Mangawai?, port albert etc....Originally Posted by Henk
All part of a cunning plan!
Forum whore
I could not make it. I had to go to the hospital. (Not me, a relly. For some incomprehensible reason almost everyone I know seems to be getting sick or dying these days. It must be a very sickly season, is all I can think of, they never used to do it). Maybe next time.
Highway Biker
Hey I'm glad to add a bit of excitement to the ride. Also happy to not been the only one swearing in a few downhill/muddy/off-camber cornersRight, after much heated debate and legal pontifigating...we went for a ride!
Myself, Rogson and Windboy braved torrential downpours (well maybe a couple of showers) to ascertain the public access in Woodhill.......
to find the gates closed and locked!
Actually we meandered our way from Riverhead to Woodhill, and after finding that closed, made our way via Kiwitahi and Inland roads (pleasant gravelly slush...) to Kaukapakapa and on to Puhoi via Tahekoroa.
This being only the third time i have been on gravel was an interesting experience, luckily we were riding far enough apart that my screams of terror didn't put them off......there was a regular litany of "Oh Fucks" as I approached any corner. Remind me not to lean into the corner on a dirt bike....it definately doesn't work!
After three valium and leisurely coffee at Puhoi we headed back via upper Waiwera road to Wainui.
Windboy provided the adventure component by forgeting to put any gas in his tank....the outlook from the top of Noakes Hill is quite spectacular but you can't actually spot any gas stations from there! Luckily for him, it's all downhill from there.
waits quietly for excuses and protestations from Windboy.....
Watch out for country kids....they stand on the side of the road waving.
Thats ok, I always wave to people, but these little darlings were standing at the start of a sharp, off camber, downhill right hander.....which I carefully entered way to fast (still waving, mind) and spent the next 5 seconds trying not to visit the dairy herd and almost made my own contribution to the manure supplies.
A quiet lie down, three more valium, and all was rosey
The rest of the journey, via Ararimu valley and another coffee stop concluded the trip..... about 200kms in total, about 60% on gravel.
Good roads and really neat countryside, definately a good way to get north from Auckland but pretty much limited to those roads, as almost everywhere else is sealed. Bastards!
Right, next trip to Port Waikato and south to raglan etc....
I was looking forward to take some good muddy shots of the bike when I got home but a thick downpour on my way back took care of most of the bike washing for me.
It was a cool half day ride only mins from AKL which was indeed the goal. I'm pretty sure there are plenty more. Bummer about the forestry road, I know it was my suggestion for starters but not long ago the bit from rimmers to bike park was open and has always been as long as I can remember. Anyways wouldn't have been an exciting route anyway.
Very keen on the Port Waikato one, although i'm pretty sure it takes more than a half day, unless you start at crack of dawn...
Windboy.
Rest In Peace
Good write up
A half day down in Waikato/Raglan would be too short, why not make a weekend of it (or 2 x 1/2 days) with a stopover at a cheap campsite somewhere where we can talk bikes over a few quiet refreshments
I would probably be a starter for that
Cheers Scott
Dusty Butt 1000km - We knocked the bugger off what next?
Unknown Disorder
The pub at raglan does a decent feed and the cabins at the campground are a reasonably cheap and easy way to go. Just take a sleeping bag and something to jam in the stuff sack for a pillow.
Rest In Peace
I love the Whaanga Coast road!!
Raced a few times around there in a rally car but never on a bike
Organise it and I will try to be there
Impromtu gravity attacks
At this stage my intention had been to only do day rides, simply because of a shit load of other commitments, and the raglan ride would be an easy day.
I want to keep these going regularly rather than have to plan a two day ride a couple of months in advance so I'm going to promote the one day version (sorry Scott) rather than anything longer at this stage.
I'll post a new thread for this tomorrow night and see how it goes.
Scott, maybe we can organise a weekend later in the year????
Hardcore Biker
If I get a spare day and it coincides, I'll come for a blat. Just need to fit new fork seals to the DR first. It's also in desperate need of a new knobbie.
Unknown Disorder
No really?It's also in desperate need of a new knobbie
Is that you excuse for failing on that hill the scorpio got up on Monday
Hardcore Biker
Now I could blather on about not being able to gain any momentum due to not being able to get any grip when getting on the gas which in turn had the effect of me only reaching halfway up the hill, the DR wouldn't even move when I got off it, I had to push as well as clutch it. But I won'tNo really?
Is that you excuse for failing on that hill the scorpio got up on Monday
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks