OFF-ROAD/TOURING TRAILS Wellington area

[ACECAFE]

I bought a Suzuki DR250 Djebel recently. It is my first dual purpose bike and I am not very experienced taking the bike off-road. I am looking for off-road trails, forest/gravel roads, coastal sections in the Porirua/Hutt/Wellington area. Someone mentioned the Akatawara Valley. Can you ride the bike there? Looking for adventure touring area(rivers, forest) which are accessible for the public. Any help much appreciated. Thanks

[merv]

Read this http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=58088

Do a search on KB for Karapoti and you'll find a zillion threads of various dirt bikers that have been in the Akatarawa area like this one of mine http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=35730.

[Aslan]

I bought a Suzuki DR250 Djebel recently. It is my first dual purpose bike and I am not very experienced taking the bike off-road. I am looking for off-road trails, forest/gravel roads, coastal sections in the Porirua/Hutt/Wellington area. Someone mentioned the Akatawara Valley. Can you ride the bike there? Looking for adventure touring area(rivers, forest) which are accessible for the public. Any help much appreciated. Thanks

Hi Ace Cafe - Merv's advice is sound. Akatarawa Forest is great - suggest you watch this site for next trip - since its unwise to ride in there alone. Permits (free) along with trail maps are obtained from Wellington Regional Council.

Cheers Aslan - currently in the land of the Ace Cafe

[ZReX12]

The beach run out from Hokio Beach and up past Waitarere Beach then back and across to Shannon (for coffee) then out the back to the Mangahao dams is quite enjoyable and undemanding, as is the South Coast to Ocean beach and the locked gate .
Out from Martinborough to White Rocks and out to the Sutherland track as well a Sunday run down to the Cape Palliser Light House.
The Akatarawa's is a bit tricker (although a piece of piss on a 250 trail bike), if your sticking to the main trails, riding solo shouldn't be a problem, (if you've got mates to ride with then ignore the last bit) and if you haven't then just don't go places your not confident to get out of. If in doubt do the trials bit and take a wee walk first before committing to any tricky bits or water crossings etc, and for the first run through wait till its been dry for a week or so as the clay gets a bit slippery when wet (specially when your balancing on a 990 ) oh a maybe take spare tubes just in case.
Even a run out through Terawiti to the cable stations good on a Sunday arvo.

The main thing is to get out there and enjoy yourself.

[ACECAFE]

Hey guys,
thanks to all for your reply. Next time you are planning a trip pls. let me know. Sounds great.