Adventure Assault #5 - EEE - 12/13 Jan 08

[offrd]

EXCELLENT EASTERN ESCAPE

We'll turn off at Waipunga & head along the Eastern boundary of the Kaingaroa forest back to Minginui & our starting point of Murupara.

When we head off SH5 are we going in at the top of the waipunga deviation or going up the old pohokura road from the bottom and up past the old village and along to the bridge?

Been a few years since i went up past the old village and it was in a 4x4 back then, road was said to be unpassable... Yeah right Could go and check it out tomorrow or wednesday, Bike needs a ride!

[Zukin]

When we head off SH5 are we going in at the top of the waipunga deviation or going up the old pohokura road from the bottom and up past the old village and along to the bridge?

Been a few years since i went up past the old village and it was in a 4x4 back then, road was said to be unpassable... Yeah right Could go and check it out tomorrow or wednesday, Bike needs a ride!

The road (Pohokura) was indeed a hard yakka 4x4 trip
But then they graded it all and took out all the ruts and the good stuff, they actually maintained it when those big slips came down in the Waipunga

But then last time I went over the Napier Taupo highway I see they have erected a locked gate at the Napier end
I wonder if that was legally done
Might be worth checking this out

[offrd]

Well that was an AWESOME ride!

Cant get far down the old road from the top of the waipunga deviation, the track turns to... Hmm no track but lots of broom and some deep washouts that if they swallowed my bike, i would be in trouble! esp as i was alone

Bottom end of the road is indeed blocked by a gate with some serious concrete, i did sneek around however (make a bad move here and my bike would still be there sitting down in a creek on its handlebars and seat!) and rode up the road but came across a no trespassing, will nail your arse in court type sign from the pohukura trust and lots of wheel tracks into the scrub.... Hmmmm Must be planting time. and since i knew i would not make it out the other end alone, i headed home.

Least i know i can do 160km before i hit reserve and in theory, after filling should still have about 5L of liquid gold in the tank

The route from the Napier Taupo road in via Waipunga road looked clear and fresh trail bikes marks heading down into the back of the forest

[clint640]

any folk doing this event, coming from south/east/west, who want to come over friday evening to get a good start saturday morning;?; well; i can put a few up here, only 1/2 hour ride to start at murupara.

i don't want to upsurp any offers/plans that clint may have in mind..............so..............see if there is a better offer ! ! !

Good idea mate! We might be up for that.

Another idea I had was to stop in at Waikite Hot Pools after the ride for a relaxing dip & a feed, or if it's a hot day we could stop in for a swim at Rerewhakaitu.

Yep the plan is to go in from the Waipunga end of Pohokura Rd.

Cheers
Clint

[tri boy]

+2 on a fri night accom stop over would be great. Kanny and the Volty would be pushing hard to go Hamtown-Murupara, and then start the ride, all in a Sat morn, so we will watch and see what offers float up.
i can sleep under a hedge if need be, (and ocassionally have). But karen may need something more comfy. Can't wait for this ride

[Bass]

any folk doing this event, coming from south/east/west, who want to come over friday evening to get a good start saturday morning;?; well; i can put a few up here, only 1/2 hour ride to start at murupara.
! !

Nooo worries mate, we got 3 spare bedrooms and a 4 berth motorhome parked just outside....I could put the whole damned ride up!!!!( if Bass will stop being a 'bitch' and just SHARE!!)

I wasn't going to do this, but I can't resist it. He's left me an opening that I could sail an aircraft carrier through. So.............

Change of plans guys
The ride now starts at 5.00 pm Jamie's place on Friday 11th. His shout, cos not only does he have beds for Africa, but he also has a barbie that's wider than the Exxon Valdez.

Further, since he will now have a full contingent, I have no choice and so I will have to share. So I WILL share. I will share with Kanny.
See you all next Friday

[tri boy]

[QUOTE=Bass;1365660] So I WILL share. I will share with Kanny.

Kanny says, Yep, no worries Umm, what are you two sharing

Thanks Jamie for the kind offer of accom.

[bart]

Cool guys.

Just wondering about this blue bit. As I'm coming from the south, I might do this section on the Friday. What's the name of the road, and is it easy going, gravel, etc?

Cheers.

[offrd]

Cool guys.

Just wondering about this blue bit. As I'm coming from the south, I might do this section on the Friday. What's the name of the road, and is it easy going, gravel, etc?

Cheers.

Been a while since i have been in there, i know if i went in i would find my way across but would have to play it by follow my nose, many forestry roads in there!. Gravel, Pot holes, was a ford to cross,
Road is Pohokura off SH5, Up the waipunga 3laner, past the falls on your right and its the next road to your right from the HBay, down the seal over the bridge, hang a left follow nose..... Probably not well sign posted....

Hmmm been 5 years since i was logging the area and about 4 since i worked on foresty equipment out there...

Someone may have a more detailed map or directions..

[bart]

Better start early in the day then......

[offrd]

Ok, from what i can find.....

R. Pohukura road from SH5.
L. Waipunga Rd.
R. Circuit Rd to T.
L. Forestry Rd.
L. Motukuri Rd
Sharp R. Boundry Rd.
Becomes Otueta Rd.
Becomes south Rd.
R. Main Rd.
L. Old Tewhaiti Rd.
L. Old SH38 to Murupara.

Cautions:
I am not sure if all of these roads have legal public access.
I am not sure if all roads will be sign posted.
I am not sure if foresty crews or off highway stems or doubles will be working.
I know there aint no petrol stations out there!
I know its a long walk should something go wrong!
I know phone coverage will be zero.
and i know i dont want you getting into a position you need help without any.

How many bikes are you going in with?

Should i try for Friday off i am thinking........

[bart]

Sounds way too complex. I'd better scratch that idea then, and stick to the main roads.

[Bass]

Kanny says, Yep, no worries Umm, what are you two sharing
.

Mate, at my age, it comes down to whatever I can manage at the time.

[offrd]

Ok, I now have my paniers on the bike!

Made some frames that go just under the plastics so things dont push in to the exhaust etc but after whipping up the highway home from work i found the bags still get quite hot

Those of you that run panier bags can probably tell me if i am freaking out for no reason!

How hot do your bags get?

[Rosie]

How hot do your bags get?

Kind of warm, but not hot. My exhaust has heat shielding around it, and Clint made an extra bit of shielding on the rack, so the bags end up being a reasonable distance from the exhaust, and with a couple of layers of metal between them.
From what I can tell from your photos, my exhaust side pannier sits down further, so it's next to the exhaust, rather than over top of it.
I'll get some photos and post them up tomorrow, if you'd like.