Newbies' Overnighter. Kawhia 29-30 March.

[Bass]

Bastard.

How did you find out? I thought I'd kept that real quiet

So, Ohlins are good are they! Sounds like a good ride, I'd love to do some of that....maybe on the way to CCA?

I won't be making the CCA as the bike will be on its way to Oz then. If you have never ridden the Waikaremoana road, it is to adventure bikes what the Mangamuka Gorge is to sports bikes - except there's 95 km of gravel and the views are just inspiring. Oh and the gorge just prior to the start of the gravel is an absolute delight on the big traillie. No moulding titties on the edges of the tyres now mate.

Hey if you can make it, great! I would have a clue about the roads down there but I will have the zumo, so not all is lost is it?

Ah the mighty Zumo. So now you have a good sound technical reason for getting lost.
Actually, we are taking one to Oz. Had it 3 weeks and it fell over. Bit worrying really. Was just a faulty battery and replaced under warranty but it made us think.
We are taking maps and compass now as well.
The Zumo is good gear once you have found your way around the handbook.

Qkchk, I somehow suspect you won't be the slowest....thats usually my role!

Complete bullshit

[n0regret5]

gravel, eh..curses, can't fit a surfboard on the back of a TL..

[NordieBoy]

The pub does great vegetarian Nacho's.

Quick Tri Boy, change your password!
Someone's nicked your account!

[Motu]

Might be worth considering some A & B routes on the way down to suit the variety of bikes / rider abilities, or maybe that's a silly idea & too complicated. I'm sure we can arque about on the day.

Looks like I might not get to the Legends of Dirt Festival at Easter,so will tootle around locally instead.The next saturday will be free too,so I could join the ride down.I know all the roads between Port Waikato and Te Akau pretty well....I could be ride gopher and shepherd riders between Te Akau Coast Rd and SH22 if need be.Add interest to roads that are a little too familiar.

[Crisis management]

Sounds a great idea Motu, be good to catch up with you. Nearer the time I'm sure we can work out a meeting place.

[xwhatsit]

And from Raglan, either around the coast ,(quite rough for xer's RS), and the other option, seal to Te Mata, and then people can choose between the "slip n creek of death", or Te Papatapu/ Old Raglan Rd, (seal, n reasonable gravel).

Now, about 6-9 months ago, I shot down to Raglan with GiJoe1313. We met up with ZeroIndex and went a little further down some seal, then across a very rough gravel road (massive coarse rocks) through the back of farms (sheep running across the road). The gravel road came out just in Kawhia, a few seconds later we were at the fish & chip shop on the wharf. Is this what you were talking about?

It wasn't too long, maybe 10-20kms perhaps?

[xwhatsit]

And from Raglan, either around the coast ,(quite rough for xer's RS), and the other option, seal to Te Mata, and then people can choose between the "slip n creek of death", or Te Papatapu/ Old Raglan Rd, (seal, n reasonable gravel).

Now, about 6-9 months ago, I shot down to Raglan with GiJoe1313. We met up with ZeroIndex and went a little further down some seal, then across a very rough gravel road (massive coarse rocks) through the back of farms (sheep running across the road). The gravel road came out just in Kawhia, a few seconds later we were at the fish & chip shop on the wharf. Is this what you were talking about?

It wasn't too long, maybe 10-20kms perhaps?

[Bams]

Hi
I,ve been following this thread for a couple of weeks and have finally got my bike back on the road after a Eng rebuild and was hoping theres still enough room for another newbie from AKL to join in on this ride, I have a tent so I only need a bit of lawn space if its still spare.
I realise the rides probably getting a bit full So?

[tri boy]

Kanny and me popped out to the bach for a get away. (i drove her nuts with my sulky boy attitude. "I'm bored, I'm hungry, etc etc)
But besides all that, things are looking good. I did a bit more exploring, and talked to some locals about different places of interest etc.
I have a nice spot sorted for those who like sunsets, (if the weather plays fair).
Rode a few different roads with Karen to gauge her reaction, so a Sunday morning short ride can be sorted.
Gained info on the state of the Harbour Rd bridge. (still closed, but should be worth checking out Sunday morning. A section sank, and will not be fixed for a month or two, but bikes should be able to cross, maybe........)
There is room for those interested in tenting it, but the rooms/floor space is filling up.
I will PM everyone the exact site details next week, but plan to catch up with the nthern crew in Raglan.
Some photo's from the weekend.

1. Aotea Harbour will make a nice sunset spot.

2. Aotea Rd end.

3. Different angle of top of Kawhia Harbour.

4. just a road.

Bams, ya more than welcome, as is Motu. There is room on the deck for laying out, room for tents, and if the weather gets shitty, we will all be able to squeeze in side.
I even listened to some old LP's out there. "Pic the artist" could be a great drinking game. Bass will win, cause he's 127yrs old.

[tri boy]

Quick Tri Boy, change your password!
Someone's nicked your account!

A momentary lapse of testosterone.
Normal hormone levels have been reset.

[deanohit]

Looking good mate! I'm dead keen to do some exploring.
Ya got no idea how much I'm looking forward to this, been doing to many rides on the tarmac.

[Qkchk:Me]

I even listened to some old LP's out there. "Pic the artist" could be a great drinking game. Bass will win, cause he's 127yrs old.

So I take it there is power at the bach or is it one of those windup jobbies?

So is there anything you want us to bring down? Food/Dancing Girls etc??? Where is the grog shop or do we bring it with us?


Who's got some drinking games?

[tri boy]

Food etc is all sorted. pack a sleeping bag, and a towel, but pillows, blankets won't be required. Booze wise, if you have a favourite wine, then maybe bring that. The Operau shop(5km nth is licensed, and open till 8pm Sat at least). Kawhia, is about 3km from the bach, and has a pub, and also a small wine cellar in town. Expect to pay a bit extra due to logistics though.
I will have a good range of breakdown tools available, and also a trailer and safe storage in Hamilton if anything tricky pops up.
Just bring whatever you need for an o/nighter and a camera.

Music wise, theLP's range from Neil Young, through to the Wombles, (family bach remember). So if Sunday morn I wake the place up with "The Wombles of Wimbleton", or Bonny M doing "King Of The Road", then grunt your disapproval, and put the jug on.
Theres actually some pretty cool old pieces of vinyl there. Kanny's uncle has some history music wise.

[Qkchk:Me]

Music wise, theLP's range from Neil Young, through to the Wombles, (family bach remember).

I would say, that once into the small wee hours, even the Wombles would probably sound pretty good after a few : .........

[marks]

"The Wombles of Wimbleton"

somehow seems appropriate for a triumph rider