MMMMM 2008 26-27 July

[tri boy]

OK you nthern lot. How does this sound: Hamilton crew meet you lot at the Te Uku shop/fuel pump. (thats the little settlement on the road to Raglan, you pass it after you turn out of hwy22). This means you can get fuel, and time isn't lost in Raglan,(no need to even go there).
We then head out to Temata (bridal veil falls turn off), either take the creek crossing route, or down Te Papatapu Rd through to the "T" intersection at the end of the old Raglan Rd. (where we regrouped on the Kawhia newby ride).
Harbour/Hauturu/Waipuna rd's etc to PioPio to meet up with Mike at 2.00pm. (fuel there also).
Some back rd's across to Bennydale, and through to Pureora forrest/Link rd. (I'll double check with the forrestry on Mon as to it's condition).
Across Whangamata Rd to Taupo, pick up fuel and out to the lodge.
If we keep a comfortable pace, (no long fuel stops/ talking fests) we should do it comfortably by dark 5.30-6.00)
Mike, please try to be at PioPio by 2.00pm.
How does that sound.
It would be great if the Akl crew could get to the Te Uku stop by 11.00. (I know it's quite early, and you may want to do all or some of Hwy22. I'll leave it to you).
Hamilton crew, maybe meet at the Whatawhata service station at 9.30am. (we might go Old Mountain Rd, or straight over the divvy).
Comments?

[Quasievil]

Sounds perfect Tri boy. good plan !!

[trustme]

'The sparrow's wont even thought about fartin when I leave'
I'm nth shore so I go either 6 or 8 to miss the chaos . either way I'm easy
Servicing might have to happen the night before 'Eh Iain'.

[Crisis management]

Servicing might have to happen the night before 'Eh Iain'.

Some things I really don't want to know about...

Sounds good Brent, I reckon 150 kms from Pio Pio to the lodge so allow 2.5 hrs? I want to stop briefly in Taupo & say Hi to my son (he owes me money) but I would like to be off the road by 5.30 (dusk) latest.
Mike can you be ready at Pio Pio at 2?
According to my 4x4 book the roads thru Pureora are all good condition and open to the public but I note they don't appear on my AA road map so checking up is a great idea Brent.

Auckland crew. I see no point in travelling down 22, if I got knobbly tyres I expect to at least get some dirt on them. Usually I allow 2.5 hrs to Raglan so an 8 am departure from the Autobahn should be fine and travel via Ponganui road, Waimarama- Waikaretu road, Waikorea valley road. This gives us a trip reasonably directly with the options of lengthening or shortening the ride dependant on time and weather.
How about a 7.30 meet time? Trustme, if you have to kill a bit of time your welcome to come to my place buts thats Hillsborough.

Brent, realistically we will need a brief stop before trundling off to Pio Pio, maybe Oparau for coffee and a snack?

Iain.

Happy?

[Cary]

Sounds good.

p.s. don't let me in front i'm a crap navigator

[trustme]

Leave home 6.00 . Latte at 7.oo
7.30 Sounds good

[tri boy]

Oparau sounds good.

[trustme]

Is there room for me on that Rangitikei list ,Clint ???

[Taz]

p.s. don't let me in front i'm a crap navigator

You're not that bad. You can find your way out of a Cul de sac.....

[young1]

I will be at Pio Pio by 2.00pm.

The route through the Pureora Forest, I have just put a TKC80 on the front wheel but still have the standard tyre (very road orientated) on the back. So hopefully it is not to muddy (and bike will be loaded to).

Riding in the dark is not one of my favourite past times.

All sounds good though fellas!

[4skins]

Does anyone have a plan yet??

I was thinking about leaving Plim around midday. I'm not keen on arriving too much after dark so I'd prefer a prety direct route (although I can show you a little excursion I discovered off SH1 at Rangipo).

Re homeward trip, I was planning on spending Sundy night at my Bro's in Taupo.

John

[tri boy]

So, is that grumpy trash can dwelling bloke showing up? (aka Oscar)

[Oscar]

So, is that grumpy trash can dwelling bloke showing up? (aka Oscar)

I'll be there.

[marks]

Does anyone have a plan yet??

I could always try following you in the car.....

[clint640]

Is there room for me on that Rangitikei list ,Clint ???

Sorry mate, unless you want to camp she's well full up now. You could give the (now closed but you might get a cabin - see above) Rangitaiki Pub a go, it's 5km up the road, ph 07 384 2803

Cheers
Clint