Auckland to the TTTTT, 26th September.

**Crisis management** · 8th September 2008, 08:48

In an effort to keep this clear, rather than spread over two or three threads.....

I am planning on spending friday wandering aimlessly around the central plateau area, yes I will do the 42, dependant on weather and levels of stupidity etc but we need a plan.

Ta Da! Plans then...
Just cause Jamies been yelling at me and I can't take any more, my chi has been upset.

I will be in taupo at 9am at some cafe on the waterfront having breakfast, notionally within 100metres of the corner where SH1 becomes the "Taupo waterfront". If I can nominate a name for a cafe I will. Otherwise look for the black KTM990.

Amendment.... Meet up at the gas station at 9.00am, to quote Ducatijim:

BP CONNECT, WILD BEAN CAFE; RUAPEHU ST, 0900 + FULL TANK AND EMPTY BLADDER!

Leave Taupo shortly after 9.00 heading for the start of the 42 traverse which is notionally Kapoors road, but is better spotted by the bloody great green sign with 42nd Traverse on it. Planning on being there around 10ish and then the heading down the track around 10.30.
I'm reserving the right to chicken out if I find the track too hard but I will be going well into the track before deciding (Cary, you and I can make excuses together if needs be).
Anyone wanting to bypass this thrill is more than welcome to entertain themselves and meet up at Owhango. You would have 1-2 hours to fill in and there is plenty of poking around places I can point you at.
Lunch at Owhango pub (12.30 ish) then gravel via some yet to be decided route to Awakino. If some want to do Fishers track we can meet up after the track, I don't want to get the Kaboom muddy.
Thats as much organising as you get, I wouldn't mind knowing who's planning on meeting up where but I don't want that info until a couple of days out.

If the weather is really crap I will bail out (decision made day or so before) and just do a late run down the west coast to Awakino.

**marks** · 8th September 2008, 10:29

if the weather is good I'm in
I'll tootle up to Taupo on Thurs pm

I'm easy as to where I spend Friday night

**Bass** · 8th September 2008, 10:32

I could be up for that.

How much space is there in this house by the pub in Awakino?

**young1** · 8th September 2008, 10:58

Awakino space is limited, if this group can stay elsewhere it would be good. Unfort will not know the space we have at Awakino until closer to the ride but I will try to get an idea from them even it is it matresses on the floor in sleeping bags!

**ducatijim** · 8th September 2008, 11:20

Originally Posted by Bass

How much space is there in this house by the pub in Awakino?

Harden up M8, time to take ur tent out again and liberate all the insects over from Oz!!

**dino3310** · 8th September 2008, 12:00

Originally Posted by young1

Awakino space is limited, if this group can stay elsewhere it would be good. Unfort will not know the space we have at Awakino until closer to the ride but I will try to get an idea from them even it is it matresses on the floor in sleeping bags!

theres that campground down the rd towards mokau only 2mins away
the've got cabins that are like small houses( 2bed rooms,lounge,etc) you
could all bunk up in the one unit play scrabble to see who gets the beds

**Bass** · 8th September 2008, 12:07

Originally Posted by marks

I'm easy

We know that.
It's also why I want some space to myself.

**CrazyFrog** · 8th September 2008, 12:09

I'll join ya in Taupo on Friday morn as well, I'm stayin there Thurs night anyway. I'm prob gonna push on thru to Awakino Fri pm. I just phoned the Awakino hotel this morn, sounds like they can accommodate everyone in 2 houses, but you'll need to confirm details with Tracey there. Ph 06-7529815.
Looking forward to seeing Big Grey (well, Anthracite!!) gettin' dirrrrty.

**Bass** · 8th September 2008, 12:13

Originally Posted by ducatijim

Harden up M8, time to take ur tent out again and liberate all the insects over from Oz!!

I am pretty sure they are all ex-insects by now.
The concussion from your "middle of the night" farting concertos had them pretty much wiped out from day one. (Impressive!!! Respect!!!! Still trophy quality!!!!)
However, it also stretched the seams on my tent (from 10 meters away) and so I have my doubts as to how waterproof they are now.

**young1** · 8th September 2008, 13:41

Originally Posted by CrazyFrog

I'll join ya in Taupo on Friday morn as well, I'm stayin there Thurs night anyway. I'm prob gonna push on thru to Awakino Fri pm. I just phoned the Awakino hotel this morn, sounds like they can accommodate everyone in 2 houses, but you'll need to confirm details with Tracey there. Ph 06-7529815.
Looking forward to seeing Big Grey (well, Anthracite!!) gettin' dirrrrty.

I will phone Tracey tomorrow and find out exactly how many we can squeeze into the house and flat. Will update tomorrow.

**Cary** · 8th September 2008, 13:41

I'm in. I have booked a spot at Awakino but don't mind where i stay or split off from you lot or whatever.

I will see how it is on the day for 42 and take advice as to if I ride it or not. Tiger ain't no dirt bike or light weight DR!!

**offrd** · 8th September 2008, 16:32

Yeah i am in!

Book me a space where ever we are going to end up friday night!

**Phreaky Phil** · 8th September 2008, 17:08

Originally Posted by Cary

I'm in. I have booked a spot at Awakino but don't mind where i stay or split off from you lot or whatever.

I will see how it is on the day for 42 and take advice as to if I ride it or not. Tiger ain't no dirt bike or light weight DR!!

The 42nd is doable on big bikes. Dawn and I went through a few years ago 2up on the GS. Easier from the Whakapapa side going through to Owhango.

**Crisis management** · 8th September 2008, 17:27

42nd Traverse: Oscar & co tried to cross the 42 last friday but the river was too high, seeing as this is after a week of fine weather that doesn't bode well for us.

Fishers: The above bunch did fishers on sunday and succeded with knobby tyres and a bit of mayhem. Experienced riders & well prepared bikes only.

Soooooo I can't see the conditions changing much over the next two weeks so for me this means:
# I will look at the 42 if its been dry for 5 days before.
# I won't do Fishers.
Obviously my concerns are a new toy, big bike and no knobby tyres and a few of you may want to do these tracks anyway. I am happy to coordinate this and guide to the starts as neccessary, we should make the most of these opportunities. If I was on the DR with decent tyres I wouldn't hesitate.

Accomodation:
Reading between the lines from all the postings I suggest we head for awakino for friday night so this gives us plenty of time to follow the gravel between national park and awakino. If we can't get into Awakino I suggest Mokau, we should be able to sort this out by the end of the week.

There is a ton of good roads to explore in this area so regardless of weather there is good riding to be had.

**Cary** · 8th September 2008, 17:34

Originally Posted by Crisis management

42nd Traverse: Oscar & co tried to cross the 42 last friday but the river was too high, seeing as this is after a week of fine weather that doesn't bode well for us.

Soooooo I can't see the conditions changing much over the next two weeks so for me this means:
# I will look at the 42 if its been dry for 5 days before.
# I won't do Fishers.
Obviously my concerns are a new toy, big bike and no knobby tyres and a few of you may want to do these tracks anyway. I am happy to coordinate this and guide to the starts as neccessary.

There is a ton of good roads to explore in this area so regardless of weather there is good riding to be had.

Cheers for the effort, will follow to 42 but by the sounds i won't do either, but i will keep saving for the 690........