Few pics of Red Rocks

[jezzaNZ]

Sounds good Jim, I will PM you my Email address so we can organize. It will be interesting on the big KTM as I have ridden it several times on the 450 and loved it.

[pampa]

The trip to the beach from our place is 10' / 15' so is about half an hour commuting ... the rest is fun .

I did a few Ks around the cost 3/4 weekends ago an back home (Upper hutt) in about 1:45 and from that at least 45 mins where commuting. So for a normal office day is not bad at all to swap BNZ food court by red rocks.

Would be good to see the KTm on the beach

[Balrog]

Fine weather , Northerlies developing

Looking good

[hikky boy]

Hi there. Red rocks is awesome but I've had it with mountain biking through soft sand in gale winds so was looking at getting a motorbike! But I'm not sure if I can just get a dirt bike (I have a trailer to get it to the quarry) or whether I have to get a dual-purpose road-registered bike? Can't seem to find the answer so hoping you can help?! cheers, Hik

[Aslan]

hi hikky boy - i guess the answer to your Q depends on what you're wanting to do - if your goal is just to ride areas like Akatarawa Forest / Karipoti and you're happy to trailer your bike to the start then you don't need a road registered machine.

If on the other hand you want to take part in adventure rides that typically entail travel on public roads including gravel then you'll need a road legal machine.

You don't say whether you already have a motorcycle licence. If you're a learner you're currently limited to a machine of no more than 250cc capacity.

Check with New Zealand Transport Agency or Ministry of Transport for more info about licencing conditions.

good luck - have fun and ride safe

[Paladin]

hi hikky boy - i guess the answer to your Q depends on what you're wanting to do - if your goal is just to ride areas like Akatarawa Forest / Karipoti and you're happy to trailer your bike to the start then you don't need a road registered machine.

If on the other hand you want to take part in adventure rides that typically entail travel on public roads including gravel then you'll need a road legal machine.

You don't say whether you already have a motorcycle licence. If you're a learner you're currently limited to a machine of no more than 250cc capacity.

Check with New Zealand Transport Agency or Ministry of Transport for more info about licencing conditions.

good luck - have fun and ride safe

I saw a post somewhere recently that I seem to remember was saying that the beach/4wd track at Red Rocks is technically a public road and thus rego etc needed AND that apparently there have been occasional enforcement checks out there! So beware!

I love it out there - wicked fun in the week but shame they don't ban the SUV's on Saturdays!!!

[Paladin]

Dane and I used to blast around there most weekends, and if you get it right with the tides you can get through cave bay and around to the cable station at Terawhiti...but you gotta get the tides right and I reckon yid be wanting to know how to handle them big bikes second-nature like! Our DR-Z 400's were just right for it (but less "just right" riding the motorway to the city and back).

Keep us posted on any other Welly rides with pics - dare you to get one of the GS at the top of Terawhiti Hill!

Is that the only way to get to Terawhiti then? Or can you get there from Makara somehow? ( or is that cheating? LOL!)

[buggsubique]

Yep you're right with the rego checks - never got pinged on it though. As I understand it, all beaches are public roads ?

As for Terawhiti Stn I used to get permission from the owner and we would generally come in from the beach and do a lap around the station then get up Terawhiti Hill itself (think I've got some pics on my album from memory..).

Great place, not to be abused though. I'd normally sling a rifle and use that as my reason for wanting to come in - to go and whack a goat or two for dog tucker. Course we would always get distracted and focus on the riding.

[buggsubique]

Hi there. Red rocks is awesome but I've had it with mountain biking through soft sand in gale winds so was looking at getting a motorbike! But I'm not sure if I can just get a dirt bike (I have a trailer to get it to the quarry) or whether I have to get a dual-purpose road-registered bike? Can't seem to find the answer so hoping you can help?! cheers, Hik

Hey man, Haven't ridden there for a year now, but there used to be heaps of guys on MX bikes would just ride it. Technically should be licensed and regoed / wof but the checks were seldom.

This is where I learnt to ride on my DR250, I'd recommend shelling out of a road legal bike if you can afford it - whole new world without restraints!

[NordieBoy]

I saw a post somewhere recently that I seem to remember was saying that the beach/4wd track at Red Rocks is technically a public road and thus rego etc needed AND that apparently there have been occasional enforcement checks out there! So beware!

All beaches are technically public roads.

[gazzerklr]

Closed now, while they're building the wind turbines

[Balrog]

Great ride tonight guys, cheers for helping dig the GS out of the sand.
definitely need more practice on that terrain

Anyway a few pics of the evening.

1. Round the 1st bend, Aslan leading the way
2. Ben on his DR
3. Followed by Eddie and Dave
4. Dave's KLX
5. Quick regroup, heading into the sun
6. Great night, bit windy.

[Balrog]

1. Scouting the Devils Gate
2. Dean, Dave and Ben get ready to catch from the other side.
3. Eddie making it look easy
4. Down the other side
5. This is on the way back, I was so shagged from that sand I forgot to take any photos
6. Eddie spinning up the rear

There's some pretty deep and loose rock sections on that ride, had a few sudden direction change moments

That sand is unfinished business ( except for Dean who was zooming around in circles )
another go is in order me thinks.

[Paladin]

Thx for posting some pics Jim!

Yep, it was great fun, albeit with quite a few butt clenching moments for an offroad novice like myself!

Was nice to finally get a chance to get out on a ride with/meet some of you! It was good company and I think fun had by all! It was certainly WAY more fun than the ride home on SH1/SH2 into that wind!

Thx guys, will look forward to the next one!

[Balrog]

1. Dave and Aslan traverse the rock pit
2. A front saving foot stab, chalked up a few of those myself
3. Dave spinning it up
4. Aslan was there when I pressed the shutter
5. The last technical section
6. and I'd only just cleaned it!!, (Adventure bike, whats the point)