Wellington Rideouts - Where next?

**Box'a'bits** · 21st July 2013, 20:24

Back at 7.00ish, just in time for a little earthquake. Was Jonny no mates for the ride, but that was okay because I could just take my time & stop where I wanted. Took in Martinborough, Homewood Rd, lunch at Riverdale, Castlehill Rd, Puketoi Rd, back via Daggs Rd - Bideford. Something over 400kms. Had a great day. The write up is over here

Got an earful for not being around during the shake

Not sure what I was supposed to do?

Hey, that photo is cool! Yes, the front is a 25mm taller than stock, & the rear is as high as I can get it without it becoming harsh.

**JimmyC** · 23rd July 2013, 09:43

Got the chance to get out Red Rocks way yesterday... business closures due to earthquakes sometimes have their uses... It's definitely a more challenging ride now, with longer stretches of deeper sand and lose rocks than before, but other sections are now easier, smoothed out and less slippery. So all in all, I think it's more challenging, but a better practice area. It's like a whole different ride.

**irsh** · 23rd July 2013, 12:30

Originally Posted by JimmyC

Got the chance to get out Red Rocks way yesterday... business closures due to earthquakes sometimes have their uses... It's definitely a more challenging ride now, with longer stretches of deeper sand and lose rocks than before, but other sections are now easier, smoothed out and less slippery. So all in all, I think it's more challenging, but a better practice area. It's like a whole different ride.

Nice report jimmy ... was up the mountain so didn't get out . same applies this weekend . if not skiing will probably head down to redrocks . we're kind lucky to have a changeable landscape... keeps it interesting

**k1w33d** · 4th August 2013, 22:51

I started off the day leaving home around 10:30am and taking a look at a track on the western side of the Rimutakas. It only went for a couple hundred metres before I came across a gate.

Went down a couple more roads which yielded nothing so I decided to head to Waikawa beach just north of Otaki. So off I went through the Akatarawa's stopping at the summit for a quick picture before carrying on to Waikawa.

I had checked the tides earlier and I arrived about an hour before low tide so there was plenty of sand to ride on. I came across a couple of 4 wheelers, motorbikes and some horses but for the most part I had the beach to myself. On the first run I just headed south (horses north of Waikawa Beach) to see how far I could go and after crossing a couple of streams I saw a beach access road so popped up to see if I could figure out where I was. A sign read "Otaki Beach" and had a picture of a motorcycle under it with a red circle and a line going through it. The fine for riding a motorcycle on any Kapiti Coast beach is $750 so I jumped back onto the beach and headed back north to the Horowhenua District where it is fine to operate any legal vehicle on the beach. Stopped halfway along the beach for some lunch before getting back on the bike and doing some laps up and down the beach.

I practised doing small wheelies to get the front wheel over some driftwood and a small bank a stream had cut into the sand which was scary, disappointing and fun all at the same time.

I noticed it was looking like rain soon so I had one more blast along the beach and started heading back towards home. I ended up taking a look down Otaki Gorge road which turned to a gravel a few kilometres in. The gravel was made up of large bits of broken up rock which made for interesting riding as the bike would try to slide across the top of the rocks as I cornered.

Along the way I came across my old nemesis (a suspension bridge). This one was fairly low so I did not get jelly legs like the one at the Pillars of Hercules near Rangipo.

Carried on to the end of the road then turned around and headed back out. Found a neat little track down a steep hill which went down to the river. I was a little apprehensive about climbing back out but it was unfounded as I got out easily.

Popped across a suspension bridge on my bike for a quick photo then carried on heading out to Old Hautere Road and back on to SH1.

Shot back through Akatarawa Road and stopped off at Clouston Park for a few more photos before heading back home.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ride although my butt was protesting the absence of my Airhawk cushion towards the end of the day.

**manakau.KTM** · 5th August 2013, 09:40

Mangahao Dams

This is the top dam behind Shannon yesterday. A great bit of gravel riding into the Tararuas.

Click image for larger version.

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**gav24** · 5th August 2013, 20:19

Looks like the winter hibernation may be drawing to a close as the first few tentative rides are taken!
Maybe a group ride might actually happen soon...
...maybe....
Good to see Kiwibiker wellington ride outs haven't stopped completely! Thanks for posting guys.
Last time I saw you Wayne was on a Friday night in Otaki, in march as I rode up to dannevirke for the RRRR (jeez was it really that long ago!?) so it's about time I organised a ride out for us all....

**manakau.KTM** · 6th August 2013, 09:40

Obviously a sign of getting old when time flies.

I must say that the Winter in the greater Wellington area has been pretty mild. It sounds like a great idea for some Wellington riders to get out and about. I'm a bit knackered with work for the next couple of weekends but should be clear after that.

Are you thinking of doing the cape to cape Gavin? Mark and Steve seem to be up for it and hopefully myself as well. You could be our official French translator.

Cheers

Wayne

**gav24** · 6th August 2013, 17:50

Ah, non! I'll be at Hampton downs for the Barry sheene festival... If I pull my finger out I may even be racing, just need to invest some more shed time and dollars!

**Box'a'bits** · 15th August 2013, 18:08

Anyone fancy a spin tomorrow Friday 16th Aug? Probably Wairarapa, possibly out to White Rocks. Weather tomorrow is still looking good. Saturday's crap, sunday dunno?

**JimmyC** · 26th August 2013, 09:13

Saturday's ride I headed out to Red Rocks and there's new signage up that says 4WD vehicles only. It doesn't expressly forbid motorcycles so I'm guessing that's more to discourage muppets taking their mothers Civic for a spot of off roading. What it also says however, is that only vehicles with current WoF and reg are allowed.

On sunday I went out to Avro Road and ran into a nice man and woman with about 7 retrievers in tow. He waved me down and said he was the landowner, asked if I knew it was private property. I said I'd heard such rumours but it seemed generally accepted to ride there. It's not, and sounds like it'll be getting harder to get in. He mentioned a trail biker getting killed in there some years back when they ran into a logging truck... I said I ride a lot slower than the average trail bike rider to which they both replied, "Yes, I noticed". Hmm... I'm sure that's a compliment under the circumstances.

Anyhoo, I offered to turn around and he said I should enjoy my ride but make it my last so I rode all the way down to the locked gate, turned around but couldn't get back up due to the boggy surface of pine needles on muddy clay... After 45 mins of effort, and in turn flattening the battery, I backed it down, turned around, crash started and headed back to the gate. After a few minutes a car load of locals turned up and offered to assist in lifting the bike over the gate. Perfect timing, great chaps.

I won't ride anywhere I've been expressly asked not to, so that's another area off my list now sadly. Was a good send off though.

**Aslan** · 26th August 2013, 21:14

JimmyC thanks for posting - I was noticing all the interest in Avro Road and planning on taking a look there myself. Cheers

**JimmyC** · 27th August 2013, 11:24

It's a pity really, with such few off road spots about the place. It's not a huge area by any stretch but it was fun and it was local. With a bit of thought and planning, I'm sure the owner could come to some mutually beneficial terms for access, but as it stands he said he's copped abuse from quite a few riders which hasn't helped matters. I can't help but feel again that a minority has ruined it for the rest of us.

**k1w33d** · 27th August 2013, 12:11

I went in there on Saturday and the flat area is filled with logs. I started heading further down but turned around because of the greasiness and lack of traction with the trailwings.

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