Wellington Rideouts - Where next?

[marks]

It wasn't really a Wellington ride but thats where I started from so... on friday went to Taupo via Wanganui, Paraparas, National Part (took a side trip up Mt Ruapehu to the carpark (top o' Bruce??) then back down, around western lake to taupo for the night. Sat morning made our way to Opotiki, where the road riders went off around the East Cape, and we hardy adventurers (Me on KLR and Al on KTM 950) went down the Motu. What a fantastic track, about 70kms of good(ish) gravel. After arriving at the bustling metropolis of Motu, a bit further down the road turned off onto Whakarau road which was about another 50 -60 ks of good gravel, which eventually bought us out at Te Karaka, not too far from Gisborne. Filled up there and then headed back to Kawakanaia Road, really rough seal awhich improved into good gravel, followed that through the hills to come out at Five Bridges, and a fang down a beautifully sealed road to Tologa bay, then back to Gisborne for the night, where we met up with the roadies. Sunday we went inland on Tiniroto Road to Wairoa, then down to Napier. Stayed on the main road till Waipukurau, then took the back roads through Wallingford, Wimbledon etc to Pongaroa, and down to Masterton. No gravel on Sunday.
Final thrash over the 'Tukas to home. Around 1800kms, the brand new IRC GP110 "Trail Winner" is completely stuffed, the KLR performed excellently and used less that 500ml of oil inspite of bouncing off the rev limiter through the gears and sitting on 130-140 for extended periods (Trying to keep up with the 1200 Bandit, R1, GSXr750 and 1200GS, as well as the aforementioned KTM)

Photos please

Motu Rd is right up there with the very best isnt it

Glad your oil consumption is under control - mines not - used over a liter on my 1000k down south the other week

[pete376403]

Sorry no photos - the camera was at Lower Hutt hospital maternity unit being used to take hundreds of pics of the new grandbabies(twins)

The Motu was excellent, but the other two bits were super as well.
A few scary bits on the Motu, eg coming over a saddle to a tight right bend with no fence or even a windrow at the side of the road and a sheer drop maybe 50 metres down to a river. Encourages caution. Must have been unreal when it was being used for car rallies.
I guesstimated we did around 160 - 180 kms of gravel on Saturday.
The alternative of going around the Cape just didn't compare. F'rinstance I doubt that the roadies came around a corner to find laying next to the track a freshly butchered cattle beast, legs and hide missing and big puddles of sticky blood everywhere. Fairly wild country...

[Eddieb]

plus I want to do Oldins Rd again - maybe between xmas and new year?

Counts me out, I'm out of town then.

[pampa]

Time to take your meds Fran

I posted a couple of photos here

This ride is now "unfinished bussiness" - we have to go back and "knock the bastard off"

It was a nice day I almost loose all my tools a couple of weeks before my first trip to south Island on the motorbike but thankfully someone found it and returned to me when I was panicking retracing my steps Thanks.

Some pics for the crowd

'The GS going steep uphill with our help'


'Mark leading us on the right direction'


'A rest at the top'


'Rolling'

[pampa]

sounds like its time to organize another ride into the 'Rapa

plus I want to do Oldins Rd again - maybe between xmas and new year?

I'd like to do Odlins again (till the end if possible ) but won't around between xmas and NY, well next time maybe

[marks]

oh all right then...

if you are going to put so much pressure on me...

we'll do Oldins when you guys can come along....

like that first photo Pampa - gives a feel for just how shitty that step is

[pampa]

oh all right then...

if you are going to put so much pressure on me...

we'll do Oldins when you guys can come along....

like that first photo Pampa - gives a feel for just how shitty that step is

Not bad for a phone ... "three bikes, three friends, a dream" (and the support crew, two 4x4, one quad, 4 dudes ... )

but seriously it is pretty rough at places, and amazing view as well, i'd liked to go down where we turned it look scary but then I did it already in a heavier bike so should be nicer on the new one (as long as is not dropped it goes nice).

BTW straightened my pipe-bracket without problem and repaired my gas-can-bracket (it cracked), and put it back together. Is now better after one hour of washing it ... still need to change both tyres

[marks]

On Saturday 3rd Jan Dave (Palladin) and I are planning to have a potter along Odlins Rd. I will be on my DT230 or WR450. Dave will be on his KLX250. There may be other trail bikes along for the ride.

Meeting in Waikanae at the coffee kiosk at the corner of Ngaio Rd and the main Rd (just before the supermarket at the north end of town) at 10 oclock or at the hill summit of the Akatawara Rd at 10.30 (ish)

Time permitting we will explore a few side tracks (definitely not bike bike friendly).

all welcome - bring lunch (to have at the hut or river)

cheers


Mark

[Aslan]

go well Mark and Dave - will have to miss this since on Sat I plan to be doing day 1 of the 2 day Dusty Butt - have a good one & all the best for 2009

[Paladin]

On Saturday 3rd Jan Dave (Palladin) and I are planning to have a potter along Odlins Rd. I will be on my DT230 or WR450. Dave will be on his KLX250. There may be other trail bikes along for the ride.

Meeting in Waikanae at the coffee kiosk at the corner of Ngaio Rd and the main Rd (just before the supermarket at the north end of town) at 10 oclock or at the hill summit of the Akatawara Rd at 10.30 (ish)

Time permitting we will explore a few side tracks (definitely not bike bike friendly).

all welcome - bring lunch (to have at the hut or river)

cheers


Mark

Looking forward to it and to meeting you Mark!

However am already "clenching" at the thought of you taking me off on "non novice-friendly" side tracks! : And praying for the ground to stay dry!

Looking at pics you & others have previously posted, it looks like Odlins Rd is gonna be fun, but challenging - a good adventure ride!

[marks]

Looking forward to it and to meeting you Mark!

However am already "clenching" at the thought of you taking me off on "non novice-friendly" side tracks! : And praying for the ground to stay dry!

Looking at pics you & others have previously posted, it looks like Odlins Rd is gonna be fun, but challenging - a good adventure ride!

if its wet up this way I'll post here before 9am

looks like its just you and me Dave - were you going to meet at the Akatarawa summit or the Waikanae coffee kiosk?

cheers


Mark

[Eddieb]

So did you go? Where are the pictures?

Is Takapari Road still an option for a Welly ride?

[Aslan]

EddieB - I'd be keen to do Takapari Road again some time - subject to dates

[marks]

So did you go? Where are the pictures?

pissing with rain - fair weather faggot Marks stayed in bed

Is Takapari Road still an option for a Welly ride?

I'm keen

[Paladin]

If any of you Welly area lot wanna join us, we're doing a reccie ride from Wainuiomata to Turakirae Head then across Orongorongo Station on the coast 4wd track to Ocean Beach and poss round to Lake Ferry; then return by same route(ish LOL!)

Details here:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=88522&page=3