Muriwai ride tonight (16 March)

[paddy]

Given my tyres could probably be described as "road slicks" I think I might be taking the: go slow, paddle with feet, look like a dork in the photo taken from the top of the next hill, and feel real sore the next day approach.

[.chris]

Mondays work for me.

[Crisis management]

I am no expert - believe me - but in my limited experience it works like this: -....................crash!!!

Wanna come out and play then? I need more helpers for fat pig pushing!

[Bass]

Wanna come out and play then? I need more helpers for fat pig pushing!

It has gone through my mind and with more than just passing interest. My problem is that midweek evenings are probably out. It would be around 6pm before I could get home, get organised and get on the road. I then have to get across Auckland in evening traffic.
It would be dark by the time I could get out to Muriwai and riding soft sand at speed in the dark is not something I wish to attempt just yet, if ever.
I did it once unexpectedly, with deep bulldust on a corrugated base which is similar. I learned that: -

1. DR headlights reflect off red dust almost not at all
2. As a consequence, you cannot see the undulations or read the surface
3. Life gets REALLY interesting when you enter these conditions at significant speed, if only for a few seconds

So yeah, its thanks but no thanks.

One weekend however..........or a day off...........

[.chris]

It has gone through my mind and with more than just passing interest. My problem is that midweek evenings are probably out. It would be around 6pm before I could get home, get organised and get on the road. I then have to get across Auckland in evening traffic.
It would be dark by the time I could get out to Muriwai and riding soft sand at speed in the dark is not something I wish to attempt just yet, if ever.
I did it once unexpectedly, with deep bulldust on a corrugated base which is similar. I learned that: -

1. DR headlights reflect off red dust almost not at all
2. As a consequence, you cannot see the undulations or read the surface
3. Life gets REALLY interesting when you enter these conditions at significant speed, if only for a few seconds

So yeah, its thanks but no thanks.

One weekend however..........or a day off...........

There is nil requirement for speed on the beach, if you run close enough to the water on the firmer sand you can cruise at any speed, and in the dark that would be the only safe option without some Baja/Dakar style lighting rigs.
And of course the speed limit being 60kph that is pretty safe even at night.

The only real soft stuff you will encounter is off the beach on the dunes/dune tracks, but for me that is where the fun begins.

[Bass]

The only real soft stuff you will encounter is off the beach on the dunes/dune tracks, but for me that is where the fun begins.

Me too and that's the stuff I want to learn to tackle at speed - so not in the dark

[paddy]

My vote would be to try and get a regular evening happening and then plan the occasional special event - a day off in the week with plenty of notice or the weekend (also with plenty of notice probably).

I'd be keen for this Monday coming if there is interest (and the weather is nice enough). I'm sick now, but I'm sure I'll be better by then! I will be on a job in Albany but I should be able to get away by ~1700.

[3L4NS1R]

I'd be keen for this Monday coming if there is interest (and the weather is nice enough). I'm sick now, but I'm sure I'll be better by then! I will be on a job in Albany but I should be able to get away by ~1700.

Sweet as, I'm keen for Monday too. I'm having a farewell blat to my front tyre this weekend, so I'll have a new one to wear in on Monday. I hear sand is awesome for scrubbing a new tyre?

Meet at Westgate again? (means you can come across the upper harbour hw) or should we meet at the intersection of the Coatsville hw?

[paddy]

Meet at Westgate again? (means you can come across the upper harbour hw) or should we meet at the intersection of the Coatsville hw?

The intersection of the Coastville-Riverhead Highway and State Highway 16 might be the best mid-point between the two.

[3L4NS1R]

Sweet as, sounds good!

[.chris]

The intersection of the Coastville-Riverhead Highway and State Highway 16 might be the best mid-point between the two.

I think I shall meet you guys at Kumeu, will do the riverhead-coastville highway route for a change.

What time do you plan to leave westgate? I reckon as early as possible to make the best of the day light.

[Crisis management]

Can one of you pick a time and place.....so far I'm working on 5.30 at the intersection of SH16 and riverhead road.

Any advances on that?

[.chris]

Can one of you pick a time and place.....so far I'm working on 5.30 at the intersection of SH16 and riverhead road.

Any advances on that?

Yeah, I reckon we run with that.

[paddy]

Can one of you pick a time and place.....so far I'm working on 5.30 at the intersection of SH16 and riverhead road.

Any advances on that?

Done.

I'll PM the three of you that look like you are coming with my mobile. I wonder if you could all do the same? (I think you all know each other already?)

[3L4NS1R]

Done.

I'll PM the three of you that look like you are coming with my mobile. I wonder if you could all do the same? (I think you all know each other already?)

Done. As it so happens, first time I met chris was last weeks ride!

5.30 at SH16/Coatsville Hwy sounds good. See ya'll there!