Whangamomona Rally (24-26 April 2009)

[shafty]

Bugger - just spotted this - and I did a search for a bike event to go to - I did the Matawai Loop instead (see ride report) - and the Forgotten World Highway is just down the road from me as well!

Did you Guys go? Pics?

[trump-lady]

Bugger - just spotted this - and I did a search for a bike event to go to - I did the Matawai Loop instead (see ride report) - and the Forgotten World Highway is just down the road from me as well!

Did you Guys go? Pics?

Shafty, dont worry you can still come its NEXT month hon. Ill know more next week about details

[Rudra]

I met a guy last weekend who thought the rally was in January, as part of the Whangamomona Republic Day celebrations. If he's wrong, I'd be keen to go.

[sinfull]

I met a guy last weekend who thought the rally was in January, as part of the Whangamomona Republic Day celebrations. If he's wrong, I'd be keen to go.

Was talk of them holding another one to coincide with republic day, couldn't tell ya if it went ahead but looks like the anzac weekend be a good one to attend again !

[trump-lady]

bump

[trump-lady]

Ok Ive been told that we need to get there either Fri or sat before dark because of the hazards of cows on road and goats jumping over heads and random thingys hanging out on the road. Apparently its very twisty and corners down to 15 20ks. The chch crew are staying in stratford Friday night because they dont want to ride in the dark to the rally. Id like to go straight through and get there before dark.

Also last gas stop is stratford and Ive been told coming in from the other way we will hit gravel so Im not trying to go that way. We need to gas and go in from stratford.

I have two riders thus far but no one knows yet if they wanna go Fri or Sat. Im going to aim for leaving Fri mornng.

I am completely directionally challanged and want to follow

[madmal64]

I will be there again. This is one I dont miss. It will be the 5th year I have gone. It looks like I will be getting up there on Saturday this thing though due to work stuff but you never know I may be able to skive off and get there for Friday Evening.
If you havent ridden the road before I agree its not the best to do it at night. If you a coming in from Stratford watch out for the 2 15k corners. They are tight!
Kerry, Gypsy & the rest of the Rural Riders are a bloody great bunch and its well worth the effort.

[sinfull]

Ok Ive been told that we need to get there either Fri or sat before dark because of the hazards of cows on road and goats jumping over heads and random thingys hanging out on the road. Apparently its very twisty and corners down to 15 20ks. The chch crew are staying in stratford Friday night because they dont want to ride in the dark to the rally. Id like to go straight through and get there before dark.

Also last gas stop is stratford and Ive been told coming in from the other way we will hit gravel so Im not trying to go that way. We need to gas and go in from stratford.

I have two riders thus far but no one knows yet if they wanna go Fri or Sat. Im going to aim for leaving Fri mornng.

I am completely directionally challanged and want to follow

It's a bit of a haul for you coming from auckland all the way to stratford and then back in to whangamomona ! The 14 km of gravel has been there forever and it's more like packed clay than loose gravel ! (have to be very unlucky to catch it just after its been graded with new gravel) Zoom out the google maps till ya see taumarunui and stratford and you'll see what i mean !
You'll lose a couple of hours travelling to stratford first !
The tunnel you see in the pic (i hope ! If it don't show up click on the list on the left marked A/ Hobbit hole) is a couple of Km from the ralley site so when ya hit the tunnel from tauramunui ya know its only a couple of km up the road ya turn right and follow the signs ! If ya coming in from stratford and hit the tunnel ya missed the turn off !
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...25&z=8&iwloc=D

[trump-lady]

It's a bit of a haul for you coming from auckland all the way to stratford and then back in to whangamomona ! The 14 km of gravel has been there forever and it's more like packed clay than loose gravel ! (have to be very unlucky to catch it just after its been graded with new gravel) Zoom out the google maps till ya see taumarunui and stratford and you'll see what i mean !
You'll lose a couple of hours travelling to stratford first !
The tunnel you see in the pic (i hope ! If it don't show up click on the list on the left marked A/ Hobbit hole) is a couple of Km from the ralley site so when ya hit the tunnel from tauramunui ya know its only a couple of km up the road ya turn right and follow the signs ! If ya coming in from stratford and hit the tunnel ya missed the turn off !
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...25&z=8&iwloc=D

ICKKKKY hmnmmm...I did this map which goes round the coast to Stratford. Which Ive never rode...Adds on bout hour 20.....
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...25&z=8&iwloc=D

Im ok in gravel (had an off in it) but not downhill esp if its twisties.

If I end up going alone I might take the long route, figure leave auck early will give me heaps of time. If Im with a group Ill go the gravel route. Whats the deal with gas stations cause I heard theres not many going in. Where would the last one be going the gravel short way?

Also the long route...any one rode it. Is it worth the extra couple hours? Where does the gravel start so i can google earth it and have a right royal look lol

[sinfull]

The coast road down to New plymouth is worth doing if ya haven't !
Gassing up in tauramunui or stratford will get ya in there and out again no worries !
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.439453&z=11
There's a couple of pics there as an example of the gravel road

[trump-lady]

The coast road down to New plymouth is worth doing if ya haven't !
Gassing up in tauramunui or stratford will get ya in there and out again no worries !
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.439453&z=11
There's a couple of pics there as an example of the gravel road

Ok I think i can do that gravel
Think it will depend though. If I ride myself I will go the long way.

Thanks sinful so much

You rock. Those pictures sure look great. Might be a few stops to sightsee on the way!

[sinfull]

Ok I think i can do that gravel
Think it will depend though. If I ride myself I will go the long way.

Thanks sinful so much

You rock. Those pictures sure look great. Might be a few stops to sightsee on the way!

Don't flag the coast road altogether ! I love that bit of road ! Used to travel that way when doing Wellington Auckland return trips ! Well worth it, If you have time on one of the trips in or out !!!

[sels1]

I could be a starter for this, along with another certain Triumph owner...
Are there any details about on it?

[insomnia01]

gravel section looking good at the moment, very hard under foot & easily rideable at 50-60km just watch out for any rain or rough weather that may visit that region a few days out from you heading down .... I'll keep an eye on this thread trump - lady as I may be heading down to the naki that weekend also, could take you through from the Taumananui side I just LOVE that road

[shafty]

I found this on a R.A.T site - can anyone confirm its an "open to all riders" type of rally? (Hate to see the Orient Express pushed on to the bonfire LOL)

Note: Entry Form attached is from 2008 Rally

Also pre registering? I'm keen - can only do the Friday night unfortunately, and it's SO handy to me......