Mounting Cnut Hill - Sat 9/5

[marks]

Mark I'm keen for an Akatarawa ride on Saturday, but maybe not the Rock Garden for my first weekend on the WRR. What bike were you intending to ride?

My son and I will be on trail bikes. We'll get up to the car park by the 4wd centre on the Pram side 10.30-11 on Sat morning and head over to the Karapoti side to go up to the rock garden.

You'd be welcome to join us - just be aware that it is super greasy in there at the moment.

[Box'a'bits]

You'd be welcome to join us - just be aware that it is super greasy in there at the moment.

Andy's on Trailwings, so that should work in your favour.

[bart]

I'd heard a rumour about an alternate route up the Devils Staircase side. Me and a mate spent about an hour riding up and down the riverbed looking for it, but all the tracks we found were dead ends. Certainly worth looking into if you have time.

I am so tempted to throw the knobs on the DRZ and come down for a look. Shame the bike's all nice and shiny, and I can't be buggered cleaning it again.

[marks]

Andy's on Trailwings, so that should work in your favour.

I'll take any advantage I can get

when I went through last Saturday with Fred I spent more time going sideways than straight ahead and I was riding like a nanna and had good knobblies on

[andy mac]

My son and I will be on trail bikes. We'll get up to the car park by the 4wd centre on the Pram side 10.30-11 on Sat morning and head over to the Karapoti side to go up to the rock garden.

You'd be welcome to join us - just be aware that it is super greasy in there at the moment.

OK will meet you at carpark before 11.

[marks]

I'd heard a rumour about an alternate route up the Devils Staircase side. Me and a mate spent about an hour riding up and down the riverbed looking for it, but all the tracks we found were dead ends. Certainly worth looking into if you have time.

I am so tempted to throw the knobs on the DRZ and come down for a look. Shame the bike's all nice and shiny, and I can't be buggered cleaning it again.

I've heard the same rumours - from people who know what they are talking about.

keep the drz - then you can have a trail bike and an adventure bike

OK will meet you at carpark before 11.

I'll post here by 9.30 if the weather is bad.


cheers

Mark

[bart]

keep the drz - then you can have a trail bike and an adventure bike

Nah, if I was going to have a trail bike, it would be a bit hornier than a drz. Maybe a WR450. Hmmmmmm. That would do.

Or a CR500.

[Pampera]

My son and I will be on trail bikes. We'll get up to the car park by the 4wd centre on the Pram side 10.30-11 on Sat morning and head over to the Karapoti side to go up to the rock garden.

You'd be welcome to join us - just be aware that it is super greasy in there at the moment.

Mark,

I am preparing the bike and gear and also plan to see you at the car park before 1100.

Michael

[marks]

Mark,

I am preparing the bike and gear and also plan to see you at the car park before 1100.

Michael

great

we'll be at the carpark before 11 but will then need some time to unload and gear up so will prolly be ready to ride around 11ish

look forward to seeing you guys there

[Pampera]

Grand day out in the Akatarawas courtesy of Mark S. Rode the Pampera out from Wellington via a stop at the Paekakariki Cafe to get wired up with the help of an espresso. Mark and his son Glenn were already busy unloading at the Maungakotukutuku car park at 1045. The promised Andy Mac on his new WR250R, was late but leaving with no sign of him yet at 1115 we knew he would catch us up before long, which he did.

Weather was cool and overcast but the clouds lifted and it warmed up as the day progressed.

There was some very slippery stuff, loose hills and ruts, but we made it to the Rock Garden by 1.30. That clay must have oil in it in some spots! Unfortunately after dropping down two of the steps we began to wonder if we would be able to return the way we had come. The only exit from the bottom of the Rock Garden is to climb the slippery Devil's Staircase or return the way you came. Mark sent Glenn down the third drop off to see what it was like coming back up (that is what 20 year olds on MX bikes are for) but a general decision was reached that, due to a lack of intestinal fortitude, that was enough for today - perhaps in summer!

We parted at Price's Flat. I turned left and exited via Karapoti while Glen, Andy and Mark headed back whence we had come that morning.

160 km on a 250 Pampera's seat has left me tired but satisfied. Thanks for a great day out guys.
1. Andy's new WR250
2. One of many rests - this one on Pram Track above Price's Flat
3. Mark and the third drop off (The Hillary Step?) at the Rock Garden
4. Sizing up the third drop off - Glenn's the only one to try this one
5. Straightening Glen's handlebars after leaving the Rock Garden - getting back up that step was not completely trouble free!


Michael

[Pampera]

Mark ordering Andy to stay down there and move those rocks from the line....

[topo]

Mark ordering Andy to stay down there and move those rocks from the line....

Thats bloody cheating

[bart]

Good stuff guys. Full marks for trying. Looks bloody greasy. I've almost spent the night in that gully unvolentarily. Try again in summer.

[andy mac]

Yip a top ride with a variety of track conditions. Bravo to Glen for showing us how to ride up that nasty rock face, which then inspired Mark to also give it a go. They both stayed upright & we applauded the brave. I have a video, how do I post it?

[andy mac]

Playing in Cedarholm Creek. Not enough light + fast bikes.