Wairarapa ride outs.

**junkmanjoe** · 7th September 2009, 17:27

the who fell of in the mud, secret photos..

nice one mate...

JMJ

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 17:34

Haha, I arsed off about 20 metres before there, but i was way too quick for you guys. Picked the bike up real quick. No photo = no proof, so it never happened.

Nice one Stain.

**Pampera** · 7th September 2009, 21:49

I have posted a small selection of photos that hopefully add something to the comprehensive coverage already posted:

1.The letter box display at Balmoral Station along State Highway 52

2.Joe looking back at me on Little Manuhara “Road” from one of the short dry bits linking the mud. Either making sure I was OK or watching to see if I was about to make an ass of myself

3.A pensive team contemplates the upcoming Makairo Track section while lunching under the picnic shelter at Waihi Falls

4.Looking from the top of the Puketoi Range west to the Waewaepa Range. Summit of Makairo Track visible centre-right.

5.The beginning of the Makairo track – the cut off east end of the former Makairo Road

"Track itself not pictured" and "your results may differ"

6.The west end of the Makairo Track – the renamed east end of the former Makairo Road

Great day out. I have ridden a lot of these roads alone on the BMW Dakar in years past and it is much more enjoyable in a group. Thanks to all and especially Joe and Bart. Add an espresso machine and a whisky flask to all the other equipment on the back of the 650 Joe and you will be equipped for anything!

A note to those in the lead going fast enough to come off the track. Did you stop and have a look down at the steepness and height of the drop off on the west end! Hard to believe this used to be a council road. I suspect this was the real reason for closure, the relatively minor bridge damage was an excuse to keep traffic away from an unprotected sheer fall of well more than 100 metres. Took pictures but they simply don't do it justice (like Mark's pictures of the Toppy's waitress).

I note the West end of the road remains under stress, one major slip both above and below the road - this is going to get expensive some time soon.

Michael

**junkmanjoe** · 7th September 2009, 21:58

2.Joe looking back at me on Little Manuhara “Road” from one of the short dry bits linking the mud. Either making sure I was OK or watching to see if I was about to make an ass of myself

Michael..im not a fan of leaving a lone rider at the back by them self..
no mater how good a rider they are.

JMJ

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 21:58

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

i really enjoyed my self, and the great company i get to ride with... thats you guys from welly...

JMJ

Don't quite know how to take that Joe????

**junkmanjoe** · 7th September 2009, 22:00

oh shit sorry bartman...you top dog as well.....

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 22:33

Right, my turn.

1. Top of Puketio Road. I took the scenic route to meet the guys.
2. Love that road. Plenty of livestock though. Sheep, Cattle, and wild Goats.
3. Bikey gang turns up
4. Stain coming out of the Little Manuhara. I had to be quick with the camera as he was right on my tail.
5. Fred making easy work of it.
6. Joe and Pampera

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 22:41

7. Stain. I had to be bloody quick with the camera again.
8. In convoy, near the top of the Towhai
9. Fred
10. That blue thing of Andy's makes a pretty picture.
11. View from the top of Towai Road
12. Pampera

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 22:48

13. Some bikes look pretty even when they're dirty (I was going to make a joke about women, but that's a bit obvious)
14. Fred in the Makairo
15. The black beast (bloody heavy to pick up)
16. Supertanker in the trees
17. Andy
18. Pampera Michael

**bart** · 7th September 2009, 22:51

19. Off in a cloud of dust.

Really enjoyed the day guys. It's a shame it's so far for you guys to come, as there is a lot more good riding in this area. Perhaps I should organise an over nighter one day.

Cheers,
Bart

**_STAIN_** · 7th September 2009, 23:07

Good pic's thanks Bart. Was good to have someone to chase yesterday, been 5 years or so since I was last "on the pegs riding"

**andy mac** · 7th September 2009, 23:44

Originally Posted by bart

It's a shame it's so far for you guys to come, as there is a lot more good riding in this area. Perhaps I should organise an over nighter one day.

Great photos Bartman they reward your efforts to get the shot.
And yes do start planning the overnighter, maybe we stay in a Dannevirke motel and you still get brownie points at home

**Pampera** · 8th September 2009, 08:21

Originally Posted by bart

19. Off in a cloud of dust.

It's a shame it's so far for you guys to come, as there is a lot more good riding in this area. Perhaps I should organise an over nighter one day.

Cheers,
Bart

Yes - while all these marvellous roads are in us Wellingtonian's back yard, looping through a few as a day trip makes for a very long day. I did this numerous times on my black and white Dakar and you run up near 500 km and get home well after dark in winter. It makes good sense to plan an overnighter.

I stayed at a fishing lodge at Porangahau the night before attending the "Blackhead Revisted" Adventure ride in early 2000's. However, it did not have all the attractions of a major metropolis such as Dannevirke.

Great idea.

Michael