Wellington Rideouts - Where next?

[gav24]

New ride for Monday 24th August,

A bit of a posse is forming to chart a bit of new territory...

Myself, Stormtrooper and PKKLR so far are planning on exploring 2 different areas:

1) First short trip is a different entry onto Odlins road from Reikiorangi, we tried it in the reverse direction (ie from the track to Reikiorangi) last weekend but werent too sure if we had the right track and ended up at a fallen tree so, it would be good to explore from the other end and see where it leads us...

2) Bit more of an adventure this one, potentially, heading from Otaki forks to the Odlins road Hut, then down Odlins, and out onto the Aka's (or even Reikiorangi - depending on the results of 1)) Cant gaurentee too much about this one. Its shown as a walking track on my Terralink map, Otaki Forks road on Google maps, and on a short rekky from the hut last week it seems to be a track that is used by 4x4's occasionally. Seemed pretty grassy and not down to the stones like the rest of Odlins so ... better have a look see

If all goes well then it could make Odlins into a great loop ride!

Any takers for a look on monday.

[Eddieb]

You 3 coming saturday? It's a good ride.....

[gav24]

Not sure about Paul (aka PKKLR) but me and Shane are off to Russia on Saturday

Not actual Russia, or else I'd bring back an Ural outfit and 2 wheel-drive your BMW into WWII submission, then break down probably! Ha Ha Ha

Long story, but result is Saturdays out

All 3 of us have monday off work though

[marks]

New ride for Monday 24th August,

A bit of a posse is forming to chart a bit of new territory...

Myself, Stormtrooper and PKKLR so far are planning on exploring 2 different areas:

1) First short trip is a different entry onto Odlins road from Reikiorangi, we tried it in the reverse direction (ie from the track to Reikiorangi) last weekend but werent too sure if we had the right track and ended up at a fallen tree so, it would be good to explore from the other end and see where it leads us...

2) Bit more of an adventure this one, potentially, heading from Otaki forks to the Odlins road Hut, then down Odlins, and out onto the Aka's (or even Reikiorangi - depending on the results of 1)) Cant gaurentee too much about this one. Its shown as a walking track on my Terralink map, Otaki Forks road on Google maps, and on a short rekky from the hut last week it seems to be a track that is used by 4x4's occasionally. Seemed pretty grassy and not down to the stones like the rest of Odlins so ... better have a look see

If all goes well then it could make Odlins into a great loop ride!

Any takers for a look on monday.

not wanting to rain on your parade....

My son and I have explored the Otaki Forks end and were told by the local DOC ranger there was no access - he turned up in a flash when he heard a couple of bikes go past his house.

My understanding is that the access from Riekiorangi to Odlins is initially via some private property (I think - off Rangiora Rd).

Happy to be proven wrong on both counts.

According to the guys at the DOC office in Waikanae (very helpful) - the only vehicular access is from the Aka's Rd summit/car park to the open area at the summit of Oldins Rd. Past that (down to the hut) is technically walking access only although they said they turn a blind eye if people stay on the main track and don't go past the hut.

If you guys want a fun ride - explore up behind Shannon (there is a neat nasty track off Tokomaru Valley Rd that claimed a few mirrors etc last time we were there.

[gav24]

Just revisited the terralink map and it look like you could be right. The difference between walking and vehicular tracks is pretty hard to spot: long dash compared to quite a long dash Plus when we tried to head down to Reikorangi, we met 3 different 4wd's so maybe there is alot of blind eye turning around that area?...

Although... there were some pretty fresh vehicle tracks after the hut, and the track looked to have only been kept open from the encroaching bush by those tell tale twin tyre tracks...

Will still head up and have a look on monday as the ride up to the forks is pretty good fun anyway.

But could you give any more details on the Shannon track as that could be the real adventure now on Monday

[gav24]

Also on Google maps, not the most reliable I guess? the track from the forks, past the hut and to the end of Odlins road/the summit is marked as Otaki Gorge "Road"

Any clues anyone?

I say just go and have a look...

[Pampera]

not wanting to rain on your parade....


My understanding is that the access from Riekiorangi to Odlins is initially via some private property (I think - off Rangiora Rd).

Happy to be proven wrong on both counts.

.

I believe Mark is correct. I rode this route up to Odlins as part of a Mike Britton ride (Middle Earth ride I think) some years ago and as I recall we started by riding onto a farm drive then track then into the park from below.

Michael

[marks]

But could you give any more details on the Shannon track as that could be the real adventure now on Monday

Some photos of our last ride here

hopefully someone else can give you better instructions than these....

go the end of Tokomaru Valley Rd (lots of logging debris) and turn around and head back. A few hundred metres back there is a sharp right turn. To the left of that turn a snotty track continues straight ahead and climbs fairly steeply. Follow this track until (hopefully) you end up somewhere near Tokumaru.

sorry - its not much - but its the best I can do

[Howie]

Some photos of our last ride here

hopefully someone else can give you better instructions than these....

go the end of Tokomaru Valley Rd (lots of logging debris) and turn around and head back. A few hundred metres back there is a sharp right turn. To the left of that turn a snotty track continues straight ahead and climbs fairly steeply. Follow this track until (hopefully) you end up somewhere near Tokumaru.

sorry - its not much - but its the best I can do

to get to the area Mark is talking about head towards the tararuas on Mangahao rd from shannon, the road turns to gravel soon after you pass the Mangahao power station, and Tokomarua valley road is a few Km in on your Left, you can also head up Mangahao rd as far as the top Dam. Well worth a look up there.

More pic's from the trip earlier this year start here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...=85178&page=30

[gav24]

Just going to speak to a friend this afternoon who lives up the gorge (Otaki) about access to some of the tracks that run off to the north from over the suspension bridge - cant remember the name of the road at the moment. If access is possible will have a play up there.

If not we'll probably head up to Manakau and go into the tararuas from there, good looking track called "Thompsons" could be fun...

Will keep you posted via this thread. But definately a ride leaving Waikanae on monday morning, just who knows where...

[gav24]

The ride planned for Monday, has now been bought forward to sunday - TOMORROW!

Partly due to some stuff coming up on our monday off, and mostly due to us all being frustrated that we were double-booked today and missing out on the Cnut Hill assault

So plan is to leave Waikanae G.A.S. station on SH1 at 9.20 ish in the morning and head up for a scout around Otaki Forks and then probably try and find the track that links the end of Kaitawa Road up the gorge to Ringawhati road near the racecourse in Otaki.
If time and access permits we could try the link up to North Manakau road...

If non of this works we'll just head up to Manakau and head into the bush from there!

So its now SUNDAY not Monday!

[junkmanjoe]

sorry mate im out.....i got some repairs to do on my beast...

[marks]

I'm out too

KLR needs work and DT is making some dire engine noises (maybe power valve)

take some photos for us to ogle

[gav24]

Will do, hopefully they wont be photos of us at locked gates, or being chased off land by irate farmers

Nah, should be fun no matter what happens

[stormtrooper]

Sunday ride was a great blast, ended up on the tompson track and entered through otaki down past the race course. Ride was abit hairy in places with more than afew slippery rocks and uphill bits but managed to get to Manauku North Road. There is some orsome veiws at the top of the ridges and afew tracks to explore next time, came back from Te horo along the beach it was magic. Thanks to gav and paul for making it a fun adventure.
Pics to come.