September 25-27th - Auckland - Owhango/42nd/Fishers

[.chris]

Looks like I shall be starting this ride just outside of Hamilton instead of Auckland as orignally planned.

I plan to meet up with the group around Ralgan somewhere. I figure at the corner where Ohautira Road meets SH23 is as good a spot as any.
Assuming of course that will be part of the decided route?

Not sure of what route you guys plan to do from the Autobahn but I can assume it will be at least an hour or so from the planned departure time (9 EDIT 8:15am) before you guys arrive, so I shall plan to be waiting there from about 10:30am onwards.

BASS, thanks heaps for taking the helm, I am sure the group will appreciate having someone experienced taking the lead.

[Bass]

Looks like I shall be starting this ride just outside of Hamilton instead of Auckland as orignally planned.

I plan to meet up with the group around Ralgan somewhere. I figure at the corner where Ohautira Road meets SH23 is as good a spot as any.
Assuming of course that will be part of the decided route?

Not sure of what route you guys plan to do from the Autobahn but I can assume it will be at least an hour or so from the planned departure time (9:15am) before you guys arrive, so I shall plan to be waiting there from about 10:30am onwards.

BASS, thanks heaps for taking the helm, I am sure the group will appreciate having someone experienced taking the lead.

Right. Just a small point or two.
I just checked and I did post 0815 as the start time. Having said that, I am still not sure how long it will take us to get to Ralgan (actually, I haven't a clue where Ralgan is so we'll assume the obvious typo eh?) but if we can find reception and you PM me your cell number, I would be happy to call in with a progress report.
While on this particular topic, are there any more from the Hamilton area planning to join us?
I actually suspect that your original time of 10:30 won't be too far out, but I would suggest that 10:15 would buy you some margin.

Lastly, just to set the record straight, the only thing I am experienced at is falling off - an expert even!

[johannvr]

Hi guys

I have run into big problems on the Whangarei Council project that has been the bane of my life for almost a year, and much to my own dismay will have to pull out of this ride as my ass will (still) be in Northland on Friday, on client time, trying to get things sorted and back on track for a proposed Go-Live on the new system for them ...

I am NOT f&^&&(ng happy. But I guess that's how it happens. I promised some laminated maps - and still prepared to do those and if possible somehow get them to the guys who wanted them, like Branahanrahan, before Friday. Any suggestions? Devil - are you going? Being in Glenfield you're the closest to me that I know of & can maybe drop them off? c.h.r.i.s. - you're the next closest that I know of, so also doable ...

FCUK - sorry guys. I don't get to ride much, so I was looking forward to this.

Johann

[Crisis management]

I'm in......failing the end of the world or work turning nasty, so I'll see you at Papakura at 8-ish Bass.

Just an oil change to do now.

[johannvr]

those happy-looking dancing bananas are reeeeeaaaaallly making me feel leperous after my bit of shared information ...

But good on ya - see ya next time around.

[tri boy]

I'm hopefully knocking off work between 1-2pm on Fri, so will meander down to Tauramunui by my lonesome. Booked in and only things left to do is pack the panniers, and maybe pick up a new front tyre at Boyds that is more aggressive than the TKC on the bike now. Don't ask me what model rubber, it's DOT rated, and either a Dunslop or Mich. For $65, its probably going on.
Fri night I have a room to myself(meaning I can burp/fart/grumble and snort to my hearts content). Sat night, well someone will have to suffer

[.chris]

I am NOT f&^&&(ng happy. But I guess that's how it happens. I promised some laminated maps - and still prepared to do those and if possible somehow get them to the guys who wanted them, like Branahanrahan, before Friday. Any suggestions? Devil - are you going? Being in Glenfield you're the closest to me that I know of & can maybe drop them off? c.h.r.i.s. - you're the next closest that I know of, so also doable ...

Oh man, that sucks you can't make it, next ride eh!
I could easily duck up and grab these maps (would have to be wed evening), would also love one for me too

Bass, sorry yeah 8:15 leaving the Autobahn.
I shall be at that cross road by at least 10:00 am to be sure I catch you guys.

[johannvr]

Oh man, that sucks you can't make it, next ride eh!
I could easily duck up and grab these maps (would have to be wed evening), would also love one for me too

Hey Chris

Yep - Gonna have to try & do another one soon - as it is I had to bail out some time ago already from the MAPMEA ride that I was keen on, now this one too ... gotta hate work and client "requirements" sometimes!

But yea - I can do the maps on Wednesday & have them ready - if you can't pick them up I will make a concerted effort to get them to you then ...

Will PM you my mobile no just now.

Johann

[Taz]

gotta hate work and client "requirements" sometimes!

Just learn to say no! It's easy really.

[johannvr]

Just learn to say no! It's easy really.

Yea - except that my whining boss in Brisbane has the whip in hand on this one - sensitive council client, what with the upcoming Super city nonsense we need to treat them all nice & smoochy, so they say jump, I ask how high ... and these bloody system cutovers always have to happen towards weekend to minimise downtime. Fark.

But I did consider using some contagious plague as a sicky reason ...

[branahanrahan]

Hi guys

I have run into big problems on the Whangarei Council project that has been the bane of my life for almost a year, and much to my own dismay will have to pull out of this ride as my ass will (still) be in Northland on Friday, on client time, trying to get things sorted and back on track for a proposed Go-Live on the new system for them ...
Johann

argh! what a pain in the old harris for you johannvr mate! sorry to hear that those cursed work demands have impinged upon your weekend so, the bar-stewards.. typical council, making life difficult for everyone.

and thanks for the maps offer, although don't sweat it too much if it's a big hassle.. i might be able to get the chief accountant to OK the purchase of a book..

tsk.. next time, eh? and if you're looking for some sort of scant consolation, i guess since you'll be oop norf, at least you'll be well away from the big fashion yawn in the city.

nice one mate

[.chris]

argh! what a pain in the old harris for you johannvr mate! sorry to hear that those cursed work demands have impinged upon your weekend so, the bar-stewards.. typical council, making life difficult for everyone.

and thanks for the maps offer, although don't sweat it too much if it's a big hassle.. i might be able to get the chief accountant to OK the purchase of a book..

tsk.. next time, eh? and if you're looking for some sort of scant consolation, i guess since you'll be oop norf, at least you'll be well away from the big fashion yawn in the city.

nice one mate

Johann, seems like there is no need for the maps, so might as well not bother.
Save me a trip up to Silverdale

Weather is not looking too flash at the moment, might be wet trip down.

[Crisis management]

Weather is not looking too flash at the moment, might be wet trip down.

C'mon, it'll keep the dust down and keep the clay tacky for saturday.....

Bad luck Johann, next time eh, maybe the north Kaipara roads?

[Devil]

Looking forward to my long weekend (starts Thursday!). It's about time I got away!

[Bass]

C'mon, it'll keep the dust down and keep the clay tacky for saturday.....

True, but I too was hoping for a dry run down. Something to do with a brand new pair of knobblies and wet seal.
Oh well, guess I'll just have to make up for it when we hit the gravel. Could also make some of the fords on the 42 interesting.

The plan at this point is to make a pretty direct run to Pio Pio for a late lunch.
At that point we pick what we are going to do with the afternoon as there are buckets of options in the King Country. Should be able to arrange something so that those wanting to bail and head for Owhango or National Park have choices as to when.
I have mapped out a couple of possibilities - why don't you do something similar and we can compare ideas down there?
The other thing that occurs to me is that we might be able to use some of the mix to get home on Sunday.