Wellington Rideouts - Where next?

[Rosie]

Ocean Beach is great.

I've been a wee way along the beach there - we took the cruiser around as far as the Sesquicentennial Mukamuka Covenant (now just an unlabelled red star on the Topo50 maps), to see what the hell it was.

[andy mac]

I'm seriously considering doing the Motomart Adventure ride on Sunday, Aslan is going along to that.

Do you know where they are going and the cost?

[Eddieb]

Sesquicentennial Mukamuka Covenant

Thats a plaque set in a concrete pad? I believe I know the one.

[Rosie]

Thats a plaque set in a concrete pad? I believe I know the one.

That's the one. Not terribly exciting, but we were intrigued by the concept of a sesquicentennial, so had to have a look.

[Eddieb]

Do you know where they are going and the cost?

Aslan knows where they are going, the details he gave me were 'ride leaves Motomart Lower Hutt 9am Sunday - Glendu Station, Hinakura, Admiral's Road and out to Gladstone Pub'.

I'm not aware of any cost.

[Eddieb]

Okay, Andy Mac, me, and another are going to pop my cherry re Odlins Rd - I've never been there. He assures me that my worn E09 won't be an issue. Meeting at 10.00am at Rimutex. Anyone else keen? Metservice says it'll be fine. Andy tells me its a rocky base, so the wet weather we've had shouldn't impact. And I'm ready for another ride

What time and where?

Just in case I get motivated and decide the housework can wait till next week.

[Box'a'bits]

What time and where? Just in case I get motivated and decide the housework can wait till next week.

Tomorrow, 10am at Caltex Rimutaka, UH.

What's housework? Why would you stay home to do that?

[Howie]

This could be a plan. I've only ever explored around that area in the landcruiser so it would be good to go for a look on the bike.

yep thinking about it thats probably my prefered option, as i well be a bit short on sleep after supervising a group of late teen/ early 20's the night before.

I'm seriously considering doing the Motomart Adventure ride on Sunday, Aslan is going along to that.

eddie Is that this sunday or next?

I've been a wee way along the beach there - we took the cruiser around as far as the Sesquicentennial Mukamuka Covenant (now just an unlabelled red star on the Topo50 maps), to see what the hell it was.

Thats a plaque set in a concrete pad? I believe I know the one.

Is that the concrete pad where we stop by the locked Gate? i thought that was just left over from a Hut that used to be there.

Aslan knows where they are going, the details he gave me were 'ride leaves Motomart Lower Hutt 9am Sunday - Glendu Station, Hinakura, Admiral's Road and out to Gladstone Pub'.

Thats not a bad ride out to Glendhu, and back over Hinakura/ admirals rd.

[Eddieb]

eddie Is that this sunday or next?

This Sunday I believe

Is that the concrete pad where we stop by the locked Gate? i thought that was just left over from a Hut that used to be there.

Nope, it's by where the track runs along the edge of a big dropoff beside the big open grass area. There's big plaque mounted in the concrete, like 4 foot across.

[Howie]

This Sunday I believe

Thanks Eddie, I might go see them tomorrow and see whats happening.

Nope, it's by where the track runs along the edge of a big dropoff beside the big open grass area. There's big plaque mounted in the concrete, like 4 foot across.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for it when I'm around there. I haven't seen it yet, and i even walked around from the Wainui end a few times.

[Aslan]

Ok - I don't think Todd Crighton - Sales Manager of Motomart will object to my posting this.

He has a mailing list of people who have some affinity / prospective affinity with Adventure Riding - many on the list have some association with the BMWOR and or ride GS's - so the rides are big bike friendly

Of course the hope is that we will support Motomart with some business and or ultimately buy a bike - on this ride Todd is offering test rides on the F800GS - a great machine - and yes I would like one (but will be resisting the temptation to take a ride this Sunday) Rode Henry Plowrights for 100km including much gravel on an Adventure ride and was well impressed.

Here's an extract from Todd's note - obviously we all take part at our own risk

May see some of you on Sunday - Cheers Aslan

"Good news our next adventure ride is this Sunday 18th sept.
We will leave Motomart at 9 am and travel to Glendhu in the Waiarapa then back over Admirals Hill to the Gladstone Pub for lunch at around 1pm, where you can then depart at your own leisure back to Wellington.

I will riding my new F800GS, if you’d liike to have a test ride on it, let me know and I’m sure we can organise it."

The BMW Demo bike tour has been set for the 18th nov till the 30th nov. we’ll have 10x new BMW’s all here as demos. Pencil it in your diary to come and have a play, of course it comes at a cost, we’re going to sell you one.

Regards Todd"

[Eddieb]

Thanks Eddie, I might go see them tomorrow and see whats happening.

Did you go in and ask about the ride?

[Box'a'bits]

Okay, Andy Mac, me, and another are going to pop my cherry re Odlins Rd - I've never been there. He assures me that my worn E09 won't be an issue. Meeting at 10.00am at Rimutex. Anyone else keen? Metservice says it'll be fine. Andy tells me its a rocky base, so the wet weather we've had shouldn't impact. And I'm ready for another ride

Andy Mac ph'd Thursday & invited me up to ride Odlins Rd with him & a friend Dave. I'd never ridden that track, & had some misgivings given Gus's weight issues, but agreed to give it an attempt.

Met EddieB, Andy Mac, & Dave, at Rimutex. Dave has a breathed on KLX 650 with a 685 kit in it, needle jet issues (far to rich), and a Pro Circuit exhaust that is even more obnoxious than Mark_S's, (if it is possible to imagine that). The bike is also a mission to start. Dave seemingly has ADD & controls this by popping wheelies at every opportunity.

Just before Staglands we met another couple of Andy's friends at their Rivendell farmlet, riding a WR250R & a TT250R (looming Alzheimer's has already wiped their names from my memory - sorry guys - I did enjoy meeting & riding with you).

As it turns out, the Akatarewas are closed after Staglands at present, while a couple of new bridges are put in. The first we could avoid by riding thru the creek, the second posed more of an issue, and after exploring some other options we flagged that.



Back to the farmlet, a quick call, & we have access to a track to the Antler Lodge, & forestry roads at the back of the farmlet. The view from Antler Lodge was awesome, but the one way track to the top of the hill at the back was more than Gus could handle, so we did a u turn, and headed out onto some other tracks.



The theme for the day was snow damage. The area had about 2 ft of snow a few weeks ago. Lots of trees & branches down, gorse draped across otherwise good tracks etc.



The final track was a very steep descent on rotten rock, but totally closed in with gorse. The alternative was blocked with a large tree down. I tripoded most of the descent, with the bike switched off, and using the clutch as a brake. That worked real well. Quite a few gorse spines still made it thru the jacket, slapped me in the face, prickled at unexpected & inopportune moments.



Cool ride Andy. Towards the trail end of the spectrum for me. I would have done better with tyres with a bit more life in them.

[NordieBoy]

I tripoded most of the descent, with the bike switched off, and using the clutch as a brake. That worked real well. Quite a few gorse spines still made it thru the jacket, slapped me in the face, prickled at unexpected & inopportune moments.

That technique works for me too.

Gorse in the face or worse, between your leg and the bike...

[Box'a'bits]

Gorse in the face or worse, between your leg and the bike...

I still wear leather pants so that isn't an issue unless its in the stretch panels.

Did you go in and ask about the ride?

Eddie, won't make the Motomart ride after all. Mandy's keen for me to do a few other things round home.