Cancelled: Learner Three Day North Ride (Friday 4 May)

**nzspokes** · 25th April 2012, 08:31

Originally Posted by Mom

Well done you

As if there would be any doubt.

Im pretty happy about it to be fair. Lifetime goal done.

Of for a biggish ride up north to see how I handle the new bike for a longer ride. Id its no good I will pop into takapuna on the way home and pick up a Busa.

**nzspokes** · 25th April 2012, 16:24

Well did 300ks today. Not to sore so the Busa will have to wait.

Will probably end up doing another 80 or so at Sass tonight.

Guess I better book a tent site.

**swbarnett** · 25th April 2012, 17:27

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Looks like i will be in attendance. Boxes are being ticked.

Oh and I passed my 6F yesterday.

Good for you!

Do we have any L-platers left on this ride?

**Virgil** · 25th April 2012, 17:35

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Good for you!

Do we have any L-platers left on this ride?

They are certainly becoming fewer and further between ... I too picked up a nice 6F the other day.

I'm conflicted now ... do I take the trusty GPX250, or does the nice shiny Katana 600 deserve a fang ...

Decisions decisions!

**nzspokes** · 25th April 2012, 17:36

Originally Posted by Virgil

They are certainly becoming fewer and further between ... I too picked up a nice 6F the other day.

I'm conflicted now ... do I take the trusty GPX250, or does the nice shiny Katana 600 deserve a fang ...

Decisions decisions!

Is there really a choice?

**Newbi** · 25th April 2012, 17:37

I'm still an L plater

**Maha** · 25th April 2012, 17:57

The word Learner is really there as a genuine guide as to how the ride is set up and run.
In saying that, there is always room for those with little or no experience in group riding.
For all those who have been on the last few outings, know exactly what is required when attending.
Ride etiquette so far has been outstanding and long may it continue.

PS: @ Virgil....the Katana.

**swbarnett** · 25th April 2012, 21:45

Originally Posted by Virgil

or does the nice shiny Katana 600 deserve a fang ...

One more vote for the Katana.

What year?

**Grant`** · 26th April 2012, 11:25

Just completed a ride for Anzac day with about 20 of us (Majority from Auckland) doing the reverse of the trip that is planned for learner ride coming up.

Whangarei end of Paparoa Road, through Maungakaramea to the Main highway was in mint conditon, as was Otaika Valley road through to Maungatapere.

But down to the nitty gritty, Whangarei,Maungatapere through to Dargaville currently has some roadworks taking place so a few areas which are currently reduced down to 50k areas (seal has been laid) with loose chip on top, this should mostly have been dispursed by the time you guys ride through however potentially could start more of these between now and then. Condition of the road however is not bad.

Dargaville through to Kaihu and up into the hills is fairly good, road has had seal work so surface conditons change in place but other than that no real issue all the way to the start of the forrest.

Wapoua Forrest start to end is in the process of getting its layer of moss in the centre of each lane as per usual through the winter months, however road condition is not bad most of the way through, however some of the corners now have some pretty bad corogations in them from when we had all the rain in January time and also with the fact its well over due for a re-seal. Plenty of places that are not getting any sunshine so are tending to stay wet for longer if it has had rain through there.

Out of the forrest to Omapere, Opononi is great at the moment, Waimamaku (Little Village) on approach and leaving had some crap on the road with farmers bringing animals across the roads to differing fields, but hopefully be washed away by time you go through.

Opononi to Kaikohe, just after leaving there is an uphill section that did have a Traffic light operating however road has been repaired although it is still current unsealed metal setion of about 15 metres. Another area to mention is an area of downhill which is signposted 70k due to undulations in the road (Hangi Pits to quote someone on the ride yesterday) take heed of this as a number of us hit this hill albeit opposite direction at far faster speeds managed to bounce into the upper atmophere. Also there has been some seal repairs which are all fine, but in certain light look like they have loose chip on them (the colour/type of stones they have used I believe) which makes for some real butt clenching moments until you realise there is actually no issue.

Kaikohe back through to Maungatapere is all in great condition, apart from 500 metres on Whangarei side of the Twin Bridge, which was all single lane currently being widened due to slips that happened there.

Hopefully that covers everything but any questions let me know

**Maha** · 26th April 2012, 11:45

Cheers Grant...excellent description of what we can expect...and theres a big H looming over NZ from Thursday of next week...

**newhere** · 27th April 2012, 19:57

Originally Posted by Armi

I passed my restricted....

Originally Posted by nzspokes

....I passed my 6F yesterday.

Originally Posted by Virgil

... I too picked up a nice 6F the other day

WHOOO HOOO YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME, CONGRATULATIONS

Ok so I have a confession to make, I have totally fucked up my dates....it is mothers day 6/5 this means my beautiful Tayla is with me Saturday arvo and all of Sunday, an additional fuck up on my part is my bike is in the shop and all I can do is cross my fingers hoping she will be ready by Thursday

.

so......my new plan - assuming my bike is ready I will definitely head to Anne and Mark's Thursday night, meet you all Friday and stay at camp Friday night, ride with you Saturday but may have to head back early depending on how we go for time.

I won't be riding Sunday, but if no-one has any objection I will bring Tay out to camp on Saturday night. Feel free to PM me if you would prefer me not to bring Tay as its a adults let loose type trip and I totally understand any objections

Um what else, I probably need to be replaced as a lead rider!

**nzspokes** · 27th April 2012, 21:00

Originally Posted by newhere

WHOOO HOOO YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME, CONGRATULATIONS

Ok so I have a confession to make, I have totally fucked up my dates....it is mothers day 6/5 this means my beautiful Tayla is with me Saturday arvo and all of Sunday, an additional fuck up on my part is my bike is in the shop and all I can do is cross my fingers hoping she will be ready by Thursday

.

so......my new plan - assuming my bike is ready I will definitely head to Anne and Mark's Thursday night, meet you all Friday and stay at camp Friday night, ride with you Saturday but may have to head back early depending on how we go for time.

I won't be riding Sunday, but if no-one has any objection I will bring Tay out to camp on Saturday night. Feel free to PM me if you would prefer me not to bring Tay as its a adults let loose type trip and I totally understand any objections

Um what else, I probably need to be replaced as a lead rider!

Ummmm Mothers day is the 13th.

**ajessep** · 28th April 2012, 00:46

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Ummmm Mothers day is the 13th.

that's what i thought too! Carmel, my wee one i coming along for the WHOLE wkd so if a 7yr old coming im sure yr 12yr?? old must be let in? (oops not that i asked!!! i just assumed :-)

**ajessep** · 28th April 2012, 00:52

just wondering what was finalised re food/cooking? thought it faster to ask the question than read through ?11 pages of the thread

**nzspokes** · 28th April 2012, 05:25

Originally Posted by ajessep

that's what i thought too! Carmel, my wee one i coming along for the WHOLE wkd so if a 7yr old coming im sure yr 12yr?? old must be let in? (oops not that i asked!!! i just assumed :-)

Ive got no problem with the kids coming along. I would bring mine but my boy does better wheelies than me and they wont fit in my top box.