Going for a ride on the Eastern side of the North Island? Post your plans here so other local riders can join in.
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Going for a ride on the Eastern side of the North Island? Post your plans here so other local riders can join in.
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‘@Black Betty there’s some roads/tracks between SH36 and Te Puke thqat could do with checking out to see if they are interesting. Mountain Road, Managatio Road & No2 Road, plus No2 Quarry Road, Te Matai Road, Kaiate Falls Road, Te Puke Quarry Road.
Will check them out soon when I get a chance. I have logged a short but nice gravel ride (te puke Quarry rd and kaiate falls rd) up Papamoa hills (just need to work out how to up-load onto here) and will log another close by I enjoy riding, No2 rd into Mangatoi rd till you hit st hwy 36.
Hi, who have we got in Whakatane, Bay of Plenty region that would like to get together for monthly rides? I,m keen to get out as the weather heats up and have a friend who is just starting in the dual sport world.
I’m in Tauranga BB, I’ll tag along when the bike is sorted soon and work roster allows if your keen?
I’m Papamoa based. keen to join in whenever free.
Alright we have start of a group. Let’s see who else is around n then I’ll try n organise a ride.
Sounds like a plan!
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@Black Betty @Brainflex @ss2fly
Hi Guys.
Who have we got in HB?
I am based in Napier and looking for someone that might know some worthwhile rides in HB or wouldn’t mind someone tagging along.
Thought I’d go for a spin “round the block” on Sunday. Any Tauranga/BOP riders keen to tag along?
Start at BP Pongakawa service centre and finish Maniatutu Rd/SH2 intersection. Lunch/coffee/fuel at Matata. Approx 170Km loop.
https://goo.gl/maps/Sz1vF7qySDm
Hi there,
I’ve been riding road bikes for over 20 years and finally I’m ready to take on some more adventure… Would be great to go for a ride some time to get used to some gravel. I’m in Omokoroa and keen to join some local rides if you want to show a rookie around…
‘@jet_black For gravel rides around here I tend to head Te puke way, back of Lakes Rotoma and Rotoiti etc.
Roads I often ride are Pongakawa Bush Rd, Pugh Rd, Maniatutu Rd, Rotoehu Rd, Campbell Rd, Pongakawa Valley Rd, Hamilton Rd, Manawhahe Rd, Herepuru Rd.
Most of these can be linked together one way or another to make up a pretty good gravel ride.
Next time I go, I’ll let you know.
Anyone interested in two day ride in December? 17/18th? Plan is to start with Pikowai Rd and finishing with Motu Rd. overnight camp so tents will be necessary.
I might be able to escape for a ride, keep us posted
Cheers
18th is no good for me, but I could always come ride “Pikowai track” and maybe others then head home.
We can do a 1 day ride or a 2 day. Post up what your interested in and I will put together a route. I’m sticking with 17th Dec for now.
And the silence was deafening! Maybe I need to try again in the new year. @Black Betty, Still want to ride on 17th? Meet up at bottom of Pikowai Rd and go exploring?
I’ll be based in Tauranga Jan 1st to 10th and intend on doing Pikowai Road and Porters Road over that time.
Give me a shout and I will join you. Anyone else?
I’m keen too. Work depending as its our “busy season”
‘@Brainflex Yes, still keen (maybe meet at bottom of old coach rd to take in Campbell Rd, which joins up with Pikowai where it turns into gravel. I was round here last weekend but Pikowai was gated, though unsure if it normally is). Hamilton Rd is still in very poor condition and therefore lots of fun and the forestry track running along side Pongakawa Rd is still there and great too!
I wanted to explore up Wairoa Rd but some old grump had taken up residence in his campervan on Hamilton Rd and told me to “F off” as he was hunting up there. Best not to argue with people packing guns!
Oh, and if your heading Rotoma way and haven’t already, have a blat down Herepuru Rd. One I discovered last weekend and worthy of adding to the repertoire of gravel rides in this area.
Eddie, I’m free from xmas to 8th Jan so keen for a ride/s over that time. Perhaps catch up for a beer too…
@Brainflex , I’m very keen to head over your way and ride Motu, Motu Falls? and Takaputahi Rd/ Otipi Track with an overnight somewhere like Whitikau Campsite in Feb your keen?
What time are you planning to meet at Pikowai Road on 17th as could be keen to explore
‘@Black Betty, My plan is ride up Pikowai, down Porters and then explore the road network and see where we can go and which roads link up. Both times I have followed Pikowai to Campbells it has been gated but we can try again, I was able to get around the gate.
@cottlini No set time yet, so say 9.30am? at bottom of Pikowai Rd.
You were heading North up Pikowai towards SH2 when you found the gate? If so I think you are inside the gated area there getting out, not vice versa, also the designated section of Pikowai road just south of the gate doesn’t follow the road curve as it is constructed, but follows a straight line along a forest trail through the trees.
I did Pikowai North to South and wouldn’t want to try doing it the opposite, how did you get up through this sesction?
https://youtu.be/MkcVW_apnTo
Came up from Manawahe Rd, it was fairly easy getting up that section but then I was on a postie! Only got the footpegs stuck once. I hit the gravel and headed downhill to the first junction and then I turned right and followed for a while then turned around and went left to the gate, went around it then turned back after a short while. Next time was the same but went left first and explored down Campbell Rd a bit but had no map so went back.
So at that junction if you look into the trees there should be a narrow trail there which is the real Pikowai Road and goes in a straightish line to come out 20 metres north of the gate on the outside of the bend. South of the gate you are inside the gated section heading out, not outside heading in.
Ahh OK, well I will do some more exploring and take my GPS and a map with me so that we are ready for when we ride there in the New Year.
Just adding that if there is going to be a group ride including Motu, Motu Falls, Takaputahi Rd/ Otipi Track with an overnight somewhere like Whitikau Campsite in Feb 2017 then I would be keen to come along. Thanks.
Alright Scott, You’ll be more than welcome. We will sort out a date and put it up.
‘@Brainflex Sorry, when you said bottom of Pikowai Road I presumed at SHW2 (ie Altitude) hence my sugestion to meet at Old Coach Rd. If your going South to North I’ll pass (I’d prefer my first Pikowai ride to be North-South). My bike isn’t as nibble as your DRZ250. Cottlini may be sporting a HP2 E which would be interesting too…
‘@Black Betty No, you’ve got it right, Starting on Matata Straights, climb up on to gravel road so that we descend the section in the video above. Should be OK even on the HP2 E, well some bits may be interesting but should be doable. The rest is open double track, bit like an extended Hamilton Rd. Conversation above was trying to identify the location of the gates.
‘@Brainflex All good. I’m in, though I’ll meet you at the Pikowai and Campbell intersection as I will be coming via Campbell Rd. Just name a time and I’ll be there.
As for an overnight ride for Takaputahi Rd/ Otipi Track area could I tentatively suggest 18th Feb with a back-up of 25th Feb. Suit those interested?
‘@cottlini, are you bringing the HP2? Some of the tracks are a bit technical. If you’re up for it it’ll be interesting. Where are you coming from? Would Old Coach rd be nearer for you?
@Black Betty, lets see what Cottlini has to say, maybe better to meet at Old Coach rd.
Yep only have the Walrus (hp2) so will be taking it, if you guys are keen for a bit of waiting while I wrestle the hunk of blubber all good. Looking at the vid it looks like its going to be the same as piloting the bluebridge ferry up the Waikato river.
What could possibly go wrong!!!!!!!
The cylinders are trainer skids for us learners heheehe it can only fall 1/2 way.
I live in Tauranga so can meet where ever, will sort some new rubber for the blubber bike.
OK, how about we all meet up at where Otamarakau valley Rd meets SH 2 at 9.30 on the 17th?
IF you are going to organise an overnighter maybe create a seperate thread for it so it has more visibility and you might get some more riders interested.
18 and 19 Feb 2017 for an overnight ride for Takaputahi Rd/ Otipi Track area would suit me. Thanks.
‘@Scott Livingston well, that’s two of us so we have the makings of a ride…
@Brainflex Cool, see you there.
‘@Scott Livingston
@Black Betty
https://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/forums/topic/motu-ride-1718th-feb-overnight/
yep to Otamarakau valley Rd at 9:30
Cheers
Hi guys,
I just bought a BMW Dakar 650 and Im looking for travel mates.
I road dirt bikes for the last 7 years but not adventure so join some of you guys could be really helpful.
if any one would like me to join him I’m in Gisbourne for the next 2-3 weeks.
cheers Itamar.
Hello, Itamar Bareket.
I’m just about to start riding down the East coast (starting today) so I’ll be down in your woods in a few days.
BUt I might be a bit too loaded for anything too technical… (and my tyres are running a bit low, not that they were very knobbly to begin with..)
Hi Adrian,
that sound really good for me because Im just getting use to this type of bike, I use to ride way lighter bike, If you want to meet pleas Email me- Itamarbareket@gmail.com
cheers Itamar.
Bump Bump, for those who have not seen…
This Sat 17th meeting up where Otamarakau valley Rd meets SH2 at 9:30am.
Head up Campbell Rd, then Pikowai Rd down to Manawahe Rd and on to tackle Porters Rd plus whatever else spins our wheels…
Weather looks excellent so these tracks should be dry. My neighbour is keen to come, so that is four confirmed. If your only plan on Saturday is xmas shopping for the wife, flag that and come along (she’ll understand!). Be great to catch up with some more BOP adv riders.
See ya there…
Sorry I’m back in the Waikato now. Gisborne was apparently shut when I arrived so I didn’t hang around. Im chewing through my tyres faster than I expected so that’s what I’ll do this weekend.
Hi Adrian
If your carrying a lot of gear check out the max air pressure on the side wall of your tyres and when they are cold pump them up to 2 PSI less than that pressure, your tyres well last a bit longer keep the heat out of them.
cheers
I’d like to say a huge thank you to Brainflex & Black Betty for sorting an awesome ride. Very good training loop to get the skills back up for adventure riding, added bonus it’s in our back yard.
Awesome day guy’s, the beer when I got home was very refreshing.