2010 Ride Report

The 5 intrepid Ulybods assembled at the Bombay Autobahn bright and early – destination: Awakino Saturday night and Whangamomona Hotel Sunday night.

After a fortifying breakfast the group dispersed to their respective sealed and unsealed routes to RV at Raglan for coffee. Beautiful weather and fantastic scenary from Port Waikato through Limestone Downs.

Lynn had secured us a nice table in the sun at Raglan where we could inpsect the growing dust on (some of) the bikes with glee.

The group dispersed again via seal and gravel with three heading down the coast to Awakino and 2 heading via SH3. The trip round the mountain from Raglan afforded great views, a small ford and gave Simon a chance to test his back brakes in some sliding fun on the gravel.

At Waikawau Beach we rode through the tunnel to the beach (despite Richards warnings not to – he sensibly had gone another route). What-ho there’s nowhere to turn and nothing for it but to ride the bikes onto the beach to turn them around. Simon on his cruiser first, Rex on the good ship Valdez (22-litre V-Strom) and then Rhondda on the Honda, who not content to get onto the beach, proceeded to ride off along it.

Once we all assembled at Awakino with our tales of daring-do we were momentarily distressed to find not a whitebait in sight and consoled ourselves with lashing platefuls of hog, lamb, steak and seafood washed down by cooling bevies.

Sunday saw us head to Taumaranui and then attack the Forgotten Highway from the North, stopping at the touristy photo stops on the way. A sidetrip up to Damper Falls where we split off to reconverge at the Hotel in Whangamomona that night.

3 visited the Falls then down SH43 to Stratford and back to the Hotel. Simon set up camp at Whanga and did a run to the pointy mountain and back, and Rhondda went in search of a gravel route to Whangamomona and found it, er, after trespassing on a farm at some point.

Soon we all converged on the verandah of the Hotel and greeted our returning expedition members with such cheers the locals feared a biker on-slaught was imminent.

Monday and blessed with another stunning day we rode up through Ohura and followed all sealed backroads, wending our way Auckland-wards.

This ride is perfect for bikes and riders of all types, offering an all sealed option, just a little bit of gravel or the ‘works’ with as much gravel and off-roading adventure as you can handle. Tents, or a snug bed, side trips or solo jaunts – we hop scotched along taking photos and videos with the end result being a great array photos to record the event.

We can’t wait for LWJ 2011 where there’ll be another shiny badge to collect and more gravel roads or scenic twisty sealed roads to discover.

Rex, Lynn, Rhondda, Simon and Richard.

LWJ 2010 Photos

Rhondda's pics
Simon's pics
Richards pics
Rex & Lynn's pics - coming
Video - can only upload 2 vids with Flickr per month, need to sort YouTube

The Dictionary states....

1 more sleep to go

..and just a little light packing to be done...

2 more sleeps

3 more sleeps

Its now only three sleeps till the big adventure begins, planning - done, preparation- done, bike check - to do................................. oh yeah, packing the Valdez, done 15 times in my head, once more for real. The route is locked and loaded, the camera batteries are on charge, the memory cards are empty and I can almost taste the whitebait (they had better have some on the menu.)

To my intrepid exploring buddies, sleep well, and I will see you at the BAB on Saturday morning, or dinner at Puke tomorrow night.


Rex

Making cool stuff

We assembled at Rex and Lynns place last night with the intent of recreating this Roadbook holder kindly loaned by Wayne Painter for us to copy.

























Rex has a fab workshop...




















And is a talented wood-turner...




















Pretty soon we went from a pile of crap...




















To 3 new roadbook holders, 1 small one mounted on Rhondda's bike and the two click-clacks to be tested by Rex and Simon affixed to their tankbags. Woohoo!!




















Plus Rex and Lynn put on an awesome bbq and wowed us with the desserts.







































Great evening, lotsa laughs, cool messing around in the workshop and planning the marketing strategy lol

25th Sept - Port Waikato Coast Run

Rhondda displays her unique dismounting and parking position...






I'm really impressed with this cool bling badge on the mud flap eh Simon. What badge you say???







Simon doing some sheepherding...

Roadbook Holder

Map Port Waikato - Raglan
Map Raglan - Kawhia
Map Kawhia - Awakino

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I want one of these...maybe I can make one with a click clack container, rubber bands and bog roll ;)

I've got roadbook software so can make us some instructions....

LWJ Simulation Ride Sat 25 Sep

Sat 25th Sept 8am brekkie Bombay AB

Simon: I thought it might be a nice idea to ride as a group this saturday the 25th to the gravel playground that is Hunua. We will be visiting both the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi dam resevoirs.

The access roads to both are steep gravel with a bit of mud and no doubt water (HA!) thrown in. Bring a picnic lunch as both have awesome views with great parking for bikes (wherever we bloody well like).

This is a short ride but a neat little test run for those of us who want to test out loaded bikes etc.

If you or your mates are keen then meet at the PSS 10am this coming saturday.

Route

Bombay to Onewhero 21min 24.1 km seal
Onewhero down Klondyke Rd to Daff Rd 53min 13.2 km gravel
Daff Rd to Port Waikato/Sunset Beach pics 6.15 min 5.5km seal
PW to Limestone Downs 2.06hrs 21.1 km gravel
Limestone Downs up Waikeretu Valley Rd to SH22 44min 23.2 km 50/50

The rest is up to you lot as to where you want to eat and do from there let me know and i will put those into the gps as well.


Map - 25 Sept run

Nice weather...23rd Oct I hope!

I took my panniers for a ride today (I needed them for ballast!), to see if they'd rattle off. I got a krauser rack from Tardme for $40 - minus bolts so this is a real bodge job to hold it on.

Liking the panniers under the seat rather than over as it puts the weight a lot lower and makes it more stable.

When will the nice weather arrive.

Feeling poorly today so missed the Ulybods gathering, but spent some time in the garage fitting my patented flotation devices which conveniently double as Panniers. It looks like they would have come in handy this arvo had I come with you guys.

Talk about needing to have extra hands, this was a right weaving lesson, I think they put the grab rail on first and then built the entire rest of the bike around it. Still jobs done.

Typical after market accessories tho, Givi system or other. Can't have Givi panniers and Ventura Pack System (brackets interfere by about 4mm) "unless you get inventive". Prototype will get the test thru the week and if it works ok, I will make it permanent.

Wee play in the gravel

Simon and I met up with some Ulybods for coffee at Greenhithe - and I took one for the team by consuming this monster of a pancake.





We then battled the gale-force winds and went for a ride up Ararimu Valley Road - Simon was a little perturbed with slight detour along the way when I spotted a nice deep puddle to play in. Yeah I shoulda warned you mate, I like puddles!

We had a wee spurt up the gravel, and found this road for Rex to bring the V-strom to for some 'weathering'...a little too big a puddle for me to play in though!

Hell yes...count me in

Click here to email your interest in coming along, otherwise add your name in the comments below.

Sort your accommodation from the Accommodation page and hey presto.

Which bike to take?

I'm torn...this
















this















or this! Cycletreads offering really good deal for the weekend...

Photos

LWJ 2010 Photos
25th Sept - Port Waikato Run

About Us

Rex aka Mr Perfect
I am a keen Ulysses member, ride a Vstrom, are old enough to be wise, and are really looking forward to the trip .

Haven't done a lot of unsealed milage on this bike but i am sure its up to it, time only will tell if I am.

Looking forward to a good feed of whitebait .

Lynn
Still learning - plenty out there to learn and time to try and figure it all out. It'll be great to try out new roads (in all their states) over Labour Weekend. Figure I will also just have to buy one of the Whanga t-shirts. Woo hoo, roll on Labour Weekend.

Simon aka Nav Guy
I am a motorcycle enthusiast riding a Suzuki S40 Boulevard. Young enough to be stupid, old enough not to care. Very new to adventure riding but love the views and friendships that are on these rides. Looking forward to pitching my tent on the front lawn of the Whanga Pub and shouting We knocked the bastard off!!!


Rhondda aka Shewolfnz
I love biking and blogging about my biking, it's a great way to dairy a trip, store photos and review places, gear etc. I've been wanting to do the trip down the west coast for ages and what a stroke of luck have found 3 other mad people to come along.

Accommodation

2011
Taupo Top 10? Will make enquiries...

Also there may be a night at Whangamomona on the cards depending how long the circuit round there looks.

Check back again soon for more details...

2010
Saturday
Awakino Hotel
Awakino SH3
Phone 06 752 9815
Rooms, restaurants, bar.

Mokau - Seaview Camping Ground
Between Moaku and Awakino, SH3 RD1, Mokau 4376
Phone 0800 478 786 - Phone/Fax 06 752 9708
Tourist Flats, Cabins, Tent Sites

Sunday
Whangamomona Hotel
RD26, STRATFORD
Phone / Fax: 06 762 5823
Email: whangamomonahotel@xtra.co.nz
Rooms, bar, off-street parking for bikes

Whangamomona Village Camping Ground
(06) 762-5822
Camping, cabins, power sites

Route

2011
This year we'll head to Taupo and set up camp Thursday night with day rides out east, west and south.

The following are suggested destinations:
• SH43 Forgotten Highway, Whangamomona
• New Plymouth, Hawera (motorbike museum)
• Gentle Annie loop
• Round the mountain loop
• Lake Waikaremoana loop

Check back soon for maps, km's and options...

2010

Quick Calculator
GPS Waypoints
Roadbook Maps

2010 : Sat 23 Oct
7am Breakfast Bombay Autobahn
8am Leave Bombay Autobahn
Port Waikato
Raglan
Tinohaku
Waikawau Beach - tunnel adventure
Awakino/Mokau (no whitebait fritters, drinking, sleeping)

Sun 24 Oct
via Taumaranui, Urenui, Ohura & Stratford to...
Whangamomona (dinner, drinking, falling down)

Mon 25 Oct
Home via Ohura, Te Kuiti, Waitomo backroads, SH22

Quick KM calculator




















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GPS Waypoints
Raglan - Ruapuke Rd 1013 25.3km
Ruapuke Rd 1013 - Te Mata 10.1 km
Te Mata - Kawhia 36.5 KM
Kawhia - Te Anga 54.1 km
Te Anga - Kiritehere 18.4 km
Kiritehere - Waikawau 25.0 km (to beach is 29.5 km)
Waikawau Beach - Awakino 35.2 km


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First Post

A few of us have decided to tackle this ride over Labour Weekend 2010.

The founding four are Rex, Lynn, Simon and Rhondda and what better way to plot our adventure and record our piccies than a blog.

A few other mad bikers have provisionally accepted...check back often to see how this adventure develops....