And a limited edition cap for the RIC's
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Friday, 16 September 2011
Ride planning
Friday 21 Oct
Rhondda, Lyn, Geraldine and Richard heading down during the day Friday. Email if you want to meet up for ride down, hoping to go via dams and Old Taupo Road.. Rex & Lynn bringing bikes down evening.
Saturday 22 Oct
Taupo to Napier to Taihape to Taupo, about 435 km
· 7:30 am – usual story – full gas tank and empty bladder
· 8:00 am – leave camp ground for a bit of a ride
· Off via SH5 to Napier
· Stop at Rangitaiki Pub for breakfast
· Continue meander to Napier
· Bit of a mooch around Napier
· Lunch somewhere
· Multiple photo stops during the day
· Continue to Clive and then find the Gentle Annie route
· Woo hoo – Taihape, try and stop Rhondda from throwing a gumboot
· Off to Waiouru – oh, maybe this is where we need to stop Rhondda from chasing those army dudes!
· Desert Road
Turangi
· Taupo
Sunday 23 Oct
Taupo to Turangi to National Park to Ohakune to Waiouru to Turangi, up other side of Lake to Taupo, about 276 km or 355km if we add the other side of the lake J
· 7:30 am – usual story – full gas tank and empty bladder
· 8:00 am – off we go
· Turangi for breakfast at Mustard Seed café (yes we have been there before and yes it’s great)
· Then off “round the mountain”
o Chateau
o Top of the Bruce
o Chateau (well there is only one road)
o National Park (with optional stop for coffee at café by train tracks)
o Ohakune
o Waiouru – can get Rhondda back if we failed to stop her chasing those army dudes yesterday
o Desert Road
o Turangi
o Optional depending on time of day and weather – we go round the other side of the lake back to Taupo:
Tokannu
Omori
Waihaha
?Kinloch
Taupo
Monday 24 Oct
Head Home
Rhondda, Lyn, Geraldine and Richard heading down during the day Friday. Email if you want to meet up for ride down, hoping to go via dams and Old Taupo Road.. Rex & Lynn bringing bikes down evening.
Saturday 22 Oct
Taupo to Napier to Taihape to Taupo, about 435 km
· 7:30 am – usual story – full gas tank and empty bladder
· 8:00 am – leave camp ground for a bit of a ride
· Off via SH5 to Napier
· Stop at Rangitaiki Pub for breakfast
· Continue meander to Napier
· Bit of a mooch around Napier
· Lunch somewhere
· Multiple photo stops during the day
· Continue to Clive and then find the Gentle Annie route
· Woo hoo – Taihape, try and stop Rhondda from throwing a gumboot
· Off to Waiouru – oh, maybe this is where we need to stop Rhondda from chasing those army dudes!
· Desert Road
Turangi
· Taupo
Sunday 23 Oct
Taupo to Turangi to National Park to Ohakune to Waiouru to Turangi, up other side of Lake to Taupo, about 276 km or 355km if we add the other side of the lake J
· 7:30 am – usual story – full gas tank and empty bladder
· 8:00 am – off we go
· Turangi for breakfast at Mustard Seed café (yes we have been there before and yes it’s great)
· Then off “round the mountain”
o Chateau
o Top of the Bruce
o Chateau (well there is only one road)
o National Park (with optional stop for coffee at café by train tracks)
o Ohakune
o Waiouru – can get Rhondda back if we failed to stop her chasing those army dudes yesterday
o Desert Road
o Turangi
o Optional depending on time of day and weather – we go round the other side of the lake back to Taupo:
Tokannu
Omori
Waihaha
?Kinloch
Taupo
Monday 24 Oct
Head Home
Sunday, 15 May 2011
LWJ 2011 Dates
Thursday 20th October 2011 - pm ride to Taupo
Friday 21st October 2011
Saturday 22nd October 2011
Sunday 23rd October 2011
Monday 24th October 2011
Tuesday 25th October 2011 - (for the uber slackers amongst us)
Friday 21st October 2011
Saturday 22nd October 2011
Sunday 23rd October 2011
Monday 24th October 2011
Tuesday 25th October 2011 - (for the uber slackers amongst us)
2011 Badges
2011 badges will be available for $10 each. Orders must be in by Friday 7th October 2011.
Please advise number of badges when ordering. Cash or internet payment details to be advised on confirmation email.
Order yours here
2011 Launched!
A delicious brunch eaten, maps perused, Google Maps accessed, wishlists compiled, circuits discussed, bike books exchanged, bike docos distributed....plans are afoot!!
Only trouble was....trying to NOT discuss other exciting bike trip prospects...too many places to go, too little time!
The loose plan is to take 3-4 days and base ourselves in Taupo doing outrides each day. This will mean no packing up and moving on - less things to cart and worry about each evening, plus nice hot pools to come home to!
There are many loops to choose from, Whangamomona, Round the mountain, Gentle Annie, Lake Waikaremoana to name a few.
Maps, km's to come of the many many options...
Post comments here of what you'd like to include, for instance: there's a bike museum at Hawera and of course Waiouru is in the vicinity.
Only trouble was....trying to NOT discuss other exciting bike trip prospects...too many places to go, too little time!
The loose plan is to take 3-4 days and base ourselves in Taupo doing outrides each day. This will mean no packing up and moving on - less things to cart and worry about each evening, plus nice hot pools to come home to!
There are many loops to choose from, Whangamomona, Round the mountain, Gentle Annie, Lake Waikaremoana to name a few.
Maps, km's to come of the many many options...
Post comments here of what you'd like to include, for instance: there's a bike museum at Hawera and of course Waiouru is in the vicinity.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Monday, 8 November 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
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
Simon's pics
Richards pics
Rex & Lynn's pics - coming
Video - can only upload 2 vids with Flickr per month, need to sort YouTube
Friday, 22 October 2010
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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
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
Saturday, 9 October 2010
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
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
Saturday, 25 September 2010
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...
Monday, 20 September 2010
Roadbook Holder
Map Port Waikato - RaglanMap Raglan - Kawhia
Map Kawhia - Awakino
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....
Sunday, 19 September 2010
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
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
Saturday, 18 September 2010
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.
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!
Friday, 17 September 2010
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.
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