Gravel and off road ride – Auckland

[Anonymous]

#10212

That sounds good Alex. I was looking at down south. There was a metal road just south of Tuakau I was riding on the F800 and after several km's i gave up and doubled back. I would have liked to HAve found out what was down there. North it is. PM me some of the roads you had in mind and I'll pop on the map and see what else there is of interest. Why don't we firm up the day Monday or tuesday when we have the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday in.Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10213

There are lot's of good roads down south, with Klondyke road being one of the more interesting options. However, we'll hit gravel sooner going up north and you have your off-road option on the  side of the road. They are sealing more and more roads in this area, so it pays to ride them before all the gravel is gone. I can never remember the road names. But will take in most of the good gravel roads in that area. So far nobody else seems interested, but that doesn't matter.  I found another couple of issues with my bike that I want to sort, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

[Anonymous]

#10214

North it is then. Yep, it looks like just the two of us. You never know who'll pop up though. With South I wondered if we could organise another rider who knew the roads down that way.I'm really looking forward to the day out.Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10215

Looks like Friday could be the day, weather wise. I am quite happy to go exploring in the Waikato, if you prefer that.

[Anonymous]

#10216

Friday? I see on the forcast it's fine Wednesday, with rain developing on Thursday so that Thursday and Friday appear to have patches of rain.Seems like Wednesday should be the go. I am okay with Friday though.Shall we meet at 9- 9.30am and where. I'm thinking your place or mine. Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10217

The weather forecast I had looked at has changed. Looks like Rain from Thursday onwards, right through the weekend.I need to install a window, and if I can get that done tomorrow afternoon, I should be able to go on Wednesday. We'd still get some rain, even then.I'll let you know tomorrow evening.

[Anonymous]

#10218

Okay Alex. Looking forward to hearing back.Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10219

Got the window in just in time. I still need to do a bit of finishing work, but it's pretty weather proof as it is.Do you want to come around to my place when you're ready? I still have to fill up the gear box with oil. I didn't have any washers to finish that job. We can then decide which way the weather looks better.

[Anonymous]

#10220

Sounds fine, So I'll see you just after 9.00.I was going to check the forecast this evening as it seems to be changing. Rain is meant to be coming down from the North late Wednesday and into Thursday. Looks like it should be a good day.Cheers - Des

[Dave Ross]

#10221

Ok, see you tomorrow, should be fun.

[Dave Ross]

#10222

That was a pleasant ride. Enough moisture to keep the dust down, but not get completely drenched. Next time I'll ride with my jacket liner installed, it did get a bit nippy.All the gravel roads are in a sad state at the moment. Luckily we came a across a grader working, because most roads where almost like sealed. Even Kaipara Hill roads is pretty smooth.Des had the gravel thing sorted and kept a good pace without drama. The Waikato gravel roads are probably more interesting, perhaps because I don't go there as often. If people are interested we could do a two day ride in that region in Spring. The idea would be to pick a fine weekend. The views are just so much better, while the gravel roads seem to be easier to ride in the wet.Fuel consumption on the R80 is right down. I glad all that wrenching has paid off.

[Anonymous]

#10223

Alex that was a good ride. The bikes now cleaned and parked up. I was out riding yesterday and found I was getting too hot with the liners in so this morning I pulled them out before heading out. Big mistake. The cold just dropped in on our ride North through behind Warkworth and Kaipara. We made a quick detour into Warkworth at lunch time to heat up. For me that was a coffee, hot meal then across the road to the menswear store for a thermal top. It took all of our lunch stop for the cold to come out. After lunch it just got colder as we headed up through Kaipara. Perhaps a little less rain would have been good. Having said that I really enjoyed the day out. The thermal top made a huge difference.Alex, I'm up for a ride out once a month gravel / off road etc. What say we make it a regular thing and see what we can come up with as destinations. Actually we don't need a destination just a road. Cheers Des

[Dave Ross]

#10224

I'd love to do this once a month, but unfortunately this won't be possible for me. Until the next term break I'll be flat out, including quite a few Saturdays.  I am sure will be able to sneak in the odd ride.The R80 is in the garage, still covered in mud. With the rain forecast for tomorrow I might park it outside for a while, this should take care of most of it. A bit of a hose down and a brush will sort out the rest. If you pamper them too much they'll go soft :-).

[Anonymous]

#10225

Ok. Lets keep in touch on the rides. I'll be out again in the not too distant future. I'm busy as well. I just need to make time for riding to maintain balance in life.

[Author]

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