Muriwai Beach

[Anonymous]

#2198

Amy and I decided to leave work early and head out for a ride. We set off Wednesday at 4pm on a ride to nowhere and after lane splitting up the North Western motorway finally broke out into the countryside with the sun shining and a beautiful evening setting in. We decided to head west, check out Muriwai beach and then head North and enjoy the setting sun before returning at night.We rolled into Muriwai, through the carpark and out onto the rock shelf and parked the F800 up and took sometime to enjoy the view. These west coast beaches are beautiful. It wasn't that long ago when an easterly was blowing that we'd found a sheltered nook in the sand dunes at 12 mile Bay, (which isn't a bay just a point on a long straight beach), and sat there buried in conversation while we watched the sun set over the ocean. One of lifes special moments.Looking down the beach I noticed we could probably ride onto the sand and search out 12 mile Bay. We were already on the beach so I walked back to the bike, road it down and picked up Amy and headed North as we had intended but not by the route planned. We had originally planned to take some winding roads.It was a wonderful experience riding along this sandy beach that seemed to stretch on forever, the tide was out and coming in, the waves dancing as they do near the shoreline and the sun on its downward run to the ocean. We passed people and dogs and even a runner before coming to our first obstacle, a stream that broke out from the sand dunes across the beach and fanned out to the ocean. We stopped and watched a four wheel drive go through and realised that we wouldn't be able to cross at this point. A walk down the beach to check the depth at various points indicated that we could probably ride the fanned out bit and at worst we'd have a stuck bike with the occassional passing four wheel drive to help us out.Amy decided she'd do two things, firstly she'd walk across (there's no point both of us falling in) and secondly that she'd wait till I made it across before coming over. The front of the bike was all over the place on the sand ripples and the back was continually sliding sideways but after a bit of snaking the bike was across and thankfully none of the channels at this point were deep as they appeared to be either side. Amy hoped back on and we continued North with the warm sun falling lower in the sky. The beach has to be at least 30 metres wide and i was becoming more relaxed about the bike wandering continually.  It was a wonderful experience just cruising up this beach together. A quad bike caught us then turned right into the sand dunes. We'd been riding for sometime now. The sand dunes were rising and falling to our right and some of them had sheer drops where the ocean clearly went up to the face. I was mindful that we could lose the bike and how far a walk would be and as we headed further North we lost the other vehicles that came and went. There was even a lady being taught to drive on the beach. Pretty safe place I thought.Suddenly the bike slowed and struggled and I realised I'd riden into softer sand and the bike wasn't enjoying it and neither was I. We slowed to a stop and then I turned the bike down the beach to the more solid stuff. New rule, always watch the depth of others tyre tracks to determine how soft the sand is. We were on our way again and riding closer to the waves. I noticed lines of wash where the waves had washed up the beach and receded and some of these were a long way up the beach. I figured there must be some big waves from time to time. I continued to ride through these. The bikes handling changed, it was all over the place, I was on an incredibly slippery surface. You know the sort, minor heart beat jump, small panic and then a bit of hope. I alter discovered the wash that I was seeing was about a half inch think of ground up seaweed. Kind of like a Spirulina paste. The back carefully danced it's way across this stuff and finally found the sand again. Second new rule, watch out for the seaweed paste.At this point while I had been enjoying the ride in the warm sun I was surprised we hadn't found 12 mile Bay where there was a very wide track over sand dunes that bikes rode over to access the beach. Plan A was to exit at this point, ride a bit of metal and head through to Helensville. Plan B was to ride back to Muriwai. I had a few concerns and they were, the sun was going down and I needed to make sure I went to plan B in time to get back to Muriwai while there was light. Secondly if we went with plan B I was concerned that I'd have to ride  further up the beach in the softer sand and this may hinder progress. Of course if we became stuck I figured we could at worst sleep out for the night but would probably do the long walk.As I rode on I realised I had no idea what km's were on the clock when we started on the beach and had no idea when we'd done 12 miles, and secondly I didn't even know if 12 mile bay was 12 miles up the beach. I was constantly slowing and looking up the tracks between sand dunes looking for our Plan A exit point. Finally I found it. We stopped the bike and I held it while Amy went up the track to see if it was the right one. No point riding up the wrong dune. Amy with full gear on walked slowly up the dune with that characteristic deep sand walk where you take a step and you slide half a step back. Finally she got to the top to wave me on but the wave was no, wrong dune. Amy started the long walk back while I enjoyed watching the sun falling lower wondering if I should switch to Plan B now.When Amy got back I explained my concerns and also let her know that we had 100 k's of fuel left when we hit the beach but that was at 100kmph. We'd be using more fuel riding slower and we would be running low. I wondered if this was 10 mile Bay, again no bay just a track. We decided to head on a little further.We passed the odd four wheel drive parked in the dunes earlier but now there was no one. So a longer walk at worst. Finally we found 12 mile Bay. We didn't need to send Amy up, it was just as we remembered it.I decided to see if I could ride up the dune. I pointed the bike up and went for it. It wasn't a very good attempt and we both pushed the bike back and around to point down to the beach. I let the tyre pressures down for the second attempt and realised I needed to make sure I had a tyre gauge with me in future. The guessing and pressing the tyre method was not good. The second attempt was great, the rear was snaking side to side, there must have been a huge plume of sand and the bike was heading up the sand dune, I got past half way and knew I'd make it to the top, I was now about 2/3rds of the way up, losing traction, and then finally no traction. I hopped off the bike and it just stood there. I walked up the dune to check out how far I had to go while Amy walked up to the bike. The first two options I suggested met no support so my idea of a third attempt or getting physical assistance were out. It took some energy to get the bike turned around and a passing four wheel drive had stopped at the bottom of the dune when they saw us. The bike didn't want to turn and at full lock we were just pulling it straight down the dune. Our laughter didn't help. Finally by concetrating on pulling the bike around we managed to push and pull enough to get it turned.I rode down to the four wheel drive where the friendly guys offered to give us a hand get over the dune. I'd realised however Amy was right and it was going to be too much work. I also noticed these guys had left there dog down by the water. We soon discovered the dog was not theres and secondly that it was a seal. So we parked the bike up using my gloves as a support for the sidestand. The seal was about the size of a small dog, and cute. We got a few pictures on the phone and failed to notice the wave behind us till the water rose around our feet. We were standing in the seaweed paste and it was rising up our boots fast. We ran for the beach laughing at being caught out. We now had salty seaweed paste 6 inches up our pants.At this point we mounted up heading south for civilisation and gas. The ride was stunning, the sun was now getting low, the beach seems to extend forever and certainly further than you can see. I picked up the speed and dropped a gear to conserve gas and while we kept looking at the setting sun I was looking for the gas milestones, firstly some other vehicles, secondly, people, thirdly a distant Muriwai, the stream and finally the rock shelf where we began. It was a relief to get here, we rode straight up from the beach and parked on the rock shelf again and turned to face a yellow red and orange sky and a sun that had set only minutes earlier.What a special ride. We headed for Waimauku and gas relieved that many cars were on this road. I kept the speed down not knowing waht my tyre pressures were. The steering was very heavy and the response was odd at times. Waimauku and gas. We were pretty low but my estimations that we had enough gas were right. We filled watering can after watering can to wash the bike down. The bike stunk of burnt seaweed. I went to pump the tyres but the fitting they had didn't work and was just letting more air out. We headed off for air at Huapai and we were on our way. We met a guy on a Harley at Westgate who proceeded down the Northwestern at 140kmph so we tucked behind him for a bit and decided to make the motomail evening arriving at 6.58 for a 7pm start.We'll do the ride again on a more appropriate bike, maybe dinner and sunset on the beach.I need the F800GS.After the motomail show we headed home and while sitting in the lounge coudln't understand why we both had sore legs, then we remembered the amount of pushing and pulling we did. I was glad Amy talked me out of another attempt. After a long rest and a tv programme I headed out side, stripped the bike down and washed it off completely. Wow there was a lot of sand in there. At 12.30 I finally headed for the shower. We had a great ride and a lot to laugh about. This morning I notice I have baked on seaweed so I'll leave the bike stripped down and give it a further good wash. The sand was gone though. Does anyone have any suggestions. I was going to go for simply green, a degreaser or ride it down to washworld.Does anyone want to do a ride up Muriwai in the near future?Sadly I didn't take a camera because there would have been some interesting photo's.

[Dave Ross]

#8408

Oh, welcome to the adventure community, Des. You did extremely well and were quite brave to tackle the beach on your bike. I very much enjoyed reading your report. Although I have done rides on sand I prefer to stay off the beach because of the salt. It looks like you gave it a good wash, so yu should be ok. There is a special product available that boaties use to clean their boats. You could use it on the bike. However, I have no idea what it is called.The much talked about F800GS should be a capable bike. It will be interesting what they  will base the styling on, somehow I think it won't look anything like the R1200GS.Get yourself a little 250 for excursions like this, it would be a safer option and perhaps more  enjoyable. Alex

[Anonymous]

#8409

Thanks Alex,I hadn't planned on going off road. It was just the moment where the road ended and we wanted to go a little further. I'm glad we went. It wouldn't have been too much further to Leightons Farm so that may make an interesting ride one day. I'm generally not concerned about salt if you're going to get a good wash down afterwards.I thought the F800 went well, as it usually does. I enjoy the rides to nowhere in particular, often they go well.I agree an off road machine would be more appropriate but going off-road wasn't planned. If you know the sand dune at 12 mile Bay it's huge so getting up as far as the bike did was impressive. The other choice is to carry snow chains for those moments. I don't know if they're designed for metal and sand but they should work on sand.Really I need an of road bike or GS though.Alex, we'll have to organise an off road adventure type ride. I don't know how easy that is to do and I need the novice level.  

[Dave Ross]

#8410

Depends what you call off-road. Proper off-road would most likely involve a farm, so you need connections. Organizing a gravel ride is not difficult, there is still plenty of it available. A longish ride would be going to Kawhia on gravel. My bikes are more suitable for gravel than off-road, though the R80 will go most places, just not fast.Although I like a bit of adventure, I generally try to avoid any stupidity. For me the definition for that is to do stuff that I have never done before without proper back up.Cheers,Alex

[Murray]

#8411

Really I need an of road bike or GS though.

I've still got that XT250 for sale if your interested Des

[Murray]

#8412

…. and gravel is good  😀

[Dave Ross]

#8413

Is that an old Rally suit you are wearing?

[Murray]

#8414

Is that an old Rally suit you are wearing?

Yes, I went for the retro look  😀

[Anonymous]

#8415

You'll have to show me how to ride like that. I ended up picking up a 250 locally, I just never seem to have it on me when I run out of road. Hence the GS thought. I haven't even run it on gravel yet just off road once and the weekly jaunt to keep the battery happy. Not enough time at present. And what time I do have I prefer to take Amy with me. It's the most wonderful experience when you've been riding for a while to have your shoulders massaged while you're still riding.Alex, we need to do the gravel ride thing. Is anyone else locally up to a gravel / off road ride?

[Dave Ross]

#8416

Oh yeas,  we will ride. Just got to service the Basic and I'll be on my way. Two weeks term break coming up, I'll be pretty flexible during the week.  We could do the Raglan gravel ride including rounding the mountain if you are keen, depends how fast you like to go.

[Anonymous]

#8417

Think novice Alex, Because I'm going to be in Wellington on October 13th I have a lot to knock off before then but I'm sure we can knock out a ride in one of the weeks. So we're looking at a during the week ride? or a weekend?I can probably fit it in at short notice so we could go on a day where the weather is better. Can we go off road as well?Anyone else interested in joining us?

[Dave Ross]

#8418

I would say during the week is more likely. If you want to test your off-road skills you can ride the fire-break along some of the Riverhead forest roads. If you can get trough there alright you've got it made. We could ride around some gravel roads there and have a go in the rough stuff.

[Anonymous]

#8419

Sounds good Alex. I'm good for week two during the day. So we're going for a fine day as well?

[Dave Ross]

#8420

It doesn't have to be fine, but if the ground is wet you'll get stuck in the mud off-road. Could be a bit of fun though. 😀

[Anonymous]

#8421

I've been stuck before Alex, isn't that usually when you have the most fun. I was really looking to avoid a day of heavy rain. I had no problems riding the MX track at Leightons farm and figure riding sand dunes should be about the same. I'm keen so lets just take what comes. I'm good for Tuesday through to Friday 2nd to 5th of October. I may prefer Wednesday on depending on how the days before hand go.

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