bart-nz said:

I know you've been riding.

Waiting waiting.....

Click to expand...

OK OK - get off my back

Mark (MXNut) organized the 2010 King Country ADV Ride so Steve and I took the Friday 23rd off work and headed off into intermittent drizzle towards National Park and the Kapoors Rd end of the 42nd Traverse.

The weather was looking a bit dicey but we were concerned that it would be worse on Saturday and Sunday so we headed off towards Owhango.

Its an awesome track and the views are stunning

We arrived at the other end about 3.30 and decided that we had time to go back through to the start again.

It started raining about halfway through (we waisted a bit of time adjusting the flaccid chain on the 640

and the clay stony bits got pretty slick

We slipped and sloped our way into the darkening evening and by the time we got to Kapoors Rd it was pitch black and the rain was slanting in miserably

We headed off 15km down to National Park (where it wasn't raining) and then north up to Taumaranui for the night.

Next morning we awoke to low mist and cool conditions so we lingered over a nice coffee and drooled over the hot waitress at The Flax Cafe

We finaly headed off about 10.30am down the twisty Whangamomona Rd

We stopped briefly at the pub to air down tires and remove mirrors and then headed off up the old Whangamomona Rd to the Bridge to somewhere

it was moderately muddy

The mud covered pungas at the first tunnel exit were a bit slippery

As Steve found out

But he recovered nicely

Love the tunnels

Did I mention that it was a bit slippery in places?

But we made it to the bridge with manhood intact

There was the odd whale stranding on the way back

hmmmm...

We got back to the Whanga pub about 4.30 and had a much needed beer and feed.

It took a concerted effort to get our shit together and head off back towards Taumaranui.

We stopped on the way back to help a stopped bike and it turned out to be Eugene who has ridden with us in Wellington (on a bug eyed Honda Baja 250).

He was trying to re-attach his wayward pannier by tightening then Allen head bolts with a bent piece of wire so he appreciated the use of Steves Allen keys.

We had a leg stretch and pee and headed off into the dark towards Taumanranui where we caught up with the King Country ride guys.

On Sunday morning we all met at the motor camp

And I fell in lust (and was given a ride WOOHOO)

Then Mark led us via some great back roads towards the west end of Fishers track.

I never made it to Fishers as all the air leaked out of my tire

Steve stayed to help me change the tube (he's scared of Fishers) and we headed off to National Park and arrived just as all the rest arrived muddy and sweaty from Fishers track.

After a breather we headed back to Kapoors Rd for another run through the 42nd.

Brent (Triboy) had a few clenching moments

And tried to blame this on the camera man blocking his way

There was a bit more water in the streams than on Friday

And apparently even some (3) ktms kissed the dirt

We all regrouped at the bridge at the Owhango end

After saying our goodbyes we all headed off towards home

Steve and I headed back to National park for gas and then down to Mackers in Taihape for a snack.

There was a fair bit of traffic on the main road so we hung a left ant Mangaweka and headed off up the awesome twisty seal towards Rangiwahia.

Dusk was approaching and the ride from there to Kimbolton was a real highlight. Gorgeous twisty seal with mind blowing views combined with a stunning sunset.

It was 20kms that burned itself into my memory - just awesome riding.

From Kimbolton on down was basically just a 150km transport section into the evening. I arrived home - cold but happy about 8.30pm

A great weekend - thanks Steve

Maungakotukutuku Diary