Went for a nice wee ride in the weekend. Read all about it here: https://banditrider.weebly.com/2024-ni800.html
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Monday, October 14, 2024
Monday, October 07, 2024
Muddy Mayhem in the Mangatuks: A Tale of Leaks, Losses, and Lucky Escapes
Well, it's been over a week since the ride so it must be time to write the blog...
But maybe I'll cheat again and try the AI thing:
(Title was the AI as well)
I headed down to Kapiti to join forces with Colin and Geoff for an off-road adventure in the rugged Mangatuks. My trusty Suzuki dirt bike, the "Yella Terra," was raring to go, and I was eager to put its capabilities to the test alongside the guys on their quads.
The day began with a bang – or rather, a leak. As we set off from the carpark, my camelbak's bladder decided to unleash its entire 2-liter contents down my back, soaking me to the bone before I'd even crossed a puddle. I looked like I'd taken an impromptu swim in the nearby stream. The guys couldn't help but chuckle at my misfortune.
As I waited for Colin and Geoff to catch up, I reached for my camera to capture their arrival. But, disaster struck again! My camera was MIA. Panic set in – had I lost it in the great outdoors? A sweep of my gear revealed nothing, and the guys hadn't seen it either. We pressed on, hoping it would turn up later.
We dove into the pine forest, navigating treacherous tracks filled with deep ruts and puddles. The quads handled the challenging terrain with ease, while I carefully picked my way through on the Yella Terra. The bike performed flawlessly, and I managed to stay upright – until I had to bypass a monstrous puddle via a narrow, tree-lined track. It was a heart-in-mouth moment, requiring precision and a steady hand to avoid plummeting down the steep bank or into the drink.
Meanwhile, Geoff had a spirited battle with the puddle, requiring multiple tow-outs and attempts to conquer it. Colin finally showed him the way, and after several valiant efforts, Geoff nailed it. His determination paid off, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
After surviving the tough stuff, we stopped at the Orange Hut for a well-deserved break.
Colin bid us farewell, and Geoff took me on a scenic tour of the high points. We even tried to contact his ham radio buddies – but they were eerily silent. The views from the top were stunning, making the challenging ride well worth it.
As we rode, Geoff graciously let me sprint ahead, waiting at intersections to ensure I didn't get lost forever. Little did he know, I had a close call, slipping into a rut and almost becoming intimate with a bank. The Yella Terra and I remained upright, but some unfortunate undergrowth attached itself to my handlebars.
Later, we encountered a washed-out bridge, requiring a creek crossing and boulder-hopping extravaganza. The quad cruised through, and I carefully broke up the crossing into smaller stages to navigate the Yella Terra through the obstacles. A group of young riders on older bikes watched us cross, then gave it a go themselves. We never saw them again, so hopefully they made it out unscathed.
Back at the carpark, I breathed a sigh of relief – and found my camera safely stowed in the ute. I snapped my sole photo of the day – Geoff loading his quad onto the trailer. Not exactly the most thrilling action shot, but a beauty nonetheless.
The Yella Terra and I survived the Mangatuks, but my camelbak and camera had other plans. Time for a new chain and sprocket set – and perhaps a waterproof bladder.
Lesson learned: Always check your gear before heading into the wilderness, and never underestimate the entertainment value of a leaky camelbak.
The most accurate one? |
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
On a previous Sunday...
Yeah, I'm a little behind on my blogs again...
It was the Sunday before last and with the weather due to change again (after a stunning Saturday), I decided to squeak in a wee ride. In fact, I needed one and when I left home on the T7 I was even considering a longer run (it was only 10am), regardless of weather - well, that was one idea.
My plans had me heading on down our usual route down to Eketahuna, see what the weather was doing and then maybe having an explore out East towards the coast.
But just as I hit the first stretch of gravel, the rain made its appearance. And the gravel was reasonably fresh. And I forgot that my sun visor was down. The rain and sun visor issue made visibility a little tricky so the deeper than ideal gravel was a little more challenging and some sections had to be taken with a bit of caution.
In fact, some bits weren't fun, and the weather was looking even darker the further South I went. You might say that my once eager enthusiasm was waning with the raining. So, I bailed...
But not completely. Instead of just hitting the main road back to Pahiatua and back over the track, I stuck close to the ranges (you know, where the rain is). Heading back towards Mangamire on so called seal (not a stone in it) was actually worse than the gravel. It was really wet and slippery and then the wind started up with a vicious crosswind blowing me all over the road. I did get pushed across the road once - I was sure that the wind was inducing a sidewise slide and was a bit worried when I had to deal with a ute coming the other way on a skinny bridge.
I was pretty happy to get onto the gravel bit of Bridge Road and then Ridge Road Central. In fact, things got a lot better with less wind and rain and the gravel was damn good too - finally getting to have the odd squirt and leave some marks on the road.
Popping out by the Pahiatua Powder Factory, I turned back onto some seal to head towards the gorge. The normal Tararua Road short-cut was fabulous, followed by a more careful crossing of the track (slippery when wet) and a trundle home where the sun promptly made a short appearance before the rain began again in earnest.
Zero photos or video taken so you'll have to make do with a comparison of the clean T7 after the last ride and a very slightly grubbier one after this short pootle.