Anyone interested?

Its the perfect way to punish yourself after the excesses of Christmas

This was originally planned as the Vorb mob epic ride, see http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopict-29298.html for the original thread.

The ride as described by Jono

Known by various names (the reikiorangi loop, the church to church, the waiotauru forks ride), it's an epic of old-school XCness by any description. Starting close to Waikanae (about 1 hours drive north of Wellington), at not that much above sea level, we climb to 830m. About 2/3rds of that is on the twisty Aktararawa road.
An epic descent (last time I rode it there were 2m ruts) down to the waiotauru forks, from stunning views of the Akatarawa ranges into regenerating bush (this area was logged for its Rimu between the 1930s and 1960s). From the forks, we head out, via a mixture of very technical singletrack, and a bit of walking, down to the Otaki Forks, and eventually to the Mangeone Walkway, an excellent swoopy bit of track to finish our ride.
This is an epic by any description. The total distance is about 60km, and there is quite a bit of climbing involved. Depending on the fitness and strength of the riders, and the weather on the day, the ride could take up to 9 hours. Therefore we'll be starting early; we'll be looking to leave Reikiorangi by 9am. I'll post information on the logistics required to get out there in the next couple of days.
You'll need to bring: A bike that you can ride all day. There will be some walking and carrying involved, so keep that in mind with bike choice. Bring sufficient clothes to keep warm: the weather can change pretty quickly in the Akatarawas, and Labour Weekend hasn't traditionally been known for its balmy weather. Enough food and drink for a long days ride; nothing sucks like running out of energy on a long, flat 4WD track. Sufficient spares. We will be in the middle of nowhere. Fixing a terminally broken bike will be difficult. Make sure that you've got spare tube(s), puncture repair kits, and spare brake pads.

Yep.

Providing the trained ducks are all in a nice straight line.

[edit] It's looking quite promising that I will be free to ride.

And I've done a bit lately, should be able to survive the day.

Bring it on [/edit]

hmmmmm id love to come on this ride as its one of the only rides that is quite close to where i live and i would like to see where to go... but 60KM is a long way for someone that isnt quite as fit as you XC junkies. I've ridden mangoane before and its a pretty cool piece of track. Does this track up the akatawaras start at this sort of parking lot type place and there is a couple of burnt out cars and a big rutted out track going up the hill. but then you cross to the other side of the road and go up 4wd track type stuff? i may have been there at some point but we didnt cross the road.. we stayed on the parking lot side and rode up this track and then down logging track on the otherside... i hope i havent confused you.. im confusing myself at the moment

This ride sounds real sweet, and sounds like i mite have to get training! I am totally new to this site so dunno if i have to join a group or if i have to register, but count me in anyway. I dont own a car so anyone who has spare space, please let me know, i live in Aro. I am only an average rider so i do hope some other people at my level come along!

Grumpyoldman wrote:Anyone interested?

Its the perfect way to punish yourself after the excesses of Christmas

This was originally planned as the Vorb mob epic ride, see http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopict-29298.html for the original thread.

The ride as described by Jono

Known by various names (the reikiorangi loop, the church to church, the waiotauru forks ride), it's an epic of old-school XCness by any description. Starting close to Waikanae (about 1 hours drive north of Wellington), at not that much above sea level, we climb to 830m. About 2/3rds of that is on the twisty Aktararawa road.
An epic descent (last time I rode it there were 2m ruts) down to the waiotauru forks, from stunning views of the Akatarawa ranges into regenerating bush (this area was logged for its Rimu between the 1930s and 1960s). From the forks, we head out, via a mixture of very technical singletrack, and a bit of walking, down to the Otaki Forks, and eventually to the Mangeone Walkway, an excellent swoopy bit of track to finish our ride.
This is an epic by any description. The total distance is about 60km, and there is quite a bit of climbing involved. Depending on the fitness and strength of the riders, and the weather on the day, the ride could take up to 9 hours. Therefore we'll be starting early; we'll be looking to leave Reikiorangi by 9am. I'll post information on the logistics required to get out there in the next couple of days.
You'll need to bring: A bike that you can ride all day. There will be some walking and carrying involved, so keep that in mind with bike choice. Bring sufficient clothes to keep warm: the weather can change pretty quickly in the Akatarawas, and Labour Weekend hasn't traditionally been known for its balmy weather. Enough food and drink for a long days ride; nothing sucks like running out of energy on a long, flat 4WD track. Sufficient spares. We will be in the middle of nowhere. Fixing a terminally broken bike will be difficult. Make sure that you've got spare tube(s), puncture repair kits, and spare brake pads.

DROOL..... that sounds fantastic.... next time I am up for more than a day or the Karapoti - someone show me this ride!

Have fun, please take some snaps and tell us how it goes

mtbrat wrote:DROOL..... that sounds fantastic.... next time I am up for more than a day or the Karapoti - someone show me this ride!

Have fun, please take some snaps and tell us how it goes

Here is one that was prepared earlier. http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopicp-571844.html#571844

Bitchin'

Right

It's still on

My plan is to meet at the Akatarawa rd/ Reikorangi Rd intersection at 8:00am, although I'm open to some negotiation.

By all accounts this ride is a bit of a mission, so be prepared for up to 9 hours of riding/walking/grovelling and faffing about. Bring plenty to eat and drink, and all the miscellaneous bits that may be needed for emergency repairs.

Dave

Hmmm...consider me very keen.

Oh, I think there are now to great fun rides on this date .

Very big bummer I can't do ether .

Hiya, probably a stupid question but does the ride start/finish in the same place (as implied by the loop part of the ride)?

I was unable to do the ride in Labour w'end but am amping at the chance to do an epic ride on the23rd

Just cleared the last banana skin off my path to this ride.

See you at 8am. Keener than a keen thing.

hoops181 wrote:Hiya, probably a stupid question but does the ride start/finish in the same place (as implied by the loop part of the ride)?

I was unable to do the ride in Labour w'end but am amping at the chance to do an epic ride on the23rd

Sure does...

... eventually.

Right, 8 sleeps to go.

So far we have:

Me
PedalOn

Hoops181?
Jono?

Please post here to confirm your intention to share the pain.

Would love to join you on this one but going camping with kids in Bay of Islands so will have to suffice with checking out Waitangi Forest

Havagoodwun

im keen but bike is in pieces as the couries busted it up and riped the head set to pieces, its in the shop on thursday so ill see how its riding after that and how fit im feeling...

Would love to do this ride but I dont have a xc bike at the moment