KLR Ramblers

18/08/2026

I will ride from McLaren Falls Park to Rotorua on Saturday, 22 August 2026. The weather is going to be good enough that I can invite you to ride with me. Contact me through our website if you are interested in riding with me, or catch up in Rotorua at the Pig & Whistle in the evening.

Contact: https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/contact/

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1i3na9U_bVZo3e9QFnVBAJm4Rtf-J0R0&usp=sharing

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13/08/2026

Hi everyone, looking for some advice,
I am planning to camp at McLaren Falls Park and wondering which campsite you would recommend?
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=118z-rmlNO6B2Sc8NArKWD5Fs1SkplLk&usp=sharing
Any particular sites with a nice view, good privacy, or that are just better than the others?
Would appreciate any recommendations or tips. Thanks!

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10/08/2026

Check out the map attached to this post.
Are you living somewhere in the area marked with red color? I have good news for you! You are living less than 100 km riding away from the Nikau Cave and Cafe. That is an easy distance to ride to and from the cafe. Let’s meet there at 11 a.m. on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

Pick your favorite route and we can have a warm drink, a bite, and a chat together.

Personally, I will start my ride from the GAS petrol station at Pokeno at 9 a.m.

For more details, GPX files, and a map, check out the post on our website. https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/2026/08/10/klr-ramblers-ride-august-2026/

27/07/2026

July ride report

It is Sunday, and it’s raining cats and dogs outside. If I can stay inside my warm and comfortable home, I do that. No one wants to go out in this kind of weather, let alone ride a motorcycle.

We were so lucky with the weather on Saturday. I am not saying that the weather couldn’t have been different or better, but considering the time of year – namely, that it’s winter – it was as good as it can get.

When the three of us met at the petrol station in Wellsford, we knew that we would get everything from the weather gods that day. We started in pretty good conditions, but it soon became windy. Then it started to rain, which lasted for five minutes. Then the sun came out, and the wind dried us in no time, just for us to get wet again. This loop continued all the way to Birds Beach, where we had a quick break.

There are a few things that are not easy to capture in photographs. Two of those are temperature and wind, and I am certainly not good enough to capture the cold and the wind in stills. Maybe the gloves on the ground are a telling sign.

Anyway, from Birds Beach we headed back to Port Albert for a coffee, where we sat out a longer spell of heavy rain before riding back towards Wellsford.

Overall, it was a ride that tested us a bit, but we definitely had fun and stayed safe all the way.

Thank you for riding with me.

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22/07/2026

KLR Ramblers ride – July 2026

The weather looks like it’s going to be typical winter riding weather, but it will not keep me at home. Join us for a shorter ride around Tapora.

Starting from Wellsford, we’ll ride to Birds Beach through Burma Rd and Okahukura Rd, then back to the Port Albert General Store for a fish and chips lunch. I think this 82 km route will be enough.

There is no GPX file for this ride right now, but a map and all the details are available on the website.

https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/2026/07/22/klr-ramblers-ride-july-2026/

P.S.: If you want a GPX file, message me through the contact form on the website.

13/07/2026

A fantastic winter long-weekend ride through Northland gravel roads. I've posted the full ride report and photos, on our website. Check it out if you're looking for ideas for your next moto camping adventure.

https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/2026/07/13/in-the-dead-of-winter-tour-report/

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10/07/2026

08/07/2026

I have the somewhat questionable idea on my bucket list to do motorcycle camping in the snow. I acquire pieces of gear year after year that are supposed to bring this "dream" trip closer to reality. I have a fantastic sleeping pad, a good sub-zero sleeping bag, a petrol stove for cooking, some other stuff, and now a four-season tent.

My choice was the Orson Alpha 2 tent for a number of reasons. The semi-geodesic shape and the 18 tie-down points make it resilient to adverse weather conditions and help it keep its shape. I find it extremely practical to wrap the guy ropes around the poles for extra structural security.

The externally running poles make it less likely that water droplets will form and fall inside the tent. The tabs holding the attachment hooks are not just made robust, but also extend to the inside and connect directly to the attachment points of the inner tent.

The fly goes all the way down to the ground to prevent the wind from blowing leaves or snow inside. At the same time, there are four ventilation ports to ensure excessive condensation doesn't form on the inside of the fly. Of course, these ventilation openings can be closed if conditions demand.

It isn't an ultralight tent. The performance of this tent comes at the cost of some extra weight and a slightly bigger packed size than an ultralight tent. Although, it is still slightly lighter than my old "adventure tent" from a big-box outdoor store. On a motorcycle, it isn't really an issue. I can just strap it onto the rear seat.

I have used it a few times already, and I am happy with it. The sturdy materials, the reinforced seams, and the great number of tie-down points are reassuring, and I have no doubt it will perform as expected when I finally make it to my snow-camping adventure.

And finally, the question of price. As you could expect, it isn't a cheap tent. But considering the materials and the build quality, I think it is justified. When you compare the price of the tent to other accommodation, and you're going to use it at least four or five times a year, it becomes even more reasonably priced. Check out Orson and Intents Outdoors for more details on this tent and for other good-quality gear.

Orson Alpha 2, 4 Season Semi Geodesic Alpine Tent:
(1) https://orson.co.nz/products/orson-alpha-xo-2-4-season-alpine-tent
(2) https://www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz/products/orson-alpha-xo-2-4-season-alpine-tent
Orson: https://orson.co.nz/
Intents Outdoors: https://www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz/

08/07/2026

A last-minute decision turned into one of those rides that remind you why winter camping is worth the effort. Clear skies, quiet roads, a campsite all to myself.

If you'd like to read about the ride and see a few photos, here's the full trip report:
https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/2026/07/08/tapora/

03/07/2026

In the Dead of Winter Tour

It is time to step out of your comfort zone and hop on your motorcycle when most people are running the heat pump on full capacity or curling up under a blanket with hot cocoa. Tag along on our mid-winter camping trip to cross the top of the North Island from east to west.

The details are here:
https://klrramblers.wordpress.com/2026/07/03/in-the-dead-of-winter-tour/

A preliminary route:
https://goo.gl/maps/7DqFvUDgHGwBGAKn6

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