Anyone recognise this place and can you still ride in there?

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 07:46

Back in the 70's I lived in Christchurch and at least twice a year we headed out of town to this place as we loved riding in there. Anyone recognise it? Can you still ride in there?

We used to go in as far as we could by any means. We did it by car, we did it in a Nissan Patrol and we did it on the bikes. The bikes of course taking us further in. In 1973 I went in on the A100 with a friend on a TC125.

In 1974 I went in with a friend on a BSA C11 and another on an Ariel Huntmaster (great trail bikes those) while by then I had bought the latest and the greatest an XL175. The same year I went in with a friend on a TS250 and another on a power-saw aka Tas Taka.

Here's a few of the pics - this is how I remember the joys and freedom of riding bikes back then.

That steep rocky climb would catch out the inexperienced.

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 07:49

So do you think a 650 Huntmaster makes a good trail bike? Drop it and the exhaust pipe came undone. The carburettor also caught fire on that trip but the rider managed to blow hard on it and put the fire out - no air cleaner it just backfired and flamed out the carb intake.

These pics were taken with only a Kodak Instamatic on slide film and they are starting to discolour a bit so I am hurrying up scanning all my old ones.

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 07:53

The TS250 and the power-saw were better and could handle the river crossings - mainly.

Ah 2 stroke smoke in a cool forest - glorious!

**White trash** · 24th June 2005, 07:55

Thanks Merv, those pics are spectacular.

Awesome fashion sense back then, 1 year before I was born. Loving those bikes too.

Looks a bit bloody cold for my liking though.

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 07:56

The guys liked describing how big they thought the ride was.

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 07:59

Then that hill again, where did that rock come from?

**White trash** · 24th June 2005, 08:03

So you actually DID have hair once Merv?

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 08:06

Originally Posted by White trash

Awesome fashion sense back then, 1 year before I was born. Loving those bikes too.

Talk about fashion sense, how about what street gear looked like then - no kevlar and fancy colours?

**White trash** · 24th June 2005, 08:08

Jesus! Talk about a bunch of "badasses"!

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 08:09

Originally Posted by White trash

So you actually DID have hair once Merv?

None of the pics are of me because I am behind the camera. I will see what I can find.

**merv** · 24th June 2005, 08:15

How about this which is another from 1974? The brown suede shoes just don't look quite right with the 1942 suit.

Basically I'm stuck at home with the lurg - about to go to the docs soon, so just messing around with my old pics.

**Flyingpony** · 24th June 2005, 09:03

Slightly off topic: But see that van in the background!
It's a Ford Thames 1800!
My parents used to own a couple.

Ours had side windows and on the highway, the back door would SELF open!
Had a good oil to petrol ratio: 4L oil per two tanks of gas!
They also loved blowing pistons out of the engine block.

Was only a three speed and could reach 60mph with tail wind - 55mph was the norm.
If somebody still owns one with the original gear box. Never engage first while moving, it'll chew and spit out cogs.

**Ixion** · 24th June 2005, 09:11

Originally Posted by merv

So do you think a 650 Huntmaster makes a good trail bike? Drop it and the exhaust pipe came undone. The carburettor also caught fire on that trip but the rider managed to blow hard on it and put the fire out - no air cleaner it just backfired and flamed out the carb intake.

These pics were taken with only a Kodak Instamatic on slide film and they are starting to discolour a bit so I am hurrying up scanning all my old ones.

Huntmaster used to be quite popular with the trials guys, back in the day. Those Amals on the singles were always catching fire, no big deal, just turn off the fuel and let it burn out. Twas just cos the carbies always leaked a bit. Watcha want an exhaust pipe for anyway. Looks good with a naked port spitting flames

EDIT. Actually i think it was the Red Hunter. 500 Single. Huntmaster was the twin wasn't it? Too long ago to remember.