DB1k 2010 ideas thread

[cooneyr]

Seems people out there are already thinking about the DB1k and how to improve or otherwise modify. I'm cautious that there has been much time and though put into developing the route and the roll chart but in saying this times have changed since the concept was first developed back in early 2007.

This thread is therefore a place for any wacky or sane ideas to be proposed so they can be investigated and disucssed. Appropriate topics include the time of year, start times, group management, the route, fuel stops, land access, the roll chart, and the GPS route. Also please let me know what you didnt like about the route and if possible propose solutions/alternatives.

I will collate all the ideas, provide links to the part of the thread where the idea started being discussed if necessary and I'll also provide the final word in this, the first, post.

Note I'm the one who has to prepare the roll chart etc for this ride and I've been involved from the start so I'm reserving the final decision on an idea. This is in the interest of reaching conclusions than being a dictator.

Cheers R

Ideas/Issues List

1. Time of year
2. Murcheson to Springs and back leg
3. Small Bore Challange (SBC)
4. St Arnaud/Murcheson Base
5. Reefton Buller loop
6. DB2k
7. Yamaha Marlborough Sounds Safari is to be based in Blenheim on 9, 10, 11 Jan 2010
8. Port nelson street races tie in.
9. Central/North Otago Route
10. Move around 3 or so routes
11. Rainbow rage MTB thing is early March usually
12. Start and finish in your own location

Edit - seems the links to posts idea wasnt well through through so I'll not bother with the links. Use the thread search function above.

[buggsubique]

Murch to springs was a long way but i thought it was a good leg actually - the far reaches for a little dirtbike like I was on!

[cooneyr]

That said there are three items that I want input into.

1 What time of year should the run occur? Logic says near the summer soulstice i.e. as near as is practical to the 21st of December. Problem is that this is the busiest time of year for many of us with christmas, family, etc etc. To date we have oppted for just after the new year but this is often in the middle of others holidays. Also this is a time of year when expenses are high. One point for holding the run at this time of year is that the Molesworth is almost always open where as later i.e. later in Jan, Waitangi Weekend etc there is a much higher chance of the Molesworth being closed.

2 The run from Murcheson to Spings and back again is very much a tagged on leg to make up the kms and it is both ways on the same road. I'd much prefer to not have people riding both directions on the same peice of road for safety reason. It is a nice run down to Springs and it would be all good if we were able to go over the Rahu to Reefton, then back north via Ikamatua and the Buller. Problem being that it is all sealed so our % of gravel drops significantly and will be below the desired 50%. Does anybody have any ideas on how to improve this section of the ride?

3 DB1k SBC (Small Bore Challenge). I recon this would be a worthwhile addition to the ride seeing as we are getting regular finishers for the 1day run now. Idea would be 125cc or less road legal bikes. Typically looking at CT110's, XL125, DR125 etc though if you dont mind carrying lots of juce, TC125, DT125 etc two stroke would be OK. Bucket type bikes would probably work as well as most have narrow 19inch wheels that suitable tyres could easily be sourced for. As this is not a race age is irrelivent but in the sprit of the ride the older and the smaller the better. I suspect this would become a how far can you go in 24 hours ride rather than can you complete the whole 1000kms. This will be a lot more challanging physically and mentally than the DB1k 1 day run and we will have to work out a safety plan i.e. what you do if you reach the 24 hours and are not home due to tiredness, breakdown, not enough time etc. Is anybody interested in this idea?

Cheers R

[Underground]

I think that the route was fine ,and that murch ,springs leg is great ,the Maruia saddle is such a nice ride in both directions ,also that leg gives a chance to cover some k's and lax back a bit as theres nothing too gnarley on it .

[buggsubique]

I know zeRax said he was keen for hte small bore. Myself...I couldn't think of anything worse! Long way on a little bike = hell on 2 wheels... each to their own!

If I do it on the @ this year it will be comfy as hell compared to a buzzy dirtbike.

[cooneyr]

...One I would be real keen for is the Molesworth 500 or something - a early / late winter snow mission...likely wouldn't be permitted, but it would be a challenge for sure.

Oi already but interesting none the less. Snow is obviously really unpredictable in terms of when you will find it on the ground and also if it has been well tracked and compacted by vehicles it is an absolute bitch to ride on. We've had some really good snow rides on fresh snow (banks peninsular snow ride) but we have had some really really hard work rides as well (check out the hanmer snow ride thread).

Cheers R

[Racing Dave]

Hi Ryan,

Good on you for thinking of the next ride so already - I'll be there, and probably on the actual date, this time. I'm a huge fan of little bikes being ridden long distances, and am planning for my entry to be on a 125, no matter if there's an 'official' class for tiddlers, or not.

I'll give your other topics some thought, and reply again, soon.

Cheers,
Dave B

[jezzaNZ]

Ryan, what about going on to Reefton and a couple of loops there ie. big river etc and then back via the Buller Gorge? There must be some interesting stuff up that way and then there is no need to double back on trails that have already been ridden.

Another fantastic idea would be to base it out of say St Anaud or Much?

Also DB2K............

What do ya fink?

Jez

[JATZ]

Mrs Jatz and i were discussing the DB yesterday (even went and re-read the thread on ADV rider).
Wondering if the CT could do it ? Already sorted some "ralley" twin head lights and an extra fuel tank for it.Road legal could be a problem.
Daughter might even be keen next time round if she can get her act together
Not too fussed when it is, and the route seems o.k.to me

[Racing Dave]

The Yamaha Marlborough Sounds Safari is to be based in Blenheim on 9, 10, 11 Jan 2010, so it would be best (for me, and others) not to conflict with that weekend.

[MXNUT]

Same time of year suits me as i was planning to go to the port nelson street races as well as the Dusty in 2010

2 day option would suit me best as having never ridden down that way it would be nice to be able to take the time to enjoy the ride and the scenery.

As for the route, i will leave that in your capable hands ( by all accounts you have done an excellent job so far ) but really wanted to do Molesworth

[zeRax]

small bore ftw! ;D done of on a 250, then a 400, , looking out for anything the right price.


if i do the dusty again, it would be small bore challenge,, id really like to do it on the smallest cc and complete, anyone else done it on a 250 ;D? gotta get those cc's down!, im only a small chappo after all, must be an advantage!

[junkmanjoe]

Hello i also will be attending this event, as a newbie.

the two day option is my thoughts, as it will be all new ground, and my eyes will be busy, looking at all the loverly stuff and the road ahead...
as for the course, you have set it out 3-4 times before, so im sure you know whats what.
i have around 500km fuel range so the route is anything go's, bring it on.
eather at the end of this event, or before depending on your date for start, a hand full off us a heading off on our sth island tour, for a look around your fantasic island...

cheers. JMJ

[Peril]

If all goes to plan,I should be there on a 200 2 stroke And hopefully I make the event this time!

[cooneyr]

Ryan, what about going on to Reefton and a couple of loops there ie. big river etc and then back via the Buller Gorge? There must be some interesting stuff up that way and then there is no need to double back on trails that have already been ridden.

Another fantastic idea would be to base it out of say St Anaud or Much?

Also DB2K...............

DB2k would be damn hard work. Not sure there is enough reasonable pace gravel in NZ. Maybe in the states where they have really long straight roads. There is a Dusty Butt 1000 mile ride they do over there somewhere. Back via the Buller has a really bad effect on the gravel kms as said above. I'll have another looksee at this but I'm not hopeful. Not sure about the alternative starting point, need to think about this a bit more.

The Yamaha Marlborough Sounds Safari is to be based in Blenheim on 9, 10, 11 Jan 2010, so it would be best (for me, and others) not to conflict with that weekend.

Thanks for the heads up Dave. I know that this year there was at least one who did both the DB1k and Yammy Safari.

.... id really like to do it on the smallest cc and complete, anyone else done it on a 250 ;D? gotta get those cc's down!, im only a small chappo after all, must be an advantage!

Your the person with the smallest cc bike completed run so far but you do have a little bit of an advantage - esp compared to me!!.

If all goes to plan,I should be there on a 200 2 stroke And hopefully I make the event this time!

Saw your bike at DAS the other day. A 200 smoker doesn't count for the SBC by the way

Those who mention the two day run can take it as a given that there will be a two day ride.

Cheers R