DB1k 2010 - Official Thread

[reofix]

java .. lovely summation of a spectacular bunch of places ... I was supposed to be there but a pack of gremlins and a few "complications" ended that... 2011 is for me

[Racing Dave]

... riding the whole Dusty Butt without once dropping the bike! ......

Kenny - is this really you?

On a different note, I've been in touch with John Sinclair, whose DR650 suffered gearbox failure on the Hakataramea Pass, to say that on disassembly part of the gear was found imbedded in the piston, and the barrell is split. Proper job! He's now bought a new Yamaha XT660R.

Thanks for the various messages of supprt, I'm off work for at least two weeks, but am hoping for a full recovery. My doctor brother kindly suggested that at my advanced age (!) such improvement will be slow, but we'll see.

Cheers,
Dave B

[cooneyr]

....On a different note, I've been in touch with John Sinclair, whose DR650 suffered gearbox failure on the Hakataramea Pass, to say that on disassembly part of the gear was found imbedded in the piston, and the barrell is split. Proper job! He's now bought a new Yamaha XT660R....

Nordie - are you catching this? Another one to add to your list. Not sure what year or how many KM's but maybe you could try contacting John - his handle is Helicopter.

The Dusty is not nice to DR's thats two now (one last year and one this year) that have suffered major gearbox failures.


....Thanks for the various messages of supprt, I'm off work for at least two weeks, but am hoping for a full recovery. My doctor brother kindly suggested that at my advanced age (!) such improvement will be slow, but we'll see.

Cheers,
Dave B

Good luck with the recovery RD. Still, two weeks RnR is better than 6 weeks due to a broken collar bone - trying to be optimistic ;)

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

Nordie - are you catching this? Another one to add to your list. Not sure what year or how many KM's but maybe you could try contacting John - his handle is Helicopter.

2002 model...

Mine went a couple of days before last years. If I hadn't ridden to Mangarakau it would have gone on the Dusty.

[Woodman]

Brilliant,fantastic, marvellous, Ryan, you deserve a medal.

Got home last night via greymouth, Coast road , Buller gorge etc and a few gravel excursions. 725 ks and my ass is sore.

The dusty butt was just fantastic and i can not think of a negative. Roll on the next one.

Everyone was great to ride with and was good to meet yous. kenny, I wouldn't have blamed you if you went home after Fridays ride, I still wince when I think of that tankslapper. Musta been a great learning curve for ya?

The klr went like a charm, and except for a puncture on day one and using about 2 litres of oil (mmmm 685 kit) it ran like a dream.

Will try and post up some pics later.

[JATZ]

That was spectacular, perfect mix of roads/tracks/seal and awsome scenery, I've only got lots of pics of tussock really with a Big parked in the foreground, I'll find another one and post it.
Well done to CooneyR and helpers for organising and running a fantastic event.
Only one small navigational error on our part which meant a wee detour of just over 100k on the saturday.It was interesting riding along with no map, knowing only where I needed to go, not knowing where I was or where I'd been
Shame I missed your pit stop Ruralman, could've done with a coffee about the Mahingarangi area
Came home via Lake Coleridge, Arthurs, Reefton, Rahu.
Brilliant !

Black Forest station
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/BlackForest.jpg

[Piglit]

That was a great ride. Heaps of fun and Im already looking forward to next years one.
Favorite part was definitly the farm track from day one, apart from my wrong turn it was great with heaps of different bits of terrain.

I only fell off 6 time for the whole two days so that was good :)

And i would like to thank the people that organised it, and the people that "looked after me" on the first day, They were great guys :)

[thepom]

Hi there to Racing Dave and glad you got out ok,I remember once we talked about the emergency beacon and I,m glad you had it within easy reach.You never know when you need it and hope to see you soon and your recovery is swift. And to woodsman thanks for helping me out the ford haha and for not laughing too hard after my 100 meter tank slapper.It hurts like hell but I,m not one to give up and with all the help and good advice that was given to me I think it helped me get through the dusty without a spill ( honest dave not one drop or fall but a few close ones.) cant wait for the next one .

[thepom]

just a quick note to the boy ,you rode most outstanding for some one so young and new to the adventure riding and its never a problem to help or look after some one ,it was a pleasure......

[Waihou Thumper]

I am sure there is going to be a lot of posts when we all finally touch the ground! The scenery was ....I am gob smacked! Every road I took I said to myself this is the best road I have ridden, then along came another...There was fast, fast sections, you just stood up and caned it until the straight ran out....:) Then there was rough, first gear, second gear sections, plus water...:) It was all there! People pay thousands of dollars for the priviledge of riding this sort of countryside and we hit the best there has to be offered for a smidgeon! All I can say is many thanks to Ryan, the guys for organising this. The GPS route worked flawlessly! I only took a wrong turn because of the glare on the screen, other than that it was perfect. I had the route map in my bag and never used it...:)
I have a ton of photos and videos, these will be edited and posted real soon!
Well done all, fantastic bunch of people and it was well worth the effort coming south.....Many thanks guys! :)

and as a final edit....21 year old DRBig performed well.....I was astounded....I threw all the luggage on, hit the trails hard and rode it like it should! I lost a gear shift lever (more later) I cracked the luggage rack (more later) BUT, the bike was reliable and the pedigree showed it is more than capable for the rough stuff! I was impressed, truly...:)

[timg]

Yeah, wot that lot said! ;) An awesome job done by Ryan and all the other organisers. Absolutely the best adventure ride I've had. Awesome weather, scenery and company. Great to catch up with folks and meet some new ones. QOTH enjoyed her tiki tour around central too and is even talking about doing the easy bits next year on her bike :scooter: The Transalp went like a dream, pity the old fart riding it let it down again :oi-grr: with a wee ooop's on the Dunstan Trail.

Tuckerbag with the #8 fix
191751
Ouch!
191752 191750

Looking forward to next year :woohoo: and maybe a 3 day Dusty Butt revisited before the summer is over to enjoy the scenery and roads at a more relaxed pace :ride: Cheers

[Underground]

Just got home via Lees valley and Molesworth
What an awesome few days riding !
Thanks Cooney , and also HOT for your kind hospitality.
We did the two days two up , wasnt really expecting to be able to , but we enjoyed the first day so much there was no question about day two,
That track down of the Nevis was probabaly the most challenging bit but we came out of that with big grins .
Nice to meet and ride with the many riding companions we had along the way too .

[Transalper]

Indeed, a great weekend. Good to see friends, re meet some people (bad memory for faces and names) and plain just meet others for the first time.

My ride went really well, even loosing the top box for 10 minutes after accidentally crossing a ditch down the Benmore observation road is something I'm laughing about. Only because I got it back of course and never actually came off the bike while it happened.
The only real low point for me was having a few small video camera issues and missing capturing a few things when I thought I was recording and breaking the mic.

Tim, I think you have hit the nail on the head, I was just saying to J yesterday that ideally to stop and see all of Ryans points of interest and have a decent sit down lunch etc each day the trip would go nicely over three days and that would be 3 big days still just sticking to the route.

I bought a TB Hard drive on Monday and loaded my video with a view to getting something brief online soon (Capital coast project put aside for a bit) and also have and am enjoying the pics and write-ups that are appearing, so keep it coming.
Rock on.
TA.

[The Duck 01]

What happened to all the Big KTM Riders??? :yawn:

Silly me they were sitting on the couch watching the last day of The Dakar :Pokey:

Not a One i hear from a good person who doesn't lie.

To Precious to ride, Might Scratch it????

I hear there was a Tiger on the ride to and it did the business. One would expect that though. :woohoo:

See you later off over the Ditch for some riding.

[Aslan]

Supreme, absolute tops, fantastic! - it's all been said - thanks Ryan and those who helped you organise this great event.

The Top of the South event was great - this one IMO was even better!

For me this has to be my most enjoyable satisfying ride with a great bunch folks in some iconic NZ countryside.

Gotta love the Dunstan Trail, the Nevis, the track down to Carrick Town (I agree with Underground , the most challenging) and the ascent to the Omarama Saddle - glad I was not aboard my 1150GS for some of the steep descents and fording the streams.

Special thanks to those I rode with on Sunday for assistance when I broke the stand on my DR - especially XF650 (Straun) & his pal who welded it for me.

Enjoyed the ride down via the Molesworth, Lees Valley, Lake Lyndon with NZKTM (thanks Mark) and return solo yesterday via Lake Lyndon, Jollies Pass and Rainbow before the long slog up the Wairau Valley and on to Picton and the Ferry.

Will attempt to insert link to album on Picasa - cheers Aslan :woohoo:http://picasaweb.google.com/stephen.oatley/DustyButt2010#

[XF650]

Aslan - I reckon you deliberately sabotaged your stand so that you didn't have to open gates !!

[Aslan]

Aslan - I reckon you deliberately sabotaged your stand so that you didn't have to open gates !!

Yeah right! Anyway your advice to NZKTM and I to come through Lees Valley was spot on - thanks Pal

[Transalper]

Couple of quick pics...
The closest thing I've seen to the Dusty Butt. Actually it's more mud than dust.
191810

And could this be the ultimate face of dust.
191811
Guess who wears a MX helmet, no closable visor.

[cooneyr]

What happened to all the Big KTM Riders??? :yawn:...

Good question - I for one was riding a XLR125 and left the 950S at home. Hows that for a good idea aye ;)

To everybody else. Thanks for all the great feedback. While my ride didn't go so well, its great to hear the effort was worth it. Not quite sure how I'm going to top that for 2011 but there is a year to plan it! As I said before thanks to all those who helped prepare for the ride.

Keep the pictures, ride reports and tales of woe comming!!! I find it interesting how many have said they had no idea where they were for parts of it. Kinda shows what awesome isolated places we have in NZ with magnificent views.

Cheers R

[Waihou Thumper]

Photographs of the weekend are now in my Album, please take a look if you guys want too:)

At some point, cannot recall where? Oh, I know, it was approx 10km before Millers Crossing. I went to change gear from fourth to third and there was nothing there? The lever had snapped and was hanging by a thread....Luckily it was still attached to the bike. Anyway, I decided to ride the rest of the ride because I was having such a damn good time...:) This meant two things...1. I was going to be slow because I was stuck in third gear. 2. If there was some steep stuff, and there was, how was I going to change gear?
So, I set off and stuck to 70kph for the Onslow road and then things got a bit knarlier....I had to find second gear, this meant getting some pliers out and rocking the bike to change down. I then carried on in second and third for the remainder of the ride.
Alexandra was reached at approx 2030 and there was Shrek, my water carrier....:) He reminded me of the fact with a nice shower of water from a bottle...:) Thanks!
Anyway, he looked at the bike, the lever and decided it could be salvaged. We rode home to Roxburgh, broke out the Arc Welder and mended the lever....Thanks Shrek! You made my trip mate and I rode the rest of the riide with a newly welded gear change lever. It made it home and will be traded on a new one shortly....
The steak, salad and the foam mattress was great...:)
Having Kiwibikers out there that can do this at the drop of a hat makes this a great community...You are awesome guys...Cheers! :)

PS....AND because I carried all of my luggage both days, the rack didn't take too kindly to the constant abuse....:(
Not to worry, I guess it won't make it across the Road of Bones anytime soon....Oh, hang on, neither did a couple of BMW's for that matter...:) So, for a 21 year old Zuki, pretty impressive me thinks!

[Ally67]

Thanks Ryan and team for putting together a great ride.....I had a blast :2thumbsup

Thanks also to Tim and Debs for hosting us on Thursday night....:first:

Before we left home on Thursday I was so nervous I'm pleased my bike knows how to go in a staight line...going over the rainbow helped settle the nerves a little BUT The Boy coming off before me helped alot :clap:
What an awesome part of the country to ride in.

Will be back for more next year :clap: (see you then Helen)

[helenoftroy]

Thanks Ryan and team for putting together a great ride.....I had a blast :2thumbsup

Thanks also to Tim and Debs for hosting us on Thursday night....:first:

Before we left home on Thursday I was so nervous I'm pleased my bike knows how to go in a staight line...going over the rainbow helped settle the nerves a little BUT The Boy coming off before me helped alot :clap:
What an awesome part of the country to ride in.

Will be back for more next year :clap: (see you then Helen)
Lol! excellent! next year there will be at least two of us females!Cant wait...:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

Was great to be along,QOTH(Deb) & I had a great weekend & even though I was very sad I couldnt ride was great to see old faces & meet new friends

Well done to each & every one of you....fantastic effort!

[umopom]

Thanks Ryan for an awesome ride - got to be one of the best - great route, great weather and great company. Thanks to the team - Woodman, cynna, thepom, the boy, mattsdakar, Alf, Allan for your company and the guys for straightening my bars on Friday night. Looking forward to next year.
Cheers JC

[_Shrek_]

even though I didn't do the hole DB (gradkids are here) the bit I did do was a blast meet up with Matt & Josh at milleniun track & headed to Onslow a very good blast out the other end Josh & I had a wee opps 1/2 hr later we're off heading over the serpentine when I got another flat tyre about 3k's past where RD had his mishap, passed a msg on to the guy on the Gs800 tell the boys I'm heading back down, was a slow trip back to the farm, passed a heap of bikes heading the other way some I knew, some new faces but lots of offers of help much appreciated guys got to the farm house where I run into Tuckerbag who just said i have a tube we can fix it so pulled the tye off put a boot over the split in the tyre stuck in tube, Winton & James pumped it up :sweatdrop thanks U 2 buy now a few more bikes had pulled up & the shit gets dished :laugh: then it was decide which way to go in short timg & I took the polburn way & the rest over the serpentine
great to meet up with new & old faces in Alex would have been nice to stay & have a :apint: or 2 but as there was some welding to do & grandkids & kids just ariving home etc... anyway will look at doing next year in the top part of the sth, untill then I will just have to consoul myself with exploring my back yard :wari:
cheers to all :apint:

[thepom]

Did it cost much to have the other bike fixed?

[alane]

I,m going to be grinning for days---no---weeks--no----years after this ride.My mates are gunna be sick of the skiting.
The hospitality & friendlyness of the personel involved was just "somethingelse".
I never did get to say thanks to Matt & Alf,& the others who organised the Orare gorge ride.:cool:
Thanks everyone.
I was anotherone who came home via Lee,s valley.(I saw your tracks Aslan)What a cool:cool: ride.
Then I did a "Hoon" down the Rainbow to Nelson ,another 500+ K.M . day ,makeing it neerly 2000 km in 4 days ,a lot of it gravel etc. no wonder I felt a bit stuffed on Tues.:(
Came home a little earlier yesterday as rain was forcast for today (thurs,----they were right:bleh:) without any drama.
The old XT did realy well--glad I took it.
Roll -on 2011.:2thumbsup

[JATZ]

This thread is useless without pics :D


http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Islandsaddle.jpg Rainbow Station

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Lookout-1.jpgRainbow Station again (edit : no it's not 'cause I havn't got my saddle bags. Must be somewhere else)

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Lunch.jpgLunch @ St Bathans

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Thebig.jpgThompsons track

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Thetrack.jpg Lake Onslow rd

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Thompsonstrack.jpgMusterers hut Thompsons track

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Trouble.jpg UhOh

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/Tussock.jpg Nearing the top of Omarama saddle looking back the way we came

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp201/ztaj/2Bigs.jpgMackenzie memorial (the Blue one still looks like it's going fasterer :D)

[Aslan]

nice pics Jatz - good to spend time with you all on the Saturday - hey I missed seeing the Musterer's Hut on Thompson's Track - must have been concentrating too hard - till next time - oh and I'll say it again that son of yours is one competent and 'fluid' rider - must get it from his parents I guess - Ciao Aslan (better get on and finish the vacuuming - grr)

[Ally67]

Heres pics
1. I found a lane with my name.:woohoo:
2. The Boy after 2 days hard riding :sleep:

[Rod]

What a great weekend Thanks to all organising parties involved.

I learnt a lot in the weekend......

1. Dont let your gps power supply fail as you will get lost.

2. My mojo for navagation has been ruined by years of following enduro/haresramble arrows.

3. Getting lost in duffeys saddle at 1 in the morning is kinda exciting.

4. Sleeping in the bark chip at Alex school playground after riding for 21 hours is not that warm.

5. That yoou are all a great bunch and I will be back to nail that 1 day bstard

Cheers Rod Xt660R

Ps I did not crash as posted in another thread.......just lost.

[.chris]

This thread is useless without pics :D

Great pictures well done.

Here are a few of my fav's (more here (http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/DustyButt1000kmMotorcycleRally#))

191994191995191996
191997191998191999

[cooneyr]

Heres pics
1. I found a lane with my name.:woohoo:....

Wondered if you'd notice that ;)


....Ps I did not crash as posted in another thread.......just lost.

Sorry Rod - my bad. Didn't hear you quite right on the Sunday morning. Thats pretty hard out sleeping outdoors during a Dusty. As far as I know nobody else has done that yet.

Cheers R

[Rod]

I must have been really tired because I cant remember speaking to you let alone seeing you on the sunday morning...Cheers thanks for a great event i was reallt impressed with the terrian......I thought is was going to be all shingle.

[cooneyr]

I must have been really tired because I cant remember speaking to you let alone seeing you on the sunday morning...Cheers thanks for a great event i was reallt impressed with the terrian......I thought is was going to be all shingle.

OK now I'm confused. Were you not looking for Racing Dave's camper on Sunday morning with Dave? If not then your not the XT660R rider I was refering too that crashed ;)

Cheers R

[Rod]

Ahhhh to confushis.

Nope not me.... I was trying to do the one day on the xt660R with the single pipe and knobblies on the same trailer at bbq as the cyclops xr400.

[Racing Dave]

OK now I'm confused. Were you not looking for Racing Dave's camper on Sunday morning with Dave? If not then your not the XT660R rider I was refering too that crashed ;)

Cheers R

It was Cliff (XT660R) who came a cropper near the east end of the Old Dunstan, and who was searching for my camper with Dave K on Sunday morning. And they found it, and drove it to Chch, then unloaded their bikes and headed north to catch the ferry.

To both of whom I'm much obliged.

Cheers,
Dave B

[Transalper]

So other than Cell#85 the turn right on to Oven Hill Rd which actually had a different name on the street signage (toward Lake Onslow) were there any other roll chart issues?
That is the only one I saw, but then I used gps mostly.

[Woodman]

So other than Cell#85 the turn right on to Oven Hill Rd which actually had a different name on the street signage (toward Lake Onslow) were there any other roll chart issues?
That is the only one I saw, but then I used gps mostly.

Only one other that I noticed but was pretty obvious.

The cell at the end of Thompsons track for some reason was about 3 ks out. e.g, odo read 3 ks shorter than the cell. Did anyone else strike this or wasa I doing too many wheelstands? (not)

[Transalper]

Thanks Woodman.

I'd hazard a guess and blame that one on Tompsons Track being checked in a 4x4 some weeks after the two wheeled route checking trip as we ran a bit short on time on the earlier trip. Maybe the 4x4 odometer was a bit funny there.

I have yet to look at my gps track log, will be interesting to see how far it thinks it went there. gps should read slightly short because of the way it records, measuring straight between points instead of around the bends.

edit: looking at other track logs now. It may be a typo. .. I measuring 54.1km, chart says 57.6km. At least the turn is indeed obvious when you get there.

Any more?

[cooneyr]

Thanks Woodman.

I'd hazard a guess and blame that one on Tompsons Track being checked in a 4x4 some weeks after the two wheeled route checking trip as we ran a bit short on time on the earlier trip. Maybe the 4x4 odometer was a bit funny there.

I have yet to look at my gps track log, will be interesting to see how far it thinks it went there. gps should read slightly short because of the way it records, measuring straight between points instead of around the bends.

edit: looking at other track logs now. It may be a typo. .. I measuring 54.1km, chart says 57.6km. At least the turn is indeed obvious when you get there.

Any more?

Thanks for starting this TA. I'm keen to resolve any issues with the roll chart now while people remember them.

We did Thompsons Gorge on the bikes so strange that it was so far out. I must of mucked something up with my calcs.

Cheers R

[rogerh]

That was one seriously good ride...

I have been a lot of places, and seen some pretty spectacular ones, but that route is world class by any standards. But don't ask me about the route sheet though, as I was not that organised, but thanks to all who saved me from being totally lost.

Oh, and what Aslan said

:) Huge thanks to Ryan & all involved in organising the DB 1k 2010!

I will be back to parts of the route fairly soon, as I have left my bike down there for now. Will enable me to look at some of the detours I went past at way too much speed

[Aslan]

Ride Report over on ADV

Chris has started a photo ride report over at ADV under Ride Reports

[mattsdakar]

Hey guys, sounds like everyone also enjoyed themselves and apart from Racing Dave there was no major heart aches which is great.
Apart from a couple of navigational errors on my part we also had a great Saturday.
Orari Gorge was also a hoot, great ride thru there for those that missed it, a special thanks to Kenny for his sense of humour (and adventure), I'd like to nominate Kenny for the "most improved rider" award (if there was one)!
Sounds like Kenny got all his weekend crashes out of the way in the gorge and his Dusty Butt smooth sailing.
On day two (Sunday) Alf and I met up with Monstaman from Wanaka for a ride over the Waikaia Bush rd, past Potters out to Wakaia near Riversdale which was awesome. Lots of long boggy puddles, some 30 odd metres long and plenty of rough Schisty trails.
After lunching at Lumsden we ascended the Mt Bee track near Five Rivers which was great, another neat track worth checking out. Unfortunately Alf completed a tidy downhill highside with a pirouette and a twist resulting in sore hip possible cracked ribs and damaged BMW. The biggest casulty was his broken mirrors, front brake lever and bent handle bars. That put pay to our plans of also doing the Mullholland track and Eyre Valley. Never mind another time.
After some running repairs we decided to call it a day and spend the night at the Garston Hotel before tackling the Nevis and the rest of the Dusty Butt route but unfortunately our best laid plans didn't come to fruition, the bloody Hotel is closed Mondays!
So we had to road it to Queenstown missing out on the Nevis but picking the Dusty route back up the next day at Cromwell for the blast back to Fairlie.
All in all a fantastic weekend and as always on these events a great opportunity to put some faces to names and meet up with a great bunch of like minded individuals
Cheers everyone!
Rgds Matt

[umopom]

So other than Cell#85 the turn right on to Oven Hill Rd which actually had a different name on the street signage (toward Lake Onslow) were there any other roll chart issues?
That is the only one I saw, but then I used gps mostly.

We found one other at the bottom of the Omarama saddle road - cell 149 showed left down farm track, we took this route back to the top of the saddle!!!! a great detour but not the right route if the cell showed left after two gates and the text was gravel road we would have got it right the first time but would have missed our extra loop!!

But once again who cares it was an awesome day detours and all.
Cheers
JC

[Woodman]

A couple of photos



192219192220192221

[cooneyr]

A couple of photos ....

I've been getting copies of everybodies photos and know where almost all of them are but the last one of yours have me stumped. First one is on Thurlow Rd over the hills north of Poolburn on the way to St Bathurns, second and third one are on the side of lake benmore but where they hell was kenny in the forth one? I dont remember sending you lot through any water like that - must have been on the Orari Gorge trip right? He's still got his top box on.

Cheers R

[cynna]

and his tank shroud is still intact. that was the last crossing going up the river bed on the way to the orari gorge. he didnt come off just dunked his bike in water for a quick clean.....

[mattsdakar]

Here's a few of my photo's

1/. Mark (whatastoner) at Serpentine church
2/. Kenny being assisted by Woodman (?) in Orari Gorge
3/. Alf and Monstaman near end of Mt Bee track
4/. My bike at rest, Manorburn dam
5/. Alf n bike after downhill highside, Monstaman in background
6/. Manorburn

[mattsdakar]

Another couple of photo's

1/. My poor old DRZ up Mt Bee
2/. Lunch at Andrews Stream, Orari Gorge
3/. Alf and Mark in the Serpentine
4/. Serpentine with Lake Onslow in distance
5/. Endless Dunstan trail

[Crisis management]

Right, time for a short story…….the Jaffa tour of the south, or how Roger (Rogson) (the tatty freewind), Clive (Borrowed DR 650) & I (640adv) went without a decent coffee for 5 days! :crazy:

We started off by cheating flagrantly and trailering the bikes to Palmerston North. The excuse being used was something about buying a Husaberg 390 there and not being able to ride two bikes back, weak, we know but it sounded plausible to me. We staggered off from Auckland around 7.30 am on Thursday after loading my bike on at the end of the southern motorway and spent the next 6 hours trying to make Clive exceed the speed limit so we could start riding, with incredible restraint he managed to get us to PN without inflicting bodily harm and we spent a happy hour playing with a demo Husaberg in some blokes field. Neat bike by the way, smooth power and magnificent suspension, I’ve been looking sideways at my 200EXC since I got back and I’m sure it senses something.
After a bit of faffing around we loaded up and shot down to Wobblington to stand around in a bit of wind at the end of the dock for an hour until the nice people from the Interislander took us away. A grateful nights sleep was had in Picton at one of Roger & Clives relatives.
Friday morning awoke with a bit of cloud and us being asked to leave so they could tidy up the mess we made (you can never really tell with dry wit can you?) so we sodded off in the general direction of South out via Taylors valley from Blenheim towards the Molesworth station. After a bit of not finding it, we found Mt Altimarlok and did our best impression of heroic adventurers by riding up it and nearly getting blown off the bloody top, I’m sure if I had got the balance point right I could have stood the bike up without the stand. In fact, on the way down (yes, we did admire the view) we had wheels steering into the wind and being blown the other way as the fronts’ snow ploughed through the gravel over the first 50 metres…interesting concept! The Molesworth was conquered (did it notice?) uneventfully and lunch and a beer was found in Hanmer following small diversion which was not my fault. Bloody Roger and his bright ideas….we stopped at the top of Jollies pass just before Hanmer and seeing a side track went along to get a view down on the town. Someone nameless suggested that this track was one he had ridden in the rain with a pillion last time he was here so we should follow it to Hanmer, there followed 30 minutes of vertical plummeting, questions of someones’ parentage, some bush bashing, a bit of where the fuck are we and a small tour of local forestry before we emerged in Hanmer. Someone then notices that probably wasn’t the track he meant.

Following lunch, the nice new DR had a pool of oil under it and despite trying to pretend we hadn’t noticed it persisted until we spotted the cracked case, somewhere on the Molesworth road there is a malicious rock. I can highly recommend the garage at Hanmer, they provided the bits and we molested the bike, as a side note you can turn DR’s upside down and no oil escapes. Epoxy and a quick trip to Christchurch for a bash plate and on to Fairlie just in time for the small bore challenge idiots departure.

Just to get back to Christchurch, I can recommend the Zumo for getting you somewhere on time, it delivered me right outside Sportzone exactly at 4.45 as predicted, unfortunately I didn’t know what a Sportzone looked like and spent 5 minutes riding up and down the road looking for one before asking the nice people in the Suzuki dealership for directions. Needless to say, I made their day.
Even worse, I got shut down at the lights by a mountain bike just after that, the swine had a 70cc dirtbike motor mounted to the frame, I only made that mistake once.

Following an interesting nights “sleep” at the pub we began our meticulous preparations for departure by filling up the bikes, annoying Struan who wanted to leave early and waving to everyone else as they left before being led into the fray by Tim on the Transalp. I have absolutely no idea where we went but it was fun, no sheep were hurt and we did close all the bloody gates, one of the best bits was opening the bikes up on the Dunstan and the sensation of absolute joy when it all comes together. After being alerted to the fact that my no refuelling plan had a fatal flaw (1000kms in two days is 500 each day right?) there was a period of panic until I found a gas station, then we lost the Serpentine (we were all following Struan, ok) then the Serpentine ate Struan twice and I got my boots muddy, a huge hole tried to eat the 640 (I baled out) and we almost rode off the road into the setting sun before arriving in Alexandra in time for the gas stations to be closed. After a round of whimpering we retired.

Someone invented the next day and invited us to partake, Tim refused to play with us but Stephen (Aslan) foolishly joined in and with incredible navigation skills we went up a hill and ended up in a moonscape, Stephen stopped to open a gate and fell off the bike as the sidestand collapsed, Clive felt the urge to go ahead for a bit and got lost and in half an hour I was ready to kill someone! All was made better by the run down off wherever we were into Cromwell as the 640 got airborne a couple of times and I managed to actually pass someone (it still counts if they aren’t moving).

Breakfast in Cromwell was great.

It managed to be foggy in the MacKenzie Pass both times we went through.

The Black forest track was awesome.

Omarama? Saddle was a bit steep and I succeeded in dropping the bike on top of myself getting off for the gate, luckily help was close but Stephen wouldn’t get off his bike without the sidestand so I did the stuck bug for a while as he offered helpful hints.
I will get my revenge.

Finally made it back to Farlie and then to Ashburton and dinner!

There’s more…..

Monday via Lees valley where our sheep herding skills were tested and our counselling skills trying to escape from a lonely shepherd (somewhere near Cromwell there is girl missing here shepherd, unless I misunderstood and he was talking about a ewe). Whoever was on the 250cc? Honda, I hope your chain stayed on long enough to get home, you looked a tad miffed when we found you on the side of the river but I suspect that was karma having a go, as about 1 km before that I stopped for a ewe that was stuck in the 5 wire fence, it had managed to get its head and both legs thru different strands and then do a backflip through the fence. It seemed appreciative when released.
The Rainbow called us next and despite Clives best efforts to avoid paying the toll we were apprehended and relieved of our $$s….they need a bit better signage to avoid ignorant north islanders just riding past in blissful unawareness! Murchison and the pub with almost no beer supplied dinner and lodgings followed by a trip up the Braemar and Porika tracks then Nelson, the Maungatapu and back to Picton for the ferry.

A great trip, absolutely stunning scenery and terrain, absolutely well organised ride (thanks Ryan and others) and a bunch of jealous Jaffas as there is nothing at all that compares with that up here.

[helenoftroy]

Well that was an awesome read Crisis management!:rofl:

The bike with the thrown chain at the Okuku river,Lees valley was none other than Tuckerbag on his NXR125.....

[Aslan]

Well that was an awesome read Crisis management!:rofl:



What HOT said Crisis - very witty I enjoyed reading your account (and your company and help with all of those gates on Day 2) - sorry about being unable to get off and help you at the top of the Omarama Saddle :lol: However, I did get a good pic of you that you can see over on ADV - till next time - cheers to you Rogson and Clive - Ciao Aslan

[Eddieb]

Got a link to the adv thread? I couldn't find it yesterday.

[cynna]

Got a link to the adv thread? I couldn't find it yesterday.

here it is
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543295&highlight=dusty

[Padmei]

Sorry engleesh baddy - FRom Nelson I am. Whats IBA ride? seriously?

[Eddieb]

Iron Butt Association. They do BIG rides.

Linky even: http://www.ironbutt.com/

[NordieBoy]

As opposed to the MBA - Monkey Butt Association.

They also do long rides but only in the wet and wearing jeans.

[Aslan]

Here's a few of my photo's

1/. Mark (whatastoner) at Serpentine church
2/. Kenny being assisted by Woodman (?) in Orari Gorge
3/. Alf and Monstaman near end of Mt Bee track
4/. My bike at rest, Manorburn dam
5/. Alf n bike after downhill highside, Monstaman in background
6/. Manorburn

Matt's Dakar - just to salute / compliment on your pics - great - Ciao Aslan

[cynna]

got the rest of my pics up here

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1021110&id=1274207902&fbid=1350824132031#/album.php?aid=51937&id=1274207902

[cooneyr]

I recon we should cancel the ferry sailings next time the NI'ers decided they want to try out the SI. They try to skive out of paying gate fees, moan and bitch about gates, can't keep up with 70cc power MTB's and like to muck about with our sheep! Sounds like you had an awesome through eventful trip! Awesome write up :msn-wink:

Cheers R

[cooneyr]

got the rest of my pics up here

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1021110&id=1274207902&fbid=1350824132031#/album.php?aid=51937&id=1274207902

Try Photobucket maybe?

Cheers R

[Ms Topo]

Here are the only pics I got while down in Fairlie, two before photos and one after :)

[Underground]

I've figured out how to do this photo thing ,heres a few shots
Mountie and underground's enjoy ruralmans coffee :clap:.We were not lost ,just wondering where we were .Jatz's ,alane mountie underground's checking someones bike over after a crossing . And woodman caning it through the Rainbow eager to get to the event.

192623192622192621192619

[Aslan]

kewl pics Underground - onya!

[cooneyr]

I've figured out how to do this photo thing ,heres a few shots...

Glad that ford in the thrid pic was nice and low. It was just over knee deep when we went through for the pre run checking. It's been known to drown a 950 Adv.

Cheers R

[Waihou Thumper]

This is the first video of the ride taken on the Saturday. I have approximately 6 or 7 to edit, so it is going to take a little bit of time. They will be posted here on Vimeo, numbered Dusty Butt 1 through to whatever... I have worked on getting a better viewing and it seems the best way will be to mount the camera on top of the helmet for a good birds eye view....:msn-wink:

I didn't shoot too much but captured some of the best roads. I have some good clips of Chris on the 690 Enduro and the boys on their DR's taking the short cut up the valley out of Clyde Sunday morning. I even have some of my gear lever breaking, throwing it over the bike, only to retrieve it PDQ....:no: it should not have broken, but it got me through the weekend and the ride home after some pretty damn good welding:)..

Again I had to put in some music as the sound of the wind is too much unless it is muted, so I think some sound is better than nothing...If you don't like the music then just mute it....:bleh:


<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8957955&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8957955&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8957955">Dusty Butt Part 1 2010</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3034250">NZKTM Mark</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[Eddieb]

Thats great Mark, looks like you were really shifting along there too.

[Waihou Thumper]

Thanks mate. Yeah, on some of those really straight roads it was fun..:)
I am having some rendering issues at present, it may take awhile to get these done dammit!

[Transalper]

yee ha, I'm finally famous in someone elses videos... 2:09 briefly before I was forced to leave the scene when the rider in front seemed to want me to pass, so I did. May have to include that bit from my perspective later as I was recording then too.

Oh, I caught another glimpse of myself later at a gate coming through from behind again.

Looking forward to more, although I don't think you have any more of me sadly.

[Waihou Thumper]

yee ha, I'm finally famous in someone elses videos... 2:09 breifly before I was forced to leave the scene when the rider in front seemed to want me to pass, so I did. May have to include that bit from my perspective later as I was recording then too.

Oh, I caught another glimps of myself later at a gate coming through from behind again.

Looking foward to more, although I don't think you have any more of me sadly.


A legend in your own little DR lunchbox...:) More is definitley on the way, I am uploading Parts 2 and 3 as I type....
I think I will have maybe 6 all up....

[JATZ]

I've figured out how to do this photo thing ,heres a few shots
Mountie and underground's enjoy ruralmans coffee :clap:.We were not lost ,just wondering where we were .Jatz's ,alane mountie underground's checking someones bike over after a crossing . And woodman caning it through the Rainbow eager to get to the event.

192623192622192621192619

Just moments before the bike needed checking over....... this happened
Someone told him to gas it when you feel the back wheel losing traction, so he did,
some one should've told him to let go of the throttle at some stage too :D

[Waihou Thumper]

Okay all, this is the second and third instalment of the Dusty Butt 2010. There is some footage of Chris and Mark out the back of Ranfurly before eventually getting to The Dunstan Road. The roads were straight, fast and dusty...:) It made for a glorious afternoon until I hit some trouble near Millers Flat....:( I made it home though, second and third gear, watching the revs and not going over 70kph....:)

<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8962498&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8962498&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8962498">Dusty Butt 2010 Part 2</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3034250">NZKTM Mark</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>





<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8961704&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8961704&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;sho w_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;ful lscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8961704">Dusty Butt Part 3 2010</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3034250">NZKTM Mark</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[alane]

Why is it I can,t download any pics.They just come up as letters & squiggles. maybe its cause my landline conections so weak??
BUGGER -------ALANE

[Waihou Thumper]

Why is it I can,t download any pics.They just come up as letters & squiggles. maybe its cause my landline conections so weak??
BUGGER -------ALANE

Yes it could be mate...Bugger, there is some good vid too....:)

[Padmei]

I've got a crick in my neck watching that vid :eek5:

[Waihou Thumper]

I've got a crick in my neck watching that vid :eek5:

The camera itself it good and the quality very good. I have it mounted at the side of the helmet, this is why it is biased to the right...:)
As I said, I have made adjustments and the Arai helmet now has it at the top of the peak between the vents. The mount is solid as and I have cable tied it through the vent holes underneath into the interior. The vents have been removed.
It should work a treat now. Sorry for your neck issues, I know of a good Chiropractor....Guess it won't be winning any Academy awards soon but you get the idea.....More for the ones that didn't make it and show them all how frikkin fantastic the roads are...:)

[Transalper]

lol, on that note there are lots of programs that can rotate the vids before publishing them, but you'll end up with black triangles in the corners unless you crop them out.
Actually works not to badly for web based vids because after cropping you still have a reasonable amount of pixel resolution left, but not so much on TV where you end up a pit short on pixels..

[Waihou Thumper]

This is the second to last video...:) Hope everyones neck and shoulders can stand the pain...:eek:



<OBJECT width="400" height="300"><EMBED height=300 type=application/x-shockwave-flash width=400 src=http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8964623&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1 allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></EMBED></OBJECT>Dusty Butt 2010 part 5 (http://vimeo.com/8964623) from NZKTM Mark (http://vimeo.com/user3034250) on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com).

[Waihou Thumper]

Last Instalment everyone....This has some more bikes on it too...DRBig and a R800GS towards the end. There is also the AT there...:)


<OBJECT width="400" height="300"><EMBED height=300 type=application/x-shockwave-flash width=400 src=http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8965716&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1 allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></EMBED></OBJECT>Dusty Butt 2010 Part 6 (http://vimeo.com/8965716) from NZKTM Mark (http://vimeo.com/user3034250) on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com).

[Transalper]

Here we go, my first video, it's the Serpentine Rd option up to the old church including us wondering why there is a lone bike parked in the middle of no where without it's rider.
The track turned out to be so much drier than on the pre-run check that the big bogs were dry and knobs weren't really needed after all. Still always an advantage aye.

Good old Youtube, they have changed the way they render things now days, I have to say I've become quite impressed with the improved picture but I had to change the resolution and bitrates of my uploads to take advantage of it all. My files are now twice the size of my earlier uploads.

Anyway on with the show.... (managed to include the full screen playback button this time)

<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ncX8mFvat1c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ncX8mFvat1c&hl=en_GB&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>

[.chris]

I have had a few requests for full res photos from my galleries so I have uploaded all my photos in low-res so you can pick the ones you want.
Please note these are ALL the photos I got from the db, unfiltered.
http://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/Db1kSamplePhotosComplete#

Just email me as per the description in the gallery, if you click the more-info link to the right of the image you will see the filename, that is what I need know to email/upload full res photos.

Would love to upload them all as full res, but that would be over 3gb, and half of them are not worth uploading. So I shall let you guys decide which ones you want.

[cooneyr]

Seems the article about the DB1k didn't make the cut for the march eddition of Kiwii Rider. Do you have any idea when you handy work may be used RD?

Cheers R

[Woodman]

Seems the article about the DB1k didn't make the cut for the march eddition of Kiwii Rider. Do you have any idea when you handy work may be used RD?

Cheers R
Possibly couldn't write it with only one wing working.

[alane]

Possibly couldn't write it with only one wing working.

Now---------------DING WING DAVE------------

[Racing Dave]

Possibly couldn't write it with only one wing working.

I only need one finger to type...

Publishing deadlines are a bugger, and the Yamaha Safari article only just made the cut. I'm hoping that the Dusty article will be in the April issue (available approx 18 March). If or when I can confirm that (sometimes 'confirmed' stories get bumped for various reasons) I'll let you know.

I've had a few rides back on my NXR, and other than a constant ache, and lack of movement, all's getting better. As it must - the Big Southern Sky Adventure is only 10 days away, and I'm booked in for that.

Cheers,
Dave B

[cooneyr]

Thanks for the update Dave. Good luck with the BSA - hope your not riding one!

Cheers R

[.chris]

What is the word on the db for 2011?

And I found a few more photos worthy of uploading (I think...)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIebbZSaCI/AAAAAAAAIzA/f8CVFH4osFM/s800/IMG_3029.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIec6_fgkI/AAAAAAAAIzQ/iKTwPHbmxE4/s800/IMG_2737.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIeeeM4tuI/AAAAAAAAIzU/JcdrYIWf0nI/s800/IMG_2779.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIefn92yoI/AAAAAAAAIzY/KFIHhq9nnmI/s800/IMG_2832%20-%20Copy.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIeibInemI/AAAAAAAAIzg/eqetBGhQHgM/s800/IMG_2885.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIejvBVUcI/AAAAAAAAIzk/d8hb-6nsBP4/s800/IMG_2892.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIekwjWL6I/AAAAAAAAIzo/OIAD2jJJEm8/s800/IMG_2900.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIelw5j7YI/AAAAAAAAIzs/y66WCYFGWlA/s800/IMG_2913.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIenBGGFoI/AAAAAAAAIzw/nDuGg7LXKpo/s800/IMG_2922.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIeoB8XRkI/AAAAAAAAIz0/-MPdm68C9t8/s800/IMG_2930.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIet0E1aKI/AAAAAAAAI0I/iLjE7ciSkq8/s800/IMG_2978.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIewFkw1tI/AAAAAAAAI0Q/zki0SlLy2wY/s800/IMG_2984.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIexrUzXSI/AAAAAAAAI0U/_XV2dR7HjAA/s800/IMG_2993.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIeyxhp08I/AAAAAAAAI0c/k7OU7_gKD9Y/s800/IMG_3045.JPG

[JATZ]

What is the word on the db for 2011?

And I found a few more photos worthy of uploading (I think...)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIec6_fgkI/AAAAAAAAIzQ/iKTwPHbmxE4/s800/IMG_2737.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Gr4w3OEMfJs/TAIeeeM4tuI/AAAAAAAAIzU/JcdrYIWf0nI/s800/IMG_2779.JPG


:crybaby::crybaby:

Nice pics c.h.r.i.s

[Padmei]

We were talking about that today. It's up in the air at the mo I think.

Damn those Teneres look good:yes:

[cooneyr]

Not sure where to hold the run in 2012. Could easily modify the southern route to include some new stuff but would be good to go north again but I need some ideas for new sections. Hopefully the Nelsonians have some suggestions.

[Eddieb]

Is that Ali /Mrs Jatz in the 2nd pic, it's a cool shot.

[dino3310]

awesome chris, stunning

[JATZ]

Is that Ali /Mrs Jatz in the 2nd pic, it's a cool shot.

Yeah thats her...... almost looks like she knows what shes doin :D


Not sure where to hold the run in 2012. Could easily modify the southern route to include some new stuff but would be good to go north again but I need some ideas for new sections. Hopefully the Nelsonians have some suggestions.

Just a thought...... how about the track from Elaine bay to Penzance, if we could get access, it's Undergrounds back yard so he may have some idea there, still a lot of seal but it's not in and out the same way

[cynna]

Not sure where to hold the run in 2012. Could easily modify the southern route to include some new stuff but would be good to go north again but I need some ideas for new sections. Hopefully the Nelsonians have some suggestions.

does that mean there is no db in 2011?

[cooneyr]

Your too bloody observant mate!!! I meant 2011 ;)

[marks]

Muddy Butt 2010

How 'klr-able' is the 2010 loop at this time of year (obviously not this week with 90% of the roads closed)?

would you need serious tires (D606 etc) or should the normal E07/T64 type do?

[Transalper]

lol. I got to imagine a lot of it will be dooable, some of it will be very gooey mud and some of it will be well under snow (Carricktown Track and Omarama Saddle for example).
If I were going to go in winter I'd take a friend or two to help push and put D606 kind of tires on.
Some of it may be closed all winter but others will have more accurate info for you shortly I'm sure.

Carrack Town Track from the Nevis about 5 minutes in on this Video at this time of year when the snow is just getting started. Omarama Saddle is earlier in the vid. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZiT_Bz7Yeo)

[cooneyr]

Yep like TA says D606 with snow on the higher bits and the Old Dunstan trails and Lake Onslow will be very muddy. Appart from emergency closures (Danseys sounds like it is), Omarama Saddle is officially closed (DOC) and Old Dunstan Trails (esp eastern half) is technically closed (DCC). Labour weekend is about the earliest that all are good to go again.

Cheers R

[rogerh]

Yep, I have been to most of those places in winter, and you should be prepared to turn around if need be. Make the decision on the day, and with caution. But that said, with the right weather they are all fine any time of the year. Only one I have not done in snow is the Omarama Saddle.

All in a 4WD though, but equally possible at times on a bike. Dress for the occasion. Most of them are not that muddy really either, just the occasional bog in my experience, mostly with a way around if need be.

[Racing Dave]

Just a thought...... how about the track from Elaine bay to Penzance, if we could get access, it's Undergrounds back yard so he may have some idea there, still a lot of seal but it's not in and out the same way

If you're referring to the pylon track then you can't have ridden it lately. I was there in January, and it's seriously difficult. Very rocky, rutty, and steep. OK on a 250, but near impossible for the average chap on a bigger bike.

Whether or not there's an "official" southern run on the same course as this year, I'll be having another attempt in either Dec or Jan on my 125, as there's unfinished business for me there. Likewise, if there's to be a northern course, I'll be in for that, too.

[.chris]

If you're referring to the pylon track then you can't have ridden it lately. I was there in January, and it's seriously difficult. Very rocky, rutty, and steep. OK on a 250, but near impossible for the average chap on a bigger bike.

I can confirm that one for you, I tried to go over that one in Feb (thanks for the recommendation Underground) almost tore my leg off trying to get up that slippery wet rocky face.
Might be a good challenge loop for people, easy enough to turn around and head back down if it is too difficult.

[Underground]

I've had the Africa Twin through there from the elaine end and spent half an hour picking it up and wrestling it out of one crossing .
Had to turn back twice from the Penzance end and even dropped the 400 on one successful attempt.
Not the place to go after a shower of rain .
I'm not sure what it is about that track (thought it was just my riding) as it doesnt seem to have anything more difficult than alot of other tracks and trails we ride .
Its just tricky for some reason.
I thought it would have been dry enough for you Chris , but I'd kind of overlooked the smooth tyre / large bundle of luggage factor :slap: at least you made the ferry on time .

[NordieBoy]

'll be having another attempt in either Dec or Jan on my 125, as there's unfinished business for me there.

The other collarbone feeling left out?

[Eddieb]

The other collarbone feeling left out?

Or should that be left in?

[Eddieb]

This Official DB1K 2010 thread was started June 24th last year so the Official DB1K 2011 thread must be imminent.................

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[cooneyr]

.....Whether or not there's an "official" southern run on the same course as this year, I'll be having another attempt in either Dec or Jan on my 125, as there's unfinished business for me there. Likewise, if there's to be a northern course, I'll be in for that, too.

Your just gready RD. I've flicked my 125 in favour of a more trail worthy mount given the arrival of youngin and shorter leave passes.


The other collarbone feeling left out?

ahem - shoulder not CB


This Official DB1K 2010 thread was started June 24th last year so the Official DB1K 2011 thread must be imminent.

I was supprised by the interest of the Nelson crew on the weekend and was thinking it might be time for another route ideas thread. Takes me long enough to put it together and pre ride that I really need the ideas in the next couple of months. Maybe this weekend if I get some computer time.

[Padmei]

For the northern route a bypass thru Picton, Waikawa, top of the hill then it's a cool deviation along the 'shortcut road' along the ridges which comes out in the OPua forest then down along the Port Underwood rd thru to Rarangi & Blenheim to the Molesworth.
The sealed bits are fun no matter what you're riding & if you want dust the Rarangi end of the port underwood road has ample.

[JATZ]

If you're referring to the pylon track then you can't have ridden it lately. I was there in January, and it's seriously difficult. Very rocky, rutty, and steep. OK on a 250, but near impossible for the average chap on a bigger bike.


I can confirm that one for you, I tried to go over that one in Feb (thanks for the recommendation Underground) almost tore my leg off trying to get up that slippery wet rocky face.
Might be a good challenge loop for people, easy enough to turn around and head back down if it is too difficult.


I've had the Africa Twin through there from the elaine end and spent half an hour picking it up and wrestling it out of one crossing .
Had to turn back twice from the Penzance end and even dropped the 400 on one successful attempt.
Not the place to go after a shower of rain .
I'm not sure what it is about that track (thought it was just my riding) as it doesnt seem to have anything more difficult than alot of other tracks and trails we ride .
Its just tricky for some reason..

Interesting.........
I've only been through on 4 wheels and didn't think there was anything tooooo difficult about it,
Sounds like it needs some attention, including the tracks going up from Okiwi bay

[NordieBoy]

The sealed bits are fun no matter what you're riding & if you want dust the Rarangi end of the port underwood road has ample.

Annnnd has the loop track thingy at the Rarangi end...

Need to have a look at that one some time...

[Woodman]

I've had the Africa Twin through there from the elaine end and spent half an hour picking it up and wrestling it out of one crossing .
Had to turn back twice from the Penzance end and even dropped the 400 on one successful attempt.
Not the place to go after a shower of rain .
I'm not sure what it is about that track (thought it was just my riding) as it doesnt seem to have anything more difficult than alot of other tracks and trails we ride .
Its just tricky for some reason.
I thought it would have been dry enough for you Chris , but I'd kind of overlooked the smooth tyre / large bundle of luggage factor :slap: at least you made the ferry on time .

Sooo... Where is this track. Too many of yous are saying its tricky, makes it hard to ignore.

There looks like some recce work needs to be done by the NADS.

[zeRax]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cant wait for next dusty !!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[alane]

Be great,----if we could do the Clarence river
(A) @ the top (lake tennison end) & go over st James station etc.after all we,as tax payers have paid over $40,000,000 for it.:shit:
(B) the bottom (Clarence reserve) Still :gob: not happy the open day was canned in March,course of the crappy weather etc.:sick:--Oh! well---had fun anyway.:yes:
ALANE

[cooneyr]

Oi fellas - over here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124411-DB1k-2011-Route-Planning). Keen to hear any and all ideas.

[jezzaNZ]

This Official DB1K 2010 thread was started June 24th last year so the Official DB1K 2011 thread must be imminent.................

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???????:corn:

[Eddieb]

???????:corn:

There had been discussion going round about when and where the 2011 DB was going to be.

I posted that comment that Ryan must be pretty close to starting a 2011 thread and he started one I think the next day.

[jezzaNZ]

Thanks Eddie, I resalise there is a route planning thread but is there an Official DB1K 2011 thread also? Jez

[Transalper]

Thanks Eddie, I resalise there is a route planning thread but is there an Official DB1K 2011 thread also? Jez

Yea, Jezza, you already posted in the most current thread.... here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124411-DB1k-2011-Route-Planning/page12)

Next Dusty Butt 1000 is planned for 22 (24hr riders) or 22 and 23 Jan 2011.
Route based from Fairlie.

I don't recall seeing an actual official new thread for the DB1K 2011 yet.

[zeRax]

Fuck yea !

i should order safari tank ~_~