Who's doing the Brass Monkey 2005

[festus]

10 bikes from Wanganui going (that I know of). Maybe KB members could meet at the site somewhere and tip a few?? :Punk: :ride:

[idb]

10 bikes from Wanganui going (that I know of). Maybe KB members could meet at the site somewhere and tip a few?? :Punk: :ride:
I'll be the there with a couple of mates up from Invers. :ride: :apint: :blink: :puke:

[dangerous]

hmmmmmmmmmmm........... we shell see :ride:

[Silage]

I am on if the gout and arthritis don't play up too much - and if it looks like reasonable weather. Last one I was at was in 1990 when the GB was but a youth.

[LB]

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Not me! theojlkasjdpofihad;fi
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[Holy Roller]

Would be but doin the family thing in OZ.
A mate from work will be going down on his BMW1200.
Looking forward to next year

[Fryin Finn]

The Demon bike boys from Hell are going including one all the way from England - watch out for colourful garb :grouphug:

[zooter]

Would be rude not to, living in Queenstown, now if someone would post the date I can organise time off work. Vespa's welcome these days??

[dangerous]

now if someone would post the date I can organise time off work.
1st w/e in June :ride: (Queens Birthday)

[pete376403]

I'll be there. Going with a few locals (SV1000, VTR1000, Pegaso 650, BMW F650, K75, and a XT660 from Auckland) Leaving on Wednesday, down the West Coast. Stopping in at Milford then back up to rally, Geraldine Sunday night. Should be good.

[dangerous]

I'll be there. Going with a few locals (SV1000, VTR1000, Pegaso 650, BMW F650, K75, and a XT660 from Auckland) Leaving on Wednesday, down the West Coast. Stopping in at Milford then back up to rally, Geraldine Sunday night. "Should be good"
"Should be good".......... 'will be cold'.... Sounds like a big effort there Pete, does that mean you will be passing through Chch on Monday? if so and ya need a Coffee, drop in to Belfast.

[Flyingpony]

Haven't been yet and can't make it this year as I've not clocked enough long distance riding experience to even think about attempting it. Saw it on telly recently - looks lovely.

Maybe in a year or five. An extra cylinder might help - won't get numb hands from all the vibrations of a single doing 8500 rpm - unless I'm holding on wrong?

I'm sure my neighbour across the road will be going. Only see his big black Kwa couple times a year and the Brass Monkey is one of his outings.

Enjoy the ride!

[scumdog]

Yeah, I'll be there (unless too much black ice or the snow gets too deep) probably just for the Saturday, most likely solo (Chrissy-Bimbo don't like the cold that much).
May come up with a mate. :ride:

Got no KB i.d. :no: so I'll take pot-luck at meeting other KBers there. :drinknsin

[dangerous]

Got no KB i.d. :no: so I'll take pot-luck at meeting other KBers there. :drinknsin
Yeah ya have.......... :drinknsin


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=10402

[duckman]

SD, What the hells that red thing hanging out out yer pants ?? :killingme

[Ghost Lemur]

SD, What the hells that red thing hanging out out yer pants ?? :killingme

It's a bike... :killingme

The question could be asked "how come you're looking at his groin?". :whistle:

[ManDownUnder]

SD, What the hells that red thing hanging out out yer pants ?? :killingme

Dude - you have me worried... and you've got me looking at SD's crotch...

I'm not pleased about either I have to say (care to discuss it over a beer???)
MDU

[scumdog]

O.K. you sickos, it's my blood bank tag (shows blood group) and makes a jim-dandy thing to grab ahold of when your fingers are frozen and you're bustin' for a piss!!
Plus if you arse-up off your scoot the nurses can tell your blood group.
I hear that's the place all the nurses look first :msn-wink:

Well that's where Chrissy-Bimbo looks and she's a nurse. :whistle:

And thanks a lot Dangerous, now I'll be forever running from the papparazzi and ducking from autograph hunters :D

[idb]

Snow forecast down to 300m today which is about Queenstown.
It's already lying about 100m above Queenstown.
The current prediction is for a 'high' of 9 deg on Saturday.

I all makes the wet tee shirt competition more of a spectacle. :devil2:

[festus]

Snow forecast down to 300m today which is about Queenstown.
It's already lying about 100m above Queenstown.
The current prediction is for a 'high' of 9 deg on Saturday.

I all makes the wet tee shirt competition more of a spectacle. :devil2:

A couple of the boys in our group are doing the "softcock rally" this year and are riding through to Queenstown late Saturday, I'll have much pleasure telling them that!.......... :niceone:

[FlyingDutchMan]

I'm going... the bikes even getting new bits to do it. Should be fanstic fun.

[idb]

Oooh yeah....

Weather Warnings


SEVERE SOUTHWESTERLY GALES ABOUT COASTAL OTAGO AND BANKS PENINSULA OVERNIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING HEAVY SNOW ABOUT THE CATLINS, SOUTH OTAGO AND DUNEDIN OVERNIGHT MetService is warning of a period of stormy weather over most of New Zealand from tonight, with a very strong cold west to southwesterly flow affecting the ......... eastern and southern parts of the South Island. In the South Island, southwesterlies are expected to rise to severe gale for a time about coastal Otago and Banks Peninsula overnight and tomorrow morning. Southwesterly winds gusts could reach 120 km/h at times. Snow showers are also expected to low levels about the southern South Island overnight, and there could be some heavy snowfalls about the Catlins, South Otago and higher parts of Dunedin, with 10-15cm in some places overnight. Forecasters warn that these very strong winds gusts could cause damage to trees, powerlines and roofs, and make driving conditions extremely hazardous especially for motorcyclists, high sided vechicles and cars towing caravans. The heavy snow combined with southwesterly gales in the southern South Island could mean near blizzard conditions for short periods and effective wind chill temperatures as low as -5C overnight.
:Punk:

[Lou Girardin]

Bloody hell, SD looks like Jed Clampett. No relation?

[scumdog]

Bloody hell, SD looks like Jed Clampett. No relation?

Eat your heart out Lou, not all of you are lucky to be born with such look AND such style :niceone:

[Ixion]

Bloody hell, SD looks like Jed Clampett. No relation?

D'ye think ? I thought more like Granny Clampett m'self

[dangerous]

I'm going... the bikes even getting new bits to do it. Should be fanstic fun.
Good luck man........ and same for the rest of ya's heading down, or up.
Remember for any of ya's passing through Belfast that need a break or warm up stop in (number is in 'user notes' profile)

Ive done 10 odd started at the age of 17 back in the 80's dont need to do any more, I am happy to be a big girls blouse :Punk:
2nd pic 1985 1st brass..... no leather and -22 ground temp :weird:

[scumdog]

Look at pics on the Brass Monkey site (circa '95) you might see a pic of a lanky guy with a drizabone coat and funny coloured hair -moi!!

Just had a look at the BM site pics, that's me striding out with a blue and white striped tent in the background - and me muzzle wasn't so grey!!

[Hitcher]

You're all insane!

[scumdog]

You're all insane!


Nah! You're just jealous!!

[gav]

Yeah, Mechanic from work is heading down, forecast for Chch tomorrow is a high of 7 (!!!) degrees, rain, hail, snow to 200m on Banks Penisula. ummm fuck that....
Bastard has day off ands only going to Oamaru, told him he should work and ride down after work, its about a 3 hour ride tops, he says nah, 6 hours, 3 hours riding, 3 hours pub stops!!

[dangerous]

well with the weather looking the way it is I'd pull the pin, might be a replay of last year.
A couple of mates are still going and a couple have changed there minds, bugger that. :cold:

[Hitcher]

Nah! You're just jealous!!
Too fucking soft is more likely...

[Jantar]

For those riders coming to Central Otago for the Brass Monkey.

It was snowing as I DROVE to work this morning. The bike stayed in the shed.

Many roads in the area are closed and some are only passable with chains. All mountain passes are affected including Linds, Pig Route, Outram - Middlemarch, and Dunedin's Northern Motorway. The road out of Ranfurly is also passable with chains.

Take care out there.

[thehollowmen]

Sorry - I won't make it this weekend
Which is really bad, because I just got my full.

[Virago]

For those riders coming to Central Otago for the Brass Monkey.

It was snowing as I DROVE to work this morning. The bike stayed in the shed.

Many roads in the area are closed and some are only passable with chains. All mountain passes are affected including Linds, Pig Route, Outram - Middlemarch, and Dunedin's Northern Motorway. The road out of Ranfurly is also passable with chains.

Take care out there.
Update on Dunedin, it's real bad here at the moment. The hill suburbs are pretty well unpassable due to the snow. There's cages sideways everywhere, and it sounds like they're going to close the roads in and out of town.

If you're heading to the BM early, it may pay to wait for a bit.

Take care guys.

[idb]

The sun's out here at the moment.

[Virago]

The sun's out here at the moment.
Sun? Bastard!

Still snowing heavily here, and they're just closed the Northern motorway.

[idb]

Sun? Bastard!

Still snowing heavily here, and they're just closed the Northern motorway.
Oops....no...hang on....yep....it's starting to snow again.....

[FlyingDutchMan]

I'm still going... I'm not going to give up that easy. I've managed to get my bike up a nasty 4WD ski field access road covered in snow & ice, so I recon if I take it easy, I should get there alright. Definitely going to put more anti-freeze in though! And if the shit does hit the fan, I know quite a few people on the way down where I can stop & stay.

[idb]

I'm still going... I'm not going to give up that easy. I've managed to get my bike up a nasty 4WD ski field access road covered in snow & ice, so I recon if I take it easy, I should get there alright. Definitely going to put more anti-freeze in though! And if the shit does hit the fan, I know quite a few people on the way down where I can stop & stay.
That's the spirit.
Look out for the guy in the khaki army greatcoat on an old Ducati Darmah.
I'm a bit boring.....but I can dance and tell jokes....

[dangerous]

Just had a call from a mate that has arived there...... all roads are sweet its dry and bloody cold. :Punk:

[scumdog]

Last I heard was: Sh1 closed at Waitati (north of Dunedin) but may be opened now (will be icy in the morning)
Road from Outram to Middlemarch closed.
Ice on road at Fruitlands (just east of Alexandra)

Chrissy-Bimbo is coming up with me but any threat of black-ice and I won't leave the driveway!!

If you're there watch for two tassled riders on a red HD.

[FlyingDutchMan]

Well I'm leaving right now... its raining but according the the weather people it should clear up in an hour or so. :cold:

[scumdog]

Just leaving now myself, it's overcast but not so cold, can see showers to the south-west.

Route: Shingle Creek pub, Chatto Creek pub, Blacks (maybe) etc.

See y'all there :niceone: :drinkup:

[dangerous]

take it easy guys.... FDM watch out over the pig route can get rather tricky at times I have taken a couple mates to Ranfurly hospital over the years. You will be right :niceone:

[Hitcher]

As I got up at 2:00am this morning for my requisite whizz, I was reminded why I'm not at the Brass Monkey. And it's only six crisp paces from my side of a lovely warm bed to our ensuite. Imagine having to extract oneself from the confines of a sleeping bag, in a tent, whilst wearing all one's clothes, finding one's footwear, and eyewear, stumpling around in the ice and snow on one's way to the whizzer, negotiating with Private Parts to make an appearance in the cold, and then retracing one's steps through the Arctic wastes, entering the tent, removing one's footwear, re-engaging with a now frozen sleeping bag, and lying down to discover that one's bladder has not been completely emptied... Paradise!

[Jantar]

I cruised out to site today, with Mrs J as pillion. It wasn't too bad at all. Fine weather as we left Chatto Creek then a light rain started as we descended the hill to Poolburn Pub. By the time we reached the site it was a steady drizzle, and cold, but not frezzing.

We came home on the main road, with snow right down to the side of the road from Otrehua to Becks. Plenty of bikes heading there, and I did see a guy in a greatcoat on a Ducati, idb perhaps?

Shortly after arriving home we heard a police siren heading in the direction that the Brass riders were going. I hope the fine wasn't too big.

[scumdog]

As I got up at 2:00am this morning for my requisite whizz, I was reminded why I'm not at the Brass Monkey. And it's only six crisp paces from my side of a lovely warm bed to our ensuite. Imagine having to extract oneself from the confines of a sleeping bag, in a tent, whilst wearing all one's clothes, finding one's footwear, and eyewear, stumpling around in the ice and snow on one's way to the whizzer, negotiating with Private Parts to make an appearance in the cold, and then retracing one's steps through the Arctic wastes, entering the tent, removing one's footwear, re-engaging with a now frozen sleeping bag, and lying down to discover that one's bladder has not been completely emptied... Paradise!

See what you missed!! I bet there's a whole lot of people out there WILL be at next years BM after reading that!

BTW Myself and Chrissy-Bimbo got there and back no bother - even passed the breath test that was copulsory at the Omakau Police roadblock.

[FlyingDutchMan]

I got there and back no dramas... bar one. I locked myself out of my flat, with the bike keys inside when I went to leave. Had to get flatmate out of shower to let me back in. The rain was friggen awful. I customised my jeans with a bit of duct tape to make them wind/water proof round the knees. Worked surprizing well, but it did attact some strange looks!

Only scary moment: the last turn off to Otrehua - there was a shit load of loose gravel on that corner, but I spotted it in time and slowed up just in time.

[dangerous]

I got there and back no dramas...
Top marks man :niceone: with the gear that you had ya done good....... keen to do a few rallies over summer?

[zooter]

Had a leisurely all day breakfast at the Otarehua pub after a poor nights sleep in my leaky tent. The pub shuttle sure makes life easier. The drizzle everyone else talks about must have been coming down while I was at the pub 'cause I carried my umbrella around all day and night for naught.
My skisuit over leathers and thermals kept out the cold as I took off at 10pm to be starting work this morning.
City slickers take note, you haven't seen stars until you've got off your bike in deepest darkest Maniototo under a cloudless moonless winter sky.
I'll be back next year and hopefully by then we'll have a KB rendezvous point sorted out. No doubt Hitcher will be pouring cold water on it from afar again next year too. Would you take advice from a man who can't empty his bladder reliably?

[campbellluke]

It was pretty good im just back from it.

Bit of frost in the morning, but that was it. Far too easy compared with last year. I didn't have to ride through the edge of the closed pig-route road to get home this time.

[Hitcher]

Had a leisurely all day breakfast at the Otarehua pub after a poor nights sleep in my leaky tent. The pub shuttle sure makes life easier. The drizzle everyone else talks about must have been coming down while I was at the pub 'cause I carried my umbrella around all day and night for naught.
My skisuit over leathers and thermals kept out the cold as I took off at 10pm to be starting work this morning.
City slickers take note, you haven't seen stars until you've got off your bike in deepest darkest Maniototo under a cloudless moonless winter sky.
I'll be back next year and hopefully by then we'll have a KB rendezvous point sorted out. No doubt Hitcher will be pouring cold water on it from afar again next year too. Would you take advice from a man who can't empty his bladder reliably?
You misunderstand. Hitcher will be pouring HOT water on it...

[scumdog]

o.k., last post was a quick one as C.B. and self dropped the scoot off on return from the B.M and headed off to Riverton for Saturday night (more later).

Anyway, back to the B.M., left home in the pouring rain o.k., only drama was the two spots near Beaumont where the flood-water was across the road, got to Shingle Creek pub o.k. - bread-bags over the gloves paid off.

Then on to Chatto Creek for a double Ginger Wine, last stop was Poolburn pub then onto the rally site and set up camp.
New down-filled sleeping bags (zip-together ones) turned out to be just the bees-knees - to keep warm you understand.

Met Zooter (with flash brolly) and idb (with army coat), we 'decided' that Hawaiin bandanas and meeting around the bar would be a good way for KBers to meet!!

Left at 9:30 Sunday to head home as previously mentioned.

Anyway, coming back from Riverton, today we decided to take Catlins Coast road (we were in our 'newest' car C.B.s '84 Laser) to check it out, it's A1, sealed for the whole route, bad news is; at Papatowhai the bridge is under repair so you have a 16km detour to Tahakopa and back to Mclennan on gravel road, the surface is good at present but the traffic is causing pot-holes with this rain we've had.
Still worth the trip though.

[idb]

No dramas here either.
Damp roads but clear weather until Cromwell then dry all the way.
Caught up with Zooter. The very image of a gentleman biker, brolly and blue & yellow ski suit. I don't know how the brolly would work on the bike but I suppose it would keep the rain off.
SD and CB were found in front of the bar and we all shared intelligent conversation for a half hour or more.

Jantar, I turned off at Omakau and stopped at Poolburn so it may have been me if you were on that road.

I didn't catch FDM anywhere, unless he recognised me when it was later in the night and chose to ignore me......although that doesn't make any sense cos I'm more witty and intelligent as the night goes on.

Anyway, wandered the site entertaining folks and hit the pit around 0430.
A bit of a frost but it was gone by the time I got up due to the fog.
Fog until Clyde, especially bad over the Poolburn hill, and then clear all the way home.

As for the whizzing issue. My tent has a fly that covers the internal entrance so I don't have to get out of bed. Just unzip the inside door, unzip my bag halfway down and heave the necessary bits out the entrance. No-ones the wiser nor offended and I don't even have to get out of bed.
Now you can't do that at home unless your ensuite is closer than six steps away!
Am I wrong!?

[dangerous]

Now you can't do that at home unless your ensuite is closer than six steps away!
Am I wrong!?
:rofl: no you are quite corect there man.
All the chch lads are back now they said it was drizling through the pig route too S/H1. And that the pig route was in bad shape and the melted tar from summer was shiny and it was hard too tell the differance between bad seal and black frost. But thats what its all about, I swear that the frosts used to be dryer a decade or two ago..... frosts seem so wet these days. :drinkup:

[FlyingDutchMan]

Top marks man :niceone: with the gear that you had ya done good....... keen to do a few rallies over summer?

Definetly, I'll be keen for a bit warmer & dryer trips round the country... as long as i don't have ride the incredibly boring two corner per hour Chch-Timaru-Oamaru route.



I didn't catch FDM anywhere, unless he recognised me when it was later in the night and chose to ignore me......although that doesn't make any sense cos I'm more witty and intelligent as the night goes on.


I didn't see you round anywhere... but had you come over to the bike bouncing off the 18,000 rpm rev limiter some time during the night you would have found me! :whistle:

[scumdog]

A couple of mates of mine (yes, I DO have some) had a close call on the way home about 15km from the site just past Poolburn in the thick white-out they almost wore a white car that appeared on front of them with no lights on and doing about 15km.

The 'retired farmer' type hat gave the game away as to why the driver was behaving thus.

FDM, PM me or idb etc and give us a clue as to what you might look like before the next rally eh?

Next lot of rallies one for me - Pissed Penguin at Kaka Point (Sept) and then M.A.T.E.S. @ Waikaia (Oct?) and finally Magpie Madness@Winchester (Nov)

[dangerous]

Definetly, I'll be keen for a bit warmer & dryer trips round the country... as long as i don't have ride the incredibly boring two corner per hour Chch-Timaru-Oamaru route.
:ride: We never take the direct route, usually follow the inland (foot of the hills) road. :ride:


I didn't see you round anywhere... but had you come over to the bike bouncing off the 18,000 rpm rev limiter some time during the night you would have found me! :whistle:
:wait: Theres always one, and I bet ya did it at four in the morning :drinkup:


Next lot of rallies one for me - Pissed Penguin at Kaka Point (Sept) and then M.A.T.E.S. @ Waikaia (Oct?) and finally Magpie Madness@Winchester (Nov)
:Punk: The Magpie will be the next..... SD what do ya say we plant a mower blade on the frount of the Sportster and enter it in the lawn mower race.... be fair comp for a B&S dont ya think :nya:

[FlyingDutchMan]

I didn't see you round anywhere... but had you come over to the bike bouncing off the 18,000 rpm rev limiter some time during the night you would have found me!

:wait: Theres always one, and I bet ya did it at four in the morning :drinkup:


Not quite that late... I think it was around midnight when someone tried telling me the tacho needle "couldn't possibly go that far round." He was well convinced afterwards.



FDM, PM me or idb etc and give us a clue as to what you might look like before the next rally eh?
Will do... But in the mean-time I'm 6' 6" and currently riding an unpainted 250cc sewing machine.

[dangerous]

FDM, PM me or idb etc and give us a clue as to what you might look like before the next rally eh?

Will do... But in the mean-time I'm 6' 6" and currently riding an unpainted 250cc sewing machine.
Wouldent worry bout the details FDM........ it would be eiser to find SD, he stands out like a copper in mufty :niceone:

[idb]

Next lot of rallies one for me - Pissed Penguin at Kaka Point (Sept) and then M.A.T.E.S. @ Waikaia (Oct?) and finally Magpie Madness@Winchester (Nov)
Wot?
Not doing Roxburgh now?

[scumdog]

Wot?
Not doing Roxburgh now?

Oops! Yes in fact I AM! 9th & 10th July. Entry form is already posted off :niceone:

Ph. Roxburgh Childrens Health Camp, limited to 100 entries ($40 per head) so get in quick!!

The one rally where it IS compulsory to sleep indoors and NOT compulsory to bring a motorbike!! :weird:

[scumdog]

Dangerous, do you own up to knowing any train drivers??? Name of Kerry?? Ok, I know... but he's a family!!!

[pete376403]

Well I reckon this years wasn't the easiest Brass Ive done but it wasn't the worst either. Wednesday Picton to Hokitika. Started raining at Murchison (as it usually does), really pissing down by the time we got to the coast. Thursday drizzly the progressively worse down the coast, A bit of snow at Franz Joseph, cleared up by Fox Glacier. Snowing again over the Haast Pass, but that stopped once over the top and just a bit overcast down to Hawea. Went to Cromwell via Hawea township and some interesting backroads where the faster members of our party (Fireblade, Firestorm, SV1000) had a good dice with a Porsche. Cromwell for the night. Snowing again next morning but not much so headed off to Te Anau. Thicker snow going around the lake to Kingston so stopped there for breakfast. Lots of snow in the paddocks but the roads were clear and ice free. Got to Te Anau but couldnt carry on to Milford as the tunnel portal was reported blocked with snow. Stayed at Te Anau overnight and Saturday dawned reasonably clear, Up to the rally via a lot of backroads including some pretty good dirt tracks alongside the (I think) Matuara river. Came out at Raes Junction, then up to Alex. A lot of bikes on the road from this point. This was probably the worst part of the whole trip, not cos of the weather but being in the company of a whole bunch of riders of unknown ability is unnerving. Anyway, from Alex, up to the rally site. Sunday went up to Geraldine, and Monday back to Picton via the inland route. About 2500 kms in all and a splendid way to spend 6 days.

[dangerous]

Dangerous, do you own up to knowing any train drivers??? Name of Kerry?? Ok, I know... but he's a family!!!
SCUMDOG............. Chrisie's drunk in charge of the puter again, and worst off all shes found KB :Punk:
ps: the give away was the chat up p/m's I was geting :niceone: I'd be seriously worried if was you, I hope ya keep the bike keys hidden better than ya KB password :drinkup:

[dangerous]

Well I reckon this years wasn't the easiest Brass Ive done but it wasn't the worst either. Wednesday Picton to Hokitika. Started raining at Murchison (as it usually does), really pissing down by the time we got to the coast. Thursday drizzly the progressively worse down the coast, A bit of snow at Franz Joseph, cleared up by Fox Glacier. Snowing again over the Haast Pass, but that stopped once over the top and just a bit overcast down to Hawea. Went to Cromwell via Hawea township and some interesting backroads where the faster members of our party (Fireblade, Firestorm, SV1000) had a good dice with a Porsche. Cromwell for the night. Snowing again next morning but not much so headed off to Te Anau. Thicker snow going around the lake to Kingston so stopped there for breakfast. Lots of snow in the paddocks but the roads were clear and ice free. Got to Te Anau but couldnt carry on to Milford as the tunnel portal was reported blocked with snow. Stayed at Te Anau overnight and Saturday dawned reasonably clear, Up to the rally via a lot of backroads including some pretty good dirt tracks alongside the (I think) Matuara river. Came out at Raes Junction, then up to Alex. A lot of bikes on the road from this point. This was probably the worst part of the whole trip, not cos of the weather but being in the company of a whole bunch of riders of unknown ability is unnerving. Anyway, from Alex, up to the rally site. Sunday went up to Geraldine, and Monday back to Picton via the inland route. About 2500 kms in all and a splendid way to spend 6 days.
Awesome effort Pete, not easy this time of year aye.
A mate used to have a GK died on his RG50 going to the brass 15yrs ago...... Go the GS 1000/1100's

[idb]

Well I reckon this years wasn't the easiest Brass Ive done but it wasn't the worst either. Wednesday Picton to Hokitika. Started raining at Murchison (as it usually does), really pissing down by the time we got to the coast. Thursday drizzly the progressively worse down the coast, A bit of snow at Franz Joseph, cleared up by Fox Glacier. Snowing again over the Haast Pass, but that stopped once over the top and just a bit overcast down to Hawea. Went to Cromwell via Hawea township and some interesting backroads where the faster members of our party (Fireblade, Firestorm, SV1000) had a good dice with a Porsche. Cromwell for the night. Snowing again next morning but not much so headed off to Te Anau. Thicker snow going around the lake to Kingston so stopped there for breakfast. Lots of snow in the paddocks but the roads were clear and ice free. Got to Te Anau but couldnt carry on to Milford as the tunnel portal was reported blocked with snow. Stayed at Te Anau overnight and Saturday dawned reasonably clear, Up to the rally via a lot of backroads including some pretty good dirt tracks alongside the (I think) Matuara river. Came out at Raes Junction, then up to Alex. A lot of bikes on the road from this point. This was probably the worst part of the whole trip, not cos of the weather but being in the company of a whole bunch of riders of unknown ability is unnerving. Anyway, from Alex, up to the rally site. Sunday went up to Geraldine, and Monday back to Picton via the inland route. About 2500 kms in all and a splendid way to spend 6 days.
I was talking to you or one of your crew at the rally some time during the night - I heard this story then.

[pete376403]

Like ships in the night, eh? Where were you, 'cos I didn't get round the big fire too much and (mumble, mumble) flaked embarrassingly early

[idb]

Like ships in the night, eh? Where were you, 'cos I didn't get round the big fire too much and (mumble, mumble) flaked embarrassingly early
I wandered about the drum fires most of the night and only ended up at the main one about 2am.
Don't worry about the early close down.
The two guys I was with packed it in at 8.30 and 9.
Oh yes....I've got some drugs....lets try my drugs....I can't walk....

Not as far as Wellington (they are from Invercargill) but still it seems too far to ride just to pay $30 to sleep in a paddock.

Personally, I'm still getting to grips with alchohol without trying to learn a new skill.

[pete376403]

Yeah I agree about the "$30 to sleep in a paddock" bit but the few days bfore and after makes it worthwhile.
If the guy from our party you were talking had glasses, he spent a number of years in Invercargill before returning to Wellington so he knows a number of riders from that way. Incidentally he was a Ducatisti (900 - one of the old ones) but now has a Firestorm.