Nelson ADV/Off road skills training 17-18 July

[topo]

Hi all,

After discussing the idea with Chris Birch (chrisktm) he has made the weekend of the 17th and 18th of July available for a session on offroad skills training with a focus on the ADV side of things.

For those who don't know Chris check out his website here http://www.birchy.co.nz/.


There are still a few details to work out (chris is currently in scotland doing silly things on motorcycles) but at this stage it'll probably be over the two days starting at midday on Sat through to midday sunday to allow those coming from CHCH or elsewhere. It will cost $200 for the course, i'm probably going to arrange a basic catering package if there's enough who want it - would consist of lunch on both days and probably a BBQ dinner on Saturday night, this will be around $30-$40 each(any "surplus" $ will go towards sat night drinks fund).

For those who need it I have space for up to 3 in beds and heaps of room for more if your happy to crash on the floor (mattress supplied).

I have no idea how to make a sign up list automatic so please make your interest known in this thread and i'll update the list on this first post as things progress. We need ten people to make this happen, so come on guy's lets make this happen.


Riders attending.

TOPO
Javahead
Underground
Cooneyr
zeRax
NordieBoy
XF650
timg (definate maybe:whistle:)

[Underground]

Yep ........

[cooneyr]

+1 please.

I've got other accommodation in NN.

Cheers R

[zeRax]

throw me down sir~

[topo]

First day and we're half way there already:yes:

[Woodman]

I am out sorry. Would love to do this too.

[NordieBoy]

I'm in.

[Padmei]

Thanks for setting this up Topo.
Have you thought about what kind of terrain, surfaces, etc you'll be riding on. I'm thinking bout tyre choice - whether I'd have to get new tyres etc & whether it'll be more mx cross country fast or really technical type stuff or how to get more confident cornering on gravel roads & slowish balance stuff ?
Just trying to get my head around what I'll potentially be learning.
cheers

[warewolf]

Definitely keen for this, but will need funds. :crybaby:

[topo]

Thanks for setting this up Topo.
Have you thought about what kind of terrain, surfaces, etc you'll be riding on. I'm thinking bout tyre choice - whether I'd have to get new tyres etc & whether it'll be more mx cross country fast or really technical type stuff or how to get more confident cornering on gravel roads & slowish balance stuff ?
Just trying to get my head around what I'll potentially be learning.
cheers

I'll have to wait till i hear from Chris to see what he wants in terms of riding areas but at this stage i'm planning on keeping it fairly close to home as i now have a really big shed if it's miserable weather, and have both old coach road and an ex forestry bolck which i'm trying to get access to at the moment which is riddled with logging tracks for some more technical areas.

So to answer your question about tires, i'd have to say yes make sure you have a good front tire and a reasonable rear. After all, if your going to spend money on improving your skills you might as well give yourself one less thing to worry about.

Hopefully Chris will check in and make everyone aware of what he needs/wants so everyone knows what to expect.

[warewolf]

Generally with formal training you want to have really good tyres, as you will be trying new things and building confidence, so you'll want to have confidence in your tyres.

[timg]

Struan has just wised me up to this thread. Will have to see how the $ & time are nearer the date. Count me as a definate maybe :whistle:

[XF650]

I'm hoping I can attend, simply because I need all the help I can get...

[topo]

Getting closer guy's, anyone else interested?

Might have to make it on the saturday with compulsory enty in the final nelson XC round on the sunday:shutup:

[NordieBoy]

Hira on the 18th.

Home turf :D


But.....

There's some bastard downhills I'm not keen on that I know the course designer will use.

[cooneyr]

Getting closer guy's, anyone else interested?

Might have to make it on the saturday with compulsory enty in the final nelson XC round on the sunday:shutup:

Umm I was planning on bringing the 950!!! Maybe I should bring the 250.

Have you sorted the site for the training? I'm trying to decide if I should ditch the E-07 for something more aggressive (god knows what)?

Cheers R

[topo]

Umm I was planning on bringing the 950!!! Maybe I should bring the 250.

Have you sorted the site for the training? I'm trying to decide if I should ditch the E-07 for something more aggressive (god knows what)?

Cheers R

I've been thinking about that one. It looks like the area i wanted to use is now out of bounds, so will probably make it up the Hira cos it's an all weather area because of it's rocky base, with plenty of room to make lots of noise.

I've got an old Deestone 140 rear that i had on the 640 which would probably do the trick if you want (got a few fronts to choose from), if its dry the eo7 should be fine up there.

[cooneyr]

I'm trying to finding a reasonable value knobbie tyre for the 950 anyway. Probably try a desert next. Bloody 908RR's seem to be getting more expensive.

[NordieBoy]

We've been offered the use of the Kinzett Creek x-country area for the training if that helps.

[cooneyr]

Any more action on this? Is it confirmed? Going to put in for some leave if it is and make it a long weekend again. Only 3 weekends away!

Cheers R

[topo]

I'll get onto Chris and report back asap, He's currently competing at the Romaniacs (just won the prolog!) at the moment so migh take a day or two to get a response.

[Padmei]

Any link to follow him?

[topo]

Check out the romaniacs website for the latest info.

http://www.redbullromaniacs.com/nc/2010-edition/2010-blog/day-1/

[NordieBoy]

If it's still on for the 17th, Shane says he'd be happy for the survivors to do roving marshal duty at the x-country on the 18th up Hira.

Basically treat it like a free laidback that you have to wear fluro on and the bikes will be coming past at warp speed.
Potter around the track and scrape up anyone in trouble.

He's looking at bashing the banks down on the Scout Rd hole so it's passable.

Everywhere else we've done whilst playing up there.

[cooneyr]

If it's still on for the 17th, Shane says he'd be happy for the survivors to do roving marshal duty at the x-country on the 18th up Hira.

Basically treat it like a free laidback that you have to wear fluro on and the bikes will be coming past at warp speed.
Potter around the track and scrape up anyone in trouble.

He's looking at bashing the banks down on the Scout Rd hole so it's passable.

Everywhere else we've done whilst playing up there.

So he reckons if we survive a day with Birchy we should be well practiced at picking up bikes and will know how to do it? ;)

Maybe I should bring the 250 cause that sounds like a bit of fun.

[Padmei]

hope he'staking in a digger for that "hole"

[warewolf]

If it's still on for the 17th, Shane says he'd be happy for the survivors to do roving marshal duty at the x-country on the 18th up Hira.

Basically treat it like a free laidback that you have to wear fluro on and the bikes will be coming past at warp speed.
Potter around the track and scrape up anyone in trouble.

He's looking at bashing the banks down on the Scout Rd hole so it's passable.

Everywhere else we've done whilst playing up there.Bugger the marshaling, I'm seriously considering racing!!

Does he need a hand dealing to the track beforehand?

[NordieBoy]

They'll be up there the weekend before and the day before.

I'll be racing :D

[Padmei]

They'll be up there the weekend before and the day before.

I'll be racing :D

I'd love to marshall but will be in Hamner that weekend.:no:

[topo]

Hi Guy's,

Unfortunately Chris won't be back in the country until the 16th and won't be able to make it to Nelson on the 17th/18th.

He's going to let me know when things settle down and will arrange another time.

Cheers Topo

[Woodman]

Birchys just scared Padmei will show him up with his river crossing technique.

[NordieBoy]

Yeah. Anyone can just ride through a river.

Takes something special to be able to leave your bike there standing on it's own.
Not something you can learn. You've either got it or you don't.

[Padmei]

What can I say - I'm gifted

[Underground]

Hi Guy's,

Unfortunately Chris won't be back in the country until the 16th and won't be able to make it to Nelson on the 17th/18th.

He's going to let me know when things settle down and will arrange another time.

Cheers Topo

Bugger .... dont make it end of this month /early next . Im off for a bit of a sailing adventure just for something completely different :woohoo:

[cooneyr]

Double bugger. Can't blame him for wanting some time off when he gets back that close.

Cheers R

[zeRax]

huk! and a little boys waits, and hopes

he hopes that oneday he will get to meet chris birch and have a hoon with him :>

till next time! ROAR

[warewolf]

For those that missed TV3 sports news tonight, and/or don't venture in to the Off-road forum: TV3 Chris Birch story & video (http://www.3news.co.nz/3Sport/Story/tabid/415/articleID/166683/Default.aspx).

[CrazyFrog]

Yeah, I saw the article too. Made me wonder, is Chris really going to do the Dakar next year?
No news on his website yet, but will be watching this space closely.

Would be fantastic to see a competitive Kiwi ride over there. Go Birchy, Way cool.

[warewolf]

I don't think he said next year, just that it was the next challenge. Registration for the 2011 rally closed 15th July. Can't see an entry list yet.

He definitely said, "you don't just rock up and do the Dakar" which implies he's got a plan - maybe topo and javahead will have a new team-mate for the Aussie safari??

[NordieBoy]

Love the video :D

The over dubbed 4-stroke sounds when his smoker goes past is priceless :clap:

[warewolf]

Cross-post from off-road again: "A chat with Chris Birch"


Chris climbed on to Vege's Ural and Todd sat in the sidecar out at Speedshow.

Audio is on the front page of the KR site;

http://www.kiwirider.co.nz (http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/)

[warewolf]

and, linked off the main ktm.com home page at the mo', official KTM interview & footage of Chris fooling around in Woodhill(?).

Chris Birch takes to the forest (http://www.ktm.com/KTM-News.223.0.html?nodeID=110071&cHash=13c6c2e60e)