Brass Monkey 2010 by gravel

[XF650]

30th Annual Brass Monkey Rally, June 5th (Queens Birthday Weekend).

Who's up for a gravel ride to the Brass and back?
I'm looking to include the usual McKenzie, Haka, Menzies, Myers & Dansey's Passes, part of Dunstan Trail, BlackForest, Brothers etc. Open to other options.
Real men tent at the Rally, pansies need their alternative digs booked ASAP.

[dmc]

Screw tents, heat pumps and hot water are way better.

[richyrich]

how about nipping over the omarama saddle,only 50km from omarama to the monkey.
doable on just about anything if there's no snow or ice.

[XF650]

Screw tents, heat pumps and hot water are way better.

....along with pink sheets

[XF650]

how about nipping over the omarama saddle,only 50km from omarama to the monkey.
doable on just about anything if there's no snow or ice.

Great idea, though possibly better enroute to Blackforest on the way home. Those river crossings will mean wet boots, which have been known to freeze solid at the Brass.

[Aslan]

30th Annual Brass Monkey Rally, June 5th (Queens Birthday Weekend).

Who's up for a gravel ride to the Brass and back?
I'm looking to include the usual McKenzie, Haka, Menzies, Myers & Dansey's Passes, part of Dunstan Trail, BlackForest, Brothers etc. Open to other options.
Real men tent at the Rally, pansies need their alternative digs booked ASAP.

Hi Struan - love to join you - however, I think this year I'll go to the Burt Munro Challenge (via Gravel :) ) later in the year for a change

That Omarama Saddle is a great route as we both found on the Dusty Butt this year - I think your suggestion of deferring till the homeward journey is sound. I'd offer the view that some of those stream exits required some skill and I'd be hesitant to take my GS through there in winter - the DR was perfect :)

[Monstaman]

Heya Struan

Was planning to again this year but we will be in Iceland (Brass with a different latitude) so with have to use this excuse this time round... as feeble as it is :D

Looking forward to meeting some of you Cantabrians for rides sooner than later but it will be after July 12th when we return in the heart of winter!!.

[XF650]

Heya Struan

Was planning to again this year but we will be in Iceland (Brass with a different latitude) so with have to use this excuse this time round... as feeble as it is :D

Looking forward to meeting some of you Cantabrians for rides sooner than later but it will be after July 12th when we return in the heart of winter!!.

The volcano will keep ya warm

[Monstaman]

The volcano will keep ya warm

Hmmm ... Volcano might keep us at home if it carries on, apparently it did poos again yesterday and burped out a lot more smoke and ash!!

Ha, might be able to go to the Brass yet if it all turns to shite.

[dmc]

....along with pink sheets

From memory they were crisp white 8)

A change of clothes, tooth brush and credit card is the only way to travel.

[_Shrek_]

Hi Struan - love to join you - however, I think this year I'll go to the Burt Munro Challenge (via Gravel :) ) later in the year for a change

That Omarama Saddle is a great route as we both found on the Dusty Butt this year - I think your suggestion of deferring till the homeward journey is sound. I'd offer the view that some of those stream exits required some skill and I'd be hesitant to take my GS through there in winter - the DR was perfect :)

hey Aslan :wavey:
Mrs Shrek & I went through on the Gs with a full load had 1 or 2 mishaps but nothing out of the ordinary :rolleyes: still not a lot of water but you just never know on the day if it's been raining :laugh:

[oldrider]

hey Aslan :wavey:
Mrs Shrek & I went through on the Gs with a full load had 1 or 2 mishaps but nothing out of the ordinary :rolleyes: still not a lot of water but you just never know on the day if it's been raining :laugh:

Or snowing or thawing after a sharp freeze etc etc! Hey Shrek, what tyres did you settle for in the end?

[NordieBoy]

Or snowing or thawing after a sharp freeze etc etc! Hey Shrek, what tyres did you settle for in the end?

You still running 705's?

[oldrider]

You still running 705's?

On the front but the rear packed it in, couldn't pass a warrant!

Looking forward to the new model for the bigger bikes but haven't heard anything from Shinko yet.

The combo of 705 on front and the new Pirelli scorpian on the back seems realy good combination, so far!

I am pleasantly surprised but haven't been doing much riding of late.

[NordieBoy]

On the front but the rear packed it in, couldn't pass a warrant!

Looking forward to the new model for the bigger bikes but haven't heard anything from Shinko yet.

The combo of 705 on front and the new Pirelli scorpian on the back seems realy good combination, so far!

I am pleasantly surprised but haven't been doing much riding of late.

I've been going places on them I shouldn't really go on a road biased tyre.
So steep your boots are slipping backwards trying to just hold the bike still.
Rocky, snotty stuff is no problem either.
Momentum without speed is the answer.

How many km on the rear did you get?

[timg]

I'll be heading down on Saturday morning via the Haka & Dansey's. Join you for the trip back on Sunday if you don't mind a big red whale tagging along ;)

[_Shrek_]

Or snowing or thawing after a sharp freeze etc etc! Hey Shrek, what tyres did you settle for in the end?

Shinko 705's front & rear just fitted them tonight :niceone:

[NordieBoy]

Shinko 705's front & rear just fitted them tonight :niceone:

What sizes are you running? 150 rear and 120 front?

Is the rear still "Q" rated?

[Aslan]

hey Aslan :wavey:
Mrs Shrek & I went through on the Gs with a full load had 1 or 2 mishaps but nothing out of the ordinary :rolleyes: still not a lot of water but you just never know on the day if it's been raining :laugh:

Continuing the topic change - Hi Shrek - are you running Mitas on the GS with tubes E07 or E09 - sizing & experiences please - I need to replace the TKC80 rear on mine if I'm to take it to the MMMMM at the end of July - OK back to the Brass and Struan's attempts to herd cats :)

[Aslan]

Continuing the topic change - Hi Shrek - are you running Mitas on the GS with tubes E07 or E09 - sizing & experiences please - I need to replace the TKC80 rear on mine if I'm to take it to the MMMMM at the end of July - OK back to the Brass and Struan's attempts to herd cats :)

apologies - just read Shrek's and Nordie's posts re Shinkos - DOh - anyway Shrek still keen to hear your experiences with Mitas - cheers S

[Aslan]

Continuing the topic change - Hi Shrek - are you running Mitas on the GS with tubes E07 or E09 - sizing & experiences please - I need to replace the TKC80 rear on mine if I'm to take it to the MMMMM at the end of July - OK back to the Brass and Struan's attempts to herd cats :)

apologies - just read Shrek's and Nordie's posts re Shinkos - DOh - anyway Shrek still keen to hear your experiences with Mitas - cheers S

[_Shrek_]

:slap: sorry guys will get mod to move it to right thread

[Aslan]

thanks Shrek - helpful response re tyres - re the Brass this year - sorely tempted - as this stage I don't plan on coming - am intending to do the Burt Munro instead this year - kind regards Aslan

[mickeyboy]

we will be meeting at BP Rolleston 7.30am on the friday , will head down via mckenzie then either blackforest or haka , keep in touch pilgrims of the gravel. mick 027 3669717 txt me cause i don't go on KB much. cheers

[Gixxer peter]

Will be taking the mighty C50 stepthrough "turtle" through the haka and danseys, i'll try to move out the way as you all fly past

[FJRider]

Just remember folks ... the Haka' and Dansey's area is getting a fairly large dose of shit weather. In the next week, priority for road repairs will be on the main highways ... not gravel rural roads ... Check road conditions in those areas before you attempt them.

[_Shrek_]

Just remember folks ... the Haka' and Dansey's area is getting a fairly large dose of shit weather. In the next week, priority for road repairs will be on the main highways ... not gravel rural roads ... Check road conditions in those areas before you attempt them.

:scratch: why, they are adventure riders after all & the moto is "we like it rough & dirty" :woohoo:

[_Shrek_]

Will be taking the mighty C50 stepthrough "turtle" through the haka and danseys, i'll try to move out the way as you all fly past

are you leaving today :whistle: have fun on the way Gp :wari:

[Gixxer peter]

Be leaving on tuesday should just make it on time if i hurry

[XF650]

:scratch: why, they are adventure riders after all & the moto is "we like it rough & dirty" :woohoo:

"Road Closed" signs haven't stopped us before, aye Shrek...........

[_Shrek_]

"Road Closed" signs haven't stopped us before, aye Shrek...........

:psst: were there any pic's :corn: other wise can't remeber :shifty: awesome ride we had :Punk:

[mattsdakar]

This weather is sure going to make the Omarama saddle river crossings interesting!

[XF650]

This weather is sure going to make the Omarama saddle river crossings interesting!

You can go first.........

[FJRider]

This weather is sure going to make the Omarama saddle river crossings interesting!

The snow will make any "off's" ... softer ...

[_Shrek_]

This weather is sure going to make the Omarama saddle river crossings interesting!

may just have to :ride: up from this side & watch :corn:


You can go first.........

sign of a good leader :beer: & a camra

[RedKLR650]

This weather is sure going to make the Omarama saddle river crossings interesting!

Hi all, sorry but due to a little speeding infraction resulting in 3 months lack of lisence, I won't be able to attend this years Brass trip, however, those that are going will need to do some serious research later in the week before heading off, because as of today, the Haka Pass is still closed due to washouts and there is a LOT of snow in the area ( Mt Dobson skifield got 1.4metres in 1 night, enough to last them the whole ski season, and in the 3 days Tuesday to Thursday, Geraldine received 220 mls and Waimate 200 mls ( basically 6 months of rain in 3 days ) so I'd be getting someone to do a recce first. LOTS of weather damage to roads and culverts around here

Otherwise, for those that do go, all the best and have a great trip :-)

Cheers, Stu

[Kevin G]

Hi all, just so you know, the Dunstan has been closed as well due to slips and snow. They have told us that it will not reopen before the weekend.

Sorry, above info is bollocks, we were given incorrect information. Dunstan will be open.

[snodpete]

Went for a wee ride to give the 'Strom a taste of snow, so it won't be a shock in Otago...
Hoping some of those back roads are navigable by next weekend - Dansey's mainly.

[XF650]

Great pics snodpete. Where were you?

[snodpete]

Heading towards Mt Rochfort - slightly different conditions from when we did it ;-)

[RedKLR650]

Hi all, just so you know, the Dunstan has been closed as well due to slips and snow. They have told us that it will not reopen before the weekend.

The following link shows the amount of rain at the north end of Danseys......

http://tvnz.co.nz/close-up/nz-spot-voted-world-s-best-wedding-destination-3389445/video

Wednesday video of flooding near Temuka

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3741648/Flooding-in-South-Canterbury

Saturdays news re flooding down south

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3754272/Big-wet-sees-south-towns-cut-off-slips-in-Napier

But the 7 day weather forecast doesn't look too bad :-)

http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nzsi

[snodpete]

So I guess it's 'Brass Monkey 2010 by seal' now..?

"Danseys Pass Rd Closed At gate 23km in from Livingston Rd Intersection" (from Waitaki DC website)

- What does 'closed - at gate' actually mean? They've just shut it to keep people out 'til the powers can check the state of the road? Ideas, updates anyone?

[XF650]

So I guess it's 'Brass Monkey 2010 by seal' now..?

"Danseys Pass Rd Closed At gate 23km in from Livingston Rd Intersection" (from Waitaki DC website)

- What does 'closed - at gate' actually mean? They've just shut it to keep people out 'til the powers can check the state of the road? Ideas, updates anyone?

I'v been in contact with the District Councils and they are checking with their contactors.
Will up date here Thursday night.
Don't worry Pete, we will find you some gravel, legal or otherwise........

[_Shrek_]

So I guess it's 'Brass Monkey 2010 by seal' now..?

"Danseys Pass Rd Closed At gate 23km in from Livingston Rd Intersection" (from Waitaki DC website)

- What does 'closed - at gate' actually mean? They've just shut it to keep people out 'til the powers can check the state of the road? Ideas, updates anyone?

:psst: you can getya bike under the gate at Duntroon end & through the gap at Danseys end, so i've been told :whistle:

[FJRider]

:psst: you can getya bike under the gate at Duntroon end & through the gap at Danseys end, so i've been told :whistle:

You can get under the gate's ... apparently the problem is a washout about here ...

How bad I don't know ... or if there is other "issues" with the road as well ...

[snodpete]

@ XF650 and @Shrek - thanks for the info - not sure the 'Strom can go 'under' anything.... ;-)

@FJRider - Yeah, I can see that wee culvert thingy going a bit nasty with a few extra cumecs!

[snodpete]

I got all excited and posted twice...

[_Shrek_]

@ XF650 and @Shrek - thanks for the info - not sure the 'Strom can go 'under' anything.... ;-)

1150Gs with top box & bags made it :sweatdrop & the free wind along with a Dr650 & it's fuel tanker :laugh:

[dmc]

So I guess it's 'Brass Monkey 2010 by seal' now..?

"Danseys Pass Rd Closed At gate 23km in from Livingston Rd Intersection" (from Waitaki DC website)

- What does 'closed - at gate' actually mean? They've just shut it to keep people out 'til the powers can check the state of the road? Ideas, updates anyone?

Last year the Dansey's was closed on the way back, no gates to stop you going through tho, the only issue was ice on top of the snow otherwise good to go.

[XF650]

With the Freewind telling me to fix 3rd gear, I'v decided to take the DT230 to the Brass. Only trouble is there are a few wee jobs to finish on her too. Hopefully I can find all the bits....

[That looks like fun]

With the Freewind telling me to fix 3rd gear, I'v decided to take the DT230 to the Brass. Only trouble is there are a few wee jobs to finish on her too. Hopefully I can find all the bits....

Some of those long sticky out things for the front plus two of the round things that the rubber watchama calls go on seem to be missing :blink: Hopes ya find them Struan :yes:

[marks]

With the Freewind telling me to fix 3rd gear, I'v decided to take the DT230 to the Brass. Only trouble is there are a few wee jobs to finish on her too. Hopefully I can find all the bits....

I'd forgotten how nice and shiny and unbent they could look - have a great trip :yes:

[NordieBoy]

With the Freewind telling me to fix 3rd gear, I'v decided to take the DT230 to the Brass. Only trouble is there are a few wee jobs to finish on her too. Hopefully I can find all the bits....

What's the note on the seat?

"Remember to put wheels on before riding!"

[Kevin G]

Hi all.
Dunstan is and will be open this weekend assuming nothing ugly happens between now and the weekend.
Sorry for the incorrect info before but that was what we were told but it was bollocks.

Kevin/ organising committee member

[XF650]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning with a XR650R, assuming the DT passes a WOF first. We will check out the route "options" & report via text to those guys who have PM'd me.
Minus 7 in parts of the Maniototo this morning, so watch out for ice guys.

[Aslan]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning with a XR650R, assuming the DT passes a WOF first. We will check out the route "options" & report via text to those guys who have PM'd me.
Minus 7 in parts of the Maniototo this morning, so watch out for ice guys.

Have a safe and fun ride Struan - I'll be thinking of you - sorry not to be with you this year - Cheers Aslan

[helenoftroy]

Have a safe and fun ride Struan - I'll be thinking of you - sorry not to be with you this year - Cheers Aslan

+1
Hope you have a great weekend......take care all:scooter:

[_Shrek_]

Just been taking to XF650 at Danseys Pub DEEP SNOW took 3 1/2 hrs to make the pub other bikes pulled out his advice don't do it

Onslow is firm & Dunstain is open watch out for ice -7 here more hiher up

[98tls]

Just been taking to XF650 at Danseys Pub DEEP SNOW took 3 1/2 hrs to make the pub other bikes pulled out his advice don't do it

Onslow is firm & Dunstain is open watch out for ice -7 here more hiher up

My can better arrive thawed or there will be trouble.

[FJRider]

Just been taking to XF650 at Danseys Pub DEEP SNOW took 3 1/2 hrs to make the pub other bikes pulled out his advice don't do it


Doesn't he like it rough and dirty ... ???

[_Shrek_]

My can better arrive thawed or there will be trouble.


Thanks for reminding me ...... just gone to get it out of the fridge :drinkup:

[Aslan]

Just been taking to XF650 at Danseys Pub DEEP SNOW took 3 1/2 hrs to make the pub other bikes pulled out his advice don't do it

Onslow is firm & Dunstain is open watch out for ice -7 here more hiher up

Hi Shrek et al - sounds like Struan's DT230 would be te weapon of choice in those conditions - I think I'd have been struggling on the big heavy leven fiddy :) Have a good one - Ciao Aslan

[NordieBoy]

Doesn't he like it rough and dirty ... ???

Just not deep :shutup:

[marks]

sounds like Struan's DT230 would be te weapon of choice in those conditions - I think I'd have been struggling on the big heavy leven fiddy :) Have a good one - Ciao Aslan

except it would appear it got a bit hot and bothered trying to get through the snow and blew the head gasket

apparently a lot of the big bikes turned around on the haka as there was a fair bit of snow on that as well

I'm now feeling better about pulling the pin and not joining Struan - the klr was all prepped and ready to go but I would have been out of my depth riding in those conditions.

[dmc]

Good thing I left the fidy at Superior as almost went and got it the other day,

[timg]

Well that's the Brass done and dusted for me :cry: Set off from Rollyberg this morning. First stop Kurow via the Hakataremea Valley/Pass for a pie and fuel. Pie was good but when fueling up I noticed the engine was covered with some strange looking mud :angry: A quick poke confirmed my suspicions that it was oil, but where from?209547209548 It would appear that when the bike was in for its 36000km service somebody has forgotten to tighten the tappet cover on the front cylinder. Fortunately the Kurow garage had some 4T oil to top up and a litre bottle to get me home. Getting at the tappet's involves removing the fairings, tank and air-box & I was not too keen on doing that at the side of the road.

Perhaps I should have had an inkling all was not right when I checked the tyre pressures last night and saw this 209549 The bike had only been ridden home from being serviced at the bike shop. Somebody forgot to do up the lock-nuts as well.

Frigging annoying when you pay good money for shit service that f**ked up what should have been a great weekend. Some bike shop is not going to have a happy start to their week Tuesday morning. :angry2::mad:

[Aslan]

sorry for you Tim - that sucks - cheers Aslan

[dino3310]

im with Aslan on that Tim - that really sux.
that lock nuts a real worry mate, could have caused a major

[dmc]

Well that's the Brass done and dusted for me :cry: Set off from Rollyberg this morning. First stop Kurow via the Hakataremea Valley/Pass for a pie and fuel. Pie was good but when fueling up I noticed the engine was covered with some strange looking mud :angry: A quick poke confirmed my suspicions that it was oil, but where from?209547209548 It would appear that when the bike was in for its 36000km service somebody has forgotten to tighten the tappet cover on the front cylinder. Fortunately the Kurow garage had some 4T oil to top up and a litre bottle to get me home. Getting at the tappet's involves removing the fairings, tank and air-box & I was not too keen on doing that at the side of the road.

Perhaps I should have had an inkling all was not right when I checked the tyre pressures last night and saw this 209549 The bike had only been ridden home from being serviced at the bike shop. Somebody forgot to do up the lock-nuts as well.

Frigging annoying when you pay good money for shit service that f**ked up what should have been a great weekend. Some bike shop is not going to have a happy start to their week Tuesday morning. :angry2::mad:

Could be worse you could have hemorrhaged a stator in the middle of the Dunstan, then hemorrhage you wallet fixing it. The Monkey has a way of killing bikes.

[_Shrek_]

Frigging annoying when you pay good money for shit service that f**ked up what should have been a great weekend. Some bike shop is not going to have a happy start to their week Tuesday morning. :angry2::mad:

:shit: we heard Tim, you were missed if ya ears were ringing it was us have a wee tipple or 2 for you :rolleyes: & if you were pre pay add that cost to them as well :yes:

cya in a cupple of weeks

[_Shrek_]

Doesn't he like it rough and dirty ... ???

aye he does, :Punk: but not rough & dirty with stupidity



apparently a lot of the big bikes turned around on the haka as there was a fair bit of snow on that as well

:shifty: so i heard, big orange one's :shutup:

[NordieBoy]

Anyone we know? :shifty:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow

[thepom]

Just read it myself and must admit I did chuckle......just glad no one was hurt....

[Squiggles]

Anyone we know? :shifty:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow

my thoughts exactly

[junkmanjoe]

must have been quite deep up there...the snow....

JMJ

[XF650]

Anyone we know? :shifty:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow

My biggest fear was that our wheel marks would lead others in, especially on innapropiate bikes. I put the word out but we obviously didn't do enough, which I sincerely regret.
More to come....

[chasio]

Sounds like an adventure...

[cooneyr]

Was it snowing lots during the day? If not why didn't they turn around and go back out whence they came. Sounds a but strange to me. Also a little DT couldn't even get through shoulder deep snow. Definitely more to this story me thinks. Keen to hear XF.

[helenoftroy]

My biggest fear was that our wheel marks would lead others in, especially on innapropiate bikes. I put the word out but we obviously didn't do enough, which I sincerely regret.
More to come....

Dont go away Struan!!

We all want to hear.......

[JATZ]

My biggest fear was that our wheel marks would lead others in, especially on innapropiate bikes. I put the word out but we obviously didn't do enough, which I sincerely regret.
More to come....

And then he buggers off, Nice..... :niceone:

[dmc]

Talking to the boys they said it was pretty bad this year, we got the 950/990's through even tho it was closed last time no worries but they said it was getting too sketchy so it must have been pretty bad for them to pull out.

[XF650]

On Friday morning I headed off with 2 other Ashbertonians - Craig (XR650R) & Ian (690 Adv). These guys are fast (& I'm a slow rider) so as you can imagine the wee DT was tapped out trying to keep up. However it's interesting to note the all 3 bikes showed the same fuel consumption for the trip, the only difference being their bigger tank capacity over the DT.
We headed inland past Geraldine, following the old bullock trail which is a maze of gravel roads to Waitohi. Then over the Brothers track to Fairlie for smoko.
From Burkes Pass we blasted through the McKenzie Pass to the Haka Pass Turn off. I had phoned ahead to check with farmers that the Pass was clear for bikes, so felt smug when i took the road closed pic. Initially the only obstacle was a bloody big mob of sheep, but when it got higher it got trickier. A couple of GS's on roadier tyres turned back but then a gagle of scooters made over the top OK.

[tri boy]

I'm just happy nobody suffered from extreme cold/exposure. Things can turn nasty in extreme conditions.
Some lessons would have been learnt hopefully.
A koha to the local search n rescue might be appropriate. MHO

[tri boy]

I'm just happy nobody suffered from extreme cold/exposure. Things can turn nasty in extreme conditions.
Some lessons would have been learnt hopefully.
A koha to the local search n rescue might be appropriate. MHO
(I wasn't attending the rally, or traveling to it. Too bloody cold for this lil goose).

[XF650]

One the way to the Cattle Creek I had the buzz of overtaking an XChallenge, only to discover later he was one of "mattsdaker" lot, riding out to Kurow with a broken collerbone!! That was an amazing feat on his part & I trust he's mending well.
Menzies Pass & Myers Pass were a blast, the pic showing ice in Myers.

[Aslan]

I'm just happy nobody suffered from extreme cold/exposure. Things can turn nasty in extreme conditions.
Some lessons would have been learnt hopefully.
A koha to the local search n rescue might be appropriate. MHO
(I wasn't attending the rally, or traveling to it. Too bloody cold for this lil goose).

+1 to Tri Boy's comments - glad you're OK Struan - I'm sure it would have been cold enough for you this year :)

[XF650]

OK, now it gets messy.
We got a message in Kurow that some bikes (no names) were going to have a crack at getting through Dansey's. It was still officially closed & I had previously checked with a contractor who confirmed this. However we started to wonder if in fact enough work had been done during the day to at least get bikes through. So the vote was to go have a look & if it looks shitty to turn back to Weston & go to Ranfurley via the Pig Route.
I was encouraged by the culvert repairs on the Duntroon side of the Pass, so thought the story might be true. Pic is looking down from the summit, no worse than the Haka, this will be a piece of cake.....

[XF650]

By now Craig & Ian were well ahead & I was riding with Jules (TT500) & Paul (XR600).
Round the next corner & oh dear - a group of larger capacity adv bikes were struggling to come back up!!

[XF650]

As you can see the snow was getting deeper but Craig & Ian had still gone on through that snow drift in the pic (notice theirs are the only wheel marks). Jules & Paul headed off on foot to check they were all right while I stayed to help push the "pink sheet" riders (you know who you are) back up the hill a bit, & to photograph their predicament (boy was that going to come back & bite me!!).

[dmc]

By now Craig & Ian were well ahead & I was riding with Jules (TT500) & Paul (XR600).
Round the next corner & oh dear - a group of larger capacity adv bikes were struggling to come back up!!

Talking to the boys they got in so far and it was getting worse and worse, think they were only on Scorps this year and they reached their limits, took awhile to get out by all accounts.

[XF650]

Jules & Paul returned with the news that Craig & Ian were no where in sight, nor could they hear them. Decision time - does this mean that it gets easier & they are on their way to the Danseys Pub? Or are they stuck further on & need our help? Or should we turn back?
The vote (rightly or wrongly) was to stick together & follow their wheel marks.
Initially it wasn't too bad, especially when we could ride along the water table:

[_Shrek_]

looking at the pic's i'd say they should have had better tyres on, glad you guys got through S & catching up :niceone:

[XF650]

And then it turned to shit.
For long stretches we had to punch through the snow, constantantly spinning the back wheel to get traction. There was no way we could do that going back up hill, so no turning back - we were committed. But exhausting as it was, we pushed on. After all, the others were still in front of us.
And then it got dark, buggar. Jules head light didn't work so he used my camp light, which worked surprisingly well and we pushed on. There was now very little water table to ride in, or sometimes it would turn to ice before you could steer out of it, and then you would have that sickening feeling of the back wheel trying to pass the front wheel, and praying that you would land on the snow , not the ice. Ironically a fall was a relief from the exertion of trying to keep the bike upright and I remember being flat on my back, not being concerned about the DT on my leg but instead being amazed at the clear night sky and all the stars.
The DT was under constant load, pushing through snow that was deeper than the motor in places. In fact in one place i was able to pick up a dropped bungey cord without hardly leaning down.
Because the DT has no fan, it's engine was getting bloody hot. Ironical that the water temp warning light was constantly on in such a cold environmemt. Eventually I was enveloped in a cloud of steam. F**k.
Topped up the radiator from my water bottle, hoping it was just the cap that let go. Got another 200m and boof, it threw out the water again. F**k. This could be serious.

[oldrider]

As you can see the snow was getting deeper but Craig & Ian had still gone on through that snow drift in the pic (notice theirs are the only wheel marks). Jules & Paul headed off on foot to check they were all right while I stayed to help push the "pink sheet" riders (you know who you are) back up the hill a bit, & to photograph their predicament (boy was that going to come back & bite me!!).

Well Struan, did you guy's go home through the Black Forest road after all that, or did you change your mind's?

I thought I heard a group of bikes heading up there not that long after you rang! Was it you?

[XF650]

As you can guess, I was too knackered to take any pics.
Staying put wasn't really an option. We had plenty of fuel to light a fire but nothing to burn (apart from the bikes). We had some food, one small tarp but no tent. No cell phone coverage either. We just stuck together & continued to follow the others wheel marks. Easy to see where they had fallen too - there would be a depression in the snow with foot prints around it.
So I just kept topping up the DT radiator, go 200m and do it again. And yes, I checked all the hoses that I could see but the water seemed to be coming out of the head area. Gathering water was often a mission, where I would have to tramp through the snow a fair distance to find a stream, another irony.
Sometimes you could find a balance & get some momentum going accross the crust but hit another wheel mark or snow drift and you would sink again. It was bloody hard work and really showed up our (lack of) fitness.

[XF650]

Well Struan, did you guy's go home through the Black Forest road after all that, or did you change your mind's?

I thought I heard a group of bikes heading up there not that long after you rang! Was it you?

No John, wasn't us - low cloud, rain & snow forcasted to low levels. I think we had pushed our luck enough this weekend...

[XF650]

looking at the pic's i'd say they should have had better tyres on, glad you guys got through S & catching up :niceone:

Yeah, if we had known that we were going snow riding, nothing less than new sharp knobblies would have been fitted

[_Shrek_]

Yeah, if we had known that we were going snow riding, nothing less than new sharp knobblies would have been fitted

an adventure for shore you will remember this trip for some time to come :msn-wink:

& it's making a good read lol

[XF650]

Long story short, we eventually got to the Dansey's Pub, around 9:30 I think. We were all drenched in sweat, yet riding in sub zero temp's - not a good combination.
Pics of the bikes shows the depth of snow on the wheels, outside the pub. Apart from the DT over heating & the occasional XR hot starting issues, they did us proud & got us out.
A round of Dram was in order & a pic by the fire to celebrate. I had just finished telling the publican NOT to let bikes through if they ask, & some dude rings asking excatly that, so he hands the phone to me & it's Shrek on the line!!!
We then rode through to Naseby for tea at the pub & I phoned Craig to let him know we were out. And here's the twist - he had assumed we had turned back with the others so in reality no one knew we were in there!!
I filled the DT with water again & then rode a ripper frost to Ranfurly.
That's day one of our Brass Adv ride - let the flaming commence.....
Note though it wasn't us that had to be rescued - they might have been road bikes the next day??

[XF650]

Was it snowing lots during the day? If not why didn't they turn around and go back out whence they came. Sounds a but strange to me. Also a little DT couldn't even get through shoulder deep snow. Definitely more to this story me thinks. Keen to hear XF.

Weather was good while we were in there. Snow had been there a while, hence assumption road gangs would have been working on it.

[helenoftroy]

Struan you will get no flaming from any of us that have ridden with you!

Know what a prepared,awesome riding mate you are
You guys had made contact with locals along the way & checked ahead...and like you say,you made it & didnt have to be rescued:sweatdrop

That was a day to remember tho!

[cooneyr]

Got it now. Trying to go downhill into snow that is getting deeper and not knowing how bad it was going to get but not being able to get back up.

The pics actually look like fun but need good tyres!!! :shifty:

[marks]

Woohoo - what a ride :yes:

How did the bike go on the ride home - did the water use continue?

[thepom]

Truly an adventure...is,nt that what its all about? Paul and Jules look as dodgy as ever!

[XF650]

Next morning Craig shot off to ride Onslow Rd & Dunstan Trail while I worked on the DT. Note pic of snow stuck in front wheel, still there at 11am after riding from Naseby the night before - that was an effing cold ride.
Removing the tank revealed the problem - a plastic (!!) pipe fitting had split, letting the coolant run off the head near the exhaust port. This was impossible to see the night before, hence my assumption it was blown head gasket.
Local garage did a great job of bogging the split, filled her up with water again and did a couple of hard test rides - no leaks or bubbles. Shit hot, I'm back in the hunt. Put in antifreeze & rode to the Rally.

[Transalper]

Excellent report XF650. I was almost riding with Paul and Jules but had to work a bit longer than planned and find myself getting a bit soft where sleeping in the the cold is concerned now days (done the BM about 13 timesalready).
Glad to note you guys were not the ones needing rescue.
The pass must have got a lot more snow after you got through to be shoulder deep in places if the Stuff.co.nz article is anywhere near accurate.

[XF650]

Struan you will get no flaming from any of us that have ridden with you!

Know what a prepared,awesome riding mate you are
You guys had made contact with locals along the way & checked ahead...and like you say,you made it & didnt have to be rescued:sweatdrop

That was a day to remember tho!

Thanks Helen but I have to admit to being a bit cocky that day. I drive Danseys many times per year with work plus have ridden it heaps on bikes, so knew our best option was to push on down to the Pub. With Craig & Ian in front of us, following their lead / safety in numbers etc seemed the best option.

[XF650]

Excellent report XF650. I was almost riding with Paul and Jules but had to work a bit longer than planned and find myself getting a bit soft where sleeping in the the cold is concerned now days (done the BM about 13 timesalready).
Glad to note you guys were not the ones needing rescue.
The pass must have got a lot more snow after you got through to be shoulder deep in places if the Stuff.co.nz article is anywhere near accurate.

Yeah, Jules and Paul are good buggers alright. We knew each other very well by the time we got out......

[FJRider]

I was encouraged by the culvert repairs on the Duntroon side of the Pass, so thought the story might be true. Pic is looking down from the summit, no worse than the Haka, this is a piece of cake.....

The Duntroon side of the pass is maintained by the Waitaki District Council. Nasby side is maintained (?????) by the Central Otago District Council I believe ... hence the repairs seen done on the road.

[XF650]

As always, the Brass Monkey was a great night. The tracks iced up quite bad and I heard a couple of roadies got hurt just riding into the site. Plenty of pics over in the Meetings & Events thread. Also great to catch up other adv riders & KiwiBikers again. Even caught up with Mr & Mrs "snodpete" from Westport (red VStrom pic), who rode back to Timaru that night.
Pitching the tent on snow was no big deal and double sleeping bags kept me warm. Took other pic of burnt bike as a reminder of that being one of our options the previous night...

[XF650]

Next morning Craig, Paul, Jules & I arranged to ride the Thompsons Gorge Track. While waiting for them at the Rally gate I took these pics:
1) Brendon Price, owner of Honda Country with a show room full of bikes, yet rides a 50cc at the Brass & having a ball.
2) A bunch of roadies taking it real easy - that track was fozen solid & difficult enough to walk on.
3) For Jatz - this guy owns two 750 Big's.

[timg]

Great post mate. Glad I was working Friday :msn-wink: the red whale would have been blardy hard work/impossible thru there :lol:

[XF650]

We stopped at Omakau to fuel up bikes & riders. It was pissing down and the tops were clagged in, so before attempting Thompson's I checked with farmer at other end to confirm it was open. Craig also checked with local at Omakau end. All this on top of the fact I had checked with Police it was open, back at the Rally. However we soon discovered why it's really only a dry weather track and anything with road biased tyres would have struggled. It was so different than the Dusty Butt ride - miles of slippery mud, ruts and then snow on the top. Still good fun though and at one point we were above the clouds, but too wet to get the camera out.

At Tarras I showed the guys a short gravel diversion then back on the seal. It was snowing & bitterly cold in the Lindis Pass so hot drinks & glove drying at Omarama gave us time to consider if we should really attempt BlackForest in such shitty weather and so late in the day. With memories still fresh of Dansey's, it didn't take long to talk ouselves out of it, so headed for home.

Today I'v had calls from people wondering if I was one of the ones who got rescued from Dansey's. While I can say that no, it wasn't me, I can still see how our wheel marks could have led others in, just like we were following Graig & Ian's wheel marks. Can't believe they would attempt it on road bikes though.
Some valuable lessons were learnt, thats for sure.

[XF650]

Great post mate. Glad I was working Friday :msn-wink: the red whale would have been blardy hard work/impossible thru there :lol:

Hey Tim - if I was on the Freewind it would still be sitting in a snow drift!!
Real sorry to hear how your Tranny was pooly serviced and that you had to turn back at Kurow. As always, you would have really enjoyed the Rally.

[Aslan]

Great report Struan - glad you and your pals made it OK - as Tim has posted he was glad he wasn't along with you aboard his T/A - my sentiment exactly about my 'leven fiddy - cheers S

[oldrider]

No John, wasn't us - low cloud, rain & snow forcasted to low levels. I think we had pushed our luck enough this weekend...

Well Struan you wouldn't want to be going over there today, the low cloud has just cleared enough for the moment and the snow gods have been having a picnic over there this morning!

I hope no one has decided to return home that way today, it could take them some time but you know all about that now, don't you! :lol:

[XF650]

Woohoo - what a ride :yes:

How did the bike go on the ride home - did the water use continue?

Didn't use any more coolant so fingers crossed, the motor is OK.
Advice is to fit a little fan from a computor. So is there anyone on KB who knows anything about PC's ??

[That looks like fun]

When came the days end and the children gathered around the tribal fires to hear the story's of the Ancestors, :jerry: the Legends told of a man (perhaps more than a man :shifty:) named Straun who on his steed of steel defied the odds :cold: and beat the mighty Dansy's to humble submission :first:
And they sang his name to the stars such was his feat.
Well done that man, :yes:
But dont know if I am going for a ride with you again ya madman :shit:

[Phreaky Phil]

Hell of an adventure.!! I almost feel ashamed that were going down in the car next week. ! Call me a wuss, but ice scares the :moon: out of me

[chasio]

Didn't use any more coolant so fingers crossed, the motor is OK.
Advice is to fit a little fan from a computor. So is there anyone on KB who knows anything about PC's ??

Struan, I've got a collection of old PC's with fans of various sizes that I'd be happy to rip out and send you... but I'm pretty sure they all run 5v and would last about a quarter of a second in heavy rain, let alone a river crossing... where the heck would you fit one where it wouldn't be vulnerable?

Edit: Actually I just remembered that some of the larger case fans run 12v, but not sure if I have any knocking about. Let me know what size you'd need and I can have a look.

[warewolf]

We had plenty of fuel to light a fire but nothing to burn (apart from the bikes).Inner tubes burn well. Cut into pieces, sit inside an emergency blanket (over your head to trap the heat), burn the pieces to keep warm. Even a tea-light candle adds quite a few degrees.

Sounds like a right good adventure, chaps!

[JATZ]

3) For Jatz - this guy owns two 750 Big's.

Awww shucks.... a pic just for me :grouphug:

Sounds like a "fun" trip XF,
One of these days I'm gunna have to join you on one of these trips :Punk:

[mattsdakar]

One the way to the Cattle Creek I had the buzz of overtaking an XChallenge, only to discover later he was one of "mattsdaker" lot, riding out to Kurow with a broken collerbone!! That was an amazing feat on his part & I trust he's mending well.
Menzies Pass & Myers Pass were a blast, the pic showing ice in Myers.

.
I didn't get there in the end, my DRZ had been running battery flat that week so while getting bike sorting for the Brass established that the stator had shat itself. Unfortunately had to order new one from Auckland which only arrived Thursday, $550 dollars later and the Brass budget was blown! So pulled the plug, weather had nothing to do with decision, :blink:!

[Underground]

When came the days end and the children gathered around the tribal fires to hear the story's of the Ancestors, :jerry: the Legends told of a man (perhaps more than a man :shifty:) named Straun who on his steed of steel defied the odds :cold: and beat the mighty Dansy's to humble submission :first:
And they sang his name to the stars such was his feat.
Well done that man, :yes:
But dont know if I am going for a ride with you again ya madman :shit:

:clap:nice poem
I know how knackering it is to spend a day having a fun ride in the snow , but to be past the point of no return and being commited to getting through the thick white stuff would be a whole another story.

[NordieBoy]

:clap:nice poem
I know how knackering it is to spend a day having a fun ride in the snow , but to be past the point of no return and being commited to getting through the thick white stuff would be a whole another story.

On bald tyres...

[XF650]

On bald tyres...

None of our lot had bald tyres, however we all wished our tyres were newer / sharper.
Which begs the question: why were so many larger adv bikes (GS's, 990's etc) gravel riding to Brass Monkey on tyres more suited to summer or dry gravel? Even Gareth Morgan turned back on the Haka, quoting tyre issues on his GS.

[Jantar]

.....
Which begs the question: why were so many larger adv bikes (GS's, 990's etc) gravel riding to Brass Monkey on tyres more suited to summer or dry gravel? .....
Perhaps it's because in recent years that is all that's been needed to do the Haka and Danseys. I regularly fit sports style tyre on my Strom and still go on gravel roads without any hesitation. But there's no way I'll go on mud or snow without something a bit more agressive, and certainly not Dansys, Haka or even Thompson's in the present conditions.

Too many years of getting through the Danseys on road tyres may have made those riders too complacent.

[mattsdakar]

None of our lot had bald tyres, however we all wished our tyres were newer / sharper.
Which begs the question: why were so many larger adv bikes (GS's, 990's etc) gravel riding to Brass Monkey on tyres more suited to summer or dry gravel? Even Gareth Morgan turned back on the Haka, quoting tyre issues on his GS..

Stupidity comes in many forms!
Once again adventurer riders reputations are tarnished by a few idiots (not you struan)

[dmc]

.

Stupidity comes in many forms!
Once again adventurer riders reputations are tarnished by a few idiots (not you struan)

Scorp's can handle pretty shitty conditions, snow isn't one of them tho and I know atleast the guys I ride with (who were in the pic's) bailed out once it was obvious the snow was getting worse, I'm surprised the guys who got stuck went further as I know it would have to be pretty crappy for my mates to bail considering some of the places we have had the 950/990's through in the past.

The Dansey's was closed when we came back last time and the last few kms at the top of the pass was sketchy with ice on snow but still pretty doable if taken carefully, maybe the group who got stuck thought it was going to be the same but with the amount of snow they would have hit I'm picking stupidity won out that time.

[Transalper]

There's a thread in General Bike Ravings.
One of the guys involved tells a much more plausible story of what really happened... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124479-Brass-Monkeys?p=1129777325#post1129777325
Newspapers really are crap at getting the facts straight.

[XF650]

There's a thread in General Bike Ravings.
One of the guys involved tells a much more plausible story of what really happened... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124479-Brass-Monkeys?p=1129777325#post1129777325
Newspapers really are crap at getting the facts straight.

Excellent. I don't remember seeing any "shoulder deep" snow either, and was starting to wonder if more had fallen.
It still amazes me that anyone would attempt it on road tyres though.

Another consideration when taking such "risks" is insurance. I was under the impression that insurance cover could be compromised if riding closed roads? We were aware of that but I wonder how many others were, incl all those bikes that rode the Haka.

[NordieBoy]

None of our lot had bald tyres, however we all wished our tyres were newer / sharper.

Undergrounds were bald up Mt Patriarch in the snow :D

[Underground]

Undergrounds were bald up Mt Patriarch in the snow :D

I wasnt really expecting to get too far that day , but as a comparison Bugsubique made it to the top on his Africa Twin with sharp knobs , whereas I only got half way up ,
But on the other hand he got into a lot more trouble with his good tyres than I did with my eelskins :cold:

[NordieBoy]

But on the other hand he got into a lot more trouble with his good tyres than I did with my eelskins :cold:

One good thing about not being able to get any speed up :D

[T.W.R]

.

Stupidity comes in many forms!
Once again adventurer riders reputations are tarnished by a few idiots (not you struan)

One of the brief glimpses shown on TV3 news showed two of the bikes that had to be recovered from Danseys and they weren't actually adventure bikes......one was what looked like a WLA Harley and the other a GT750 Ducati :yes:

[cooneyr]

One of the brief glimpses shown on TV3 news showed two of the bikes that had to be recovered from Danseys and they weren't actually adventure bikes......one was what looked like a WLA Harley and the other a GT750 Ducati :yes:

All the details are over here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124479-Brass-Monkeys?p=1129777325#post1129777325). Indian Chief and mid 70’s Ducati.

Hell back in the day they were adventure bikes (well the Indian anyway).

[T.W.R]

All the details are over here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124479-Brass-Monkeys?p=1129777325#post1129777325). Indian Chief and mid 70’s Ducati.

Hell back in the day they were adventure bikes (well the Indian anyway).

That'd be the ones.......looked pretty desperate with the bikes suspended under the bucket of a tractor as they were being hoisted out of the snow

[Gixxer peter]

Update to come, but we saw the gravel , it was hidden under the snow!!!
photo is of the Hakateramia Valley on the south side of the pass (out of the snow) spot the ödd"one out (non scooter)

[pete376403]

We made it almost to the top to Thompsons but snow/ice was more than our tyres could handle so turned back. Here's a pic or two anyway. Just around the corner from the second pic was as far as we got.

[Gixxer peter]

snow?? this is snow and there is no turning back !!!!
nearly at the Haka Pass.

[dino3310]

snow?? this is snow and there is no turning back !!!!
nearly at the Haka Pass.

awesome photo mate, stepthru in the snow now thats adv riding:scooter::yes:

[Jantar]

snow?? this is snow and there is no turning back !!!!
nearly at the Haka Pass.
Awesome. Keep them coming. :D

[Gixxer peter]

Not in gravel, but on the closed canal road between Twizel and Tekapo, took us 3 hours to get through i call it the "far canal " short cut

[T.W.R]

Not in gravel, but on the closed canal road between Twizel and Tekapo, took us 3 hours to get through i call it the "far canal " short cut

Your wee group made airtime on the TV as well in the same piece as the rescued bikes...... your lead rider waved to the camera in Tekapo

[pete376403]

Yeah it looks ok in that pic but round the corner and up the hill a bit was more than our roadie tyres could handle. Plus there was a sidecar following behind and that never would have got through, nor would it have been able to turn around. So we wimped out, didn't make the news on TV, and left it to the Real Men (TM).
I'd guess a stepthru is a little easier to lift up than a laden KLR, or 950, for that matter.

[XF650]

Go the scooters!!! Well done
We overtook you guys in the Lindis then you caught up with us in Omarama - classic hare & tortise.
Weren't you guys from Blenheim?

[Gone Burger]

Awesome pics you mad, mad people! Most impressed you all made it through O.K - must have been a hell of an adventure all round all right.

[andy mac]

:stupid: You lot are all mad buggers & should be locked up!


Respectfully Andy :cold: "Hey mum, throw another log on the fire please" :crybaby:

[kit]

Wow Cool pics, you guys are awesome riding all that way on those wee bikes! Top Effort!

[Gixxer peter]

Quick write up of a long trip.
Day one ...Blenheim to Kaikoura over the Taylor pass in the gravel just to mix up the start of the trip and it was a good place for Lisa to learn to ride on gravel,( or jist learn to ride)
Rain and more rain.

Day two ... KK to Rolleston via the Kaikoura inland road and then through Rangiora and so on to avoid the SH1 and motorway and yep more rain.

Day three .... now there are four of us Me, my wife Lisa,my father (70yrs old) and Johan
....... honda today, PGO comet (race tuned ,haha) sj50 and c50 stepthrough ,all luggage that was required was spread across the scooters and the "back up"vehicle was left at home (all or nothing) and no rain!!!! Through to Tekapo and we encountered the first bit of snow on Burkes Pass and in the Tekapo township no dramas tho.

Day four ... Back up the road to dog kennel corner and on to the Haka pass (yep it was closed)
we ignored that and carried on, it was a long haul through there we had lots of Ford to cross and quite good snow cover, i talked to a farmer near the top of the pass and was told that we would not make it through the pass (i choose not to tell tell the others the truth and said that they would be fine)
Lisa had a couple of offs in the snow on the PGO ( later i tried riding it in the snow myself what a pig , typical 2 stroke all or nothing) i was surprised that she made it through on it it was not the best place to learn to ride.
Funny moment on the top of the pass as a KLM rider that we met there asked us to follow him down incase he had an off and we needed to help him (he did have his young daughter with him, but we were flattered to be able to provide back up on the scooters)
We arrived in Kurow about 4 pm and got the fire going at the lodge, Johan and i shot through to the Benmore power station to collect his tent that he had stored there, was a fun ride through the darkness with his 6 volt light and the basket on the PGO in the way of the head light (driving by braille) i took the PGO because it was "fast"" bit of a race the PGO could beat the C50 into the wind but not on the way back GPS showed we hit a top speed of 86KPH (this may be due to the very steep downhill run down the dam) normal top speed was around 75 KPH, remember these were the cream of our crop for speed, normal running speed was 52KMh with an overall average of about 43KMH

[dino3310]

awesome mate, a true adventure ride

[Gixxer peter]

Day five....
We gave the Danseys a miss, even tho it was on my list of must do rides.
We felt did not have the time to attempt it and turn back and then make the site at the speed we were able to travel at.
We short cutted through the road to bypass Oamaru and i need to go back there on the busa in the summer, what a great road....
We did find a lady who had come off on a corner on a scorpio (?) cosmetic damage to the bike and hurt pride only thank goodness, then a icy ride through the pig route at "speed" was great, got to see more scenery than i would normally and ice was not an issue on these beasts.
Found our place in the snow and pitched the tents, listened to everyone tell us how crazy we were and sleep like a baby trying not to think we were now only half way.
Note the GPS reading (i had reset the max speed since the "high speed run to Benmore)

[Gixxer peter]

Day six...
Cold start to the day but no rain .... yet.
left via Ophir (ophir... awesum)
bypassed Alex (noting that it was a high there, that day of 1 degree) and pushed into the rain , sleet and snow to Cromwell Jahan had an off on the C50 outside the cafe , he was trying to pull a wheel stand to turn around , that will teach him (yeah right)
up over the Lindis stopping for some pix in the snow and ice.
And down into Twizel vai Omarama, note.... the cabins at Ruataniwha holiday park are very cold and the only way we could get warm with the heater in there was to stand on a chair to capture some of the heat before it diassapated out through the minimal insulation.


Day seven ....
woke up to more rain ans ice and snow.
Johan took us on a shortcut through the canal road towards Tekapo it was only 56km away but took us 3 hours , i dubbed it the far canal shortcut.
We got caught on camera by the TV3 news team and are posted on their website as we passed through Tekapo
http://www.3news.co.nz/Wild-weather-slows-journey-home-from-long-weekend/tabid/309/articleID/159637/Default.aspx
pretty cool hahaha
a late night run through to Rolleston in the rain and wind, another big day done and dusted

Day eight and nine ...
Just a straight run home to Blenheim via KK rain on day eight and just very cold on day nine

[Gixxer peter]

duplicate post opps

[shafty]

Congratulations Guys - your Wife and Dad are cetainly hardly Souls especially also - in boots and all - beats stopping in front of TV!! Well done all round - and the TV Coverage is priceless! Viewers must have been thinking WTF!!

[Gizzit]

Hi Struan - love to join you - however, . . . . . . SNIP . . . . . I'd be hesitant to take my GS through there in winter - the DR was perfect :)

DR's are always perfect . . . . . . :yes: :D

[marks]

duplicate post opps

What an awesome adventure
I can't believe that your your wife hasnt:
a/ killed you
b/ left you

most of us ride comfortable bikes on bits of gravel and dirt and call it an adventure

what you guys did is the real deal

you should repost all of this over on advriders ride reports section

[Gixxer peter]

I can't believe that your your wife hasnt:
a/ killed you
b/ left you

Thanks and yes it may have been close if i could have talked them into an attempt on the Danseys .

[clint640]

Good stuff, Fully Hardcore!




you should repost all of this over on advriders ride reports section

Absolutely, be good to see Straun & Peter's reports over on advrider - the format there beats the hell out of the poxy thumbnails on here & then you would be international legends instead of just local ones!

Cheers
Clint

[Underground]

Nice , Im all in favour of these family outings :yes:
Congrats to your dad for showing the young'uns how to adventure :Punk:
Hope I'm still up for a bit of adventuring when Im 70 .... dont know about being reduced to a skoota though .

[JATZ]

Absolutely, be good to see Straun & Peter's reports over on advrider - the format there beats the hell out of the poxy thumbnails on here

O.T. sorry.....
It is possible to "embed" images here too

Epic ride on the scoots too :niceone:

[Gixxer peter]

210176 trying to embed pix??
nah dont know how!!!