Brass Monkeys

[spacemonkey]

Yep... Well done kids, thats a real good look. :doh:
Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow)

[_Shrek_]

Yep... Well done kids, thats a real good look. :doh:
Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow)

just finished reading :weird: now who was it fess up & take the :spanking: :kick: up the arse that ya deserve :laugh:

[crystalball]

lol those guys that got rescued sound like they had fun i bet they got a good story to tell lol.

[scumdog]

Yep... Well done kids, thats a real good look. :doh:
Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3782485/Motorcyclists-rescued-from-Central-Otago-snow)

If true about the locked gate, signs etc all I can say is what a bunch of twats!:weird:

In any event it should a combined ferkin lack of common sense/judgement, were they all from a city or something??:blink:

[Forest]

Ok. Fess up. :laugh:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10650166


Trapped Motorcyclists Rescued

5:56 PM Sunday Jun 6, 2010

More than two dozen motorcyclists had to be rescued from deep snow as they made their way to a rally in Central Otago over a closed road overnight.

Police were left "shaking their heads in disbelief" after having to rescue the group which ignored road closed signs on the Danseys Pass Road, said Sergeant Ian Kerrisk of Alexandra police.

The group, aged from their early 20s to mid 70s, had intended travelling over the pass to the Brass Monkey Rally at Oturehua. The annual rally attracts hundreds of motorcyclists - drawn to the cold and "one of the last great motorcycling adventures".

However, they got more than they bargained for when they became trapped just below the summit at lunchtime yesterday and spent several hours on foot trying to walk the 14km through snow to the Danseys Coach Inn.

A helicopter could not be put up because of the weather but police and search and rescue staff in 4WDs managed to travel 2km up the road from the hotel and found a group of 20 riders.

A local farmer, on his tractor, and a grader took searchers through the deeper snow further up the pass and they found another three riders 3km up the road. Three more were found sheltering near the roadway further up.

Snow near the summit of the pass was shoulder deep in places, Mr Kerrisk said.

"The riders were all extremely cold and tired and very grateful to see the searchers. They had been trying to walk through snow for some seven hours at that stage in freezing conditions and were nearing the end of their endurance."

The riders were taken back to the hotel to warm up. After a warm drink and a hot meal none needed any further medical attention.

The pass was closed last week but the riders managed to get past the locked gates and at least three warning signs, Mr Kerrisk said.

"Their decision to travel that road past warning signs and locked gates is foolish to say the least and could well have resulted in the loss of life. They not only put themselves at risk but caused others to have to risk the conditions to rescue them."

Police were reviewing the incident but charges were unlikely against any of the riders.

"At the end of the day they made a bad decision and they will have to answer to their families and peers for that. I hope this will be a learning curve for those involved."

He said a donation to the local Maniototo Search and Rescue organisation would be appreciated by the local community, but that was a matter for them.

"We got everyone out safely and for all the people involved in the rescue that is reward enough."

Mr Kerrisk said the riders accepted they had made a bad decision.

However, while the group had put themselves and their rescuers at risk, he had nothing but praise for the Brass Monkey Rally itself.

He said there have so far been no incidents involving the riders over the weekend, despite icy conditions making the roads difficult for the nearly 2000 riders attending the rally this year.

Stan Hansen, chairman of the Otago Motorcycle Club's Brass Monkey organising committee said there had only been one similar incident associated with the rally, and that was more than 20 years ago.

The club did not condone riders travelling on closed roads.

"It's closed for your safety," he said.

Temperatures at the rally dropped to about minus 2degC last night, but were down to minus 6degC on Friday night, he said.

[scumdog]

It has been quoted on the Brass Monkey thread elsewhwere...

[Headbanger]

More than two dozen motorcyclists had to be rescued from deep snow as they made their way to a rally in Central Otago over a closed road overnight.



Police were left "shaking their heads in disbelief" after having to rescue the group which ignored road closed signs on the Danseys Pass Road, said Sergeant Ian Kerrisk of Alexandra police.


they got more than they bargained for when they became trapped just below the summit at lunchtime yesterday and spent several hours on foot trying to walk the 14km through snow to the Danseys Coach Inn.


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

[rustic101]

Just read this and chuckled - I wonder how many were KB'ers

[Conquiztador]

Yep. A little more here: http://msn.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10650166&ref=rss

"Snow to shoulder deep". Even I, coming from a Nordic country where riding in winter is something we do, would not try that without some additional aparatus. Like a snowmobile...

[scumdog]

And then at first they wouldn't divulge who all was in the group.

Resulting in SAR not knowing if all had been rescued or not..........

[madbikeboy]

I just pissed myself laughing...!

[spacemonkey]

And then at first they wouldn't divulge who all was in the group.

Resulting in SAR not knowing if all had been rescued or not..........

They What!?!?!?!?!?!
TARDS! :mad:

[Hanne]

Oh how hard core.... :Punk: Bet there were no heated grips amongst those bikes!

[shafty]

Or picture one bike with heated grips, and a dozen Bikers fighting for a touch lol.

SURELY no KB'ers would get themselves in that sort of situation? LOL, and a Seventy year old? How did they make it so far in life lol

[Jantar]

So now they will have to wait to the thaw before they can recover their bikes. I know that at least some KBers had more sense thyan to try that route in deep snow.

[SMOKEU]

Surely they could have just turned around and gone back the way they went up?

[Jantar]

Surely they could have just turned around and gone back the way they went up?
Not a chance. the snow was from the south, so its most likely that the northern side of the pass would seem OK, but once over the top and into 4ft snow drifts, that is it. No going forwards or back.

[98tls]

Smells like North Islanders to me.:shifty:Surely.If not then dont tell me,am quite happy to simply believe it must be so.

[dogsnbikes]

It's the 104kph thing got everyone taken the back roads,
so which south Islander told them thats the way too go:innocent:

[Hitcher]

OK, fess up. Who are the wankers in question? http://bit.ly/cEAwl5

[Jantar]

Moderator's note:

I have moved all posts reffering to the riders who attempted Danseys Pass to the Brass Monkeys thread. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/124479-Brass-Monkeys

Edit: Oooops. Including this one

[munterk6]

There's gonna be divorces outta this...I just feel it. All part of being a human I guess....we just do STUPID shit sometimes, but we do it so we can laugh about it later. If there is a 'later'.

[oldrider]

My grandson had to go to Ranfurly from Wanaka on Saturday morning to play rugby and my son told me that the St Bathans - Hawkdun - and - Kakanui ranges had the heaviest snow on them for years.

It had all driven in from the Southern side during the week but the north side was relatively clean apart from a little bit of flood damage.

Even though it was the thirtieth Brass Monkey, there didn't seem to be many bikes out and about this weekend so I guess numbers might have been down.

Me, I haven't even taken my bike out of the shed, I have too much respect for the vagaries of the weather around here!

Show it a little disrespect and it will show you a good time, NOT! :lol:

[Dargor]

bahahahahahahaahhhaaha.

[quickbuck]

It's the 104kph thing got everyone taken the back roads,
so which south Islander told them thats the way too go:innocbent:
Well, usually it is "The only way to go" if you are going to the Brass.... Just on this occasion they left their brains in the bar.... Probably in Kurow.

[quickbuck]

Even though it was the thirtieth Brass Monkey, there didn't seem to be many bikes out and about this weekend so I guess numbers might have been down.

Almost 2000 according to the report in the first post..... So, Yup, Down to quite a small crowd on previous years....

[Squiggles]

Wasnt this group (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/123276-Brass-Monkey-2010-by-gravel?p=1129776073#post1129776073) :lol:

[Okey Dokey]

And then at first they wouldn't divulge who all was in the group.

Resulting in SAR not knowing if all had been rescued or not..........

Why in heavens not?!? Their brains must have been frozen.

[marty]

It's the 104kph thing got everyone taken the back roads,
so which south Islander told them thats the way too go:innocent:

if they had have been going 120 they might have got there before the snow :)

[Jantar]

if they had have been going 120 they might have got there before the snow :)
And left a couple of weeks earlier. That road has been closed since 25th May. :yes:

[Stylo]

And left a couple of weeks earlier. That road has been closed since 25th May. :yes:

So...presumably they were all riding the big trailbikes that can 'Go anywhere ' ?

It's tyres, not horspower that will determine the length of the journey , I'm still laughing .......

And, I've been over that pass a few times, but....never in winter.......

[Jantar]

So...presumably they were all riding the big trailbikes that can 'Go anywhere ' ?

It's tyres, not horspower that will determine the length of the journey , I'm still laughing .......

And, I've been over that pass a few times, but....never in winter.......

From the photo in the ODT I believe they were on road bikes. The pic was an old army indian.

[Muppet]

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/109529/26-riders-rescued-snow

I know people down there, I'll bloody find out who they were!

[Stylo]

From the photo in the ODT I believe they were on road bikes. The pic was an old army indian.

You're joking ' An old army Indian' ?......my first trip over the pass was in the early '90's in September and on a Yamaha XT600 Tenere .....lots of snow even then .....

[RobMac]

I’ll fess up as one of the group and give you all the facts, not the sensationalized stories printed in the papers.
First off these comments are my own and from my perspective, there were about 15-18 people who passed bikes under the gate on the Northern side of the pass and met at the top around midday. These people were from about 4-5 separate groups travelling on bikes ranging from dual purpose adventure bikes, road, trail and vintage.
There was no snow on the road on the northern side of the pass and didn’t start till after the second corner on the way down. At no stage was it shoulder deep, although some drifts on the corners were probably just above the knee. For the most part it was slightly above ankle deep.
The group I travel with have used this road to get to the Brass Monkey for the last few years and we were expecting the snow to only be on the road for about half of the track down which wasn’t the case this time around.
The Indian (my bike – which is a Chief not an army (741)) was abandoned because the clutch had cried enough, not because it was stuck in the snow. The only other bike that was left out overnight was a mid 70’s Ducati that also had electrical problems and could not travel any further, again not because it was stuck.
Most of the group rode/pushed all the way down to the hotel where the police were notified that there were others further back. The local farmer and Police then went by 4WD tractor back up the road, followed by the grader. 1 group of 3 (group I was with) were still making slow progress out at this stage and were met approx 2kms from the hotel and proceeded to ride out after the grader had been through. The last group of 4 was approx another 2kms up the road and had put up their tents and were in their sleeping bags settling in for the night – these people also packed up and rode out after the grader went past.
While we were heading along the road during the evening a further 2 groups of 4-5 bikes passed us, these guys were not part of the original group but more people who had ignored the signs.
Search and Rescue were not called out, neither was anyone from a 4WD club as they were not needed.
While we were all tired after the days activities I do not believe anyone was in danger and most people then carried on to the rally, although a few did stay at the Danseys Pass hotel for the night.
I returned on Sunday morning and along with the Ducati owner went with the farmer who collected our bikes with his tractor and brought them out for us – mine I will have to go back and collect, not sure what happened to the Ducati.
My 2 mates and I apologized to the farmer and publican for the unnecessary hassle we caused and I also paid his charge out rate for his tractors time, again not sure if others contributed to his expenses.
Yes our actions were stupid and it is not something I will be repeating again in a hurry.
I suppose we could have stayed home by the fire all weekend – but suddenly you’d find life had passed you by.

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/43327/2943738320043560487S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2943738320043560487BvWCzX)

[Transalper]

Good on ya mate.
A much more realistic or plausible picture that makes.
News papers are terrible at getting the facts straight.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Never know until ya try mate!

[thepom]

Good to hear a more truthful version than what the gutter press does......

[Howie]

I’ll fess up as one of the group and give you all the facts, not the sensationalized stories printed in the papers.
First off these comments are my own and from my perspective, there were about 15-18 people who passed bikes under the gate on the Northern side of the pass and met at the top around midday. These people were from about 4-5 separate groups travelling on bikes ranging from dual purpose adventure bikes, road, trail and vintage.


Good write up of what actually happened. Shame about the clutch on your bike.

I rode over Danseys Pass after a Brass Monkey back in the mid eighties on a GSXR750, with a BMW, and a Ducati Pantah for company, think we rode past at least 4 road closed signs, but had been told it was due to a slip that was easy to get past. Some of the problem is that sometimes those high passes although closed can be quite easy to navigate by bike.
So maybe it would be better for the LTSA/ council responsiable for those closed roads to advertise more widely the reasons for the road closure, particularly when events like bike rallys etc are on.

[cruza]

I’ll fess up as one of the group and give you all the facts, not the sensationalized stories printed in the papers.
First off these comments are my own and from my perspective, there were about 15-18 people who passed bikes under the gate on the Northern side of the pass and met at the top around midday. These people were from about 4-5 separate groups travelling on bikes ranging from dual purpose adventure bikes, road, trail and vintage.
There was no snow on the road on the northern side of the pass and didn’t start till after the second corner on the way down. At no stage was it shoulder deep, although some drifts on the corners were probably just above the knee. For the most part it was slightly above ankle deep.
The group I travel with have used this road to get to the Brass Monkey for the last few years and we were expecting the snow to only be on the road for about half of the track down which wasn’t the case this time around.
The Indian (my bike – which is a Chief not an army (741)) was abandoned because the clutch had cried enough, not because it was stuck in the snow. The only other bike that was left out overnight was a mid 70’s Ducati that also had electrical problems and could not travel any further, again not because it was stuck.
Most of the group rode/pushed all the way down to the hotel where the police were notified that there were others further back. The local farmer and Police then went by 4WD tractor back up the road, followed by the grader. 1 group of 3 (group I was with) were still making slow progress out at this stage and were met approx 2kms from the hotel and proceeded to ride out after the grader had been through. The last group of 4 was approx another 2kms up the road and had put up their tents and were in their sleeping bags settling in for the night – these people also packed up and rode out after the grader went past.
While we were heading along the road during the evening a further 2 groups of 4-5 bikes passed us, these guys were not part of the original group but more people who had ignored the signs.
Search and Rescue were not called out, neither was anyone from a 4WD club as they were not needed.
While we were all tired after the days activities I do not believe anyone was in danger and most people then carried on to the rally, although a few did stay at the Danseys Pass hotel for the night.
I returned on Sunday morning and along with the Ducati owner went with the farmer who collected our bikes with his tractor and brought them out for us – mine I will have to go back and collect, not sure what happened to the Ducati.
My 2 mates and I apologized to the farmer and publican for the unnecessary hassle we caused and I also paid his charge out rate for his tractors time, again not sure if others contributed to his expenses.
Yes our actions were stupid and it is not something I will be repeating again in a hurry.
I suppose we could have stayed home by the fire all weekend – but suddenly you’d find life had passed you by.

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/43327/2943738320043560487S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2943738320043560487BvWCzX)

Sounds a shit load better than odt.

how ya getting bike back? coming down with parts or putting it on a truck?

[jellywrestler]

You're joking ' An old army Indian' ?.
. certainaly is, looks like a chief to me!!

[Stylo]

certainaly is, looks like a chief to me!!

I was waiting for a little balance in the story too...good reply

[That looks like fun]

Good on ya mate for putting the truth out there :yes:
I am always a little nonplussed at how quickly some jump to abuse those who have made a mistake.:gob:
Reminds me of the story of the stoning where some bloke called Jesus challenged the person without sin to cast the first stone :innocent:
A solitary stone sailed from the back off the crowd and struck and killed the accused. :shit:
Jesus muttered under his breath "sometimes Mother you really piss me off" :angry:
(Apologies to the religious among us) :shifty:

[rustic101]

From the photo in the ODT I believe they were on road bikes. The pic was an old army indian.

Who takes their 1937 Indian through that - Rob are you crazy????

[RobMac]

Good write up of what actually happened. Shame about the clutch on your bike.

I rode over Danseys Pass after a Brass Monkey back in the mid eighties on a GSXR750, with a BMW, and a Ducati Pantah for company, think we rode past at least 4 road closed signs, but had been told it was due to a slip that was easy to get past. Some of the problem is that sometimes those high passes although closed can be quite easy to navigate by bike.
So maybe it would be better for the LTSA/ council responsiable for those closed roads to advertise more widely the reasons for the road closure, particularly when events like bike rallys etc are on.

We'd asked at the pub the night before and had multiple answers, closed, open, closed to campervans, no snow, slip, all good etc etc.... although the locked gate should have been enough....

I've got AA Plus (extra $65 per year), they are organising picking it up and getting it back to wellington.

Not crazy, at the end of the day it's just a motorbike - steel and rubber. Not much different to the roads that were around when it was new. The story got that wrong too, it's a '47 not '37.

[paulmac]

I’ll fess up as one – but suddenly you’d find life had passed you by.

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/43327/2943738320043560487S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2943738320043560487BvWCzX)

on ya mate. I like honesty, esp in this day and age ! maybe go thru there on the way to the burt munroe at the end of november ! ( i'll buy you a beer there )

[Berries]

So maybe it would be better for the LTSA/ council responsiable for those closed roads to advertise more widely the reasons for the road closure, particularly when events like bike rallys etc are on.
Not really practical, especially considering the number of closures in the area over the last two weeks. Sometimes you can ask the bloke manning the gates/closure but more often than not they are away trying to pull someone out who ignored the signs. Saw this myself in the floods north of Oamaru a couple of weeks ago.

You can get state highway info off the NZTA website, but your best bet is the AA Roadwatch site. Have a look here - http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch and you can clearly see all the closures in Waitaki from the flooding, but also those where snow is a problem, like Danseys Pass.

[kiwipeet]

To the guys who ignored the sign and took the road: *fuckin outstanding effort.* clearly your balls are bigger than your brains.

Thats what adventure bikes are for. Having an adventure. Self preservation is waaaay overrated IMHO.

To all the wimpy naysayers, just think. Instead of boring their grand-kids to tears, they're gonna get to hear real stories from Grandad. (provided they can prove Darwin wrong long enough to meet thier grandkids.)

Rock on dudes.

peet

[HenryDorsetCase]

I saw a red/maroon Indian 741B being loaded on the back of a truck. Good effort whoever that was and can I have a go?

[HenryDorsetCase]

I’ll fess up as one of the group and give you all the facts, not the sensationalized stories printed in the papers.
First off these comments are my own and from my perspective, there were about 15-18 people who passed bikes under the gate on the Northern side of the pass and met at the top around midday. These people were from about 4-5 separate groups travelling on bikes ranging from dual purpose adventure bikes, road, trail and vintage.
There was no snow on the road on the northern side of the pass and didn’t start till after the second corner on the way down. At no stage was it shoulder deep, although some drifts on the corners were probably just above the knee. For the most part it was slightly above ankle deep.
The group I travel with have used this road to get to the Brass Monkey for the last few years and we were expecting the snow to only be on the road for about half of the track down which wasn’t the case this time around.
The Indian (my bike – which is a Chief not an army (741)) was abandoned because the clutch had cried enough, not because it was stuck in the snow. The only other bike that was left out overnight was a mid 70’s Ducati that also had electrical problems and could not travel any further, again not because it was stuck.
Most of the group rode/pushed all the way down to the hotel where the police were notified that there were others further back. The local farmer and Police then went by 4WD tractor back up the road, followed by the grader. 1 group of 3 (group I was with) were still making slow progress out at this stage and were met approx 2kms from the hotel and proceeded to ride out after the grader had been through. The last group of 4 was approx another 2kms up the road and had put up their tents and were in their sleeping bags settling in for the night – these people also packed up and rode out after the grader went past.
While we were heading along the road during the evening a further 2 groups of 4-5 bikes passed us, these guys were not part of the original group but more people who had ignored the signs.
Search and Rescue were not called out, neither was anyone from a 4WD club as they were not needed.
While we were all tired after the days activities I do not believe anyone was in danger and most people then carried on to the rally, although a few did stay at the Danseys Pass hotel for the night.
I returned on Sunday morning and along with the Ducati owner went with the farmer who collected our bikes with his tractor and brought them out for us – mine I will have to go back and collect, not sure what happened to the Ducati.
My 2 mates and I apologized to the farmer and publican for the unnecessary hassle we caused and I also paid his charge out rate for his tractors time, again not sure if others contributed to his expenses.
Yes our actions were stupid and it is not something I will be repeating again in a hurry.
I suppose we could have stayed home by the fire all weekend – but suddenly you’d find life had passed you by.

http://inlinethumb64.webshots.com/43327/2943738320043560487S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2943738320043560487BvWCzX)

I should have read this before posting. I still want a ride on the Indian though.

[Howie]

Not really practical, especially considering the number of closures in the area over the last two weeks. Sometimes you can ask the bloke manning the gates/closure but more often than not they are away trying to pull someone out who ignored the signs. Saw this myself in the floods north of Oamaru a couple of weeks ago.

Not really that hard to achieve with a bit of preparation by whoever is responsible for putting up the signs / closing the gates. It’s as easy as a sign attached to gate saying road closed due to deep snow at location …….. Simply use a laminated A4 or A3 pre printed sign for main reason and add extra info in a Maker pen, could even include date and time. Attach to gate or barrier with tape or cable ties. That would make people think twice, and also let them know exactly where the problem is.

I would never expect all road closed gates / signs etc to be manned.



You can get state highway info off the NZTA website, but your best bet is the AA Roadwatch site. Have a look here - http://maps.aa.co.nz/traffic/roadwatch and you can clearly see all the closures in Waitaki from the flooding, but also those where snow is a problem, like Danseys Pass.

As to using the Internet for updates while travelling, I’m not sure about others but I don’t tend to access it at all when travelling by bike or car!! It is even more impractical than informative signs about current conditions.

[_Shrek_]

just finished reading :weird: now who was it fess up & take the :spanking: :kick: up the arse that ya deserve :laugh:

my 1st post after reading the news :shutup:


Good on ya mate.
A much more realistic or plausible picture that makes.
News papers are terrible at getting the facts straight.

as TA said :niceone:


I’ll fess up as one of the group and give you all the facts,

I suppose we could have stayed home by the fire all weekend – but suddenly you’d find life had passed you by.

after this read i :corn: my words

well done Rob & others cheers :apint:

[AllanB]

I was told the snow was 4 metres deep and all the men had formed a circle and were performing lewd acts upon each other in a vain attempt to keep warm.

I believe there may be actual films on Nightline tonight.

Let the legend begin!

[HenryDorsetCase]

I was told the snow was 4 metres deep and all the men had formed a circle and were performing lewd acts upon each other in a vain attempt to keep warm.

I believe there may be actual films on Nightline tonight.

Let the legend begin!

I heard someone abandoned an Indian and an old Ducati up there. Ima wait fer the spring thaw, an' go a'prospectin' them thar hills.

[Pixie]

lol those guys that got rescued sound like they had fun i bet they got a good story to tell lol.

They should have stayed home and watched it on TV

[imdying]

I heard someone abandoned an Indian and an old Ducati up there. Ima wait fer the spring thaw, an' go a'prospectin' them thar hills.I heard Chuck Norris started out with them, but he ended up turning back as it was too cold for him!

[748south]

whats with all the "congratulations"??? locked gate, they went through it anyway - as far as i'm concerned they're idiots that mar the rest of us. oh but "well done boys" (with sarcasm), fuck sake, why do you think so many trails have been closed to bikes over the years, it's because of clowns like these guys that think they're above the rules.

So sorry but no well done's from me, just grow up you should have known better.

[cooneyr]

Road closures are for the masses i.e. the majority of drivers (as they drive 2wd cars). Those on bikes that need a road in a similar condtion to a 2wd car should have though twice about attempting the pass but a road closeure will almost always be over the top for a Adv bike or 4wd except for the odd time. This leads to a fair bit of complaincency re road closures for anybody who is prepared and has the equipment and skills. If I didn't have a 8 week old baby at home I'd have been one of the "idiots". I wont say I'm disapointed I wasn't there but I'd love to have been. It would have been a heap of fun bashing my KTM 950 with knobblies through knee high snow drifts. I'd be off down there now if I could.

Hell why don't they put track closed signs on all the alpine tracks when it snows in winter to stop all the idots going climbing. I've spent a two days wading through waist deep snow for the fun of it, but I was well prepared with good gear and just fit enough and it enjoyed it!

My next project is to stud some old knbblie tyres for my XR250 and then I'll be deliberatly going looking for snow.

[madbikeboy]

I heard Willie Apiata was with them - and was camping naked in the snow.

[Beemer]

I heard Willie Apiata was with them - and was camping naked in the snow.

Damn, I KNEW I should have gone to the Brass this year!:yes:

[warewolf]

locked gate, they went through it anyway


Road closures are for the masses i.e. the majority of drivers (as they drive 2wd cars).Many times on bikes I've been directed to go through "closed" roads by the powers that be, with comments like "You'll get through no worries just take care, we're only stopping cars."

[HenryDorsetCase]

Damn, I KNEW I should have gone to the Brass this year!:yes:

Its the moustache, right?

[oldrider]

whats with all the "congratulations"??? locked gate, they went through it anyway - as far as i'm concerned they're idiots that mar the rest of us. oh but "well done boys" (with sarcasm), fuck sake, why do you think so many trails have been closed to bikes over the years, it's because of clowns like these guys that think they're above the rules.

So sorry but no well done's from me, just grow up you should have known better.

Settle down FFS, that road has been closed every year for ages but has nearly always been passable at least to 4x4's, bikes and vintage cars!

In fact Queens birthday weekend has regularly been the most traffic for the road in any given part of a year, closed or not!

What has changed is that a couple of "zealot's" in the councils have had gates erected (early last year?) to "stop" the traffic going through but they left enough room for the bikes to get under the gates!

I guess that last little bit of "freedom of choice" will be blocked off now, after the negative press from this week end!

Local citizen's (who shall remain nameless) have let it be known that the bolts holding the gate hinges are a standard vehicle wheel wrench size and that they are quite easily removed!

That will probably all be changed now!

It's not the action that causes the problems, it's the "noise created" that catches the attention of the zealots and they see it as their lifetime responsibility to protect errant people from themselves!

Dansey Pass will probably be out of bounds every winter from now on unless some "organisation" makes an "official" arrangement with the two councils controlling the road to have it open!

For future reference, North Otago road closure information can be obtained here any time:

http://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Events/Public+Notices.htm

[quickbuck]

Hell why don't they put track closed signs on all the alpine tracks when it snows in winter to stop all the idots going climbing.

.

Hell yeah.... And as for those nut cases that clip planks of Glass Fibre onto their boots... That sh1t is just darn dangerous and driving up out ACC Levy's.....









P/T

[Conquiztador]

It is all about building memories.

Two bikes that did not make it. One because of electrical fault, other because of worn out clutch. Could have happened on the Coro loop in middle of summer. We are also talking about riders that were prepared for Brass Monkey, so I be surprised if any of them did not have the gear to survive in.

I will add my "well done" here. Would have loved to be there with ya!

[748south]

" Dansey Pass will probably be out of bounds every winter from now on "

This is exactly my point mate............

[FJRider]

Good on ya mate.
A much more realistic or plausible picture that makes.
News papers are terrible at getting the facts straight.

Getting the facts straight does not sell copies ....

[FJRider]

It is all about building memories.

Two bikes that did not make it. One because of electrical fault, other because of worn out clutch. Could have happened on the Coro loop in middle of summer. We are also talking about riders that were prepared for Brass Monkey, so I be surprised if any of them did not have the gear to survive in.


So after they had abandoned their bikes ... they were carrying all their gear with them ... ???

[FJRider]

I guess that last little bit of "freedom of choice" will be blocked off now, after the negative press from this week end!

Dansey Pass will probably be out of bounds every winter from now on unless some "organisation" makes an "official" arrangement with the two councils controlling the road to have it open!

For future reference, North Otago road closure information can be obtained here any time:

http://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Events/Public+Notices.htm

Perhaps at the very least ... a few phone calls to the Danseys pub for "actual conditions" of the road be made in future...

If some were made on the/that day ....

[doc]

Getting the facts straight does not sell copies ....

I find it amazing the emotion with which people post in reaction to a news report. When the facts come out they somethimes look very stupid, but the kiwi knee jerk action is already occupied with, something else to occupy their minds, their previous comment is lost. The press is getting worse. Surprised "Campbell Live" weren't reporting it live from the air. Forget about helping the situation. Get any story out is more important. :done:

[_Shrek_]

Perhaps at the very least ... a few phone calls to the Danseys pub for "actual conditions" of the road be made in future...

If some were made on the/that day ....

:angry2: FFS Fj have a look at Brass Monkey by Gravel post 58 OK & try reading the ride reports ie farmers where rung etc... instead of this :bs: you keep putting up :argh: rant ova till next time

[pete376403]

Many times on bikes I've been directed to go through "closed" roads by the powers that be, with comments like "You'll get through no worries just take care, we're only stopping cars."

North of Kaikoura on QBW Monday afternoon the three fords were closed (with cop in attendance at the last ford heading north) yet there was only a bit of gravel and bugger all water running over the fords. They would have been easily passable by all but the most low slung boy racer car. The safety nazis go off at percived hazards very easily now.

[Flip]

And if the sign was at the top of a clif would you jump?

[FJRider]

:angry2: FFS Fj have a look at Brass Monkey by Gravel post 58 OK & try reading the ride reports ie farmers where rung etc... instead of this :bs: you keep putting up :argh: rant ova till next time

I read that post in that thread .... it was you that rang the pub, not them. Post #82 of the same thread says a farmer was rung re: the Haka pass. Not Danseys pass. Post #87 states a contractor was rung ... for him to confirm the pass was closed. No mention of conditions in the Danseys pass area, as probably the contractor probably didn't know how bad it was on the southern side.

Did any of the party that got stuck ring the pub first ... ???? post # 69 of this thread refers to that party. Although it would seem you were the only person to ring the Danseys pub for road conditions ... on any day.

[doc]

North of Kaikoura on QBW Monday afternoon the three fords were closed (with cop in attendance at the last ford heading north) yet there was only a bit of gravel and bugger all water running over the fords. They would have been easily passable by all but the most low slung boy racer car. The safety nazis go off at percived hazards very easily now.

Bit of gravel ?

[pete376403]

What time was that? We arrived at Picton about 3pm so went by the fords probably about 2. Don't recall them being as covered as that

[gsx83esd]

hi guys and girls , did the danseys pass this year on my 1250 BANDIT , no sign of the 10 foot snow driftsthat was rumoured to be in the pass, it was a great ride ,we ( the group of riders )worked as a team and helped each other out if someone got into trouble , the worst being dropping the bike in the snow . dont believe what you read in the papers as it was not that bad , the two guys i was with for the last section of the ride decided to camp about 2 ks from the pub , i forged on and got to the pub as we wanted to get to the brass , but as luck would have it the bike was too low on fuel to get to the monkey so we were forced to camp in ranfurly in the cabin that is booked each year for situations like we were in . so as you see it was quite an adventure for the experienced riders that did it , and then there was the guys that went past on the trail bikes with full knobbeys that did it easy !! thats another story ! , to the guy with the indian chief as the clutch had gone and well i hope all turned out okay , and the ducati rider whos bike decided to just get to hot and stop and well he beat me to the pub , that all turnred out good !, the best bike that was there was a1938 bsa 500 single who just did it easy , well it looked easy ! i wouldnt have missed this ride for anything in the world as it was an adventure of a lifetime !!!, but maybe not next year ?or will i

[gsx83esd]

oh by the way , had heated hand grips ! lovely!!