Anyone recognise this place and can you still ride in there?

[merv]

Back in the 70's I lived in Christchurch and at least twice a year we headed out of town to this place as we loved riding in there. Anyone recognise it? Can you still ride in there?

We used to go in as far as we could by any means. We did it by car, we did it in a Nissan Patrol and we did it on the bikes. The bikes of course taking us further in. In 1973 I went in on the A100 with a friend on a TC125.

In 1974 I went in with a friend on a BSA C11 and another on an Ariel Huntmaster (great trail bikes those) while by then I had bought the latest and the greatest an XL175. The same year I went in with a friend on a TS250 and another on a power-saw aka Tas Taka.

Here's a few of the pics - this is how I remember the joys and freedom of riding bikes back then.

That steep rocky climb would catch out the inexperienced.

[merv]

So do you think a 650 Huntmaster makes a good trail bike? Drop it and the exhaust pipe came undone. The carburettor also caught fire on that trip but the rider managed to blow hard on it and put the fire out - no air cleaner it just backfired and flamed out the carb intake.

These pics were taken with only a Kodak Instamatic on slide film and they are starting to discolour a bit so I am hurrying up scanning all my old ones.

[merv]

The TS250 and the power-saw were better and could handle the river crossings - mainly.

Ah 2 stroke smoke in a cool forest - glorious!

[White trash]

Thanks Merv, those pics are spectacular.

Awesome fashion sense back then, 1 year before I was born. Loving those bikes too.

Looks a bit bloody cold for my liking though.

[merv]

The guys liked describing how big they thought the ride was.

[merv]

Then that hill again, where did that rock come from?

[White trash]

So you actually DID have hair once Merv?

[merv]

Awesome fashion sense back then, 1 year before I was born. Loving those bikes too.

Talk about fashion sense, how about what street gear looked like then - no kevlar and fancy colours?

[White trash]

Jesus! Talk about a bunch of "badasses"!

[merv]

So you actually DID have hair once Merv?

None of the pics are of me because I am behind the camera. I will see what I can find.

[merv]

How about this which is another from 1974? The brown suede shoes just don't look quite right with the 1942 suit.

Basically I'm stuck at home with the lurg - about to go to the docs soon, so just messing around with my old pics.

[Flyingpony]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11788&stc=1&thumb=1
Slightly off topic: But see that van in the background!
It's a Ford Thames 1800!
My parents used to own a couple. :love:
Ours had side windows and on the highway, the back door would SELF open!
Had a good oil to petrol ratio: 4L oil per two tanks of gas!
They also loved blowing pistons out of the engine block. :love:
Was only a three speed and could reach 60mph with tail wind - 55mph was the norm.
If somebody still owns one with the original gear box. Never engage first while moving, it'll chew and spit out cogs.

[Ixion]

So do you think a 650 Huntmaster makes a good trail bike? Drop it and the exhaust pipe came undone. The carburettor also caught fire on that trip but the rider managed to blow hard on it and put the fire out - no air cleaner it just backfired and flamed out the carb intake.

These pics were taken with only a Kodak Instamatic on slide film and they are starting to discolour a bit so I am hurrying up scanning all my old ones.

Huntmaster used to be quite popular with the trials guys, back in the day. Those Amals on the singles were always catching fire, no big deal, just turn off the fuel and let it burn out. Twas just cos the carbies always leaked a bit. Watcha want an exhaust pipe for anyway. Looks good with a naked port spitting flames

EDIT. Actually i think it was the Red Hunter. 500 Single. Huntmaster was the twin wasn't it? Too long ago to remember.

[bugjuice]

bit of photoshop work, could have those pics lookin better yet.. (or more like the original).. this is just a couple of mins..

classic pics tho :niceone: great

[Stroker Girl]

Talk about fashion sense, how about what street gear looked like then - no kevlar and fancy colours?

Some great shots there Merv! Love those goggles and matching helmet! :yes:

[merv]

EDIT. Actually i think it was the Red Hunter. 500 Single. Huntmaster was the twin wasn't it? Too long ago to remember.

Yeah the Huntmaster was the 650 twin - got called the C...master quite a bit.

[clint640]

Awesome pics mate. I don't think I've been there, but the pics remind me of quite a few spots down South that I'm hangin out to go to on the KTM. So fess up, where is it?

Cheers
Clint

[merv]

No one is commenting on the location but it is Lake Sumner Forest Park. Back then it was all free access and we always had dreams of being able to ride right over Harper Pass through to Otira. Never did find out if it was possible.

I suppose now its all typical DOC land with restricted access. If I'd shown these pics first you could have spotted where. The first time we ever went there in 1973 we went by (not quite a rally) Escort. In those days we drove our cars over any track and if it said 4 wheel drive we knew it was a better challenge.

Lake Sumner road goes off to the West beyond Waikari.

[merv]

So does anyone from the South Island still ride in there or know if you can? I might want to bring the WR down sometime and do a nostalgia trip. Its a whole lot more fun than doing say Rainbow Road because it is more of a trail ride than just racing along a gravel road.

[merv]

I've added these pics of having a walk over the swing bridge up from Lake Sumner while my XL175 parked happily at the bridge end. This was on the way back after our ride right up to the #3 hut.