Lees Valley Ride on Sat 25 Feb

[far queue]

OK, who’s up for a ride through Lees Valley? Where’s Lee’s Valley, I hear you ask? North Canterbury approx 28km North West of Rangiora. Meeting place will be at Mobil Rangiora at 10am on Saturday 25 Feb. If the weather is crap and the ride is off, then it will be held the next day, Sun 26 Feb at 10am.

Have a look at the attached maps, I've marked the planned route on them. The sealed road is marked in Blue, the gravel is Red, and the river crossing is a yellow cross. I’ve marked the route through Rangiora on a separate map in Blue and the location of the Mobil with a Green cross. Mobil Rangiora is located on Ashley St, which is the main road out of Rangiora to the North. The other map is just one without my drawings on it.

The round trip distance from Mobil Rangiora and return is 143 km. This is made up of 44km of sealed road, followed by 73km of gravel and one river crossing, followed by 26km of sealed road back to Mobil Rangiora. The depth of the river we will be crossing varies from ankle deep to … well, deeper. At this time of year it can be expected to be at the ankle deep end of the range. The river flow can be checked before the ride, here … http://www.ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Water/Rivers/RiverFlows/river-flow-table.htm ... look at the flow for “Okuku Fox Ck”. As an indication, the flow at 0530 today was 1.052 m3/s and the flow when in flood will be up around 115 m3/s.

If you want to come along we’ll meet at Mobil Rangiora and then ride out from there. The goal will be to complete the ride at a relaxed pace, it's not a race, stop for photos whenever you want, and we’ll stop to regroup from time to time as needs be, make sure you bring food and water with you. Go at your own pace.

If you think that 143km may be stretching your range a bit then bring along some extra fuel. I’ve found that a 2 litre coke bottle full of fuel works well. Just securely bungy it to the rear guard and empty it into your tank as soon as you have room for it. You could duct tape it in place if you prefer it to be held more securely, but make sure you are able to stick it back on to carry the empty out with you.

Sorry, if this was a bit long winded, but hopefully I’ve covered everything you might want to know.

[laRIKin]

I 'm keen for the 25th, but may not be for the 26th.
As that the same day as another adventure ride.

It's going to be hard to choose.:doh:

Now can the body (and ass) handle two bigish rides in two days.:wait:

[Transalper]

Wow, you really do your homework when organising rides.
I'm supposed to be in the Molsworth and Rainbow Station areas that weekend but if that plan falls through I'll join you for this one.
Oxford has fuel if anyone needed it at that end, but then your 2 litre bottle idea sounds reasonable too.

[laRIKin]

Oxford has fuel if anyone needed it at that end,

That's what we did, to just top up the tank.
I think I will be doing that again and save carry extra petrol.

[BEAMER89]

Sounds like a good ride FQ, Went through there in the Nissan a couple weeks ago and wanted 2 take the beamer through. Will conferm closer 2 the day. But should b able 2 Cheers :ride:

[Kickaha]

I'll see if I've got my new Bucket by then and might take that :yes:

[far queue]

I 'm keen for the 25th, but may not be for the 26th.
As that the same day as another adventure ride.

Where is this other Adventure ride? I know you told me it was a Canterbury Yamaha ride and it's $25, but I haven't been able to find any other info on it? Have you got any other details on it? Where the entry forms can be got from or whatever?

[PLUG]

Sounds good FQ, I'm in ... Any of you headding to the March Hare ??? ... first weekend of March, if you didn't know ... Clint 640 & a few of his buddies from up north are doing a Southern adventure loop & will be there ... Plan on catching up with them & doing a few backways & byways around the area like Black Forest ... Any takers ???

[laRIKin]

Where is this other Adventure ride? I know you told me it was a Canterbury Yamaha ride and it's $25, but I haven't been able to find any other info on it? Have you got any other details on it? Where the entry forms can be got from or whatever?

I read about it in a local news paper the Mail (I think).
You can ring the shop and they will answer any questions.

It's on the 26th Feb and you do not have to pre book.
You meet out side the shop at 9 am (maybe its 10, but are pretty sure it's 9) and pay your money of $25.
Then you get your route map, I have made 2 click clack route map boxers,
for me and "green meanie" (Aaron).
The route is to Akaroa and back, via gravel roads and may be paper roads and farm tracks.
Stopping for lunch in Akaroa?
I could not get a straight answer, as only the route setter knows for sure.
We are both going to do the ride and maybe another guy from work as well.
Kevin with the Serow is going to try and loan a bike, (RMX250) and do it as well.
Because this ride is on the day after yours, they will have to miss out on your ride this time, unfortunately.
I'm keen to do both, but will make my mind up closer to the day.

[far queue]

Sounds good FQ, I'm in ... Any of you headding to the March Hare ??? ... first weekend of March, if you didn't know ... Clint 640 & a few of his buddies from up north are doing a Southern adventure loop & will be there ... Plan on catching up with them & doing a few backways & byways around the area like Black Forest ... Any takers ???

Yep, my mate (KLR650) and I are going down on the Friday after work then going out for a day ride on the Saturday. Last year we did Hakataramea Pass, McKenzie Pass for the day ride. Haven't decided where we'll go this year. Would be good to hook up with a few more a ride.

[Skyryder]

It's a dirt road guys. Lots of gravel lots of cleaning. Lots of fun too. Used to do a bit of fishing up that way. B een some time since I've been in there.

Skyryder

[Transalper]

Where is this other Adventure ride? I know you told me it was a Canterbury Yamaha ride and it's $25, but I haven't been able to find any other info on it? Have you got any other details on it? Where the entry forms can be got from or whatever?

Here you go... the other adventure ride is on the Sunday. I went and got an entry for it and made a thread on it...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24840

By the way my molsworth thing has been put off, so i will be in for Lees Valley on Saturday and then the Shop one on Sunday.

[far queue]

Cool, thanks for that, I'll try and make it along too.

Shame the Molesworth trip is off, but good you can make it along to Lees valley. Let me know when the Molesworth is on again, I wouldn't mind giving that a crack.

[BEAMER89]

Hi FQ! Sorry im out 4 the lees valley ride, Bloody work.:brick: Any way l will catch up with u at the march hare :ride: :drinkup:

[far queue]

Hi FQ! Sorry im out 4 the lees valley ride, Bloody work.:brick: Any way l will catch up with u at the march hare :ride: :drinkup:
Bummer, never mind, there'll be plenty more. How about the Canterbury Yamaha ride on the Sunday? And are you keen on coming for a ride in the back blocks on the Sat of the March?

[BEAMER89]

Sorry matey coming down 2 m/hare on sat with d & co. Hope u hav a good ride sat tho.:ride:

[far queue]

Sorry matey coming down 2 m/hare on sat with d & co. Hope u hav a good ride sat tho.:ride:
OK, see you there sometime Sat afternoon then.

[laRIKin]

Hi FQ! Sorry im out 4 the lees valley ride, Bloody work.:brick:

Bugger I will catch up with you one day.

[Transalper]

Bugger, i tryed to get better gearing on the Transalp before this weekends rides and found i already have the smallest front sprocket (15tooth) they do for the 96 Tranny and the biggest rear (49tooth... arrives next week) is only two teeth bigger than the one i have.

[far queue]

Bugger, i tryed to get better gearing on the Transalp before this weekends rides and found i already have the smallest front sprocket (15tooth) they do for the 96 Tranny and the biggest rear (49tooth... arrives next week) is only two teeth bigger than the one i have.
Go and see Dirt Action Service at 32 Saxon St or give them a ring on 03-3890080. They may be able to help.

I had the same problem with the DR. Suzuki only make a 14T & 15T front sprocket for it and the mainstream bike shops couldn't come up with an alternative for me, not that they tried too hard. DAS went through their books and found a sprocket that would fit. I now have a 13T front spocket intended for an XR600 on there - perfect. They're good guys, good service, good prices.

[Transalper]

Indeed the D.A.S. guys are good, i have been riding with Linton several times and done one of Phils Reefton trips late last year too... but i assumed the mainstream shops would be my best bet fo the Transalp:slap:
I'll pop in for a visit next week to see what they can do for my front. The rear sprocket be about due by then.

[laRIKin]

I would not worry to much about gearing down the bike for Lees Valley.
I'm gearing my bike right up as their are some long straight and the road are just smooth fine grave.
Now the fords can be tricky with big rocks in them, but that's it.
I am normally on 16/48 gearing and standard is 16/42.
I have done it on and are going to use it again, 17/42. (super motard type gearing)
Now I do like tall gears and some may not like it that tall.
But there is nothing to technical to worry about if we are staying on the road.

[Kickaha]

I would not worry to much about gearing down the bike for Lees Valley.
I'm gearing my bike right up as their are some long straight and the road are just smooth fine grave.
Now the fords can be tricky with big rocks in them, but that's it.
.

Last time I went through the fords were easy work but were quite low, saw 130km+ down the roads though

don't get the new bike this week so I wont be able to attend, however my pulsar coil arrived back this week,so a month or so the IT will be up and running

[Transalper]

I would not worry to much about gearing down the bike for Lees Valley.
I'm gearing my bike right up as their are some long straight and the road are just smooth fine grave.
Now the fords can be tricky with big rocks in them, but that's it.
I am normally on 16/48 gearing and standard is 16/42.
I have done it on and are going to use it again, 17/42. (super motard type gearing)
Now I do like tall gears and some may not like it that tall.
But there is nothing to technical to worry about if we are staying on the road.
I know the road, was thru there 3 weeks ago with Plug doing some hill work off the side of the road. That's when i discovered i like the engine braking and walking speed pull of my CRF230. The Transalp needs a little more clutch work and it's hard to go down hills without it wanting to race off. I'm doing the Sunday ride too and that's bound to be hilly.

Hey, just looked at your picture... that looks like Kenny on his then (mine now) Blue Transalp. I would have been on a red F650GS same ride and I know you.:rofl: a small town we live in

[laRIKin]

Yes you do know me.
I had a fair idea that it was you.

How will we know if the ride is post-phoned because of rivers or weather?
I guess a post in the morning?

Keep that bike up right, last time it had to rest a few times.:whistle:
I hope the bars are straighter than last time.:spudwave:

[nadroj]

Don't you just suspect somethings not quite right when you see someone stopped just past a large puddle or mud hole with a camera.

[far queue]

How will we know if the ride is post-phoned because of rivers or weather?
I guess a post in the morning?

The weather forecast is fine for the weekend as follows ...

Saturday
For all the North Island, and also Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago:
Fine weather, with cloudy periods in a few places tomorrow.

Sunday
South Island, cloudy in the west with rain developing south of Harihari and drizzle spreading as far as Hokitika. Mainly fine elsewhere, but some rain is likely in Southland and Otago in the evening.

Okuku river flow was 0.146 m3/s at 0330 today.

My mate with the KLR650 lives out Loburn way, so I'll check with him in the morning for the local conditions. But it's all looking good for both this ride and the Sunday one.

I'll be leaving home around 0930 tomorrow and will post on here before 0900 with an update.

Leman's and Plug both have my contact number, ring or txt me if you like.
Plug - I'll give you a ring tonight.
Transalper - I'll PM you my contact details.

I think that's all of us? My mate with the KLR will meet us out near the start of the ride. Lemans, is Aaron coming along with you? or anyone else? Just curious.

[Transalper]

I think i have a mate on a Black and Yellow BMW R100GS going to meet us at the Rangiora garage.
I tried for two of them but haven't had a reply from the other one...also on a BMW R100GS.

[laRIKin]

Don't you just suspect somethings not quite right when you see someone stopped just past a large puddle or mud hole with a camera.

Yes but not this time.
We had two road bikes with us, so stopped to make sure they got though the ford.

[far queue]

Weather is perfect here and the same at Loburn. See you all at Mobil Rangiora at 1000.

[Transalper]

i'll do my bestest to be on time.... just gota hang the washing out and... :violin:
just stop typing and do it

[PLUG]

1 rather Dirty Dakar had a decent day ... my new back tyre is well & truely broken in now...

Nice to make some dust with you all today ... hope we can do it again soon ...

[far queue]

i'll do my bestest to be on time.... just gota hang the washing out and... :violin:
just stop typing and do it
Yeah, just get up and get on with it next time, no sitting in bed with the laptop :D

A good day was had by all I think. I'm pleased I've finally done Lees valley after wanting to for so long. Enjoyed exploring some of those tracks just to see where they went. Good to meet some new faces, and catch up with some old ones. I look forward to more of the same with you guys. Cheers.

Here's some pics ...
1. Some MTB's we met up with
2. The 2 DR's
3. View from the top
4. Us at the top
5. Stopped for a feed
6. End of the ride

[laRIKin]

I also had a great day and every thing is dusty as a,..... well a dusty thing.

Got home changed the oil, cleaned the air filter and oiled the chain and put the route map box on and gassed up, ready to rock and roll.
Roll around tomorrows ride and a even earlier start.
I now feel better now after all that, with a full belly and a shower.

Transalper owes Plug a chocolate fish and we will see if he makes it tomorrow. :Pokey:

Will have to do it again, but maybe not next weekend, I'm sleeping in.

PS:
And Green Meanie if you are reading this.
SDU wants to know what are you bring around for breakfast, since you are coming around at the ungodly hour of 7-am on a bloody Sunday.

[Transalper]

Well, i arrived right on que... half an hour late:doh: .
And yep great day, nice picts, i liked the pace and look foward to many more of these runs...starting with tomorows adventure.

[laRIKin]

Some more pics of the ride.
Tried to down them last night, but it was to slow.
We were try out KOL to save some pennies, not worth the trouble.
It's toooo slow when it comes to pictures.

Now must get ready for to days ride.

[BEAMER89]

Looks like u all had a good day, Good 2 see u got a nice day 4 it (all that blue sky).:woohoo: :niceone: