Dunstan Trail etc

[drbandit]

3 of us are looking at doing Adventure ride in SI next Feb. Including Dunstan Trail and Danseys pass. Any info on conditions likely to encountered would be great. (Last year did Molesworth,Rainbow,Porika,Denniston!!,Mangapoto.)
Are these trails similar to any of above?
Sample day below. Is this route going to be ok day trip? Or should we divide in two? Staying?
Looking forward to input.. Its a long way from Taupo.

Danseys pass to Omakau /2
<http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&so...6,2.469177&z=9

[Jantar]

Danseys Pass is just a gravel road. Not really an adventure ride at all. It does climb quite high and is often badley corregated on the southern side of the pass. Watch out for other vehicles as the road is narrow.

Similarly the Bucklands Crossing route is a well formed gravel road with some amazing scenery. Just hope for a fine clear day otherwise you could be in cloud.

The Dunstan trail is normally in good condition that time of year with a dry hard surface. It can get greasy (wet clay) if there is any rain.

Your planned route is easily doable in a single (longish) day and if you are planning on stopping for lots of pics you may wish to break it into 2 shorter days.

[newbould]

Danseys Pass is just a gravel road. Not really an adventure ride at all. It does climb quite high and is often badley corregated on the southern side of the pass. Watch out for other vehicles as the road is narrow.

Similarly the Bucklands Crossing route is a well formed gravel road with some amazing scenery. Just hope for a fine clear day otherwise you could be in cloud.

Remember these guys are from the NI Jantar












Well someone was going to say it so you might as well all pick on the noob commuter kid

[Rosie]

We went through there in February this year. link to ride report
Awesome scenery, and really different to the gravel riding in the North Island.
As Jantar said, the Dunstan trail gets pretty slick in places when it's raining, but otherwise wasn't too technical.

[drbandit]

Thanks for that. Last year we did find the Denniston to Lyell track, (one of those purple ones.. ) a bit challenging.. the river was over 1m deep so had to backtrack.
So really wanted to know if there is anything like that on our proposed route..

[ducatijim]

Remember these guys are from the NI Jantar
Well someone was going to say it so you might as well all pick on the noob commuter kid

Well, I'm 1 of the three Newbie, and I don't class as a commuter kid( neither does my 2 buddies...we might all drink with your grandad!)

And Jantar.....just because its a 'gravel road, not an adventure track', don't make it any less an adventure if you ain't bin there before!( its NOT compulsory to ....fall off numerous times/loose bike over 150m cliff/ drown motor in waist deep water/have the front and rear wheels confused....to say the ride was an adventure!)

Bring it on!

[Rosie]

Well, I'm 1 of the three Newbie, and I don't class as a commuter kid( neither does my 2 buddies...we might all drink with your grandad!)

And Jantar.....just because its a 'gravel road, not an adventure track', don't make it any less an adventure if you ain't bin there before!( its NOT compulsory to ....fall off numerous times/loose bike over 150m cliff/ drown motor in waist deep water/have the front and rear wheels confused....to say the ride was an adventure!)

Bring it on!

When in February are you going? We're going to be down that way for Toddy's ADV rally on Feb 19th and 20th.

[Jantar]

....

And Jantar.....just because its a 'gravel road, not an adventure track', don't make it any less an adventure if you ain't bin there before!( its NOT compulsory to ....fall off numerous times/loose bike over 150m cliff/ drown motor in waist deep water/have the front and rear wheels confused....to say the ride was an adventure!)

Bring it on!

Oh I agree entirely. Just read some of the discussions I've started on that very fact. I was just trying to point out that there is nothing difficult about the ride to need to worry about "conditions" for that time of year. If your trip coincides with my days off work I wouldn't mind joining up with you just south of Danseys and completing the ride back to Omakau. We live only 20 minutes from Omakau and there's always room to spread out at our place instead of paying for accomadation.

[drbandit]

We are going to be at Springfield Sat 30th Jan staying??
---> Danseys pass 31st.
---> Booked Omakau Commercial Hotel 2nd Feb.
---> Geraldine 3rd Feb.
(Is this a good idea putting your secret - away from it all - mens week away -ride on the net for all to see??? etc..)
I think it would be great to get to meet some of the Down South riders..
As Jamie put it...We might all drink with your grandad..

[newbould]

[QUOTE=ducatijim;1129343246]Well, I'm 1 of the three Newbie, and I don't class as a commuter kid( neither does my 2 buddies...we might all drink with your grandad!)

Well Dad's 84 so not sure how old grandad would be today! Tell you what - I'll check out the gnarly bits on the scorp - if that can make it then I'm sure "she'll be right". Jantar might have to tow me out though.