Clarence Reserve open weekends

[cooneyr]

OK, I'm half serious about this....but March would probably suit me beterera. What are you other Norfeys thinking?

May be hard to get cheap rates on Waitangi Weekend also.

Waitangi weekend is only a two day weekend this year so doubt it will make much difference to the ferry fares.

Cheers R

[Howie]

I'm keen to hear RD's take on the climb up Driving Spur to Blind Saddle too but I've had a look at the Topo's in the mean time. Steepest bit I could see on the Clarance Res track is just comming onto the end of Driving Spur (east of Blind Saddle) and it is 1 in 5.3. By comparison the Rotoroa end of the Porika is 1 in 3.7. If the surfacing on the Clarance Res track is any thing like the Porika (which i suspect it is not) then the 9x0's should be fine. Still with all this talk of sticky dirt I might be finding myself a knoblie rather than the E07 for the rear tyre.

Cheers R

Well I have been up the Porika from Rotoroa, but not down it yet, and it is the steep downhills that give me the shits, need to pratice them.

sounds good to me

I've stayed in Hanmer here serveral times and they are well proced with plenty of cabins etc

That looks quite a good place to stay with options for most budgets Mark, it gets my vote.

OK, I'm half serious about this....but March would probably suit me beterera. What are you other Norfeys thinking?

Well i'm sort of serious too, not sure about feb, I need to check return to school dates for my Daughter, but could probably get that covered somehow anyway.

New to this site and keen to tag along on a trip through the Clarence

Welcome to the site Otsa.

[andy mac]

Hey I'm also interested in joining a NI invasion of Clarence, but not until Easter. Adding another 2 days will give plenty of time to also do the Reefrton area - Big River, Napoleon Hill, Denniston

[Underground]

MMM I'll see if I have any cash left for a knobbly after the DB ,
Gotta keep the SI numbers up !

[Racing Dave]

How steep is the climb up to Blind saddle from the inland Kaikoura Road? Does it compare to the Porika, or New Creek to denniston tracks at all?

Sorry about the delay in replying, but I've been in Blenheim on the Yamaha Safari.

Steepness of Blind Saddle? Doable on any bike (inc 990). On the Tenere I rode it was mainly 2nd gear, first around the tighter bends - not because of the slope but to be able to safely keep left in case of oncoming. The track is narrow, but again no narrower than any similar (Lake Sumner along the shore). Nothing like Porika, smoother than Denniston. Really, the whole track is such a delight, it would be a shame not to go.

The river crossings are all firm based and none of the stones have any slime. When we went the depth was no greater than a footpeg, although there is the odd boulder strategically placed to catch you out if you leap before you look. Less tricky than Okuku River in Lees Valley. The normal precautions apply.

Cheers,
Dave B

[ducatijim]

I'm keen to hear RD's take on the climb up Driving Spur to Blind Saddle too

Cheers R

Sorry I had to be the one to ask.....

[ducatijim]

Sorry about the delay in replying, but I've been in Blenheim on the Yamaha Safari.

Steepness of Blind Saddle? Doable on any bike (inc 990). On the Tenere I rode it was mainly 2nd gear, first around the tighter bends - not because of the slope but to be able to safely keep left in case of oncoming. The track is narrow, but again no narrower than any similar (Lake Sumner along the shore). Nothing like Porika, smoother than Denniston. Really, the whole track is such a delight, it would be a shame not to go.

The river crossings are all firm based and none of the stones have any slime. When we went the depth was no greater than a footpeg, although there is the odd boulder strategically placed to catch you out if you leap before you look. Less tricky than Okuku River in Lees Valley. The normal precautions apply.

Cheers,
Dave B

Thanks Dave, great info!

[Howie]

Sorry about the delay in replying, but I've been in Blenheim on the Yamaha Safari.

Steepness of Blind Saddle? Doable on any bike (inc 990). On the Tenere I rode it was mainly 2nd gear, first around the tighter bends - not because of the slope but to be able to safely keep left in case of oncoming. The track is narrow, but again no narrower than any similar (Lake Sumner along the shore). Nothing like Porika, smoother than Denniston. Really, the whole track is such a delight, it would be a shame not to go.

The river crossings are all firm based and none of the stones have any slime. When we went the depth was no greater than a footpeg, although there is the odd boulder strategically placed to catch you out if you leap before you look. Less tricky than Okuku River in Lees Valley. The normal precautions apply.

Cheers,
Dave B

Thanks for the reply Racing Dave, sounds like it is a really worthwhile place to visit. Hope the Yamaha safari went well.

Cheers

Paul

[Pampera]

Hey I'm also interested in joining a NI invasion of Clarence, but not until Easter. Adding another 2 days will give plenty of time to also do the Reefrton area - Big River, Napoleon Hill, Denniston

I too am tending towards Easter as the date for planning - BART, Mark? .

Suggest when we next get together we could have a planning session? Certainly better than doing it on line where the South Islander's can plan their defence. Doing it off line will mean they have to squander all their resources mounting standing patrols and are in no condition to repulse us when we land at a time and place of our chosing......

Michael

[cooneyr]

I too am tending towards Easter as the date for planning - BART, Mark? .

Suggest when we next get together we could have a planning session? Certainly better than doing it on line where the South Islander's can plan their defence. Doing it off line will mean they have to squander all their resources mounting standing patrols and are in no condition to repulse us when we land at a time and place of our chosing......

Michael

You dont need to plan in secret to repulse us We'll let you know what the track is like.

Cheers R

[bart]

I too am tending towards Easter as the date for planning - BART, Mark? .

Sorry but Easter's no good for me. Family coming out from England. Missus would have me hanging by the dangly things.

March suits best, but could do Feb at a pinch.

[Howie]

Easter is out for me as well, planning a trip to the western isle then. If the Wgtn/north island riders want to plan a large muti day south island ride, why doesn't someone start a thread about one.

At the moment I am still hoping to get organised enough to head down and join Cooneyr's ride as I am really keen to have a look around here while DOC have access open. It well probably be my only trip south before the Winter due to other commitments.

[junkmanjoe]

yep my trip south is next weekend,,
other than that, it be north island trips,
getting in the south while i can,,,
wish the dusty was next weekend....bugger..
oh well, make my own mini tar baby tour.. of the mighty south....from sea to mountain...back to sea..

JMJ

[bart]

If the Wgtn/north island riders want to plan a large muti day south island ride, why doesn't someone start a thread about one.

You may have missed the point Howie. As per the first post in the thread, we have 3 opportunities to go and have a look at this reserve.

Feb 5-7 (waitangi weekend)
Mar 5-7
Apr 2-4 (Easter)

We are at this stage trying to figure out when would suit us Northerners to have a look. We would coincide this with another 'invasion'.

[Howie]

You may have missed the point Howie. As per the first post in the thread, we have 3 opportunities to go and have a look at this reserve.

Feb 5-7 (waitangi weekend)
Mar 5-7
Apr 2-4 (Easter)

We are at this stage trying to figure out when would suit us Northerners to have a look. We would coincide this with another 'invasion'.

Cheers Bart, somehow the April dates had slipped my mind. Must be old age creeping up on me.