DB1k 2011 route planning

[Crim]

Lighting improvements are probably not required if you are doing the two dayer, although might be useful for the one day ride. A

I will definitely be sticking to the two day format (first year anyway) - but have been caught out having to travel in the dark on the KLR and think a lighting improve may be overdue anyway. I also planted the "a garmin might be nice for your car, Dear" seed last night!
Cheers

[Transalper]

TA and I have had a few discussions about the merits of heavy duty tubes....

Indeed, I should have mentioned to finish that I have gone back to running standard tubes.
The heavy duty stuff is supposed to resist pinch flats more than standard tubes. That's the only advantage I know about.
All my flats have been nails, including one that took out a new and really quite expensive HD tube.
If you don't let your pressures down too much and ride the sharp stuff at less than full speed you will find you can mostly avoid the pinch potential anyway.
Cheers
TA.

[NordieBoy]

I've never had a pinch flat and only a mousse would have prevented the others.

[Skinny_Birdman]

only a moose would have prevented the others.

That's right, so Crim, make sure you pack one of these.


...I'll get me coat.

[thepom]

ha ah ha ha looks like my ex wife.........I might be interested in a gps too but as I have never used one it would need to be simple.......

[thepom]

Hey Crim,I had no problems riding with mitas eo-7 and I had normal tubes too,I now have heavy duty tubes but have not fitted them yet and wonder if they are really necessary?....the two day dusty was fab and I ,d do it again or anything that is decided....

[cromagnon]

I've never had a pinch flat and only a mousse would have prevented the others.

I have had pinch flats, but only when fitting new tyres . I am keeping an eye on this thread and will make sure I keep the weekend free next year. North or south? Both sound good.

[umopom]

Hi Cooneyr
I vote north this year - would be good to include Maruia saddle and a loop round/up Old Sow (Sherry lookout) via Christian Creek & Dart River roads and perhaps Supplejack (UMO) to top of Spooners or Eves valley on the return loop to Nelson? - would require permission but doable - might be able to get a short loop around UMO if you want another challenge - happy to help with route and before the day if some signing required.
Cheers
JC

[umopom]

Should have also added SH6 to Murch (or M to SH6) via Doughboy Road and perhaps another challenge loop up Mt Murchison?
Cheers
JC

[NordieBoy]

The problem with some of those tracks is the 1-dayers would probably be doing them at night/early morning...

[cooneyr]

Hi Cooneyr
I vote north this year - would be good to include Maruia saddle and a loop round/up Old Sow (Sherry lookout) via Christian Creek & Dart River roads and perhaps Supplejack (UMO) to top of Spooners or Eves valley on the return loop to Nelson? - would require permission but doable - might be able to get a short loop around UMO if you want another challenge - happy to help with route and before the day if some signing required.
Cheers
JC

Should have also added SH6 to Murch (or M to SH6) via Doughboy Road and perhaps another challenge loop up Mt Murchison?
Cheers
JC

General problem with these suggestions is that permission is required and some of the key links are within forestry and we would be going through in summer. Last time we went looking at Christian Creek it was locked off but it would be a good addition if we could make it obvious where to go - would be hard to find in the dark. Anybody know which forestry firm manages that forest?

Your going to have to explain UMO. I've found Supplejack Valley Rd? Eves is the proposed route out of NN. Need to figure out the general line of the route back in and see what fits.

Doughboy is technically a paper road but I don't think the official line is ridable so you need to go onto private property. Might ask about access next time we go past.

[JATZ]

The problem with some of those tracks is the 1-dayers would probably be doing them at night/early morning...

Aaaaaaaand.........

Should have also added SH6 to Murch (or M to SH6) via Doughboy Road and perhaps another challenge loop up Mt Murchison?
Cheers
JC

Mt Murch was a toll road last time I was up there, m'be I should go and check

[CrazyFrog]

I vote north this year - would be good to include Maruia saddle and a loop round/up Old Sow (Sherry lookout) via Christian Creek & Dart River roads and perhaps Supplejack (UMO) to top of Spooners or Eves valley on the return loop to Nelson? - would require permission but doable - might be able to get a short loop around UMO if you want another challenge - happy to help with route and before the day if some signing required.
Cheers
JC

Umopom,... we need to talk . I've done some stealthy missions around Christian Creek and it is a definitely closed road. Do you know the forestry owners? Or have you got some access of sorts, cos this would be a fantastic "shortcut " thru to Wangapeka Rd.
Ditto to Mt Murchsion, a fantastic bit of track, done it on the mtb.
Some lovely little roads up behind Eve's Valley too, but easy to take wrong turns.
Good on ya boy, keep the ideas coming!

[buggsubique]

Fran, that loop track you mentioned on the underwood rd is only two ends - ie no accessible middle part (foot track only). That Port Underwood rd (ie Picton to Rarangi) should not be overlooked - there is a bit of seal involved but it is a fun (and fricken dusty) road. also possible is a slight detour through some forestry tracks (big bikeable) requiring detailed navigation. A good little loop in a compact area.

All in all I vote for a northern route as it makes the ride more accessible for north islanders to make the trip. Certainly agree with dropping Palmers Rd, as beautiful as it was, just too far south on too much seal.

As for doing hardish bits in the dark, that's all part of it. My HID spotlight worked a treat on the DB09...along with my 100W high beam main. It's all part of the fun.

Topo, if you wanted to push the "checkpoint" issue then make it a photo mission at key landmarks - made up fact: 97% of the kiwis own a digital camera. Or just record Odo's.

[Skinny_Birdman]

Fran, that loop track you mentioned on the underwood rd is only two ends - ie no accessible middle part (foot track only). That Port Underwood rd (ie Picton to Rarangi) should not be overlooked - there is a bit of seal involved but it is a fun (and fricken dusty) road. also possible is a slight detour through some forestry tracks (big bikeable) requiring detailed navigation. A good little loop in a compact area.

All in all I vote for a northern route as it makes the ride more accessible for north islanders to make the trip. Certainly agree with dropping Palmers Rd, as beautiful as it was, just too far south on too much seal.

+1 on the Port Underwood Road, that's a really pleasant ride and gravel from Port Underwood through to Whites Bay. I think we'd want to make sure that logging operations aren't in progress if we go through there though. We were working in Robin Hood Bay earlier in the year, and the logging trucks pretty much treat the road as though there was no other traffic on it. The number of times we came across trucks entirely in the right hand lane on corners was just scary. With a stream of adventure riders I reckon it'd be a recipe for disaster.
Agree on the Palmer Road, too. It involved way too much seal!