DB1k 2011 route planning

[cooneyr]

Seems its time to start thinking about the route for the DB1k 2011. We have two choices:

1. run a modified Northern Course
2. or run a modified Southern Course

So far there as been a bit of talk about the northern course and it probably is time to head north again so lets hear your suggestions for modifying the northern course at this stage. I'd like to see the section south of Murchison dropped or put another way I'd like to retain Altimarlock Climb, Molesworth, Rainbow, Porika and Breaburn. Any other sections are fair game for alteration.

Lets hear your thoughts.

Cheers R

[cooneyr]

A bunch of recent posts from the 2010 run thread to get things started.

......Just a thought...... how about the track from Elaine bay to Penzance, if we could get access, it's Undergrounds back yard so he may have some idea there, still a lot of seal but it's not in and out the same way

If you're referring to the pylon track then you can't have ridden it lately. I was there in January, and it's seriously difficult. Very rocky, rutty, and steep. OK on a 250, but near impossible for the average chap on a bigger bike.....

I've had the Africa Twin through there from the elaine end and spent half an hour picking it up and wrestling it out of one crossing .
Had to turn back twice from the Penzance end and even dropped the 400 on one successful attempt.
Not the place to go after a shower of rain .
I'm not sure what it is about that track (thought it was just my riding) as it doesnt seem to have anything more difficult than alot of other tracks and trails we ride .
Its just tricky for some reason.
I thought it would have been dry enough for you Chris , but I'd kind of overlooked the smooth tyre / large bundle of luggage factor :slap: at least you made the ferry on time .

This Official DB1K 2010 thread was started June 24th last year so the Official DB1K 2011 thread must be imminent....

Its here!

For the northern route a bypass thru Picton, Waikawa, top of the hill then it's a cool deviation along the 'shortcut road' along the ridges which comes out in the OPua forest then down along the Port Underwood rd thru to Rarangi & Blenheim to the Molesworth.
The sealed bits are fun no matter what you're riding & if you want dust the Rarangi end of the port underwood road has ample.

Interesting.........
I've only been through on 4 wheels and didn't think there was anything tooooo difficult about it,
Sounds like it needs some attention, including the tracks going up from Okiwi bay

Annnnd has the loop track thingy at the Rarangi end...

Need to have a look at that one some time...

Be great,----if we could do the Clarence river
(A) @ the top (lake tennison end) & go over st James station etc.after all we,as tax payers have paid over $40,000,000 for it.
(B) the bottom (Clarence reserve) Still not happy the open day was canned in March,course of the crappy weather etc.--Oh! well---had fun anyway.
ALANE

[Padmei]

There is a loop thru the Hira forest that is big bike capable that could be incorporated at the start to add up some Kms. It would be a similar to what we rode last weekend with a few challenge sections for 9x0 adv riders. The only prob is that due to the twisty nature of the roads it wouldn't be fast (well fast & safe).

In fact it may be a bad idea as it took quite a while to get everyone up the maungatapu last time so early in the day. Maybe some longer faster stretches may be better or the days willl be too long.

Ohoh what about a there & back trip to Kenepuru sound & across to crail bay? The seal part is spectacularly cool to ride & the gravel even better. Has been very dusty tho the last few times thru there. ABout an hour 1/2 ish? each way back to linkwater but the scenery is superb.

[CrazyFrog]

If we are looking at a top of the south route again next year, I'd agree with Ryan about dropping the section south of Maruia Saddle down to Palmers Rd, maybe substitute it with Doughboy Rd (with permission) back to Murchison.
We could include Matiri Valley Rd just north of Murchison, miss the return trip thru Mangles Valley to the Braeburn again (as this would be on the route heading south). Gap it to Glenhope/Sherry River Rd where the Frogmiester knows of some good open forestry sections, easy riding, just need to be careful with the navigation.
There is the option of Whangapeka road to Rolling Junction or further on to the road end, a there-and-back section similar to Palmers Rd, but great riding nonetheless. Nearly all gravel until you get back to Tui and Tapawera for fuel....oh hang on, they are closed at night. Might have to rethink the fuel planning and distances.
We could also look at Mt Patriarch in the Marlborough area or Lake Chalice at least on the climb up there, as an option for the Mangatapu section if its still closed next summer. It's a handy route close to the Onumalutu loop we did last time.
Leaving Nelson, the Hira/Sharlands forestry area could be fun but prolly no go being a restricted access area, gates are only unlocked 8am on weekends.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the Elaine Bay to Penznace off road part, way too much tar seal for a very weather dependant slippery clay track- yes, track not a gravel road, and often has trees down, not big bike friendly really. Nice light chook chasers like mine would love it.
Waikawa Bay to Rarangi gets the nod though, but once again, bit of a tar seal section to Picton.
Forget about the Clarence, it's way off the intended route, miles of sealed road to get there, DOC is way too restrictive with access in there, and it can be lethal on big bikes if it's wet, a mate nearly put his new Tenere down the bank after sliding on greasy clay back in April.
We need to remind ourselves, this is a 1000km day, so slow riding technical tracks are prolly not the best option for reaching the 1 day milestone.
I love maps...... route planning comes a close second.

[XF650]

I vote for option two, before the DB heads north again.
Eg: similar route but in reverse?

[cooneyr]

Noride - you mentioned a loop track thingame near Rarangi. What did you mean by this?

I'm pondering ideas at the moment. Going to look at maps more tonight but I have an idea brewing for the Northern Route. Need more input from the NN guys.

[NordieBoy]

It's called the something Loop Track...
Northern end of the track.

Possibly something to do with Mt Robertson?

[Padmei]

It's called the something Loop Track...
Northern end of the track.

Possibly something to do with Mt Robertson?

Will make enquiries...

[Underground]

The French Pass / Bulwer area may be worth a visit .
From Rai Valley back to Rai Valley (if you visit both FP and Bulwer) is about 175km with 100km being gravel .
I'm not sure if this gives a good enough gravel to seal ratio but its worth considering , I can even open a gate or two for a bit of a challenge loop .
Oh and dont get hung up on 'in out' routes , they are all public roads so we arent going to crash into each other, are we ? A road is a completely different ride in the opposite direction , I ride in and out of here all the time and never get sick of it .
Personally , I'm in the ' I dont care where so long as I'm there ' group .

[JATZ]

.Personally , I'm in the ' I dont care where so long as I'm there ' group .

Same here
and I like Maruia saddle and Palmer rd

[NordieBoy]

Same here
and I like Maruia saddle and Palmer rd

Even if the gate is locked

[Padmei]

Same here
and I like Maruia saddle

One of my all time great spots.

[cooneyr]

KML of very rough outline of a route idea here. 950km with as the crow flies though most if the wiggly bits. Still need to check if there is over 50% gravel but the more the better so any gravel bits generally along the line that are worth adding in let me know.

Need to check out a number of sections of the track though

• forest tracks between Brightwater, Spooners, Kikiwa,
• see if we can get down the northern side of Wairau (will need private property access and to get across Goulter River),
• waikawa to rarangi (including loop that Nordie just posted about)
• pretty much all of the route from Glenhope to Upper Moutere

Looking to go back along the new Ruby Bay bypass (need to modify the file) since it should just be opened by then.

Comments welcome. Feel free to go exploring NN guys

Cheers R

[topo]

I like the concept route Ryan, i was talking with the mother inlaw who lives opp the section on the nothern side of the wairau, she gave me a name to chase up so i'll get into that later this week.

you deffinately need to include a loop up the wairoa gorge behind wakefield and the tracks from st arnurd back to tap (see crazyfrog's 7 sumits ride thread for the route).

i reccon keep the track as technical as possible, might stop people on 1200gs's thinking they can do it in under 16hrs! oh and compulsary eftpos receipts at each/every fuel stop to proove full route was done (no skipping hanmer) - SORRY I KEEP FORGETTING IT'S NOT A RACE.

[cooneyr]

Yo Frogmeister you got the GPS file/s for the 7 Summits ride. Could you email me a copy please.

Route Information
The route will be ridden as a “follow the leader” ride for the first 200km to St Arnaud, due to the “Bugger, I’ve taken the wrong turn” nature of some of the forestry roads. GPS route file can be emailed if anyone wants one.

The stage through Stanley Brook is being revised slightly following my Pre Run recon ride last week, so differs slightly from the GPS route file. I haven’t been able to figure out how to join two tracks on the GPS file, hence the follow the leader thing going on!

Link to the Seven Summits ride for my reference later.

Cheers R