DB1k 2011 official thread

[Tigerpig]

Interesting dash to make the 8:35 ferry this morning lane splitting in the rain on new knobblies over those damned catseyes. Made it with seconds to spare and still tying down while ferry under-way. Now holed up at Picton Top 10 with rain bucketing. Forecast shows clearing tomorrow so possible tenting at Molesworth if anyone else is in the area.

[ADVGD]

Interesting dash to make the 8:35 ferry this morning lane splitting in the rain on new knobblies over those damned catseyes. Made it with seconds to spare and still tying down while ferry under-way.

Good to hear you made in on time mate, have a good trip down

[cooneyr]

Just back from the Iron Bridge, steady rain falling all over the MacKenzie basin now and looks to be set in for the day. Track from the Haldon Arm camp to the Iron Bridge is damp with several large puddles (1.5ft) at most, so should be fine. Evidence of wide scale flooding along fence line in places and strams running beside the track are high!

Fingers crossed this rain stops soon in the catchments or there may be issues if they spill more water from Lake Tekapo.

Thanks for the info Jezza. Fords on the way to the Iron Bridge are also OK then it seems.

Was thinking I'd stick me bike on the right wheel space and walk it across the bridge if it's wet on the day.

I remember some of those puddles along the fence looked like they might get quite deep where there is another higher track next to them. Was all dry when I saw it.

This is not a silly idea re the bridge. Not a lot of room to move on the bridge deck channels and no protection (side rails) if you do get it wrong. Also correct about the higher track on the way along the fence line.

I've also just heard back from a Meridian guy based in Tekapo. Two things. First they are not sure if they might need to spill a bit more or just longer at the same rate for the storm we had today and the second we are due to get. If the flow rate stays the same we should be all good regarding getting over the bridge. There second issue might be a bit more problematic. Apparently part of the track along side the Pukaiki River has been washed out during the spilling including adjacent farm land.

I'll keep an eye on the river flows via Ecan's website and if Jezza can keep and eye on the flow at the control gates we can make a call about the Pukaki River track on the Friday night. Given the track missing and the stoney ground the lighter bikes will OK, if the flows remain constant or gets lower, but the less confident or those on bigger bikes might like to choose plan B or C. I'll be sticking to the original route on my big blue pig if the flow rates are OK.

Plan B is go over Black Forest track to cell 216, continue straight ahead for 26km to cell 238 (becomes a RH turn) then continue along the route. This removes the sections around Tekapo and the route is reduced by 102km overall.

Plan C is go over Black Forest track to cell 216 (as per above), travel right up to the highway, turn left and travel back to either Mt John (start of the scenic loop is at cell 230) or to travel right around to Hayman Rd (cell 224) then complete the remainder of the route. These options will likely add km to the route but it will be sealed. I'll explain this again at the BBQ.

Cheers R

[jezzaNZ]

No problem Ryan, fords are ok well passable but once again evidence of heavy flooding in them. I agree on the bridge, if wet it will be very slippery and if you go over (no rails on the bridge) there is a lot of water going under it at the moment so you and your bike will probably end up in Lake Benmore.....

[Tigerpig]

100% clear blue sky in Picton this morning and no wind to speak of. Metvuw was spot on. Heading for Molesworth.

[cooneyr]

No problem Ryan, fords are ok well passable but once again evidence of heavy flooding in them. I agree on the bridge, if wet it will be very slippery and if you go over (no rails on the bridge) there is a lot of water going under it at the moment so you and your bike will probably end up in Lake Benmore.....

Looks like Meridian have just ramped the flow back up again. Ecan flow recorder webpage shows that flows are now 3 times what they were yesterday (just over 150 cumecs vs just over 50 yesterday). With there being three times the water and the slowly reduce the flows management i.e. will take atleast 2 days to get back to 50 cumecs, I don't hold any hope of the approch to the iron bridge being passable. We are going to have to abondon the Pukaki River around to Tekapo section. As I said above I'll let people know at the BBQ how to modify their route sheets (both verbally and I'll have a notice up).

Cheers R

[cooneyr]

Hi All. I know this is very last minute but I'm going to update 3 pages of the the roll chart and produce new GPS files tonight given the Tekapo River flows increasing as mentioned above. There is a very good chance that the Iron Bridge (Jezza's pics) is underwater and its approaches will be under even deeper water.

I'll put new files on my website late tonight (don't expect before about 11pm) but for those whom it is too late to get access to the web I will bring a laptop and the "normal" Garmin USB cable to upload to the GPS files and I'll provide the replacement roll chart pages (for everybody) at the BBQ.

You will need to bring scissors and Sellotape or your GPS cable if it is not the standard USB cable. My laptop doesn't have any serial ports so if your GPS needs one sorry but you may be out of luck.

Priority will be given to getting the one day riders navigation info updated at the BBQ. The two day riders have the choice of doing the updating at the BBQ or in Alex. Could those that are staying at the Alex motor camp and who want an updated GPS file please wait till the Saturday night. If you are a two day rider who is not staying at the motor camp and who wants a new GPS file please see me at the BBQ.

Sorry for the inconvenience but God and Meridian have deemed this necessary.

Cheers
Ryan

Ps. The route will now be about 50km longer too! Fuel access won't be a problem.

[Padmei]

looks like it's gonna be chilly tomorrow - 16deg max.Brrrr.

[zeRax]

....

Thanks ryan, you rock, way to keep us sorted out !

[_Shrek_]

doesn't this just wanna make you & it's like this all around us after start & with no clouds this morning

just thought I'd cheer you all up 2 more

[Woodman]

looks like it's gonna be chilly tomorrow - 16deg max.Brrrr.

I just trapped all my winter woolies onto the bike Ain't unpacking it now so will have to get cold.

had an ass of a day today getting the bike warrant and rego worthy.
Blinkers wouldn't flash and the front bulbs were rusted in etc, and then some of the old wiring broke so a bit of rewiring and crimping was done in a mad panic, but the blinkers still wouldn't flash, so went down to Repco and got a flasher unit and hey presto they worked. put the bike back together and the starter would not turn over and sparks were flashing on the battery. I said fuck several times. All it was was a loose terminal, but the thread was stripped so that got fixed, then I put it all back together again and the engine wouldn' start. pulled it apart again and couldn't see anything obvious. I said fuck a few more times then wondered why the fuel tank felt so light. No gas. Filled it up and it started, flew through the warrant etc. exciting

BTW Ryan you rock

[junkmanjoe]

im out the door........if im not in the south island by 5:30am in the morning the boat has sunk...............


JMJ

[_Shrek_]

im out the door........if im not in the south island by 5:30am in the morning the boat has sunk...............


JMJ

so what ya still do'n on here onya bike

[.chris]

Have a fun and safe DB guys, really wish I could join you.

You guys better get some good photos for me to drool over.

[cooneyr]

New files all sorted. Just getting the chief test pilot to check over and will put on website in morning for those who can still access it. I'll have enough of the roll chart replacement two pages for everybody and the GPS files on a laptop as already mentioned.

Is this the first year we are going to get property rained on or is Metvuw the all knowing? TV1 news and Metservice still saying rain, Metvuw still saying no rain. Who knows.

Cheers R