Rusty Nuts' Southern Cross 2011

**ducatijim** · 6th March 2011, 16:38

...starts tomorrow here in Bluff, I know, no compulsory gravel but still an adventure in my way of thinking!
Wondering if I am the only 'adv' inmate doing this? anyone know? There seems to be no mention of it this year on KB....have I missed something?
Carhnt start soon enough for me....bin in this hole since midday yesterday, with 11' and passing showers....nearly over it before it begins!!!!

**warewolf** · 6th March 2011, 18:35

Have done it a couple of times in years gone past, but not this year. Eh? no compulsory gravel, whaddabout East Cape & Cape Reinga; much of latter sealed now, izit? East Cape used to be the big in-joke due to it usually being a very long 24 hours with 40km of roughish gravel at the end, followed by a 30min walk up to the lighthouse itself... both suck if you are running late. To/from Cape Egmont via Whangamomona on a road bike was always neat. Must pencil it in for 2013 for 11 days of motorcycling pleasure.

A few years ago, 'mad dog' (from CHCH now) and myself were plotting to make it a bit more interesting by doing the Bruce carpark at Whakapapa and the Hermitage at Mt Cook, to add in the closest driveable points to the highest points on each island. 90 Mile Beach is often done, even by road bikes, but adding Waikaremoana starts to get intersting. Do you then add the Motu or go via Tolaga Bay??

The beaut thing about the Southern X is the route choice is free, make of it what you will. Have fun!

**Bass** · 7th March 2011, 06:17

Originally Posted by ducatijim

...starts tomorrow here in Bluff, with 11' and passing showers....nearly over it before it begins!!!!

That sounds a lot like a fine Winter's day in Reporoa - you should be right at home.

**clint640** · 7th March 2011, 07:08

Have a good run mate! According to the long range forecast you should have a pretty good week for it.

The Southern X is on my list to do one day. Maybe when I have a sensible touring bike.... nah... the 640'll do it.

Cheers
Clint

**Taz** · 7th March 2011, 07:15

The 640 is a sensible touring bike.

**clint640** · 7th March 2011, 07:22

Originally Posted by Taz

The 640 is a sensible touring bike.

More sensible than the touring bike I used for the last Rusty's epic I went on anyway

Clint

**Bass** · 7th March 2011, 09:54

Originally Posted by clint640

More sensible than the touring bike I used for the last Rusty's epic I went on anyway

Clint

I seem to recall that, while having a BMW K1200R at his disposal, Jamie took the DR the last time he did the Sthn Cross and still says it was the correct choice.

**warewolf** · 7th March 2011, 19:30

Originally Posted by clint640

The Southern X is on my list to do one day. Maybe when I have a sensible touring bike.... nah... the 640'll do it.

I'm up for it, I have unfinished business, see above.

**clint640** · 8th March 2011, 07:05

Originally Posted by warewolf

I'm up for it, I have unfinished business, see above.

Hmmm... They run it every 2 yrs eh? Might have to pencil that in for 2013. Team 640 rides again

Cheers
Clint

**alane** · 9th March 2011, 08:38

Is,nt there a report on that ride somewhere Clint ???

Cheers Al.

**clint640** · 9th March 2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by alane

Is,nt there a report on that ride somewhere Clint ???

Cheers Al.

Yep; http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275752

Cheers
Clint

**nadroj** · 9th March 2011, 13:21

Cape Egmont at noon today. A few pics just north at Okato.

Aparently some headed back south from the cape to head to Wairoa tonight.

Pic 3 = that man deserves a DB!

**warewolf** · 9th March 2011, 20:57

Originally Posted by alane

Is,nt there a report on that ride somewhere Clint ???

Cheers Al.

Different ride to this thread though. The Grand Challenge is 1000miles/1600km in 24 hours; the Southern Cross is all four compass points in a week, around 6,500km in 11 days with travel to/from start/finish. (and the GC is 2300km in 48 hours ex-wlg/akl if you don't take time off work.)

**ducatijim** · 10th March 2011, 08:35

....after West Cape! Between the 'guilts' over work at the farm( seeing all the silage going in from Southland to Atiamuri = I should use this fine break to get my 40ha in?) and fatigue from the previous 5000km over the last 2 weeks touring down south with wifie, I capitulated.
Just waiting for the dew to dry and then the mower goes into the first of the 40ha soon!
My own bed and bitch was real nice! ( Neil will 'get' the bitch bit....hahaha)

**drbandit** · 10th March 2011, 21:47

Originally Posted by ducatijim

....after West Cape! Between the 'guilts' over work at the farm( seeing all the silage going in from Southland to Atiamuri = I should use this fine break to get my 40ha in?) and fatigue from the previous 5000km over the last 2 weeks touring down south with wifie, I capitulated.
Just waiting for the dew to dry and then the mower goes into the first of the 40ha soon!
My own bed and bitch was real nice! ( Neil will 'get' the bitch bit....hahaha)

I thought you were a hard bastard!!