Danseys Pass

[STJim]

Can anyone update me as to the condition of the Dansey's Pass Road. How suitable is it of a large touring bike? I am busy looking at the tt2000 ride and planning a route. Cross the Dansey's will cut off at least 50 kms.
Cheers

[Gremlin]

In general, it's a higher altitude gravel pass. Sections on both sides are sealed, but the centre is all gravel.

In poor conditions it can be closed, last TT2000 ride I went through at 0100 or something and it was reasonably easy going, but I was on a dual purpose bike... It's hard packed and mostly clean gravel, ie, not a lot of stones etc.

Hakataramea Pass is worse (in terms of gravel) and there are a few spots which could be water crossings if it's raining, plus I think one bit that needs some reasonable ground clearance because it's a river bed or something (you can't tell much in the dark )

[FJRider]

%0 km's of gravel on a good day.

Take a look at this thread and decide for yourself. But a ST1300 suitable road ... I would say not.

There is a fair sized drop-off in many places ... if you fall off the road.



http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...-Pass-pictures

[pete376403]

I've taken my GS1100GK over Danseys returnng from Brass Monkey, wasn't too bad apart from sliding backwards on the ice. Gravel was easy. Skinny rear tyre helps (130/90, probably pretty wide for a full dress tourer in 1982, more like a 250 size now).

'spose it depends how much you care about the tupperware on the bike.

[kb_SF1]

Jim, road was okay last November, group of 21 bikes some 2 up and included a 2300 triumph went from Nasby to Duntroon. All over safely, some tighter corners on the way up from Nasby, flat on top easy down to Livingston were road wa sealed. No thick gravel either hard packed or bare rock bed most of the way, just took it easy. Will put up a couple of pictures tomorrow night.

The Danseys Hotel is a must stop good coffee and food. The owner will have a good idea of the road condition.
KB

[idb]

If you're OK in gravel it would be fine.
I'm guessing it would be about 20 - 30 km.
That might be a bit tough on your paintwork!

[STJim]

%0 km's of gravel on a good day.

Take a look at this thread and decide for yourself. But a ST1300 suitable road ... I would say not.

There is a fair sized drop-off in many places ... if you fall off the road.



http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...-Pass-pictures

Lovely photo's. Looking at the condition of the road I could attempt that. Would be in February and would be in daylight.
I remember coming through that road about 32 years ago with 4 wheels.

[cynna]

check out ADVGDs site

heres the link for dansys pass. check out the other great roads as well

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/arti...nseys-pass.php

[FJRider]

Lovely photo's. Looking at the condition of the road I could attempt that. Would be in February and would be in daylight.
I remember coming through that road about 32 years ago with 4 wheels.

Warning ... if you find the grader has been through a few days previous as you start it ... do not continue. Trying to ride 50 km's of ball bearings is not fun. The Dansey's Pass pub (Nasby side of the pass) is worth a stop. You'll need a rest if you've just come over the pass.

[Hobbyhorse]

I have not done the pass on a bike but did do it in a motorhome a couple of years ago. The road surface on the north side was really good but from the summit down to the south , the Naesby side, it was really grim. We had reached the top of the pass when we met up with a very tired looking cyclist who managed to say, between his gasps for air, that there were 13 more cyclists on the way up. We turned off the engine and waited for them all to appear before moving on to the north ... squashed cyclists was a real possibility.

Cheers,

Rhys

[sootie]

I have not done the pass on a bike but did do it in a motorhome a couple of years ago. The road surface on the north side was really good but from the summit down to the south , the Naesby side, it was really grim. We had reached the top of the pass when we met up with a very tired looking cyclist who managed to say, between his gasps for air, that there were 13 more cyclists on the way up. We turned off the engine and waited for them all to appear before moving on to the north ... squashed cyclists was a real possibility.

Cheers,

Rhys

Interesting to read this. The last time I went through Dansey's Pass was about 1968 in a 948cc Triumph Herald.
Pathetic little car! It overheated, and I was not sure it would even stay in one piece.
It does not sound as if the road has been improved in over 40 years! FYI

[Racing Dave]

Can anyone update me as to the condition of the Dansey's Pass Road. How suitable is it of a large touring bike? I am busy looking at the tt2000 ride and planning a route. Cross the Dansey's will cut off at least 50 kms.
Cheers

Good to see you're doing your planning in good time. I'm looking at taking that route, too, but then my bike's designed for that terrain.

If you are also considering Mackenzie Pass (on the way to or from the Haldon checkpoint) bear in mind that is also unsealed, and in similar condition to Danseys, depending, as has been pointed out, whether or not a grader has just passed by.

Time and distance saved = average speed improved!

See you in Feb

[BIG DOUG]

Hell me and a mate went over on our harleys a few years ago and to be honest I thought the road was pretty good for bikes, we sat on 60-80 kph no probs