Canterbury Trail Rides?

[Trials Rider]

Well if I said it's raining I would be lying because it's pissing down here in Kaiapoi, doesn't look good

Just checked we have had 18mm of rain so far

[Ayrtonsenna]

mmmmmm......I'll carry on prepin....but I don't think I'll be going....the thought of those slippery up hills, and that was last year in the dry!....I'm praying it gets postponed because I'd hate to miss it.....

[Ayrtonsenna]

I've Just sent an email to Grenville asking- I'll post if he replies.

[Trials Rider]

Dont want to be the bearer of bad news but this just came through now from met service, part of the ride goes to 960 metres and a fair portion of it is around 570 metres

Also check this link http://www.yr.no/place/New_Zealand/C...ury/Sheffield/

Visit the MetService website:
http://www.metservice.com
{ROADSNOW Event 2015/1.234}

Issued by MetService at 10:52am Saturday 15th August 2015 Valid until 10:00pm Saturday 15th August

Porters Pass
Rain should to turn to snow about the road early Sunday morning.From 4am to 4pm Sunday, 8 to 12cm is expected to accumulate above 600 metres,with lesser amounts lower down.

Disclaimer: These warnings provide information regarding expected weather conditions. They contain no information about current road conditions or about the amount of snow currently lying on any road.

(C) Copyright Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd 2015

[Transalper]

Agree, it don't look good but I'm still intending to go unless officially postponed.

[flashg]

You might need chains just to get to the parking area.
In 2012 the road near the parking area was quite slippery for my old Corona with two bikes on the trailer, Scott nearly had to sit on the bonnet to improve traction. No worries now as the Harrier is AWD with traction control. But my riding mate on his KX 500 and myself have decided to miss this one. I'm just not that keen on the amount of hard work in the mud and snow.
TA you're a brave man even with Tu-Bliss fitted to your WR. Have fun mate. Maybe many people will not go and the track will be more doable

[Transalper]

Sounds like it's all go.

latest post on FB 11 minutes ago from organisers....

Dalethorpe Forest today. (picture posted) Wet or fine I'll be grinning riding the this course first thing Sunday morning. No frost expected tonight so no worries with ice. Childrens loop, ATV Novice Childrens shortcut and 4 Enduro options of main loop!!

[Deanzo]

Sweet!, wet or dry, can't wait.
Though wet....could be a long day.....oh well

[Tazz]

Snow! Awesome! Layer up and get into it

[Ayrtonsenna]

Like a one night stand.....I woke up with regret today.....first thing I did was open the curtains.....yes it was still raining but not to bad...Dalethorpe happens one a year and is one of the toughest. In a way I guess this is the difference between trail riders, and Enduro.

If you guys hear me talking like this again....."Im not sure if I'm going to go" - slap me

Ants

[Trials Rider]

Like a one night stand.....I woke up with regret today.....first thing I did was open the curtains.....yes it was still raining but not to bad...Dalethorpe happens one a year and is one of the toughest. In a way I guess this is the difference between trail riders, and Enduro.

If you guys hear me talking like this again....."Im not sure if I'm going to go" - slap me

Ants

If it is any consolation I too put my pink frock and stockings on and didnt go.

I might make a group booking on how to harden up

[flashg]

If it is any consolation I too put my pink frock and stockings on and didnt go.

I might make a group booking on how to harden up

Same here, but I'm old. There's more rides on the calendar. Something to look forward to.
Wonder how TA is doing ?

[Transalper]

TA is doing great, drive in was firm and stony this year offering no challenge to the old 2WD Hiace.
Weather got better and better as we went in, only a couple of spits, no actual rain the whole time we were there, heck the sun was even trying to break through by the time we left.
After a little umming and arrring I decided to leave my rain jacket in the Van and just take the pocket jacket in my bag 'just in case'. It stayed in my bag the whole lap, yes Aidan and I only did one lap and we stopped for a rest and to eat our packed lunches half way round.
The Red Track itself started the same and that long stretch to the first hill gave me one heck of a head freeze and watery eyes but after we hit the hill and thus slowed things got a whole lot better. My first overtake happened right there half way up that slope as i went past a ziggy zaggy guy who couldn't keep his bike straight, I could feel the tubliss advantage already, although I remember managing something similar last year with standard tubes, gentle throttle, some balancing and I had brand new tyres then too. All the riders having the most trouble appeared to be the ones with rounded knobblies so yea, fresh tyres are best no matter what you are on. Back to the tubliss, yea, as the ride progressed it became obvious that the fabled extra traction was certainly there assisting me.
So anyway, the at the top of the first hill we went left instead of right this year and followed some roads, sometimes ducking under overhanging branches, sometimes riding through 'nice' snow. Happily not icey snow. This went on so long I was starting to think I'd wasted my entry fee or should start taking the Enduro options for some action but then it started, up, down, round and round, eventually coming to the bogs but again not as boggy as I remembered, up, down, round and round and eventually out. Was feeling good but a little toasted so rather than go again and have a bad lap we called it and headed home.... back into the grey drizzle.

Track time - Total Moving 2:21, Overall total including stops like lunch and help I'm stuck under my bike kind of things 3:20.
Distance , well the sign at the entrance said 45km, my GPS says it travelled 36.5km and I forgot to zero my trip meter so no idea what the bike reckons but my body says I went far enough for a good time.

[Transalper]

Map pic.....

And yes again, all those worried about the weather, you should have just forgot about that and gone and done it.

[flashg]

Once again TA a great write up of your day. Sounds as though i really should have gone but i would have been one of those guys on rounded knobbles and might have held others up. Also sounds like the weather was good for you. I did go for a ride today, but nowhere as challenging as yours, well done.