27th August Off-road ride

[laRIKin]

OK folks that like to ride and get dirty.
It seems that the 27th August is a good day for a ride.
So where would you guys like to go?

Do do the river again? North or South?
Both, that is if we pull the lead out.

Edit 15-8-06 This is the ride we are going to do.
I think we should do the North and stop in at Oxford or Cust for a coffee, that is if time permits.
And could go down the Eyre River most of the way home.
And are meeting across the road from the boat ramp on the North side under the motor way bridge at 10:00 O'clock.

[far queue]

So where would you guys like to go?

Do do the river again? North or South?
Both, that is if we pull the lead out.

I think we should do the North and stop in at Oxford or Cust for a coffee, that is if time permits.
And could go down the Eyre River most of the way home.

My suggestions are ...

South & North Waimak
or
North Waimak and Eyre River
or
Ashley River
or
Selwyn River
or
Rakaia River

I haven't played in the Selwyn or Rakaia before, so I don't know what we'd find there, but I'm keen to cure the curiosity sometime.

Other areas I'd like to check out for day rides when the longer daylight hours return are ...

South side of Banks Peninsula between Birdlings Flat and French Farm
and
Waipara River and the surrounding area

[Ghost Lemur]

Why don't you guys go over Rakia? Not sure about the area. As I've only been 4x4ing out that way. But I remember at the time thinking that it would be fun doing on a bike.

Looking forward to being able to join in the fun after October.

Make sure there's lots of pics.

[cooneyr]

Done the Waipra on four wheels. It would be a high speed blat - dont think there is much "technical" stuff like the south of the waimak. Also have to watch the river levels as was a little deep (bonnet) last time I went through.

Selwyn is a little different in that Coes Ford up to the next road is soft gravel with clean water crossings (knee deep) then up to about 5km upstream from the main road bridge is fast loose grave with a few banks then back to water crossings up to the Bealy Road fords. Also have to watch the river level - did this about couple of months ago and river had started to come up and found a couple of crossings that were top of engine deep up near the Bealy fords.

Worst thing about both these ones is that there is a long ride home when you've got wet boots and pants.

Whilst I like the motorbike tracks (alot) I'm keen to actually beable to take the time to look around ie slight more open track. North side of Waimak up to Oxford and then back down Eyre is sounding good but really dont care what we do.

At home I've made a bit of a list of potential trips I'd like to have a got at some time but they are longer summer trips though - like circumnavigating Mt Hutt on the gravel roads then into the Ashburton lakes where there are some tracks. Will bring some maps next trips to show you all.

Cheers
R

[far queue]

Also have to watch the river levels as was a little deep (bonnet) last time I went through.

I've had a wee surprise like that before in the Waipara River. Spent an hour or so extracting a landrover from an unexpectedly deep bit at 2am one night The river was flowing through the vehical while we were doing this, so was thoroughly soaked by the time we got it out. It was like sitting in a sauna with the heater on, on the drive home. I've only played in this area in a landrover at night, hence I'm curious to see it in daylight on a bike. It was a mates vehical - he was having fun doing all the driving, I was having fun standing up in the sunroof shooting the bunnies

Whilst I like the motorbike tracks (alot) I'm keen to actually beable to take the time to look around ie slight more open track.

At home I've made a bit of a list of potential trips I'd like to have a got at some time but they are longer summer trips though - like circumnavigating Mt Hutt on the gravel roads then into the Ashburton lakes where there are some tracks. Will bring some maps next trips to show you all.

I agree with you on the looking around thing. The Waimak is good, provides a challenge, and is close to home, but it's nice to explore new areas too. Mt Hutt and Ashburton lakes sound good.

I reckon we should all come up with a couple of areas that we want to have look at. That should give us a bunch of places to explore over the coming Spring, Summer and we'll all get to see the areas we've been curious about with the confidence of being part of a group. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm keener to venture further off the beaten track when there's someone around to assist if get in the shit. I'm also keen to do an overnighter somewhere too - not stay in a cabin, but take everything with me and camp in the middle of nowhere.

[cooneyr]

It was like sitting in a sauna with the heater on, on the drive home. I've only played in this area in a landrover at night, hence I'm curious to see it in daylight on a bike. It was a mates vehical - he was having fun doing all the driving, I was having fun standing up in the sunroof shooting the bunnies

The heater actually worked in the Landy? Only one of mine that the heater has worked is the ex military V8 - mind you with the amount of petrol it drank you'd expect it to produce a just a little bit of heat.

I agree with you on the looking around thing. The Waimak is good, provides a challenge, and is close to home, but it's nice to explore new areas too. Mt Hutt and Ashburton lakes sound good.

I reckon we should all come up with a couple of areas that we want to have look at. That should give us a bunch of places to explore over the coming Spring, Summer and we'll all get to see the areas we've been curious about with the confidence of being part of a group. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm keener to venture further off the beaten track when there's someone around to assist if get in the shit. I'm also keen to do an overnighter somewhere too - not stay in a cabin, but take everything with me and camp in the middle of nowhere.

I'm hearing you with this one. Righty-O peeps, homework for this month is to come up with some places to go riding during spring and summer.

The overnighter sounds like a good idea as well. Thinking of digging the treadly panniers out and modifying them to work on the motorbike - only used them once so might be worth a shot. Damn now I need my welder and tools back I need my shed! Its been almost a year and I'm getting serious withdrawal.

R

[nigelp]

I am keen to go play anywhere, have only been in Christchurch for a few months so dont really know where to go yet! I have a bike trailer for those that dont want to ride too far and take the easy option out for getting a bit further afield.....

Has anyone tried up Ohau way? I have been tramping up there a few times, and there is some pretty awesome open country.

I am in the process of sorting out my garage at the moment, but I have a welder (small home ARC welder) and a few other bits and pieces if you need a hand!

[laRIKin]

Well it sounds like the favourite ride could be, is we will do the north side of the Waimak and stop in at Oxford for a coffee and go down the Eyre River to get home.

Sounds good to me and plan some longer rides when the days are longer and warmer.

[far queue]

I am keen to go play anywhere, have only been in Christchurch for a few months so dont really know where to go yet! I have a bike trailer for those that dont want to ride too far and take the easy option out for getting a bit further afield.....

The problem with trailers is you gotta ride back to them at the end of the day, which can cut down your options on where you ride. I'd rather ride thanks all the same. Mind you, they're OK if you're going to an event which is just a loop ride.

Has anyone tried up Ohau way? I have been tramping up there a few times, and there is some pretty awesome open country.

I've never played there, do you know of some suitable riding tracks?

[Transalper]

Kowai River, Leithfield is a bit of fun on the CRF, and like to explore the Waipara sometime.
Love to ride up to Reefton and in to some of the stuff there too. (although once there some of it is more CRF suitable again.

[far queue]

Reefton? Is that where Big River is? I've heard good things about that area

[laRIKin]

Dirt Action run over nighter trips around the Reefton area.
Two days of riding, second day a bit easier.

Below is their advert pinched from their site.

WEST COAST PACKAGE

Two days on the West Coast
One to three bikes available for hire
Two days with one bike hire and guide - $395.00 (lunch and transport included)
With own bike and transport, $130.00 for two days per person(includes guide fee, cooked breakfast and two nights accommodation)

[Transalper]

Reefton? Is that where Big River is? I've heard good things about that area

It is, and has places that i'd like to take the Transalp and great diversions that i would only take my CRF through.

Dirt Action run over nighter trips around the Reefton area.
Two days of riding, second day a bit easier.

Indeed they do, i've done one of their trips and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now I'd like to go in there again.

[far queue]

Dirt Action run over nighter trips around the Reefton area.
Two days of riding, second day a bit easier.

With own bike and transport, $130.00 for two days per person(includes guide fee, cooked breakfast and two nights accommodation)

mmmm $130 seems very reasonable with accomodation and brekky, anyone else interested? Or know the area well to have a poke around ourselves? Transalper?

[cooneyr]

Or know the area well to have a poke around ourselves? Transalper?

Done the big river track in a 4x4. Always wanted to do Napolen Hill track (has the infamous natural tunnels with the stream flowing through). Also know of the Waitahu track which could be fun. These are all from the Ken Sibly 4x4 book so reasonable guides if you need that sort of thing. All of these are old mining roads though so as for single track - I know nothing.

There are other tracks such as the New Creek to Densiton (done), the tv transmitter near Greymouth and lake Hochsetter (done) but again are gravel roads and wasnt looking for single track. Suppose to be some reasonable riding on Deniston if you know where to look and the weather is OK.

This is exactly why I want the DR650 - to go places like this and then do the tracks. O well only two months and two weeks exactly till the F licence test.

R