DB1k 08 - aka Dusty Butt 08

[XF650]

I've had a request for an outline of the whole route one map so here you go. Not perfect but you get the idea.

Cheers R

Thanks Ryan
That map certainly puts the ride into perpective
Can't wait.....

[JATZ]

I just cruise on gravel and will be stopping for photos regularly.

If you're confidant enough to get through the Maungatapu and Porika tracks then the rest won't be an issue.

I only learned to ride gravel properly(ish) a month after the Dusty this year.

A nice loop from Mot would be Rosedale Hill, Jacobs Ladder, Baton Valley return, Sunday Creek, Jacobs Ladder, Rosedale Hill and back to Mot. Maybe with Mt Arthur thrown in for good measure.

I'll give those ones a go between now and Jan, got about 4 w/ends to get some practice in + canaans only a quick blast away after work.

[cooneyr]

Just been to sort stickers for the 08 DB1k. The lady in reception like the name for the ride so much she had a sticker from 07 on her filing cabinet (was the only one on it)

I'll let you know costs when I get a firm quote.

Cheers R

[Balrog]

I've had a request for an outline of the whole route one map so here you go. Not perfect but you get the idea.

Cheers R

We doing just the one lap then?

[cooneyr]

Stickers will be $5 each. Same design as last year with a couple of change i.e. year and colours. Any extra after costs will be donated to the site. I'll have these available at the start of the ride on the 5th.

While on the subject of money - remember that it costs $10 to get through the Rainbow. This is payable at the old homestead about 60km north of Hanmer where you will be asked to fill out a disclaimer form.

Cheers R

[PLUG]

hope we get some rain in the high country soon ... fire risk is way up & DOC don't like that ... a few years ago Molesworth was never opened for the whole summer ...

[magicfairy]

hope we get some rain in the high country soon ... fire risk is way up & DOC don't like that ... a few years ago Molesworth was never opened for the whole summer ...

On the stuff website this morning
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4320424a10.html

"The Department of Conservation (DOC) is considering not opening the tourist drive through Molesworth Station this summer because of a high fire risk."

Time to be doing rain dances and praying to the motorcycle gods - failing that - Plan B?

[PLUG]

failing that - Plan B?

... bolt cutters

[magicfairy]

... bolt cutters

So B is for Bolt cutters

[cooneyr]

Just had a really quick think about a Plan B - Blenheim, Altimarlock (the BusaJim puncture mountain in the north of the Awatere), back to Blenheim, down the Wairau to the northern end of the Rainbow, south through the rainbow to Hanmer and then carry on with original route i.e. north though the rainbow etc etc.

This would make the ride about 100km longer and bring in another 100kms of seal. We could turn around on top of island saddle and maintain the original ride length but drop 100kms of gravel for seal. I want to check the gravel quotient with these routes though, because the aim is for over 50% gravel. Fuel stops work out with this route.

Bugger aye, but thats life.

Cheers R

[warewolf]

That's probably the best call. If that route is required, then we can shorten the out-and-back loop south of Murch down to Palmers(?) Rd by the same number. Net change to tar/gravel would be minimal.

btw it's raining here in Sunny Nelson™ at the moment, but we'll need quite a bit to make much difference - this will just add fuel to the fire, pardon the pun.

[cooneyr]

That's probably the best call. If that route is required, then we can shorten the out-and-back loop south of Murch down to Palmers(?) Rd by the same number. Net change to tar/gravel would be minimal.

btw it's raining here in Sunny Nelson™ at the moment, but we'll need quite a bit to make much difference - this will just add fuel to the fire, pardon the pun.

Yep that works too. If we go right through to Hanmer and back then we can probably drop the leg from the intersection of Maruia Saddle Road and SH6 to Springs (Newcombes (down the Palmer Road)) and back. It is about 110kms of which about 50kms is seal.

I think I would prefer to go right through the Rainbow both ways and drop the section south of Maruia Saddle.

Its raining here in Chch too but I suspect we will need a week of rain before things improve though. Was over in Blenheim on last Sat and things are extremely dry.

Cheers R

[warewolf]

Plug, AFAIK the access to the Flora carpark (Mt Arthur) doesn't close for fire risk. It is an alpine area so doesn't suffer the same conditions as the Molesworth. It gets pretty dry down on the lowlands near the Motueka River, but there's plenty of watercourses and farms so it won't be closed off.

[Lugzy23]

I realise it could be alot of extra hassle and mean wet boots, but there used to be a crossing opposite the Branch river tailrace accross the Wairau. This could mean we could avoid alot of the seal up the Wairau Valley and ride most of the Northbank road. I have no idea what sort of condition it is in and would depend on river flow at the time. Just offering it as a possible alternative, thoughts on this????

[cooneyr]

I realise it could be alot of extra hassle and mean wet boots, but there used to be a crossing opposite the Branch river tailrace accross the Wairau. This could mean we could avoid alot of the seal up the Wairau Valley and ride most of the Northbank road. I have no idea what sort of condition it is in and would depend on river flow at the time. Just offering it as a possible alternative, thoughts on this????

Keen to find out more about this. I've had a look on Google Earth and there are faint tracks across the river and a couple of wide spots that might be a goer. How deep was it when you last did it i.e. ankle, mid calf, knee, waste? Hopefully the rivers will be really low when we on the 5th (reason the molesworth is closed!). Also are the stones are just typical riverbed (i.e. waimak) size? Do we need to get permission to get back onto the highway on the north side?

Also noticed that there is a track running from the end of North Bank Road to the Wash Bridge where the highway crosses back to the north bank. Do you know anything about this/have a contact in the area who might? Plug - what about your Branch contact from Easter Last year?

PM me everything you know

Cheers R