Anyone done Von recently?

[paulj]

I'm looking at a trip through Queenstown > Von > Mavora > Te-Anau > Milford soon - would like to take the ol R80 as its fuel tank and cruisey riding on the seal will make the trip a breeze. However there are a few fords to deal to on the Von and the R80 ain't no water pony.

I've seen a few campervans over at Walter Peak from time to time - but that's no indication of water depth

Otherwise it's my trusty DR650 with its limited range.

Any comments/help much appreciated.

[Jantar]

Mmm. Haven't been through there for over 20 years, and last time was on my RE5 with only 160 km range. Back then the fords were shallow, but they may have changed a bit since.

[Frodo]

Not sure what you mean by "Von", but I rode from Walter Peak (put the bike on the Earnslaw) past the Mavora Lakes to Te Anau. The last third is seal, the middle third very smooth gravel, the first third rougher gravel (but stiull pretty easy), so I'd have no worries about your R80. I can't even remember what the fords were like, so they can't have been significant.

Cheers

[hondav2]

I'm looking at a trip through Queenstown > Von > Mavora > Te-Anau > Milford soon - would like to take the ol R80 as its fuel tank and cruisey riding on the seal will make the trip a breeze. However there are a few fords to deal to on the Von and the R80 ain't no water pony.

I've seen a few campervans over at Walter Peak from time to time - but that's no indication of water depth

Otherwise it's my trusty DR650 with its limited range.

Any comments/help much appreciated.

The fords are not a problem if there hasnt been any recent rain, best to ring Real Journeys at Queenstown and see if you can get the bike on the Earnslaw . When the lake is low the loading ramp at Queenstown is to steep to get bikes on. Cheers Toddy

[upshift]

Ditto to Frodo's post, what the heck is "Von"?
Did the same thing exactly 12 months ago with the F650, bike on the Earnslaw at Queenstown and rode out from Walter Peak past Mavora and onto Te Anau. Big long gravel ride with awesome scenery and highly recommended. If there were any fords they must of been minimal, I can't remember them.

[NiggleC]

Went through there 10 years ago - 2 of us on R80G/S's. i seem to remember a long shallow (maybe 5-7cm deep) ford but that would have been it. The Nevis however is another story.

[Jantar]

Not sure what you mean by "Von", but I rode from Walter Peak (put the bike on the Earnslaw) past the Mavora Lakes to Te Anau. The last third is seal, the middle third very smooth gravel, the first third rougher gravel (but stiull pretty easy), so I'd have no worries about your R80. I can't even remember what the fords were like, so they can't have been significant.

Cheers

That river that comes out at walter Peak is the Von River. The Von ride is as you describe. I must do it again, last time was dirt or gravel or the way.

[greerADV]

Hi there Paul.

The Von Valley was actually the first real leg of my trip around both islands (I don't count the Wanaka to Queenstown leg..) That was a month ago today .. hard to believe it's been that long!

Just a repeat of what everyone else said for the most part. Lake level was just about perfect when I went, but give Real Journies a ring.

The ride from Walter Peak up to the lakes was great. Mostly dirt and compacted gravel. Only fords I crossed were nothing too deep, but if you've had a lot of rain recently, might be something to look into. Definitely check out the lakes and camp if you can. There are some good tracks up there from what I hear. The weather was moving in quickly so I didn't stay too long.

The only section I didn't like was from the Mavora Lakes to the seal. The gravel is pretty deep and that's not something I enjoy riding in. Made for some really dusty conditions, too.

Even with the deep gravel, it was a fun ride. The views of Wakitipu from the station until you enter the valley are spectacular, and the ride on the Earnslaw was an experience in itself.

Hope that you can find some of that useful. Have a great ride!

Andrew

[paulj]

Sorry - I should have been more specific - thanks for your replies - looks like my R80 and its wondrous fuel tank can go then. I'll pop down to the wharf today and have a chat.