No balls on this monkey

[marks]

The report on my failed attempt to make it to the brass is here

[DMNTD:Me]

The report on my failed attempt to make it to the brass is here

Mate...that was absolutely extraordinary! Seriously makes me reconsider my choice of riding

[Crisis management]

For a failed attempt thats pretty classy.

[NordieBoy]

If you're going to fail, do it in style and have fun

[geoffc]

The report on my failed attempt to make it to the brass is here

Fantastic photos. Congratulations on those. Maybe we might see you at another Brass Monkey, don't go giving up! Cheers

[Blackbird]

Stunning photos Mark, genuinely moving. A fantastic ride and superb report. We do indeed live in an incredible country. Thank you for sharing the photos and the tale.

Geoff

[young1]

Great post mark. I plan to head down South at xmas time, not further south than Christchurch, so would be keen someone time to find out exactly where those tracks are.

Anyone else thinking of heading down that way, maybe on the ferry on boxing day?

[Bren]

Great write up and Great photos....I 'specially love this one that you took in Nelson...

[NordieBoy]

Great post mark. I plan to head down South at xmas time, not further south than Christchurch, so would be keen someone time to find out exactly where those tracks are.

Anyone else thinking of heading down that way, maybe on the ferry on boxing day?

Well the Nelson ones were here...

[young1]

Well the Nelson ones were here...

Well later in the year I might also have to tap your knowledge!

Thanks

mike

[sinfull]

Excellent write up man ! Now thats an adventure ride !

[XF650]

Bloody shame you couldn't join us Mark but looks like you had a great ride all the same, with the pics to prove it too.
A brief of what you missed & to wet your appetitie for next time:-
"Rogson" & I shared my two bikes over some great country with Timg joining us for the return run.

Friday from Ashvagas - McKenzie Pass - Haka Pass - Menzies Pass - Myers Pass - Kurow pub for the night. The publican let all the Brass guys staying there park our bikes in the lounge bar for the night!!

Saturday Dansey's Pass - across the Maniototo - then Serpintine Rd, a very greasy part of Dunstan Trail. From the old Moa Creek pub we joined up with some "off road only" guys & rode to the Rally site via the Rail Trail.

The Rally itself was great but a bit wet & bloody tent leaked. After enjoying most of the organised entertainment we wandered around with mbazza & timg to partake of the warmth of the fire drums. All very convivial & our lot were well behaved.

Sunday morning we were warned off going out over Omarama Saddle (low snow & possibility of rivers rising) so we tagged on with coonyer's lot out over Dansey's again to Kurow, but with a couple of "deviations".
From Kurow ryan, transalper & jezzeNZ went on to the Myers, Menzies, Haka etc while our lot carried on to Otamatata where Mr & Mrs Oldrider laid on a sumptuous smoko. Then over the glorious Blackforest track, Haldon Rd, Mckenzie Pass (again) & home via a beer at the Chequrered Flag, Rangitata.

My pics are pathetic (too busy riding) so hope timg's got some.
1) McKenzie monument
2) rogson & a tenere rider (chap Boyd?) who rode with us from Haka Pass through to Kurow
3) Moa Creek pub - never did find out what the buckets were for
4) near Burkes Pass

[Dave-]

fav shot, awesome....and i work in a camera store

[NordieBoy]

fav shot, awesome....and i work in a camera store

What's more amazing is that it's sharp!

marks camera likes to pick shutter speeds like 1/20th for no reason at all.

[madandy]

The report on my failed attempt to make it to the brass is here

Superb...the pics are still loading on dialup here at work but those that have are terrific. Such a great adventure!
Makes ya realise what we miss, riding on the seal, us roadies!