Wellington Rideouts - Where next?

[Eddieb]

One thing I noted when i was last in there, on the longest descent into a stream where you come down the hill with a slight S bend into the stream and once across the stream go about 30 metres on the flat before crossing over again. Just before the right hand bend into the stream someone has cut a trail along the bank to where you cross back over.

You can see it at 6'25" - 6'27" and the other end at 10'13" - 10'20" in this

[bart]

One thing I noted when i was last in there, on the longest descent into a stream where you come down the hill with a slight S bend into the stream and once across the stream go about 30 metres on the flat before crossing over again. Just before the right hand bend into the stream someone has cut a trail along the bank to where you cross back over.

You can see it at 6'25" - 6'27" and the other end at 10'13" - 10'20" in this

We'll have a look.

Why don't you come along?

[Eddieb]

We'll have a look.

Why don't you come along?

Cause I'm in Hamilton.

[Box'a'bits]

Cause I'm in Hamilton.

Wouldn't stop you if you were keen....

[Pampera]

Took the R80GS and Debbie on the 2013 Yamaha Safari over the last week.

At and after the "North Island Invasion of the South" we have talked about finishing off the exploratory reconnaissance we made from Iron Bridge and New Creek to the Mackley River and pushing on to Denniston. We did just that on Saturday afternoon.

Being two up on a big BMW we - and others in the same situation - almost bailed at the steep descent into the Mackley but I applied the "you are either growing or shrinking" motto and decided to go outside my comfort zone. As I had done this to a fairly extreme level the previous day (think Mark S's play areas in the Akatarawa’s) my energy levels were a bit depleted, however I knew that with a decent group of big bikes you can tackle many things by working as a team.

To cut a long story short, we made it, the weather was perfect and the ride is well worth it.

Three pictures show my friend Craig and helpers getting his R100GSPD across the Mackley River, coal measures along the track and a section of round river rocks on one part of the road. This was the last challenge and it was all clear sailing after that. Some very steep and sustained climbs with endless hairpin turns which are quite a challenge two up on a big bike but the R80GS is brilliant. First time I have had it in serious rough going. Its gearing is lower than the 1000 and the engine is smoother and more flexible down low. Good to be back on a 2 valve GS again.

So those Wellington guys thinking about it, this is both doable and a brilliant ride. The caution is it is totally dependent on the river crossing. If the river is up it is not sensible and it goes up (and down) very quickly.

Regards,

Michael

[Aslan]

well done - nice little report and pics - made me envious

[Pampera]

This is why I was initially a little hesitant about committing to the (possibly one way) slope before the Mackley. Selected the trail option down from Big River the day before, thinking I would just walk the bike down the steepest part. The steep part was of such length and angle that getting a large bike down was a multi-person operation at the pinch points. Me, my brand new riding suit and the bike were a little muddy and sweaty a couple of hours later! Debbie did a lot of walking. The steepest steep bit was such that she fell over walking!

It never ceases to surprise me how deep a rut a flat twin can manage but the one at the very end of the tough middle section jammed it completely (the picture with people helping to get it going downhill again). At least you cannot fall off with the bike wedged.

A bit overwhelming at the time but a real feeling of satisfaction recovering beside the State Highway and feeling grateful to those who helped. 5 minutes over the Reefton Saddle or 3 hours by the "short way"!

Michael

[Pampera]

And here is a very wet Maruia Saddle on Day 1. This is a public gravel road, normally a very scenic easy manicured gravel ride, but was closed that day due to the rain,. However the FH Maintenance guy in Murchison said it was OK for bikes. I don't think bridges are meant to work like that!

The flooded straight and flat road is West Bank Road (on the way to Springs Jct) and the Maruia River has overtopped its stop bank. Quite deep and long wet but the R80 chugged through. Not so the two DRZ-400's in the picture (I showed the guys how to do the breather modification that removes this tendancy for this model to stall in deep water) or our friend's Ken and Maria's HP-2. These have an exposed low air intake and this is the second time it has taken a lung full and stopped, but no lasting damage (this time) except for some residual water to turn to steam after draining the majority. Modification coming though!

I don't particularly enjoy getting wet but the rain turned an easy ride into something requiring satisfying effort and made for some very moddy effects. This is I imagine why we do this.

Regards,

Michael

[bart]

Good stuff. Real adventures are never easy.

[Box'a'bits]

Hi Michael, thanks for the RR. Has made me envious. Looks like you had a challenging ride (those are usually the ones you remember fondly) without the issues you have suffered in the past with the Dakar. How is Debbie liking the switch back to the Airhead GS?

[NordieBoy]

A "proper" adventure ride

[Pampera]

Hi How is Debbie liking the switch back to the Airhead GS?

Our 650 Dakars set a high standard for pillions in the "adventure" field and this is what she judges the R80 against. She is pretty pleased with it but it needs better hand grips and lower foor pegs. The Dakar had very substantial side handles in jist the right place for hands to drop easily to them. Also a help when manhandling the bike! She also finds the pillion pegs a bit higher than ideal. Both these things can be fixed by modification and I plan to scheme things up. Much, much better than our R80G/S was however, that was just too small and short to be comfortable on the back.

Yes this was a geat ride because of the challenges successfully taken on.

Sorry to be torturing you while you remain in your semi-mobile position.

Regards,
Michael

[Box'a'bits]

Sorry to be torturing you while you remain in your semi-mobile position.Regards, Michael

I'm good with living vicariously at present...

Here's what I was originally going to do. The side handles need to sweep forward a little more though. The stock bar gets lost with luggage.

[Padmei]

Nice Michael. good report. Sorry it couldn't have been sunnier for you as it is a special road when the elements are in your favour.

[Pampera]

Nice Michael. good report. Sorry it couldn't have been sunnier for you as it is a special road when the elements are in your favour.

Thanks for that.
I have previously ridden over the Maruia Saddle in good weather so I am scoring this alternative experience as a positive one! It was so wet it made the place really atmospheric.
Denniston was sky blue and calm perfect, with clouds only arriving (coming in from the sea) when we reached our destination at the old incline, followed by a few spots of water and then rain after Westport. One of the reasons that made me decide to push on - how often do you get to be there and in this weather?
Regards,
Michael