North Island invasion of South Island

**snodpete** · 24th May 2009, 18:09

XF650 came from Reefton to the 'Port today and was keen for a ride so we went up Mt Rochfort (which looked better than my first trip up there), then towards the Denniston end of the Mackley/New Creek track. I managed to fall off twice, the last time in a lovely muddy puddle... The crash bars have proved invaluable, and I now know Trailwings don't do mud (or deepish graded gravel) well at all.

Any KB adventurers over this way sometime get in touch and we'll go play (to dry places)!

**Padmei** · 24th May 2009, 19:26

Back & tired tonite.

I was astounded by how Snodgras took the strom to the top of Big River. I followed him for while & he showed what a bike with road tyres can do when ridden well.

Good weekend. Lots of coffee, laughs & rocks. Got some good video of the AT sounding very very angry. No major injuries to bikes or rides so thats good.

**XF650** · 24th May 2009, 19:29

Thanks for the tour today snodpete. You are so lucky to have that track up Mt Rochfort right at your back door - it's a must-do for any keen adv rider.

A great weekend all round actually, incl Reefton having possibly the best weather in NZ while we were there. Thanks to all the "invasion" riders for coming down & yes - there are still nurses in the "old nurses home" - I met one of them on the stairs at 6am this morning!!

**buggsubique** · 24th May 2009, 19:40

Originally Posted by Padmei

Got some good video of the AT sounding very very angry.

Could well have been me making those noises...the third or 4th time I dropped it... would be keen to get some vid off you though!

Originally Posted by XF650

& yes - there are still nurses in the "old nurses home" - I met one of them on the stairs at 6am this morning!!

Coming out of who's room?

**MXNUT** · 24th May 2009, 19:49

Originally Posted by XF650

& yes - there are still nurses in the "old nurses home" - I met one of them on the stairs at 6am this morning!!

Sounds like there is more to that story Struan

...... come on spill the beans

**Woodman** · 24th May 2009, 21:19

Bloody brilliant weekend, great to meet and ride with you guys, got home about 5 and am very tired now and bloody sore all over.

padmei you missed the turnoff up the breaburn, but good to see you made it back safe and sound.

heard a weird rattling noise riding over the braeburn, and upon investigation, noticed that the rear sprocket was floppin around way too much, so I slowly headed to the lake shore where Marks, Andy Mac Undeground and JMJ were patiently waiting. Anyway the cush drive bearing had collapsed and worn the hub against the swingarm and the sprocket bolts have started cutting the swingarm in half.
Eventually we decided that the guys would road home with me pillioning on Andymacs bike when a 4wd with a motorbike trailer on came into view with an old rugby mate of mine who was coming back from a trail ride when on a whim decided to go over the brauburn to have a look. Fortunately it was a 3 bike trailer and they only had 2 bikes on board so we loaded up the klr, said cya to the others and I got dropped off at my door. And they had beer.
What are the chances??
Hope you guys had a good trip up the Porika, and come on you DR guys I am waiting.

**Underground** · 24th May 2009, 21:30

woodman you're a tinny bastard ,what are the chances that a bike trailer turns up 20 mins after you break down ....and they had beer !
You missed a good ride over the porika ,I got home 7.30 and it is blowing a gale out here , I had to put both feet out and paddle along at one stage to stop being blown off the road , those poor buggers on the ferry will be chundering ,but I hear the remaining 3 northerners are tucked up in a cosy cabin over in Motueka (almost too cosy by the sound of it )
Nice weekend though ,lots of good laughs .

**NordieBoy** · 24th May 2009, 21:39

I think your bike is telling you something Woody

Some taster shots to set the scene...

**Underground** · 24th May 2009, 21:45

Originally Posted by buggsubique

With no rear brake shoes left and only one set on the front still working on the Africa I decided to make a bee line for Blenheim...only to then have the speedo fail as well! sheesh! took zerax and I 3 hours from reefton to blenheim by road - we skipped all the juicy bits given the state of my bike.

Buggs

Hey the Africa twins are having synchronised breakdowns ,after riding the last day and a bit without rear brake pads my speedo also quit on the way home tonight !

**Aslan** · 24th May 2009, 21:46

great pics Fran - good to see you got the Pooey Bird along for the ADV - planning to hook up with you on Thursday on way to the Brass - Bleheim or Picton to pick up Pooey and transport to Ashburton thence on to the Brass with XF650 since I'm not tenting at Oturehua - cheers Aslan

**Woodman** · 24th May 2009, 22:27

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

I think your bike is telling you something Woody

First time it hasn't got me home, gonna give it a bloody good going over in the next few weeks.

**warewolf** · 25th May 2009, 00:05

Originally Posted by Woodman

What are the chances??

Remote. Even more remote than me discovering a flat tyre while with cooneyr near Thorpe, the first driveway we stop at to change it is his cuzzies.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Some taster shots to set the scene...

Had to look twice, photo 2 looked like Pooey. Any good at photoshop?

Sounds like I missed a grouse weekend, but I expected that!

**Paladin** · 25th May 2009, 00:37

Ok am home safe & sound & wet LOL, unpacked, Black Beastie tucked up in bed! The crossing was howling a gale but the seas were less bumpy than the trip out with Joe on Wednesday, so all good!

I had an absolute blast and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the SI adv riders: Matt, Kyle, Craig, Nigel, Fran, Geoff, James, Alison, Carl, Struan & Pete; you guys are top and helped make an awesome trip! Wicked fun to get down there with all the NI guys too, great fun riding with you as always!

Special thx to Nordie for the loan of the pressure suit, Matt for putting Joe & I up for the nite Wednesday and for letting me chill at his place on Thursday when recovering from one of the worst migraine attacks I have ever had, & to James for letting me have a go on the BIG (I want one!!!!!) which I immediately fell in love with! Pete, top marks to you for taking the V Strom up Big River too.

Final thx to Marks for putting the trip together with a stunning variety of tracks and roads, and Michael for organising a great price on the ferry for us.

You guys have awesome scenery and terrain down there and I will be chomping at the bit to head south again, but also hope you guys & gals come do a reciprocal Invasion ride up north!

Oh and the trip finished on a high note - one guess who dropped his DR on the ferry by undoing the wrong strap first when we got to Welly?

**Waihou Thumper** · 25th May 2009, 01:02

Originally Posted by Paladin

Oh and the trip finished on a high note - one guess who dropped his DR on the ferry by undoing the wrong strap first when we got to Welly?

Good on ya mate!
This means we North Islanders are still normal people.....
It is like putting the side stand down and feeling for the ground and it isn't there...The bike keeps going and going....Down she goes...lol

By the way, I have done this same thing in the van, crashed against the window, felt such a fool...

Great to hear you guys had a good ride down there in the boonies...

**cooneyr** · 25th May 2009, 08:14

Come on Marks - get out of bed and post some pics ya lazy bugger

We're waiting. I've been and checked Advrider and nothing over there either. The fact that your not home yet is no excuse!!!

See how he likes a bit of his own medicine aye

Cheers R