Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

**JATZ** · 1st November 2010, 18:48

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Does Mrs Jatz know?

Of course

Kinda embarasing having to ask your kid for the car

to go and do some shopping

**NordieBoy** · 1st November 2010, 19:10

Originally Posted by JATZ

Of course

Kinda embarasing having to ask your kid for the car

to go and do some shopping

Run it empty and don't fill it up. Revenge.

**NordieBoy** · 2nd November 2010, 16:35

So who is going?
$25 to race...

Scrutineering at Gourdies Garage Friday 5:30-7:30pm.

Practice/Qualifying from 10am, Racing from 1pm.

**NordieBoy** · 3rd November 2010, 19:00

Well the band of merry travellers headed off from Nelson on the dot of 7:13:25 on Saturday morning, headed for Kaikoura and the mythical Clarence.

We lost Bertie and Ginger to ack ack over the Wangamoas and Bubbles was last seen near the Slip Inn out Havlock way with the Hun in pursuit.

It was left to Padmei and myself to finish the mission.

Arriving in Kaikoura we pulled in for fuel and Subway.

Mmmmmm.... Bottomless hot chocolate...

We finally tore ourselves away and went inland, searching for the turn off point for the Clarence run. Which is nowhere near the Clarence River or Clarence Bridge which are quite a few klicks the other side of town and merely decoys.

It took a great deal of brilliant navigating to find the right place to turn right. Alright?

We contacted the agent there and had to do the usual name, rank and serial number bizzo and were sent on our way with the words "be out by 5 or I'll kick your arses." rattling around in our heads.

Note: Must get better earplugs. These don't stop rattling.

The sky was grey and foreboding.
No idea what it boded but we had no time for that sort of thing.
We were on a mission.
11:08:02

1st stop was when Padders nearly lunched it. But some old #8 wire and a cable tie and the lunch was saved - hurray!
11:16:58

Visibility was minimal. We think they truck it in specially.
11:31:11

Blind Saddle? What a stupid name.
11:36:32

We were hoping something would happen as it was going to be lethal further on if the conditions stayed like this.
The road was slick clay and the fog made it about 3.8deg
11:41:10

Blue stuff sighted!
11:42:18

Thank goodness!
Things were warming up now. About 11 deg.
11:58:20

Interesting rock formations caused by millenia of rocks, forming...
12:03:01

It was getting so warm we had to cool off a little. Padders opted for water cooling whereas I just jumped it as the DR is air cooled.
12:12:20

Riverbed riding is spiffing fun.
12:18:13

The evil buggers! Bike proof tape!! What will our heroes do now!!! Will they run out of exclamation points!!!!11!1
12:29:58

We headed off south to try and outflank them.
They must have known something like this may happen and had prepared the road in advance.

Wet clay/dirt. Add cows, 4wd's then bake 'till rock hard.
25km of it. Then 25km of it back...
12:48:53

There's a faint left/right line on the hill below the highest peak there.
That's Willow Flat. 8.5km before the turnaround point at Palmer Hut...
12:52:46

Oh and if your fillings were still intact then there was the occasional tank trap to catch you out...
12:57:43

Willow Flat and the left/right line from the above piccy...
13:07:53

Hee hee hee hee snigger...
13:12:49

Dropping down to Palmer Flat.
13:20:29

The insignificant spec is Padders...
13:27:43

At Palmer Hut. The river is about 30m below...
13:32:55

Reinforcements!
Took Padders 2min to blag a flight on the T-Ride.
Must be off his game...
14:19:36

Back to Willow Flat.
14:31:56

Nope, glaciers don't bugger about at all...
14:36:14

I could spend all day up here...
14:49:51

Around the bike proof tape (Hah!) and we see their dastardly secret weapon!
A Ford Anglia with a trailer and bull bar.
15:26:03

Oh dear. I didn't think the KLR was that heavy...
15:28:08

Bugger.
15:29:18

How are we going to get it back up?
15:29:52

Ah piss on it.
Watch out! It's behind you!
15:32:40

Blind Saddle should be around here somewhere.
16:32:36

Found it! Or did it find us?
Down from 17deg to 3.8 again...
16:39:12

Woo hoo!
16:44:10

Whew! We got out at 16:59:30!
The DOC Agent went to lock the gate and found his battery was flat.
Being from South Marlborough they don't have posh things that Marlborough DOC does like jumper leads...
17:19:45

Mission accomplished!
We flew up the coast and fuelled up at a secret dump in Blenheim, on the left, 400m from KFC.
Mmmmm... Potato Gravy...
19:42:44

Toodle pip!

Edit: We caught up with a dishevelled Bubbles in Havlock where we found she'd been captured by the hun!
We said but what about all the rumours about the hun and women type captives!
Blushing and breathless she replied "It's all twue!".

**Padmei** · 3rd November 2010, 20:23

You dratted burglar Nordie - How many times have I told you - I make the jokes & you take the pictures to make me look good. my RR looks like a ruddy DOC pamphlet now

There is a vacancy for a new sidekick if anyone is interested.

Curse this War - poor Bubbles- took her quite a few flutes of champers to settle her nerves. She starts giggling hysterically when catches a glimpse of the BMW.

**JATZ** · 3rd November 2010, 20:34

Nice Nordie

Hah....Padders an insignificant spec

**junkmanjoe** · 6th November 2010, 21:51

just found this...
even i been on a couple these tracks...

JMJ

**NordieBoy** · 7th November 2010, 08:26

I'm headed over the Maungatapu today at about 11am to do some videography of t'other side (need to stay away from computers/tv/radio untill after the delayed All Blacks game).

It's a shirt and tie affair.

Well dressed adventurites are welcome to join me.

Toodle pip.

**Padmei** · 7th November 2010, 13:09

About to take Schmidtty on a test flight to Hori Bay.

I didn't know you were a boof -sorry- rugby head Nordie

**NordieBoy** · 7th November 2010, 15:50

Well that will probably turn out to be my second most expensive ride ever

My camera was around my neck on the way back and it broke the GPS screen...

But I got some good footage for the vid

**Fluffy Cat** · 7th November 2010, 16:07

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Well that will probably turn out to be my second most expensive ride ever

My camera was around my neck on the way back and it broke the GPS screen...

But I got some good footage for the vid

Eh!......
How did you do that???. I've seen you ride a million times with it that way....What did you do different this time>>>>

.....Is the track ok!!!!.

**JATZ** · 7th November 2010, 16:15

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

I'm headed over the Maungatapu today at about 11am to do some videography of t'other side (need to stay away from computers/tv/radio untill after the delayed All Blacks game).

It's a shirt and tie affair.

Well dressed adventurites are welcome to join me.

Toodle pip.

Sorry old bean, but I don't own a shirt and tie

Will have to remedy that before the next rideout

sux to hear about your gps/camera incident. thank goodness you didn't get lost without a gps

**NordieBoy** · 7th November 2010, 16:21

Originally Posted by Fluffy Cat

Eh!......
How did you do that???. I've seen you ride a million times with it that way....What did you do different this time>>>>

.....Is the track ok!!!!.

Combination of things. Leaning forward just right, camera swinging just right, front wheel hitting a rock just right...

The track is nice and lumpy on the Pelorus side

Originally Posted by JATZ

Sorry old bean, but I don't own a shirt and tie

Will have to remedy that before the next rideout

sux to hear about your gps/camera incident. thank goodness you didn't get lost without a gps

It was a close call. Had so many choices at the summit but luckily took the correct one.