4 Day Dusty Butt

**mattsdakar** · 17th January 2011, 01:40

Just putting it out there to see if there is much interest

I have a few days leave up my sleeve and are considering slotting in an extra day in the middle of Dusty Butt route to do the following:

Fri - Christchurch Fairlie via Orari Gorge
Sat - Dusty Butt route (Day1 of 2)
Sun - Alexandra - Oldman Range - Waikaia - Piano flat - Lumsden - Nevis valley -Alexandra
Mon - Dusty Butt route (Day2 of 2)

It appears to me there is a few people stooging around looking for more riding while they are down in this awesome part of the world but are either not sure where to go or don't want to do it on their own. (thought would appeal to those making the trek from Nelson and Norf islanders who have the public holi Monday)
The guys I am riding with need to be back at work on Monday and as such are not keen so thought I'd put it out there to see if I can find some company.
As far as I am aware there are few other riding options available around Fairle to do on the Monday so breaking the trip up midway makes the most sense.

I did this same Waikaia loop last year (again mid Dusty Butt) and throughly enjoyed it, however if was quite boggy in places so probably wouldn't suit the bigger capacity bikes like KTM950's, GS1150, Tigers etc, 650's and below should be fine assuming it hasn't been raining
Because, we would again be overnighting in Alexandra we can travel light, leaving sleeping bags, clothing etc behind
Rgds Matt

**joshkies** · 17th January 2011, 15:39

O man if i had of been given more notice i would be keen as mustard.

so i am taking it you are not doing the 1 dayer why did you change your mind???
have i bitten off more than i can chew

**_Shrek_** · 17th January 2011, 20:20

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

Sun - Alexandra - Oldman Range - Waikaia - Piano flat - Lumsden - Nevis valley -Alexandra
Mon - Dusty Butt route (Day2 of 2)

I did this same Waikaia loop last year (again mid Dusty Butt) and throughly enjoyed it, however if was quite boggy in places so probably wouldn't suit the bigger capacity bikes like KTM950's, GS1150, Tigers etc, 650's and below should be fine assuming it hasn't been raining
Because, we would again be overnighting in Alexandra we can travel light, leaving sleeping bags, clothing etc behind
Rgds Matt

thats what they said to me up at junction hut you can't ride that up here

I don't want to put a damper onit Matt but the weather up on the range has not been to flash ova the last 3 weeks & there could be more crap coming ova the next few days, will let you know how it is thursday night if ya like ( will take a run up the range & look)

**cooneyr** · 17th January 2011, 20:45

I know you've done it before Matt but that Waikaia Bush Rd to Whitecoombe Rd track is the only 4x4 track in the south island that is rated as needing 5 or more heavy 4x4s in Ken Sibley's books. It must get real interesting in late winter. The more common rating for "tough" tracks is 3 heavies though we've got through many of these OK in summer by ourselves in landies or cruisers.

**_Shrek_** · 17th January 2011, 21:05

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I know you've done it before Matt but that Waikaia Bush Rd to Whitecoombe Rd track is the only 4x4 track in the south island that is rated as needing 5 or more heavy 4x4s in Ken Sibley's books. It must get real interesting in late winter. The more common rating for "tough" tracks is 3 heavies though we've got through many of these OK in summer by ourselves in landies or cruisers.

the locals go through with two 4x4 & advid riders 2 to 4

**cooneyr** · 17th January 2011, 21:40

Originally Posted by _Shrek_

the locals go through with two 4x4 & advid riders 2 to 4

I reckon Ken over rates tracks but he was probably aiming the books at scaring Merivale tractor drivers.

**mattsdakar** · 17th January 2011, 21:43

Originally Posted by _Shrek_

the locals go through with two 4x4 & advid riders 2 to 4

Should make interesting riding then eh!
Last year this ride was a blast ( Alf and I were joined by Monsterman (Andi).
To to be honest we didn't really have any problems and wouldn't have descibed it as that difficult, however maybe we just struck it after a long dry spell?
Shrek would appreciate it if you could have a nosey, at the end of the day there is heaps of other great rides nearby to do like skippers, so if it's looking dodgy we'll just go somewhere else, hmmmmmm Earnslaw, Mavora Lakes, Nevis..hmmm!!!

**mattsdakar** · 18th January 2011, 10:29

Originally Posted by joshkies

O man if i had of been given more notice i would be keen as mustard.

so i am taking it you are not doing the 1 dayer why did you change your mind???
have i bitten off more than i can chew

No I am now doing the two day as riding partners KTM 950se only has a range of about 200km's so the leg from Lawrence to Omarama will be impossible with out a fuel dump, and that's all a bit hard.
I'm guessing you will be looking at 18odd continuous hours in the saddle, if you call that fun???

**joshkies** · 18th January 2011, 15:40

yer will be some where round 18 hours just working out if we do the challange loops
will be great fun but will miss out on meeting everyone sat night

**k14** · 18th January 2011, 16:58

Sounds like a cool route you will be taking. Will have to get my own bike and come along for the ride next time you are down

**ADVGD** · 18th January 2011, 19:31

Hi Matt

By any chance is there any way to work in that additional day on the Monday, or will we end up being too far away back in Fairlie on Sunday? If it were possible to do the DB1K as the planned Saturday and Sunday and then do a kick ass Monday, count me in! Pretty keen on the sounds of that technical track, Waikaia Bush Rd to Whitecoombe Rd track?

Among others, I know JATZ was looking to get up to mischief on Monday also so he's probably a starter.

I had planned to do the two standard DB1K days, but could be swayed, nothing set in stone as such. What ya thoughts on the Monday being the day for the extra section?

**NordieBoy** · 18th January 2011, 20:26

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

will be impossible with out a fuel dump, and that's all a bit hard.

Not impossible, just painful as it comes out...

**mattsdakar** · 18th January 2011, 20:41

[QUOTE=ADVGD;1129960785]Hi Matt

By any chance is there any way to work in that additional day on the Monday, or will we end up being too far away back in Fairlie on Sunday?

This is exacty the reason, once we leave Alex on 2nd day of Dusty Butt route you basically keep heading north away from where I'm suggesting we go.
I don't really know of any other off road routes (apart from Orari Gorge) near Fairlie that we don't already do on the Dust Butt so it's a bit of a dead end there.
Central Otago has some of the best offroad riding in the world I believe, it'd be a shame to not experience some more it while we are already way down there.

**ADVGD** · 18th January 2011, 21:03

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

This is exacty the reason...

Ok, makes sense. How many others starters for this one at this stage?

**_Shrek_** · 18th January 2011, 22:01

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

Shrek would appreciate it if you could have a nosey, at the end of the day there is heaps of other great rides nearby to do like skippers, so if it's looking dodgy we'll just go somewhere else, hmmmmmm Earnslaw, Mavora Lakes, Nevis..hmmm!!!

the rain has been falling all arvo & to-night the Old man is pretty soggy right & Nevis xings with this rain you will most prob need snorkels or big water wings

but in say'n that if I wasn't do'n the DB I would give it a go withya's

it would be one hell ofva trip

was talk'n with Mm tonight things arn't that flash his way either but there is as you say skippers & 1 or 2 other place's you could do