Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

[NordieBoy]

Roadkill possum...

[NordieBoy]

Alrighty then...

We got to see latte's, ice, snow, hills, mud, water, arse-offs, victories and embarrassments...


Now you can too...



Old trials tyres are the shiz...

[JATZ]

Alrighty then...
Old trials tyres are the shiz...

Until it's time to ride home on the seal
Wouldn't be my first choice for a tyre to ride over Takaka hill on, or for long life and lots of k's, But......
as an off road (only) tyre, they are the shiz

[Box'a'bits]

Noice. Wish I could move to Nelson Looks like you had a better day (albeit colder) than Wgtn.

[NordieBoy]

Noice. Wish I could move to Nelson Looks like you had a better day (albeit colder) than Wgtn.

Was pretty warm really, had to open all the jacket vents

[NordieBoy]

[Padmei]

Fantastic video Nordie & the pics were great Jatz.

The assorted bikes were parked outside the Chateau Rhubarb as their owners warmed themselves on the outside benches in the bright winter morning sun.
The usual Nads had turned up for this mid winter run- Nordie tt350, Jatz DRz350, Woodman KLR685, Umopom 690, Fluffycat 450exc, myself on the KLX400 & a surprize apearance from Kiwiham on his new 660 Tenere.
Lattes & americanos were served as we caught up & talked motorcycles. Attention turned to Kiwiham with his plans to travel to Sth America on a motocycling adventure & the escapades of Striking Viking in Columbia were discussed.

As the caffeine kicked in we suited up & headed up Pig Valley towards the Wairoa Gorge.
The short sealed section took us over rolling farmland till we hit the windy gravel roads that followedthe course of the Wairoa River. The sunlight warmed our backs as we periodically escaped from the canopy of the shady bush lining the road.

The clear green water burbled over dark cold rocks. Many sheltered picnic spots we passed were coated with deep white frost & caution was taken around corners with the onset of permafrost evident. The odd slip from the recent heavy rains had breached the road with clay& mud.

We arrived at the fork of the Wairoa & chose to take the left branch. Our intention was to ride our favourite slice of pine needled road to a pleasant lookout over the Tasman bay.
Unfortunately it had been gated since our last trip however we weren't to be deterred by this as experience had taught us that persistence would pay off.

Some began piling rocks beside the gate to ride up & around the gate on the bank whilst the rest rode down into the adjacent tanktrap & with a bit of heaving pushed up & over the top.

Obstacle no.1 sidestepped we rode carefully down to the riverford. Stopping& putting a foot down we immediately realised the concrete was totally iced up so carefully the first riders crossed the flowing river. On the fatherest bank the exit was slipperier & caused the first of a couple of offs.

No broken bones but another set of bent KLR handle bars later we roared up the road. Usually this was a road for muchos velocity however the mud was wet & traction around corners dodgy.

Soon enough we arrived at our usual sidetrack of despair & leading the charge I rode the KLX up & across the digger tracks searching for something for my rear wheel to glue to. As usual it ended with a bike on its side on the downhill side. And as usual Nordie putts up with his trials rear tyre one handed giving me the peace sign. I returned the gesture- sort of.

One by one the team got up inlcuding Kiwiham reving out the Tenere & moving around on it like a MXer. At this stage I was contemplating finding some new friends.
A few more slippery bits, laughter & bike droppings then we descended the track & cruised up to the lookout.

Photos were taken, jetting issues discussed & saddling up we backtracked down to the road & aimed our steeds towards the BenNevis carpark.

The road up had a few little shortcuts, but being on the Northern face were pretty dry & not too rutted.

The last pinch to the BenNevis carpark is notoriously steep & beneath a thickcanoy of trees - riding with sunnies on or a darkvisor makes picking a line tricky. A stray rock sent my front wheel lofting to the right & as I lost control of the bike I saw a blue flash of a Tenere in my preipheral vision. Images of a new expensive bike flashed before my eyes, however it veered sideways & carried on up - phew!

Jatz, woodman & a few others were at the top where the track leveled out enjoying the presence of thick snow inthe open gullies. Although the surrounding hills are deep with it at the moment it was a pleasant surprise to see it so low.
Woodman nicely shared a ball of it with Jatz as he posed for a pic.

By now 3 hours had passed & a hearty 40kms had been ridden. it was time to return for a debrief at Chateau Rhubarb.
Woodman unfortunately suffered a puncture on the return home. As we passed him along the gorge he was riding pretty well balanced over the front wheel. Luckily it was a pretty rooted tyre.

We bade our farewells after a coffee & air up & began the hiway run back into Nelson as others split up & headed their respective ways.

Another great ride with the Nads. The weather was fantastic & warm, the countryside stunning & the company a nice bunch of blokes.
Thanks guys

[NordieBoy]

You've been praticing yer writting again.

[Padmei]

You've been praticing yer writting again.

I've been putting a finger space between my words so they don't run together

[Fluffy Cat]

You need to wash between your fingers...........

[kiwiham]

Good day .Great photos guys. I'm a starter for Mt Patriach when the snow melts.

[NordieBoy]

Good day .Great photos guys. I'm a starter for Mt Patriach when the snow melts.

When the snow melts?

[Fluffy Cat]

I would like to go before the snow melts.
Whats the worst that can happen?........someone might fall off their bike...

[JATZ]

@ Padmei (squirel chin) that was a lot of words, with spaces in all the right places too even well done

I don't know if there will be much snow around after this northerly rain that's forecast.

[Woodman]

Whats the worst that can happen?........someone might fall off their bike...

Heaven forbid!!! The indignaty.

Mt Pats a good ride and slippery enough without snow in places, and theres bound to be some Nadsworthy side trails

Bring it on.

Hey Padmei,( Orangutang chops) What were those handlebars you were talking about?, you know the high unbendable ones.