I'm looking for Christchurch Adv rides

**thepom** · 30th December 2011, 09:58

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and comments but the fat lady is not singing yet......god bless the drug companies......

**TangoCharlie** · 30th December 2011, 21:52

Anyone keen on a 600km round trip Christchurch to Hanmer via the Lewis, Shenandoah, Maruia Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn, Porika Tracks and then the Rainbow back to Hanmer and home?
I am looking at doing it next week when the weather improves, probably Wednesday or Thursday the 5th or 6th of Jan 12.

**Gareth123** · 31st December 2011, 03:26

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Anyone keen on a 600km round trip Christchurch to Hanmer via the Lewis, Shenandoah, Maruia Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn, Porika Tracks and then the Rainbow back to Hanmer and home?
I am looking at doing it next week when the weather improves, probably Wednesday or Thursday the 5th or 6th of Jan 12.

I'd be keen. Haven't got a bash plate on at the moment though, would I need it?

I'll have to see what's happening at work first though.

**mattsdakar** · 31st December 2011, 10:51

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Anyone keen on a 600km round trip Christchurch to Hanmer via the Lewis, Shenandoah, Maruia Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn, Porika Tracks and then the Rainbow back to Hanmer and home?
I am looking at doing it next week when the weather improves, probably Wednesday or Thursday the 5th or 6th of Jan 12.

I'd be keen but could only do Thursday the 5th, does that work for you?

**Gareth123** · 31st December 2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Anyone keen on a 600km round trip Christchurch to Hanmer via the Lewis, Shenandoah, Maruia Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn, Porika Tracks and then the Rainbow back to Hanmer and home?
I am looking at doing it next week when the weather improves, probably Wednesday or Thursday the 5th or 6th of Jan 12.

I should have Wednesday and Thursday off.

Do you have a map I can have a look at? I tried to piece it together on Google maps but failed miserably

Originally Posted by mattsdakar

I'd be keen but could only do Thursday the 5th, does that work for you?

Would work for me.

**mattsdakar** · 1st January 2012, 04:33

[QUOTE=Gareth123;1130224954]I'd be keen. Haven't got a bash plate on at the moment though, would I need it?

Hey Gareth,
I wouldn't recommend you do this ride without a bashplate, the Porika can be knarly and there will be plently of gravel flying off your front tyre thru the Rainbow.
KLR's don't have the best ground clearance but hey it's your risk

**TangoCharlie** · 1st January 2012, 07:10

The weather is looking good for the 5th, I will check with DOC early next week to confirm the state of the roads / tracks, as a bit worried about all the rain up Nelson way causing slips and washouts etc...

**alane** · 1st January 2012, 07:21

Just whip off a big hunk from a large tyre with an angle grinder,& zip-tie/wire it on.

Would look like original kit for a KLR.

**TangoCharlie** · 1st January 2012, 07:25

[QUOTE=Gareth123;1130225256]I should have Wednesday and Thursday off.
Do you have a map I can have a look at? I tried to piece it together on Goggle maps but failed miserably

The two attached images show the route, the first the complete block, the second the Northern part in more detail.
I wouldn't risk it without a bash plate as it's pretty rocky in places with heaps of river crossings....

**TangoCharlie** · 1st January 2012, 07:26

Originally Posted by alane

Just whip off a big hunk from a large tyre with an angle grinder,& zip-tie/wire it on.

Would look like original kit for a KLR.

I am sure I have seen one of those in a KTM catalogue.....

**Gareth123** · 1st January 2012, 09:55

Originally Posted by alane

Just whip off a big hunk from a large tyre with an angle grinder,& zip-tie/wire it on.

Would look like original kit for a KLR.

I do still have the bash plate, I'll just make sure I put it on before I go. I took it off so a mate could measure it up and fabricate me a new one.

**Transalper** · 1st January 2012, 18:43

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Anyone keen on a 600km round trip Christchurch to Hanmer via the Lewis, Shenandoah, Maruia Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn, Porika Tracks and then the Rainbow back to Hanmer and home?
I am looking at doing it next week when the weather improves, probably Wednesday or Thursday the 5th or 6th of Jan 12.

I'm free, could be in assuming I have the gas money in the budget but am on the Transalp at the moment so little bit worried waiting for me may make your day too long, if that's a concern?
I did a two up run on the 28th up the Rainbow, back via Maruia Saddle, was ok but even slower with passenger.

**TangoCharlie** · 1st January 2012, 19:45

Originally Posted by Transalper

I'm free, could be in assuming I have the gas money in the budget but am on the Transalp at the moment so little bit worried waiting for me may make your day too long, if that's a concern?
I did a two up run on the 28th up the Rainbow, back via Maruia Saddle, was ok but even slower with passenger.

Its not a problem for me, as I wont we going over 100km/h on the road as I have geared down the DR and it has a new Dunlop D606 on the back that I want to make last longer that the Kenda K760 which was fried after 1300km, mainly due to high speed road use....

**Transalper** · 1st January 2012, 20:10

Ok, probably be in.
Transalp is only slower on the tighter gravel turns and technical or bumpy bits. Smooth gravel and seal are what it works best on.
It currently costs $15 to bring a motorbike through the Rainbow.

**cooneyr** · 1st January 2012, 20:15

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Its not a problem for me, as I wont we going over 100km/h on the road as I have geared down the DR and it has a new Dunlop D606 on the back that I want to make last longer that the Kenda K760 which was fried after 1300km, mainly due to high speed road use....

Make sure you run the D606 at about 30psi for a loop like the Rainbow/Lewis. I use to run them on my DR650 (few years back) and could kill one in about 1500km if at 23psi. For gravel and seal 30psi makes bugger all difference to traction.

I'd join you fellas but family commitments to attend too.

Cheers R