Db1k 2012

**_Shrek_** · 24th January 2012, 10:34

Originally Posted by cynna

i think i know that hole well..... was that the one with rocks across the road as a warning? ......

nope it was another I think there are some pic's on Nordie's cam or mine just have to find them

but I was talking to a guy who went into the same hole even thow the track went to the side

**mattsdakar** · 24th January 2012, 11:28

Well that was definitely an adventure ride!!!
Not the most successful ride for me
Day 1....Collapsed rear wheel bearing just after Waimate (even thou I had checked it and had a brand new wof)...4hours lost then two separate flat tyres over the Awakino

Day 2..We decided to take a day out and do a loop down the Nevis, through Lumsden and Riversdale then back up to Alex via Piano flat. Not the best route choice, we rode over the Old man range in a white out, snow blizzard battling mud bogs and frozen rock step ups etc. I ending up putting a hole in my right engine cover care of rear brake lever and losing about 500mls of oil, good old need-it sorted hole out but lever snapped off while trying to straighten it. Had fun coming down steep icy road with only a front brake then Alfs rear bearing also collapsed but he managed to limp back to Alex.
Next day we spent the morning getting my brake lever welded up and Alf replaced his wheel bearings since it had got to midday we decided to skip the Dunstan trail and head straight back to Fairlie via Omarama saddle challenge section and Bllack forrest.
So all in all it certainly was an adventure, nice to see new and old faces and again big thanks to Ryan
See ya next year

**cooneyr** · 24th January 2012, 12:54

Originally Posted by ADVGD

.....Grant was one of those I hadn’t yet met and he completely blew me away with his generosity and dedicated willingness to help......

Agree completely. Grant was the fella helping me with the sign in and without him you'd probably still be waiting for your T-shirts. Big thanks to Grant.

Others who help are Transalper for checking navigation materials and ADVGD who built the website. Both made a big commitment to help make the ride go so smoothly so please thank them too.

Of course I must publicly acknowledge my wife for tolerating my time focusing on something other than renovating the house and looking after our youngin.

Originally Posted by Racing Dave

....Also, more detail required on one-day riders!...

You've probably got this by now but three started. One finished in 18hrs 55mins. Other two had electrical issues that consumed too much time so they opted to take a shorter route to Fairlie instead.

It seems my backtracking offering an alternative out of the poor weather was taken up by a few. I'm not sure how many did this but good to see that people stayed safe whatever their decision. I personally got back on track at cell 182 (Old Dunstan Trail) and completed the Serpentine challenge, but not the 'wet' Omarama Saddle. Having lost about 3 hours with the Lammerlaw snow and then another hour catching up with farmers either end of the Black Forest track I had to ride over Mackenzies Pass in the dark which was fun with the EXC's headlight dimming every time I touched the brakes (need to 'float the ground' as they call it). Also discovered that I've wired the headlight so low position on the switch was high beam - doh!

Woodman's comment about going to gym was apt. I've drive a computer for a living and with work changes I've not been able to cycling to work since the quakes. Its really caught up with me so I'm feeling pretty worn out at the moment. Must do more exercise!

Originally Posted by Padmei

....had no idea where I was 90% of the time; trust the GPS;...

Glad to hear this worked for you. If anybody has any feedback about the navigation feel free to PM or email me.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Someone is going to have to put the track up on a map and name all the bits

Good idea. At some point I'll create a KML file and see if I can modify the website map page.

Also, I'm thinking of putting a new page on the website with links to photos, videos etc. If you do post videos and photos somewhere please send me a PM or email so I can include the link. Its easier for others to jump to the links if you keep your photos grouped together and put up captions if you post them.

Cheers R

**ADVGD** · 24th January 2012, 14:00

Originally Posted by cooneyr

If anybody has any feedback about the navigation feel free to PM or email me.

The two KTM lads I rode with managed to finish the complete route including challenges and said "the GPS navigation was spot on, Ryan did an outstanding job, a top notch event start to finish"

**Monstaman** · 24th January 2012, 14:10

Originally Posted by ADVGD

The two KTM lads I rode with managed to finish the complete route including challenges and said "the GPS navigation was spot on, Ryan did an outstanding job, a top notch event start to finish"

That is fairly conclusive ... and I didn't get lost watching the pictures and reports turn up on my screen

**k14** · 24th January 2012, 14:37

Originally Posted by ADVGD

The two KTM lads I rode with managed to finish the complete route including challenges and said "the GPS navigation was spot on, Ryan did an outstanding job, a top notch event start to finish"

Ditto. The GPS track was 100% perfect. Did not have any issues at all (apart from batteries nearly going flat - FYI a Garmin 60CSX can run for over 6 hours after you get the batteries are flat warning message!) following the route and getting the turns etc correct. It is so easy it is nearly cheating. The roll chart is a more authentic experience but for simplicity the GPS can't be beaten.

**Buddha#81:Me** · 24th January 2012, 17:56

Originally Posted by k14

Well I have been through my GPS logs and have a better recollection now of how it went.

Day 1

Left at 0627. Got my left boot wet at the first crossing (quite a good one to start the day considering it was my first crossing of anything deeper than about 6 inches). We made good time to Waimate, passing a few bikes and taking it easy through the greasy paddocks. Arrived at 0828 and put 6.3L in after 104km. On our way again 13 mins later into the doom and gloom of the Waimate gorge. The rain stopped the moment we hit the gravel (and dust) and we continued on through the rolling hill country. We hit Kurow right on 1100 for the second fuel stop and some food before the first challenge section. Leaving Kurow bang on 1130 we headed up and up and up. That was some seriously cool and challenging terrain. I had my first drop when my front wheel unexpectedly hit a big rock and pushed me off to one side. Only a small bruise on my knee though and we kept plodding along. The river crossings through here were a bit difficult too, stalling my bike in one and having to push it most of the way in 2-3 feet deep water.

After about 3 hours 45 mins we made it to the other side, pretty relieved that the rough blocks of shist were behind us. Through the relatively flat and straight roads of the Ida Valley and to Omakau at 15:32 for another 13 min fuel and food stop. That was the last stop of the day. We blatted over Thompsons Track (with it's 19 gates) in pretty good time, through Cromwell and up the Carricktown Track to Duffers Saddle at 17:42. Then back down to the bottom of Nevis Road and through Hawkesburn Station down into Clyde and back to Alex for the night (and to sleep in my own bed

).

Day 2

Awoken at 0300 by the rain didn't really help my motivation for getting up at 0600 but we were on our way by 0638 and made quick time down the Millenium track and into Lawrence for at 10 minute fuel stop at 08:18. Then it was down to business. We gradually made our way up to Lake Mahinerangi and onto the Lammermore Ranges. The snow started out light at first and then we see a bike approaching. It was Cooney coming to say that it was getting worse and turn around if we wanted to. What kind of adventure riders would we be if we turned around

. We carried on as the snow got slightly heavier and started accumulating on our bikes. By 10:37 we had finished the Lammermore loop and come out on the Dunstan Trail. The snow had stopped but the wind blowing fairly strong, straight from the South too. We sheltered by the trees for 7 minutes and had a few things to eat before we were on our ways again. We dropped down into the Serpentine valley and through the farmland before we were back up to the final climb of the Dunstan Trail. We decided against the challenge sections for today so skipped the Serpentine Church loop. We passed Poolburn Dam and on the way down I saw another rider on a V-Strom, Jantar had gone for a ride to watch the first riders coming through. A quick chat and we were off again to our secret fuel dump location to get the valuable 7 litres required to ensure we made it to Omarama.

Back into the Ida Valley and we made quick time out through Oturehua towards the Omarama saddle. Again skipping the challenge section and opting for the traditional saddle route it was a pretty cool climb with a few river crossings thrown in and a relatively steep final few km before the summit of 1480m was reached at 14:29. A rocky decent till the gravel roads of the Mackenzie Basin leading into Omarama meant we were filling up our tanks just on 15:00 and filling our stomachs too. Now the end was in sight and after a brisk 20km down to Otemata we were onto the Black Forest track around the shores of Lake Benmore and over to Haldon Arm. It was probably my favourite track of the ride, tight and twisty with good traction and not too many loose rocks. The final 50km over Mackenzie Pass and through Albury into Fairlie was over before we knew it and we arrived in Fairlie at 17:28 to finish the ride.

A pretty enjoyable weekend and big thanks to Cooney for all the preparation, it was really well organised and I can't wait for next year.

A few stats from my own GPS data:
Avg Altitude/Distance/Time/Avg Speed/Ascent (meters)
Day 1:609.27/475.06/12:12:40/53.78/12083
Day 2:606.73/535.55/10:54:35/63.64/11653
Total:608.00/1010.6/23:07:15/58.71/23736

And attached are the route profiles (I missed the first 16km of the second day).
Attachment 255830 Attachment 255829

Hey Kirk,

for someone who had less than 100km offroad experiance I had some doubts about how you'd go! Man you soon put those doubts to bed and you were a pleasure to ride with. Well done that man!

**_Shrek_** · 24th January 2012, 21:29

a few pic's
up grade from a bunk room to motel unit! they stuffed up

**_Shrek_** · 24th January 2012, 21:39

1st 3 at waimati, take note on the noob parking

& 3

@ one of the xings

**cooneyr** · 24th January 2012, 21:48

Originally Posted by _Shrek_

1st 3 at waimati, take note on the noob parking

& 3

@ one of the xings

Waimati?! Who's the noob LOL. As a born and bred Waimo (damn I just admitted too it) me thinks you need to learn yourself some spelling. Waimate.

Cheers R

**_Shrek_** · 24th January 2012, 22:06

1st real soft bit of the zig-zag whatastoner & not sure of the other

the cocky thought here comes the sheep shagger from CHCH again

& the onda with only bits for bearings

**_Shrek_** · 24th January 2012, 22:10

Originally Posted by cooneyr

you need to learn yourself some spelling.

no I don't!!! I got you,

**alane** · 24th January 2012, 23:56

[QUOTE=Transalper;1130241083 --------- -----------
3:30pm Moa Creek
up past the falls dam and over the Omarama saddle. Hey Alane aren't chains supposed to be a loop like without ends? ------- -----------

[/QUOTE]

YEP!!!---highly embarrassing---(for the second time)

That was the replacement chain from the first "chain incedent"

that time I let it get---- too slack---run off---& break/bend.
The first " incedent " happened @ lake tennison ,on the way down ,when the "farmers only" (I won,t elaberate

) joining link parted,& we found none of our spare links would fit. ----One thing I learnt,---different chain,s have different pin daiameters.
Anyway ---Devil----(now called "MacIvor) fixed it with number eight wire.
Made a "staple " shape---put that through chain--put sideplate on---bent ends of wire,after cutting them to length,--bend over,--& "Bobs your uncle"

Got all the way through to Hamner on it with the "velvet smoothness " of the Funduro.

Kiwi injun ewety @ it,s best.

Was a hard five & a half days for us four 'Naki,ans.

Left New Plymouth Wed. arvo.
Took 2.30a.m sailing Thurs

Rode up Wiarau valley --did Rainbow --tennison---malling pass.

Did MacDonald downs/ Lees valley --stayed @ Springfield

Went on "pre ride" ride---Big chicken colected firewood ,(which he bought all the way home) after breaking his rack,& spreading "personals" all along the track.---- A big Thanks to those who got it back to him----

Sat---- had a good run really---
Funduro was a "Pig" to get over the Awakino--but made it with a big loss of sweat.-----Chris ,s rack broke on the DR 650.
We had intentions of doing Oldman range/piano flat,but run out of time.
Felt pretty buggered,anyway.

Sun. Oldman range,off,ve menue on acc. of snow dusting.(Just as well,as it turned out)
----don,t know if you were brave or foolish ,to do it Matt & Alf.---

Roads from Alex to Beaumont track were "wonderfull"--& NO DUST.

The snow on the Lammamoor was--an experience---shure turned into an adventure -----not easy to ride ,----when blinded by driveing snow.

In the middle of all that ,Bigchickens Katoom 950 was haveing missfireing/backfireing fits,wich he initially thought was carb, iceing.
Turned out it was a loose battery terminal.

The rest of the run through to the "chain incedent #2 was without drama.

I had to take it easy through the Blackforest as the damaged chain still had a pretty bad kink & was threatening to run off.

Mon. was a big day--run down to Ashburton for repairs/tyres
(Thanks Jeff Marshall Suzuki,for excellent service)
Rode around to Springs Junction/Maruia saddle (smooth)--St Aunaurd---Wairau valley & to 10.30pm sailing @ picton.
Pity we run out of time to do breaburn/Poricka ,as intended--but run out of time.

They said the sailing would be a bit "lumpy" --but none of us know, as we were asleep,---dunno why?----Then hightailed it home,in a cold southerly--TAILWIND-YEA!!. I got inside @ 6.15am--- Buggered--but happy to knock off my third Dusty.
Thanks to all those organisers----your "something else!!!"