Jatz's travels

**Night Falcon** · 11th March 2015, 16:41

Originally Posted by 10bikekid

This seemed to be a theme for the weekend,

any idea of what caused it?

I have this theory: most punctures I've seen (pure luck -never had one myself on the trail) where pinched tubes from low tire pressures, usually cos they've been let them down for better grip - so my theory is keep them inflated and ride slower.....famous last words most likely.

**10bikekid** · 11th March 2015, 17:20

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

any idea of what caused it?

I have this theory: most punctures I've seen (pure luck -never had one myself on the trail) where pinched tubes from low tire pressures, usually cos they've been let them down for better grip - so my theory is keep them inflated and ride slower.....famous last words most likely.

Cant say for sure as mine is the Black one but that sounds reasonable, tube was not a heavy duty and was split (no sign of external puncture)

**Night Falcon** · 11th March 2015, 22:12

Originally Posted by 10bikekid

Cant say for sure as mine is the Black one but that sounds reasonable, tube was not a heavy duty and was split (no sign of external puncture)

What'd ya have to re-inflate the tire? .....sorry for thread hi jack but I love to find out from folks that actually carry and use what works for them - that's good intel for a tire noob like me. Do you carry spare tubes (font & rear or just /font?) or patches.

Do tell all please .

**JATZ** · 12th March 2015, 20:33

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

any idea of what caused it?

I have this theory: most punctures I've seen (pure luck -never had one myself on the trail) where pinched tubes from low tire pressures, usually cos they've been let them down for better grip - so my theory is keep them inflated and ride slower.....famous last words most likely.

I'm pretty sure mine was an old patch that gave way. I couldn't feel or see anything in the tyre (but I didn't have my specs

)
Re tyre pressure... I've found a happy medium, and thats where it stays. I can't be bothered faffing around during riding time, mostly, just ride appropriately

(slow)

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

What'd ya have to re-inflate the tire? .....sorry for thread hi jack but I love to find out from folks that actually carry and use what works for them - that's good intel for a tire noob like me. Do you carry spare tubes (font & rear or just /font?) or patches.

Do tell all please .

Carry a bike pump, and usually a puncture repair kit + tools to do the job. On long trips I carry a couple of spare tubes (1 front, 1 rear) simply because I have the space and I can

**Moi** · 16th March 2015, 12:36

Last year you introduced us to Bacon and then his replacement, George. I introduced Bacon to some of the less impressionable girls in my senior English class.

On the last day of the year and my teaching career - retirement kicked in! - I was presented with KitDaCat who has been charged with the responsibility of keeping me in order when travelling. His first time was accompanying a mate and myself as we rode the Northern Odyssey on two sccoters - a Vespa PX200 and a Piaggio MP3-400. Later this year he gets to go to Europe...

Please meet Kit...

Cheers.

**JATZ** · 16th March 2015, 19:20

Pleased to make his acquaintance....

It just adds something to a ride when you've got a passenger. Also means there's someone to blame when things go titsup

**JATZ** · 16th March 2015, 20:46

I had a couple of things to do back over in Golden Bay yesterday, so threw some tools and George in the tank bag, leaving no room for the cooker and misc items

After a brief wait at the servo to see if anyone else was coming, they weren't

I geared up and plugged in,

2 words.... Senn Heiser

And we made our way over the hill. Waaaaay less cloud on the other side and it looked like it was going to be a magic day

A brief stop at the bottom to faff about with the GPS

Across the Takaka river...

and we headed up/over/out towards the Cobb power house and dam. The road in is kinda narrow in places

Forcing you to keep your mind on the job, other wise it could go horribly wrong

Still... it would've been a nice day for a dip in the river

We stopped briefly at the power house, just to take a pic

And continued on, winding sinuously upwards

Stopping only to soak up the view of the back of Mt Arthur

Emerging onto the ridge top, time for another photo stop

Here's what the Cobb lake looked like today...

And a quick hoon backwards in a time machine.... it looked like this...

We carried on down the other side

And followed the road along the lake edge. Crickey the levels are low

Leaving the lake behind

we continued on to the road end and Trilobite hut. not a bad spot for a hut

We didn't stop long there, just long enough to do some more fiddling with the gps and have a drink of water, the day was warming up

Time to retrace our steps.... although I couldn't resist shooting up here

And going for a hoon down the airstrip

I thought this tree trunk was pretty cool, in a gnarled sort of way

After a pleasant ride back out to the main rd, looking briefly at the Barons flat track and deciding it wasn't on the itinerary. Besides which, caffeine levels were perilously close to bottoming out, we made our way into Takaka town for a spinach/feta and cashew pinwheel and the required caffeine at the Wholemeal cafe. Yum.

**JATZ** · 16th March 2015, 21:30

With a full belly, and a light heart we continued on, leaving Takaka town behind. Geared up for phase II of the itinerary

We headed out towards Collingwood and turned off down Plain rd. Stopping at the turnoff to our next mission for the day, to play with the gps.....again

but I think i got it sorted

Past the milking shed, the angry dog seems to have disappeared

I was all geared up and ready for him to come leaping out from behind a tractor and snap at my wheels/feet but I guess he's gone to another place

It just seemed strange to not see him.
We rode quietly through the farm, glad there was no gates to open and close, and reached the next turnoff

Up the hill on the left and along the track

It was in pretty good nick too

We carried on, taking notes and looking around, and I took us up a wee side track to a high point. Through a little puddle that had a very soft bottom and was waaaay deeper than it looked

You cant see it in the pic, but there's a small rock step at the top of the rise that required some commitment to get up

Nice view though

There's a lake up there too

We continued on, taking pics and making the occasional note. Looking down the odd side track

The condition of the track was still pretty good

in a mildly gnarly sort of way...

The last little downhill before coming back out onto farmland

You know...... I think I've been here before

George was complaining about being thirsty, so I had to take care of that. I wish he'd learn to take care of himself sometimes. Somebody pointed out that he seems to have put on a bit of weight too

He'll have to start exercising more

Anyway, we went for a ride around Collingwood, just to see if anything was new

The tide was in.... thats about it.
And carried on, stopping at the Mussel Inn for a Captain Cooker.

and a chat to a couple on a Harley who were off to Queenstown for some rally thingy. I should've asked them how they feel about waving to other motorcyclists, guess I missed my chance

Then it was time to plug back in for a gentle ride back over the hill and home.

**_Shrek_** · 16th March 2015, 21:46

Originally Posted by JATZ

We carried on, taking notes and looking around, and I took us up a wee side track to a high point. Through a little puddle that had a very soft bottom and was waaaay deeper than it looked

at least there's no dear fence's to park on

nice country there Jatz

**Woodman** · 16th March 2015, 21:54

Good, wish I had joined you now

**NordieBoy** · 17th March 2015, 07:08

On a related subject, anyone want to host Bacon for a while? He's going off a little here, getting a bit smelly.
He's also eating all my muesli.
Worse than a teenager.

**Moi** · 17th March 2015, 07:13

That road up to the Cobb powerhouse and even beyond is perfect for scooters... not too sure about some of those other bits though...

We are lucky to have such magnificent scenery on our backdoor step, so-to-speak.

**JATZ** · 17th March 2015, 20:46

Originally Posted by Moi

That road up to the Cobb powerhouse and even beyond is perfect for scooters... not too sure about some of those other bits though...

We are lucky to have such magnificent scenery on our backdoor step, so-to-speak.

I'm sure it would be good scooterin. Ya got me thinking now....

Originally Posted by _Shrek_

at least there's no dear fence's to park on

nice country there Jatz

I try to avoid parking the bike on funny angles in inappropriate places, unlike you big fullah

Originally Posted by Woodman

Good, wish I had joined you now

Next time..... perhaps.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

On a related subject, anyone want to host Bacon for a while? He's going off a little here, getting a bit smelly.
He's also eating all my muesli.
Worse than a teenager.

Cant have him eating all your muesli. I may be going to Hanmer this weekend, or Kaikoura for some R&R, either way I'll be heading through the Rainbow. I'd be happy to take the little porker for a ride, again. Unless someone else want's to show him the sights.
George says he doesn't mind sharing space in the tank bag