South Island Passes Ride 2008

[zeRax]

been meaning to send you a pm about that tank nordie, see if can jimmy it up somehow, ill tell u when im coming to nelson next and see if ur avaliable to catch up with :>?

edit: and yes, currently range is pretty balls. usually sit 120-130 and get 150km before reserve :\

[RedKLR650]

I've got a large Acerbis XR600 tank that should fit the XR250 (fits my XR350 rolling chassis) and get about 5000km (no idea on it's size actually) if you need to borrow it

I thought the KLR tank was good at 23 litre, but where can I get one of these supertanks that will give me a 5000km range Nordie ?

Stu

[Ruralman]

There is no reason why a 250 wouldn't make it, but there are a few things that you do need to keep in mind.

Last year, we started most days at between 8:00 and 9:00 am and travelled at only slightly above the legal speed limit. But we maintained that 100 - 110 kmh irrespective of how steep the hills were. On the gravel sections we generally rode fairly hard also. Each evening we would get to our destination between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, so they were long hard days. A 250 that is capable of cruising at the legal speed limit will be able to manage that part quite OK.

.

You're being a bit PC on those speeds Jantar - I didn't think we could cop a fine this long after the event!!. I seem to remember one particular 650 having to work reasonably hard to keep up(mine) - especially when you get the stretch effect when a group of bikes start passing things and the first ones get away a bit and the later ones have to play catch up to get back in the group.
The fuel range thing is important though - even if it means some having to carry a can - extra stops soak up a lot of time

[philb]

Hi, I have only just joined the KB site but really like the sound of the above ride .By the sound of it you may already have enough people interested.
If not who do I contact to see about joining.
cheers, Phil

[NordieBoy]

been meaning to send you a pm about that tank nordie, see if can jimmy it up somehow, ill tell u when im coming to nelson next and see if ur avaliable to catch up with :>?

No problem.
Come over via Queen Charlotte and the Maungatapu

[Jantar]

Hi, I have only just joined the KB site but really like the sound of the above ride .By the sound of it you may already have enough people interested.
If not who do I contact to see about joining.
cheers, Phil

See post #44 in this thread:

Last time round we planned for 5 to 8 riders, and that number was manageable. This year it looks like quite a bit of additional interest, so we may need to make a few changes to ensure that everyone is able to complete it OK. Some ideas that have already been floated are to: increase it from 5 to 6 days and include the Mangatapu track and Takaka hills as options while reducing the riding time each day by around 1 hour; split the ride into two groups of 6 - 8 riders with each group only responsible for its own riders and timetable and having a common get together at the end of each day; etc.

Other ideas of how to manage extra riders are always welcome.

Remember that this ride has no backup, no registration costs etc, but that I will pre book accomadation on behalf of those confirming. If the ride gets too big then we may need to pre plan everything, arrange backup and set an up front all-inclusive fee. I feel that would ruin the feel of it as being a true adventure ride.

[PeteJ]

Just a comment about group riding and me: I prefer to ride away from a group on any road/track other than in the real offroad back country, one of the reasons being that mentioned above - groups are fiendishly difficult to organise.

I have every intention of spending much of my time riding solo on the passes ride, meeting up serendipitously (ie only occasionally and by chance) at fuel and meal breaks, and then properly at the end of each day at our rest places.

If that makes me too much of a weird bastard to participate, then let me know pronto.

[NordieBoy]

Isn't the subtitle of the passes ride "Weird bastards only"?

[Ruralman]

Just a comment about group riding and me: I prefer to ride away from a group on any road/track other than in the real offroad back country, one of the reasons being that mentioned above - groups are fiendishly difficult to organise.

I have every intention of spending much of my time riding solo on the passes ride, meeting up serendipitously (ie only occasionally and by chance) at fuel and meal breaks, and then properly at the end of each day at our rest places.

If that makes me too much of a weird bastard to participate, then let me know pronto.

One the reasons for riding in a group is that we can look out for each other, especially on the backcountry gravel rides where 0800Helicopter doesn't work 'cos your cell phones useless. Some of us actually like talking to each other when we stop for lunch, a drink, or to take a photo or just stop and admire the view.
If you don't want to be part of the group during the ride then just do your own thing totally and if you end up staying at the same place we'll be happy to have a beer with you and talk about the day.
The group wasn't fiendishly difficult to organise - apart from a couple of minor glitches our systems worked very well and very simply. Being a much larger group this time (subject to confirmation) then Jantar's idea of splitting it into two groups functioning as we did last time should work just as well.

What does really piss people off though is when someone joins up to be part of a group ride and keeps fucking off on their own and no one knows where they are, whether they're OK etc etc, whether to wait..... If you are going to do that then its probably better not to join up but do your own thing from the start.

[windboy]

...Some ideas that have already been floated are to: increase it from 5 to 6 days and include the Mangatapu track and Takaka hills as options while reducing the riding time each day by around 1 hour; split the ride into two groups of 6 - 8 riders with each group only responsible for its own riders and timetable and having a common get together at the end of each day; etc......

That sounds pretty reasonable to me. Some of us coming from "overseas" (ie N. Island) want to make the most of the pilgimage and this South Island Passes ride will just be a part of a larger ride around the "mainland"; no need to rush it. Maybe it's time to register who's coming on a calendar thingy...?

later,

[SlipperyOZ]

One the reasons for riding in a group is that we can look out for each other, especially on the backcountry gravel rides where 0800Helicopter doesn't work 'cos your cell phones useless. Some of us actually like talking to each other when we stop for lunch, a drink, or to take a photo or just stop and admire the view.

Ye and it's especially funny when a group of us stop for lunch while we let the Duck01 keep riding up the Molesworth on his own Count me in Jantar unless i tell you otherwise... I need a bike. Might be time for a NZ keeper

[PeteJ]

What does really piss people off though is when someone joins up to be part of a group ride and keeps fucking off on their own and no one knows where they are, whether they're OK etc etc, whether to wait..... If you are going to do that then its probably better not to join up but do your own thing from the start.

Well, I'd better be forthright about all this, then.

1. My last comment:

It depends how closely to each other you ride in "the group".

I am happy to race - have been doing so successfully in organised race meetings for decades, and still do - but I get scared shitless by riding on the road with people who think they are racing, can't race, and endanger me.

I would have thought that your only concern, given the outline I discerned from above re accommodation, was if someone did not turn up at a planned overnight stay and there was a problem with paying for a non-show.

2. Another matter altogether:

If you are actually planning a more organised run than that, you'd better be thinking about organisers' insurance for bike and equipment damage. How much responsibility do you want to take over and above the usual concerns for any fellow rider?

I am not trying to piss on the parade, but I have been running MNZ sanctioned events since the mid 70s, and am aware not only of all the liability issues but also of the way coroners' inquests go.

[cooneyr]

Well, I'd better be forthright about all this, then.

1. My last comment:

It depends how closely to each other you ride in "the group".

I am happy to race - have been doing so successfully in organised race meetings for decades, and still do - but I get scared shitless by riding on the road with people who think they are racing, can't race, and endanger me.

I would have thought that your only concern, given the outline I discerned from above re accommodation, was if someone did not turn up at a planned overnight stay and there was a problem with paying for a non-show.

2. Another matter altogether:

If you are actually planning a more organised run than that, you'd better be thinking about organisers' insurance for bike and equipment damage. How much responsibility do you want to take over and above the usual concerns for any fellow rider?

I am not trying to piss on the parade, but I have been running MNZ sanctioned events since the mid 70s, and am aware not only of all the liability issues but also of the way coroners' inquests go.

This is not my ride but having organised a couple of long distance rides and having crashed on the Rainbow road earlier this year I am a very concerned at the implication of these comments. I think you need to move away from the road racing in a populated place mentality and think more like a tramper/hunter/climber/outdoorsman mentality where there is no immediate support i.e. much of this ride.

Many of the roads that this ride is traveling are isolated with absolutely no support available. If the group takes the attitude that you are going to do you own thing for the day and only meet in the evening then you are being a little foolish and taking a huge unnecessary risk. Geek speak for you - risk is a function of probability and consequence. Probability may be low but consequence is extremely high especially given the isolation. If anybody crashes or had bike problems they could be left for hours unless there is some sort of group structure.

I crashed and broke my neck back in April and was riding in a group. It took about 10 mins for the rest of the group to find me (I was last in the group) and 3 hours for the chopper to turn up by the time they stabilised me, rode out to get help and the chopper flew in. You dont even need to be in the "mountains" for this to be an issue. Travelling along the west cost there is not a lot of cell reception and basically everywhere you look there is a hiding place for a crashed motorcycle.

Also with respect to the organisation and insurance. Since when has a person who suggested a casual ride for a bunch of mates had to worry about insurance. If you were to go for a ride with a bunch of mates would you expect the person who suggested it to provide insurance for the others on the ride. KB is not a formal club rather a "telephone" for organising these sorts of rides.

/Rant

Sorry for the hijack but having been into climbing and tramping for about 15 years where safety is drummed in I'm kinda tainted and I don't see motorcycling being any different when you are out and about in remote areas.

Back to you Jantar/Ruralman.

Cheers R

[PeteJ]

R - points are accepted - I, too have been a tramper and climber, and competed in plenty of motorcycling events other than roadrace.

But, yes, there are plenty of instances in NZ of formal claims being made against "informal" events organisers. That is exactly why many societies incorporate.

My next beef is this casual acceptance that riders will crash badly. If you accept that is going to happen, then there are consequences. Yes, you must have backup. Yes, you need to have a good look at liability.

Yes, count me out. Because the only reason for riders crashing badly is that they are riding outside their ability to control events. And I am not having one of them take me with them.

[Jantar]

I am happy to race - have been doing so successfully in organised race meetings for decades, and still do - but I get scared shitless by riding on the road with people who think they are racing, can't race, and endanger me.

This is NOT a race. We are on public roads or tracks the whole time and although it is hard riding there is no incentive to be the fastest. Last year it was common to see another rider coming up behind, and just moving to the left and wave him through. Everyone rides at a pace that they are comfortable with, and the only thing we do ask in a group like this is that each rider sights the headlight of the next rider at least once every two minutes. If you don't see another headlight behind you, then stop. If another minute goes by with no headlight then turn aroung and go back. That way no-one is left behind, and even if the TEC has a mishap the whole group will converge on the last known sighting within a few minutes.

2. Another matter altogether:

If you are actually planning a more organised run than that, you'd better be thinking about organisers' insurance for bike and equipment damage. How much responsibility do you want to take over and above the usual concerns for any fellow rider?

I am not trying to piss on the parade, but I have been running MNZ sanctioned events since the mid 70s, and am aware not only of all the liability issues but also of the way coroners' inquests go.

Again, this is an supported ride. No backup etc and in some of the most remote areas of the South Island. It is NOT a race, and there is no similarity at all with MNZ sactioned events.