South Island Passes Ride 2008

[Jantar]

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.

No, there is no acceptance that riders will crash, or that they will crash badly. We do not accept that at all. I say again, this is NOT a race, it is an adventure ride. We are going into areas of marvelous scenery to see our country. We are not trying to prove any point about who is fastest, or who can manage the trickiest terrain. We'll leave that to the boy racers on the so called Organised Adventure Rides, that are really no more than a trail ride/race.

[windboy]

...We are going into areas of marvelous scenery to see our country. We are not trying to prove any point about who is fastest, or who can manage the trickiest terrain. ...

I'm so in this ride... That's a perfect description of what I wanted the ride to be... Maybe Mr PeteJ has got the wrong idea...?

I'm taking 2 weeks off work and family to take in as much of what the South Island scenary can provide, I'm pleased to be able to join a few that know it well and could perhaps point us to the right direction while we're down that way... So looking forward to it...!

later,

[Zukin]

I agree with Jantar and Cooneyr on this too

PeteJ, you need to get out on some of these KB rides, they are very social events!!
I am not a fast rider by any stretch of the imagination, but I have always felt right at home with those riders that possess the ability to ride quicker than me.(and not only are they faster, but can actually ride better with it, I have learnt so much from these experienced riders just by following them and watching them)

They always stop and wait, and make a point of regrouping at obvious places, and count to make sure everyone is accounted for

The only issue that I can see arise, is if someone elects to do there own thing and head off in a different direction that the group and not tell anyone, then the group realises that they are missing and heads off to look for them
Then the panic can set in for the rest of group searching for this person and that is where issues can arise.

As for insurance, what difference does it make if you are out riding with friends on a Sat afternoon? Nothing because that is exactly what it is

There is no entry fees, there is no indemnity forms and there is no tour organisers, we all participate in setting the route and coming up with the ideas, it just so happens that this trip was done well last year and we are fortunate to be invited next year Thats what mates do

I have not ridden with the South Island riders, but I have met most of them and they are a great bunch of guys and gals, and I can assure you that in the unlikely event that something should happen you will not be left to fend for yourself

So if anyone doesn't think they want to join in on a great trip, then I suggest you either pay the $2500 for an organised ride or stay at home

Cheers Scott

[_Shrek_]

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.

Hiya Pete welcome to the site
i like to ride alone as well but i meet some of these guys when i went down to the PP, we did an adventure ride on the way down & i had only been out riding with 1 of them before & a great bunch to ride with as well

Ruralman, Jantar, Zukin & cooneyr have covered it prety well

i will only be doing a day ride with them when they come up my way
(only if the core group agrees)
Rm & i talked about this & agree that day riders joining in can be a hazard to the group as they have not learnt anything about riding styles etc

if you do decide to go Pete you wont be sorry thats for sure

cheers
keith

[fleethaul]

.....I remember about the first passes ride was the humour. Haven't laughed as much, for 5 days in a row, since who knows when.
Also....
My wife was very impressed with the itinerary, she liked to
know where we were staying at night
and
Considerate riding companions.

The grub was rather good as well.

I'll go again.

[Ruralman]

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.

Probably the right decision for you - be good to meet up with you at some of the overnight stops if you're around at the same time.

[hondav2]

Im In mate, missed last one ,not the next one. Cheers Toddy

[windboy]

Many of you will have read or know about the ride a group of us did over all the Sth Island Passes (26 of them) in Feb 07.
This was a great ride with a core group of 5, joined by an Aussie and a yank for a couple of sections and by many other KB'rs for part days or at our night time stop overs.....

Hi Ruralman,

Had a quick look at your "passes ride daily updates" from this year's ride, what can I say? Can't wait for feb to arrive...

I was planning on making your ride part of a bigger ride around the "mainland". I'm in the middle of sketching a itinerary, could do with a rough route that your ride is going to cover?

As this time you're kicking it off at CHCH so I guess it may be doing a "loop" going north and then South (rough centre at CHCH)?

Thanks in advance for your help mate, look forward to meeting you.

later,

[Ruralman]

Hi Ruralman,

Had a quick look at your "passes ride daily updates" from this year's ride, what can I say? Can't wait for feb to arrive...

I was planning on making your ride part of a bigger ride around the "mainland". I'm in the middle of sketching a itinerary, could do with a rough route that your ride is going to cover?

As this time you're kicking it off at CHCH so I guess it may be doing a "loop" going north and then South (rough centre at CHCH)?

Thanks in advance for your help mate, look forward to meeting you.

later,

Check out post #18 on page 2
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=55004&page=2

The route will be pretty much the same as this although we will probably come back to Sumner rather than stopping at Hamner on day 2 so the trip through Port Hill passes and Mckenzie Country to Naesby isn't quite as big

[mickeyboy]

Hey pilgrams count me in , if not all the passes at least some. Have a job over the summer as a tour guide so will try and escape and cut loose with you dudes. Lets start in CHCH , why ? cause i live here ! What better reason.

Mick

[windboy]

Check out post #18 on page 2
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t=55004&page=2....

Thanks for that ruralman, I must have missed that one before. Reading through the post I realise I need a better map! many of the passes you mentioned don't show in my map (South island kiwi map). Any suggestions on a good south island map showing as many dirt roads as possible?

cheers,

[timg]

Thanks for that ruralman, I must have missed that one before. Reading through the post I realise I need a better map! many of the passes you mentioned don't show in my map (South island kiwi map). Any suggestions on a good south island map showing as many dirt roads as possible?

cheers,

This is a good one. Shows good detail. Got it from Whitcoulls. Cheers, Tim

[tri boy]

Hi Ruralman, Jantar,
I'm still keen on this ride. With regards to speed/fuel range, the Scrambler can make the 240km range but I'm not sure if it will be suitable for sustained high speed(120+) on gravel. That seems like quite a pace to be maintaining.
Windboy, Zukin, young1 etc have been on rides with me, and know that it will go %90 of places that the trail bikes will, but I was after your input to see if it is suitable.
Also, re mufflers. It has Triumph closed circuit pipes on that are noisier than the restricted standard ones. Would they be acceptable? It can get a warrant with them on........just
Thanks.

[Jantar]

The Scrambler will be suitable for this ride. Last year a Suzuki Bandit came with us, and managed all the tougher passes. The 120 kmh mentioned on the gravel was really only sustained on one section which was long, straight and flat. And even then, it was only because it was so tempting, not because we had to.

The only place I would hesitate with the Scrambler is the same section I hesitated on the VStrom (and fell over), but that section is an option as it doesn't involve a pass, just a good steep track.

[tri boy]

Thanks for the info.
Unless something unforeseen develops, I'm a definite starter.
Can't think of a better way to check out Sth Isld passes than riding some with knowledgeable locals.