DB1k 08 - aka Dusty Butt 08

**cooneyr** · 29th November 2007, 21:44

Originally Posted by JATZ

I'm told the porika's got a bit rough by a guy who does a bit of gold panning up there, mind you he drives an old ambulance, did the maungatapu about a month ago and it's got a bit lumpy up the top

Depends on your perspective

We went through a about three Saturdays ago and it was in fairly "normal" condition for bikes. Couple of branches down that would get in the way of vehicles but nothing major.

Cheers R

**Balrog** · 30th November 2007, 09:52

I took the GS with all the panniers on over the Mangatapu yesterday.
It did seem a bit rougher than it was at the beginning of the year.
Didn't crash this time, but did end up stalling going up one of the steepest bits,
luckily I was almost at the top and was able to get going again.

For the Wellington guys, I'd say the track is harder than the west side of the param track now,
There's more ruts you have to ride over while going up the steep bits.
Requires you to be committed and just go for it.

I think I'll be doing a run over it the day before, so I can try and work out the
best lines for when its all dark

Jim.

**cooneyr** · 30th November 2007, 10:18

Originally Posted by BusaJim

I took the GS with all the panniers on over the Mangatapu yesterday.
It did seem a bit rougher than it was at the beginning of the year.
Didn't crash this time, but did end up stalling going up one of the steepest bits,
luckily I was almost at the top and was able to get going again.

For the Wellington guys, I'd say the track is harder than the west side of the param track now,
There's more ruts you have to ride over while going up the steep bits.
Requires you to be committed and just go for it.

I think I'll be doing a run over it the day before, so I can try and work out the
best lines for when its all dark

Jim.

Maybe we should have a run over the Mangatapu before the meal on the 4th? We could meet at the DB start point (car park) around 3 do a run to the pass and back, then head back to Lambretta's for the meal (or head home for a sleep if you are that way inclined).

Not many people have put their name on the calender event for the meal yet.

Cheers R

**Transalper** · 30th November 2007, 12:17

If we depart at 5:30am again it will be 3/4 light on the Mangatapu this time.

**magicfairy** · 30th November 2007, 13:08

[Not many people have put their name on the Cheers R[/QUOTE]

Can I come to the dinner ?
I dont plan to do the DB but am planning to meet up at a couple of strategic spots, e.g. St Arnaud, Hamner Murchison (depending on the logistics) on my road bike to give encouragment, maybe take some movies / pics of you guys arriving at those stages.
A not so Dusty Butt ride.
Also I could act as a messenger, passing on info to the guys coming behind if needed. And a bit of first Aid, handing out pain killers, antihistamines.
Marie

**cooneyr** · 30th November 2007, 13:15

Originally Posted by magicfairy

Can I come to the dinner ?
I dont plan to do the DB but am planning to meet up at a couple of strategic spots, e.g. St Arnaud, Hamner Murchison (depending on the logistics) on my road bike to give encouragment, maybe take some movies / pics of you guys arriving at those stages.
A not so Dusty Butt ride.
Also I could act as a messenger, passing on info to the guys coming behind if needed. And a bit of first Aid, handing out pain killers, antihistamines.
Marie

Dont be sill, you don't even need to ask, of course can come. Would have wondered whats up if you weren't there! Partners/supporters are most welcome.

Cheers R

**MyGSXF:Me** · 30th November 2007, 13:23

Hey.. when are you lot looking on getting to Nelson???

I am looking to do new years at my place again..

had a ball last year!!!

& of course the Nelson street Racing in on, on the 2nd Jan too!!!

**NordieBoy** · 2nd December 2007, 18:06

Checked out the Baton Ford with a look to replacing all the seal between Taparewa and West Bank Mot River with gravel and it is possible but I'd only try in daylight and have a couple of helpers per bike.

The rocks make it impossible to ride across and the current is quite strong.
It's only knee deep untill you get to the far bank where it is deeper.
Access isn't a problem as there's proper tracks down to it from each side.

**cooneyr** · 2nd December 2007, 20:35

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Lastly - we are think that a meal for all DB participants on the evening of Friday the 4th would be a good idea. At this stage the restaurant is Lambrettas in Nelson. if you have any other good suggestions then let me know. If you are keen please put your name on calender event that can be found here.

Cheers R

Meal Update -
Been talking to Warewolf who has kindly offered to host a BBQ at his place for the meal on the 4th Jan. It is BYO everything except for cutlery and plates etc. Send Warewolf a PM to get his address. See you all there around 5:30pm.

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Checked out the Baton Ford with a look to replacing all the seal between Taparewa and West Bank Mot River with gravel and it is possible but I'd only try in daylight and have a couple of helpers per bike.

The rocks make it impossible to ride across and the current is quite strong.
It's only knee deep untill you get to the far bank where it is deeper.
Access isn't a problem as there's proper tracks down to it from each side.

Sounds like it might be a bit much for the 1 dayers. If you want to take the 2 dayers through thats your call. Looks like it might be a wee bit tough for attempting at 2am. Thanks for checking it out, maybe you could include it in the "Tasman Dust Buster".

Cheers R

**JATZ** · 3rd December 2007, 19:55

Just out of curiosity, what sort of speeds should I be averaging, say, through the molesworth/rainbow to get to st arnaud by the end of the day, if I was doing the 2 day ride,

**cooneyr** · 3rd December 2007, 20:48

Originally Posted by JATZ

Just out of curiosity, what sort of speeds should I be averaging, say, through the molesworth/rainbow to get to st arnaud by the end of the day, if I was doing the 2 day ride,

Well the speed limit is 50 kph through the Molesworth and Rainbow sooooooo.

This is a kinda hard to answer - you can look at it two ways. It is about 550kms from Nelson to St Arnaud so if you average 50kph over the day you need 10.5 hours total. The other way to look at it is can you keep up with the others when on the good gravel i.e. 100ish on straights? Doing it by yourself is not recommended - see the posts at the beginning of the thread.

Maybe you should organise to go for a ride with Nordieboy or one of the others so you get a feel for how fast we ride? If you are comfortable on gravel then it probably not an issue.

Cheers R

**JATZ** · 3rd December 2007, 20:59

Just wondering as I went through the dry weather rd and over the porika on sunday and only managed about 40km/h average, however I'll ditch the road tyres before Jan. As you said Porika wasn't to bad, still managed to come home minus a mirror due to lack of traction :-)

**cooneyr** · 3rd December 2007, 21:03

Originally Posted by JATZ

Just wondering as I went through the dry weather rd and over the porika on sunday and only managed about 40km/h average, however I'll ditch the road tyres before Jan. As you said Porika wasn't to bad, still managed to come home minus a mirror due to lack of traction :-)

Well the Porika is pretty rough and the Dry Weather Road is tight and windy so neither compare to the Molesworth or Rainbow very well. If you averaged 40kph over those two tracks/road then your are probably doing fine.

Cheers R

**NordieBoy** · 4th December 2007, 07:34

Originally Posted by JATZ

Just wondering as I went through the dry weather rd and over the porika on sunday and only managed about 40km/h average, however I'll ditch the road tyres before Jan. As you said Porika wasn't to bad, still managed to come home minus a mirror due to lack of traction :-)

I just cruise on gravel and will be stopping for photos regularly.

If you're confidant enough to get through the Maungatapu and Porika tracks then the rest won't be an issue.

I only learned to ride gravel properly(ish) a month after the Dusty this year.

A nice loop from Mot would be Rosedale Hill, Jacobs Ladder, Baton Valley return, Sunday Creek, Jacobs Ladder, Rosedale Hill and back to Mot. Maybe with Mt Arthur thrown in for good measure.