Looking for route and tyre advice

[greerADV]

So I have this plan to start a tour around the South Island (on the '92 Domi) somewhere in mid-Jan and eventually end up in the North Island. The idea is to eventually ride from Bluff to Cape Reinga and see as much of both islands as possible. While I'd like to call this the "Bluff to Cape Reinga" tour, it'll more realistically be dubbed the "Till the money runs out" tour.

The second part of this brilliant plan is to ride as many point-to-point off-road sections as possible. The attached map is what I'm planning on so far. Green = sealed road, Red = off-road (Trying to be festive )

The third part is to meet up with any KB riders willing to show me around their back yard and take some rides that only the locals know ... and maybe a local pub or two.

So the advice I need is on the route I've mapped out, the route that has yet to be mapped out, and also the best tyre choice for a new rear. From what I've mapped out, I'd like to maintain about the same ratio of on to off-road riding for the entire trip. I don't see myself getting into any seriously muddy or difficult trails, mostly dirt and gravel tracks at decent speed. I wouldn't mind spending $100-130 on a new tyre, but I'd like to get something that won't wear too quick. I know this is a wide open topic, but any suggestions?

Once I get rolling I'll try to keep an updated thread so hopefully I can meet some of you a ride!

Cheers
Andrew

[warewolf]

Dusty Butt thread/s has adventure routes in the top of the South.

The sticky Tyre thread would be the best place for research and questions on tyres. (Plus it would be nice to keep them all in the one spot for ease of use.)

I'll keep an eye on your plan, happy to join in where I can.

[jim.cox]

So the advice I need is on the route I've mapped out, the route that has yet to be mapped out, and also the best tyre choice for a new rear. From what I've mapped out, I'd like to maintain about the same ratio of on to off-road riding for the entire trip. I don't see myself getting into any seriously muddy or difficult trails, mostly dirt and gravel tracks at decent speed. I wouldn't mind spending $100-130 on a new tyre, but I'd like to get something that won't wear too quick. I know this is a wide open topic, but any suggestions?

Bridgestone Trailwings

have always suited me well for this sort of riding.

just my $0.02

[greerADV]

Bridgestone Trailwings

have always suited me well for this sort of riding.

A deal on trademe for some Trailwings is what prompted me to ask the question. I'd been reading on the Sticky tyre thread trying to sort out what people find to be the best. The trailwings seemed to have mixed reviews, but good to know someone has found them to suit my kind of riding.

This is what I'm looking at

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=131990031

Deal ends tonight (I've been given to option to buy it for $68 before 10pm tonight), so trying to sort out what to do.


Warewolf: I've been reading the Dusty Butt as well. Without knowing some of the routes, it's hard sorting out exactly where they are. I'm thinking about adding the Rainbow Rd to the route. Is there a key I'd need to get for some gates? And is it the road that comes out of Hamner Springs and ends up near St Arnaud? I've been playing around on google earth a lot and you can clearly see that entire road.

[jim.cox]

Deal ends tonight (I've been given to option to buy it for $68 before 10pm tonight), so trying to sort out what to do.

For that price I'd say try it and see what you think for yourself.

The only trouble I ever had with them was on really bad clay (Piano Flat to the top of The Old Man) where they clogged up and become slick.

And when the fronts wear they can get rather vague - which you can feel rather than see

What sort of bike are you on?

[greerADV]

What sort of bike are you on?

1992 Honda Dominator

With shipping it'll cost me $86. I haven't really done any pricing yet, but that still seems like a good deal.

[cooneyr]

When you going to do this? There is Lees Valley, Banks Peninsular, the Rainbow, Porika, Breaburn etc etc round the top of south. Have a look at the maps that are linked in the first post of the Dusty Butt Thread to get a better understanding of the locations. I'm more than happy to help re the route. I'll PM my phone number - give me a call some time.

Another option for long dist gravel tyres is the Mita E07. Read the tyre thread for reviews.

Cheers R

[warewolf]

I've been reading the Dusty Butt as well. Without knowing some of the routes, it's hard sorting out exactly where they are.

Um, well there is a turn-by-turn route sheet with distances to the nearest 0.1km that Ryan (and others) painstakingly put together. Plus Ryan has posted images from the topo maps with the route highlighted. How much more do you want??? And did Nordie post a kmz Google Earth file?

There is also the thread for the inaugural attempt in '07.

At this time of year, the Rainbow and Molesworth are open to the public, no keys/permits required. Just be aware that the latter (or both) may close due to fire risk.

[mattsdakar]

Nice bike by the way Andrew,
I owned it's twin brother in London,UK and couried on it for six months. Got very flexible in the legs after throwing a foot over the saddle and topbox 100 times a day! The seat height was great for looking over the top of London cabs etc
Rgds

[greerADV]

Um, well there is a turn-by-turn route sheet with distances to the nearest 0.1km that Ryan (and others) painstakingly put together.

Thanks Warewolf. I obviously missed the route sheet so I'll have to find that and take some notes. I had been just reading through the thread in various places and couldn't make much sense out of all the different names.

Got very flexible in the legs after throwing a foot over the saddle and topbox 100 times a day! The seat height was great for looking over the top of London cabs etc
Rgds

Thanks, I'm loving it so far. I know what you mean about getting flexible! Getting on and off with a pack behind me is a skill I'm still trying to master. I'm finding the seat height useful for peaking over the crest of the one-lane bridges!