DB1k 2010 ideas thread

[cooneyr]

Another idea mooted at the end of the 2008 run was to have a Central/North Otago based ride. I had a look on the maps back then and recon that a route with more than 50% gravel/dirt would be possible ranging from the Nevis in the south to Mackenzies Pass in the north. Would people prefer to go south and base themselves in say Alex, or Ranfurly or Otematata or thereabouts? Is it time to shift it south or do we stick with the northern SI route?

Cheers R

[JATZ]

Another idea mooted at the end of the 2008 run was to have a Central/North Otago based ride. I had a look on the maps back then and recon that a route with more than 50% gravel/dirt would be possible ranging from the Nevis in the south to Mackenzies Pass in the north. Would people prefer to go south and base themselves in say Alex, or Ranfurly or Otematata or thereabouts? Is it time to shift it south or do we stick with the northern SI route?

Cheers R

"I don't care where so long as I'm there ha ha ha chuckle"--T. Shadbolt, Invergigle mayor

[NordieBoy]

We've had it up here for the last 3 years. Time for some new trails?

[Paladin]

2010 will be my first DB, but I don't see why moving it around should be a problem, maybe rotation of routes over 3 years over northern, central and southern routes.

[BMWST?]

be aware too that the rainbow rage MTB thing is early March ussually.St arnaud will be chocka friday night,and hamner will be busy sat night,not to mention there will be mountain bikes strung from one end of rainbow to the other on staurday

[jezzaNZ]

Another idea mooted at the end of the 2008 run was to have a Central/North Otago based ride. I had a look on the maps back then and recon that a route with more than 50% gravel/dirt would be possible ranging from the Nevis in the south to Mackenzies Pass in the north. Would people prefer to go south and base themselves in say Alex, or Ranfurly or Otematata or thereabouts? Is it time to shift it south or do we stick with the northern SI route?

Cheers R

Sounds like a plan, that way I would get to deal to my unfinished business with the Nevis and Dunstan!!!! Just a thought, base it in Twizel and take the following rought - Twizel - across Tekapo river to Halden Arm - Black Forrest Rd - Danseys - Ranfurly - Dunstan Trail - Lake Onslow - Roxburgh - Nevis - Queenstown (late lunch) - something in between - Tarras - Thompsons - St Bathans - Omarama Saddle - Twizel.

Probably need a little more gravel in between tracks listed above especially from Garston. Would make for a big exciting day with plenty of water crossings and Omarama Saddle in the dark.......yeh baby!

Just my 2 cents worth. Jez

[cooneyr]

....rainbow rage MTB thing...

Thanks for the reminder but I'm aware of that one having done it twice. Motorpeddly is much more fun and less painful!

Sounds like a plan, that way I would get to deal to my unfinished business with the Nevis and Dunstan!!!! Just a thought, base it in Twizel and take the following rought - Twizel - across Tekapo river to Halden Arm - Black Forrest Rd - Danseys - Ranfurly - Dunstan Trail - Lake Onslow - Roxburgh - Nevis - Queenstown (late lunch) - something in between - Tarras - Thompsons - St Bathans - Omarama Saddle - Twizel.

Probably need a little more gravel in between tracks listed above especially from Garston. Would make for a big exciting day with plenty of water crossings and Omarama Saddle in the dark.......yeh baby!

Just my 2 cents worth. Jez

Haha love the bit highlighted above. The something in between bit is the bain of the DB1k route. Gravel roads are becomming to few and far between for us adv riders. I've got an initial route planned from my mucking around this time last year that is something along those lines. I'll try and find it tonight but I think from memory that travelling 1000km without adding in silly track backs and wandering loops is the challange. Also it needs to be more than just blasting along long gravel roads i.e. Haldon/Haka etc, we need some fun stuff like the Old woman range, Carricktown, Omarama Saddle etc. I recon the challange of the Mangatapu, Altimarlock, Porika, Maruia Saddle, and Mt Arthur are what make the DB better and more interesting that the 1000 mile DB the yanks do.

One of the key things we need to think about time of passing through various tracks/properties and also the availability of fuel. I'd much prefer not to have to arrange special permission for track access and arrange fuel dumps if at all possible.

Keep the ideas and feedback comming. The more input I get the more I can tailor it to what people want to do The best bit is that I will have to go and ride the route to put together the roll chart and check that it is all doable

Cheers R

[buggsubique]

What about staggered start locations? I know it wouldn't be as social, but if you had a small handful of riders from each region you could start in your own location, or the nearest part of the route and do your own lap, returning to your own location.

It would be a different ride for everyone (Porika in the dark?) and as such we'd get a range of ride reports.

For example, I thought about starting from home here in Blenheim and finishing here also. Saves the trip and accomm in Nelson.

I expect this idea to get mixed opinions.

[cooneyr]

What about staggered start locations? I know it wouldn't be as social, but if you had a small handful of riders from each region you could start in your own location, or the nearest part of the route and do your own lap, returning to your own location.

It would be a different ride for everyone (Porika in the dark?) and as such we'd get a range of ride reports.

For example, I thought about starting from home here in Blenheim and finishing here also. Saves the trip and accomm in Nelson.

I expect this idea to get mixed opinions.

Besides the social aspect there is one problem with this being the hours when you can go through various routes. The Molesworth and Rainbow are prime examples in that you cannot get through the gates before 7pm or after 7pm. This is a key reason why we cannot simply run the DB1k route backwards without some tinkering such as starting in Murcheson or thereabouts. Also if people start where they want and have this timing issue we then potentiall have people travelling the "wrong" way which becomes a safety issue.

Cheers R

[junkmanjoe]

just a tought.
but is it possable to do a coast to coast.....
do i hear you

sorry for being a northener.....

hmmm that gives me an idea.........

[jezzaNZ]

Thanks for the reminder but I'm aware of that one having done it twice. Motorpeddly is much more fun and less painful!



Also it needs to be more than just blasting along long gravel roads i.e. Haldon/Haka etc, we need some fun stuff like the Old woman range, Carricktown, Omarama Saddle etc.
Cheers R

I totally agree Ryan, ridding Danseys, Haka etc can get pretty boring after 2 or 3 times and something a little more technical would be preferable. Keeping in mind that the 160 odd km's through Molesworth and rainbow of the 09 Dusty was at a fast pace, consideration will be needed in how nuch time is need to tackle the more technical parts. For example Thompsans track would not be as fast as the Breaburn etc.

Another thought is the the more north the HQ is the better for those of us traveling down from the north......just saying thats all.

[Crisis management]

Another thought is the the more north the HQ is the better for those of us traveling down from the north......just saying thats all.

I agree with this, I'm hoping to do the DB next summer but it's touch & go at present and if it goes further south it really wouldnt be worth it for me. Actually, why not move it to central north island then it's even easier for me!



Ok, Ok, I'll shut up now.....

[warewolf]

Rainbow Rage is 20 March 2010.

There's also the Waiau School trailride 27-28 March 2010. Won't impact the DB route, but it's something a few of us dirtier advers should go to.

Keep the ideas coming, think of this as brainstorming, don't hold back.

[Transalper]

...this timing issue we then potentially have people travelling the "wrong" way which becomes a safety issue.

Cheers R

Is this any different to this years run with us trying to pick the best lines to cross the deep rain ruts etc while climbing up Mt Altimarlock when half a dozen others were trying to use the same lines to get back down the mountain?

[jezzaNZ]

You got it TA, the golden rule for organised trail rides is never ride in the opposite direction....ever. I seem to remember almost hitting Matt or Ian on the Maruia Saddle as they was coming back over on their way back to Nelson.

If possible have one single loop with no duplication of route....now there is a challange Ryan......