DB1k 2010 ideas thread

[Transalper]

You still can't stop other public traffic though, so the risk is still there, worse if you are rushing. Off seal it's all single lane width - two way roading, but that mountain with limited choices was an ass clincher as some of those big bikes were bearing down at me.

[jezzaNZ]

Totaly agree as they are all 2 way public roads but given we were the only users on a lot of them, I think the I would greatly reduce the odds of an accident.

Unfortunatly you are always going to heve a wide range of riding abilities and speeds on such events and it is up to the person who is passing to respect the other slower riders and not to roost the poor buggers.........

Hey at the end of the day I am not that fussed where or how we ride this event as long as we all have a great experience and can drink lots of beer afterwards and talk shit........Jez

[zeRax]

oh no!, if im to do it on a small cc bike id much rather it be the same track we know so far , EEP

[Racing Dave]

Keep left
Ride to the conditions
Pay attention

All basic stuff...

[cooneyr]

....coast to coast...

There use to be a 4x4 coast to coast event but not sure if that is still running. Not really that challenging though as it would have to involve lots of seal. Our hills and valleys significantly limit route choices.

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.

When I put together the last route I spent a bit of time estimated the travel times for each section depending on bendyness, surface etc and then included times for stops. I estimated 20 hours which is the average time for the first year but it seems to have come down a little!!

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....

Point taken but the best way to solve this may be to have two or three routes and move around them. We have used the northern route for three years now.

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

You've got the idea. Thanks for the info on the RR and the trail ride.

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

I've had a bit of a look at a otago route and think this may be possible. Still working on developing the route and understanding the seal vs gravel proportion, fuel distances etc.

You still can't stop other public traffic though, so the risk is still there, worse if you are rushing. Off seal it's all single lane width - two way roading, but that mountain with limited choices was an ass clincher as some of those big bikes were bearing down at me.

I agree that we all need to still take care when doing the ride but not having a route that involves both directions on the same road/track has got to be a good thing.

Cheers R

[Woodman]

Keep left
Ride to the conditions
Pay attention

All basic stuff...

What he said

[MXNUT]

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.

Same would apply to me i think, Central or Otago is just too far south.

[NordieBoy]

What he said

Watch out for trees.

[Padmei]

Same would apply to me i think, Central or Otago is just too far south.

same here. xmas in Nelson with the family this year. I may have to leave Otago ride for another time...

[Racing Dave]

In a word, variety. The more technical sections (Mangatapu, Black Birch, Porika x 2, even the corrugated Flora Saddle, and on a big bike they felt quite technical indeed), were well separated by the easier and more open sections, where heart and breathing returned to normal, and average speed improved. At various times I'd ridden the whole course, but never at one shot, so the chance to make a long day out of the route was most enjoyable, and certainly tiring, but in a good way.

If a more southern route is decided, I think it's important to keep the same principle of a mixed bag of difficult and straight forward sections. I would oppose, however, the suggestion that Big River be included, as it's just too narrow, rough, and most of all blind, to risk the two-way traffic. Of course a single full loop would be desirable and preferred, but in the real world we can only ride what is available, and 1000 km is a very long way when you're trying to keep the sealed portion to a minimum, yet not have any there-and-back additions.

Likewise, it's going to be impossible to pick a date and route that will suit all interested riders, so no doubt in due course, and taking into account all the suggestions given, you'll have to make a plan and it'll either work for each person, or not. That's why I went early for this year's DB1k, I couldn't get leave from work to ride on the day chosen. But no big deal, apart from the camaraderie missed, I still had a great day out.

Hopefully for 2010 I can get time off, but if not...the same again, I'll ride it when I can.

Cheers,
Dave B

[cooneyr]

In a word, variety. The more technical sections (Mangatapu, Black Birch, Porika x 2, even the corrugated Flora Saddle, and on a big bike they felt quite technical indeed), were well separated by the easier and more open sections, where heart and breathing returned to normal, and average speed improved. At various times I'd ridden the whole course, but never at one shot, so the chance to make a long day out of the route was most enjoyable, and certainly tiring, but in a good way.

If a more southern route is decided, I think it's important to keep the same principle of a mixed bag of difficult and straight forward sections. I would oppose, however, the suggestion that Big River be included, as it's just too narrow, rough, and most of all blind, to risk the two-way traffic. Of course a single full loop would be desirable and preferred, but in the real world we can only ride what is available, and 1000 km is a very long way when you're trying to keep the sealed portion to a minimum, yet not have any there-and-back additions.

Likewise, it's going to be impossible to pick a date and route that will suit all interested riders, so no doubt in due course, and taking into account all the suggestions given, you'll have to make a plan and it'll either work for each person, or not. That's why I went early for this year's DB1k, I couldn't get leave from work to ride on the day chosen. But no big deal, apart from the camaraderie missed, I still had a great day out.

Hopefully for 2010 I can get time off, but if not...the same again, I'll ride it when I can.

Cheers,
Dave B

Well said Dave re mixed bag and date. Big river wont be included any time soon - as you said too tight and blind as well as all the seal to get there.

I'm still pottering withing a Otago route just so I have an idea up my sleave. I agree that the ride needs to be a mix of challanges and easy going and so far this is looking good. I'm also trying to include a couple of scenic spots and some nice flowing gravel roads. I'm still thinking though fuel stop spacings, and the starting point so that we are not waking up the locals at either end of the day as we roar past. So far the route has only a little bit of overlap (will be a either end of the day) but no back tracking (in and out)

We respect to location I'm inclined to head to Otago as we have used the Marlbrough/Tasman route for three years now and I'm inclined to offer those who have had ago at the DB a new route in preferance to staying in the same place for those who haven't done the DB yet. In saying this the most diplomatic way to decide this would be to run a poll. If I am happy that the Otago route is a good one then I'll start a poll - watch this space. If I can't come up with a good Otago routem, I'll think further about how we can reverse the Marlbrough/Tasman route so there is some difference to the route and still work in with the opening hours for the Rainbow and Molesworth

Cheers R

[Racing Dave]

Here are my thoughts on routes that might make up a southern version. Obviously far longer than necessary, but shows that the sealed part can easily be brought down below one third of the distance, there are plenty of choices (including several not mentioned in this route, eg Lake Onslow, the eastern half of the Old Dunstan Trail, roads around Lake Mahinerangi), and that the more difficult parts can be ridden in daylight.

Just suggestions for Ryan, who no doubt has already considered most if not all of them. I'm purely joining them up to see what might work.

Start and finish in Methven, cumulative distances estimated only, with the course as follows:

Methven to Glenfalloch Station, via Double Hill Run Road, 70 km (20 km sealed).

Glenfalloch to Lake Heron Station, via private 4WD track (usually $10 fee to pay), 95 km (20 sealed).

Lake Heron to Mount Somers township, via Hakatere and Ashburton Gorge Road, 145 km (45 km sealed).

Mt Somers to Geraldine via mix of roads, 220 km (75 km sealed).

Geraldine to Cave via The Brothers (4WD track, paper road) 300 km (105 km sealed)

Cave to Cattle Creek, via Albury, Mackenzie Pass, and Hakataramea Pass 390 km (125 km sealed).

Cattle Creek to Kurow, via Menzies Road and 4WD track (paper road), through Pentland Hills and Meyers Pass, down the east side of the Haka River 460 km (130 km sealed).

Kurow to Naseby via Duntroon and Danseys Pass 550 km (170 km sealed).

Naseby to Alexandra via Ranfurly, Paerau, Old Dunstan Trail, Poolburn, Moa Creek, Galloway 650 km (180 km sealed).

Alexandra to Nevis Crossing via Earnscleugh and pylon track (paper road) 700 km (200 km sealed)

Nevis Crossing return, to Garston via Nevis road (two-way traffic, but open terrain) 800 km (200 km sealed)

Nevis Crossing to Cromwell via Carrick Walking Track (4WD, but vehicle status unclear) 830 km (210 km sealed)

Cromwell to St Bathans via Thompsons Gorge and mix of roads 900 km (250 km sealed)

St Bathans to Omarama, via Omarama Saddle (4WD track, paper road but public access easement) 965 km (270 km sealed)

Omarama to Burkes Pass via Otematata, Black Forest Station (private, good with permission, usually $5 fee to pay) 1090 km (300 km sealed)

Burkes Pass to Methven, via mix of roads through Ashwick Flat, Middle Valley, Kakahu, Geraldine, Carew, Lismore, and Ashburton Forks 1250 km (340 km sealed)

[junkmanjoe]

mate hope its not turning in to a DB10K ride.
i might need a bigger fuel tank...

[cooneyr]

Here are my thoughts on routes that might make up a southern version.

Thanks for the suggestions Dave. I've incorperated many of the more southern sections (Fairlie south) and other southern tracks/roads and was thinking of a more southern starting point. Given the comments on here there would be an advantage to having a more northerly starting point though.

Cheers R

[BMWST?]

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

something in between = crown range and maybe up to the top of cardrona,or other ski feild roads...but that would introduce the risk of bikes going both ways