Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

[Woodman]

Not fussy enough to worry who he sold it to, though

It is an adventure bike, it needs to be biffed once in a while, and anyway it has had an overhaul this week, well all the old dirty cableties have been replaced with new ones.

how was the ride today?

[warewolf]

Awesome ride today! I have some pics of dubious quality on my phone, will have to visit Nordie to get them transferred to the interweb.

Almost half a DB by the time I got home. Maungatapu in the dark is something else... but strangely no slower?!

Breakfasted at The Slip Inn, Havelock having met up with Underground and Mountie, then high-tailed it to Renwick, cut across to Taylors Pass Rd. Taylors was v.dusty but fun. Black Birch track up to Mt Altimarloch was really badly eroded, it's been 15 months since I was there. It was windy enough up the top section to require some care. Left handers were easy: just stop fighting the wind. Right handers were a bit dicey. Views up top were okay, clear sky but a bit hazy.

We scooted back to Akbaba's in Blenheim for a coffee, then Renwick & Northbank Rd. The bottom of Patriarch was really dusty, but a great bit of road. I quite liked the feel of the area up top, above Lake Chalice, is it? The peak was in cloud but at the "carpark" we were just out of it, although it was blowing up and over us, then down the other side. It was 5pm by the time we set off from the top, so we skipped Onamalutu and headed back to Havelock for a brew.

Black Bitch Birch was more technical and much shorter than the road up Patriarch. Most of the former was stand up stuff, most of the latter sit down. Patriarch was really quite a nice ride, highly recommended. I think that the mountain we could see from Altimarloch, with the cloud spilling over it, must have been Patriarch. It was a little strange having been up the top of the two mountains, the highest drivable point on either side of the Wairau.

The enduro rear tyre was totally, completely and utterly destroyed in this one day. It was an old tyre, only about 30% worn at the start of the day but in a smooth manner; the tread blocks were in good shape just worn down a bit. First journey across the Maunga in the morning started to cut up the tyre. Every other section just made it worse. By the time I got to the top of Mt Patriarch, every second tread block down the middle (the narrower of the pair) was completely ripped/gouged off. By the time I got home, there wasn't much left of the other ones, either, and the damage was spreading to the side knobs. I think Nordie is right, you need a closer-pattern tyre for rock work.

All in all a great day out. Thanks for the company, gentlemen.

[Padmei]

Who are you ordering stuff through? maybe we could share a bit of freight if I order some stuff too.

No probs. I will prob order a manual & the rest I'm not sure of. What you gettng? I wish I'd bought some crap when the dollar was at 80c

[Woodman]

I am frustrated, i have a free day and can't decide where to go.

Don't feel like going anywhere too gnarly, definitely don't feel like crashing as i need bike for N I trip in a few weeks. Don't feel like a road ride as my rear tyre needs some tread left for trip. There is a laidback somewhere (refer crashing option).

Might stay at home and unclog the guttering. Like fuck.

[Woodman]

No probs. I will prob order a manual & the rest I'm not sure of. What you gettng? I wish I'd bought some crap when the dollar was at 80c

I had a look at klr650.com last night and didn't really see anything I want. well I did but it was rear shocks and corbin seats and stuff $$$$$$$$$$.

So am ok this time , but next time I go to order something I will give you a bell.
Interesting thing is the amount of out of stocks they had on the site, another rcession indicator perhaps?

[NordieBoy]

Might stay at home and unclog the guttering. Like fuck.

I'm heading up the Maitai where we went the other night and having a look at more of the side tracks this afternoon.

[Underground]

I agree with you on that Altimarloch road WW ,its an arsehole of a ride ,just as I remembered it from the DB. It has to be done though because not only is it supposedly the highest road in NZ but the views are magnificent.
Patrirch on the other hand is an excellent ride as always (everyone should have a go at that one)
We finished up with a nice night ride home too covering 500 k's for the day ,most enjoyable

[Woodman]

I'm heading up the Maitai where we went the other night and having a look at more of the side tracks this afternoon.

Went out riding and while putting air in my rear tyre, Nordie came round the corner and told me where to go.
That sheep road is quite good, lotsa good side tracks .Central road is great for practicing hillclimbs and warrants more exploring.

am gonna try and get further up from that trig station next time, but the gorse does get pretty thick.
Some of the hills got a bit steep, and I had to bail as reverse speed was getting scary.
Playin with putting pics on here so indulge me.


Time for a rest

Nice bashplate aye

Scary beastie lurking in the scrub

Track is a bit overgromn and steepish

[NordieBoy]

Track is a bit overgromn and steepish

That's going up to that trig.

I kept catching up with those guys on the minibikes waiting for the mate on the smoker to get it started again

At least he was wearing safety gear

They all were wearing sneakers, shorts, t-shirts but he also had earmuffs

[Woodman]

That's going up to that trig.

I kept catching up with those guys on the minibikes waiting for the mate on the smoker to get it started again

At least he was wearing safety gear

They all were wearing sneakers, shorts, t-shirts but he also had earmuffs

Trig was below where the gorse pics were taken.

[NordieBoy]

Trig was below where the gorse pics were taken.

I found an easier one that ended up in this stuff.
Turned around so it'll still be a mystery for next time

[Padmei]

Good fun Woodster.

Thats a good pic looking back down the steep climb.

Whaever possessed you to carry on past the trig? Had some boils that needed lancing? Nice bashguard BTW though you could have just crouched under the bike while it was on the stand to photo it - nice lighting though...

[thommo77]

Where exactly is this (i.e directions?)?

[NordieBoy]

Where exactly is this (i.e directions?)?

In between the Wangamoa Saddle and the Maitai...

[warewolf]

Seeing we live in a part of the world that produces some amazing beers, who would be interested in a craft beer tasting/tour day? I'm thinking organise a couple of drivers or a van, arrange tours at a few of the local breweries. Can incorporate a bbq lunch at one of them. Thinking in the depths of winter when we are not so keen on riding? Either a day event, home by dinner time, or afternoon evening, finishing up with a meal at a pub??

Expressions of interest, please!