Whoopeecock

1 hour ago, RUNAMUCK said:

I got fuck all photos. But heres a few iof the ones i did get.

The photos you did take look like they suck balls, but the unfortunately for me everyone else photos look amazing and looks like it was an epic trip. Well done all of you!

On 27/02/2024 at 19:44, RUNAMUCK said:

Even went to two different supermarkets. 

they both said theyre waiting for a delivery.

Gutted to be missing out on today, enjoy pesting the lower South. Looking forward to  the pictures. 
Meanwhile I will continue humping this stuff while working for the man. You don’t know anyone that has any need for it?

Next level…

https://www.mowsworthrampage.co.nz/

Marcus Drake rode a YB100 for Day 2 of the Marlborough Melee, up Mt Patriach and the Maungatapu. It did better than the Monkey with knobblies   

12 minutes ago, Mof said:

 

I have access to a farm about 5 minutes south of Fairlie to leave cars and trailers at, very secure and free.

They also have some cheap accommodation we can stay at Thursday night, probably Sunday night too. This will be our starting point Friday, and end point Sunday.

 

This is just a quick overview of the routes

 

Day 1

Head over MacKenzie pass to Haldon road

Up Haldon road to Black Forest Station. $20 cash for access

Through Black Forest Station to Benmore, ride across Benmore dam

Road to Omarama, fuel at Omarama

Lunch around this time

Over Lower Omarama saddle to East Manuherikia track. Into Otago

Pass through St Bathans, a bit of road section here to Thompsons Gorge.

Over Thompsons Saddle (so many gates)

Exit at Bendigo, Cromwell to fuel up and end of day 1.

308km

 

Day 2

Leave Cromwell and head over Duffers Saddle into the Nevis valley

Ride the full length of the spectacular Nevis road (many stream crossings), exiting at the far end at Garston. Into Southland

Lunch stop somewhere around this time

Unavoidable long road section from Garston to fuel stop at Lumsden

Long road section from Lumsden to Piano Flat

Amazing Beech forest section to a steep climb onto Old Man Range

Traverse Old Man Range, very rough, ruts, mud, rock steps

There is an early exit road around halfway if anyone has troubles

Onto Old Man Range plateau, 1658m above sea level

Drop off the Range down to Fruitlands. 1.2km altitude descent in 9.6km distance, back into Otago

Road section to Roxburgh for fuel and end of day 2

295km

 

 

 

 

Day 3

Head to Lake Onslow and Serpentine

Ranfurly for fuel

Lunch stop somewhere around this time

Danseys pass, back into Canterbury

Kurow for fuel

Hakataramea Pass back to Haldon Road

Over MacKenzie Pass back to beginning

365km

These are all unbelievable bucket list tracks!

The longest stretch between fuel stops is 156km

Faaaark, that is massive. And epic. And is a bunch of tracks and roads that are indeed bucket list. 

7 minutes ago, RUNAMUCK said:

Although the end of the pesting season is fast approaching, the fizz is still strong. So save the date, and start readying yourself (and your machine) for the Most Ambitious moped melee yet!

2024 will see us starting and finishing in Fairlie. With three absolutely massive days riding. Featuring both mindblowing scenery, and some grueling riding. 

The total distance for this ride is 968kms over the three days. And Although this is a ride for small bikes, we're asking riders bring bikes capable of a sustained 70-75+mph. (Where the road surface permits) we have such a great distance to cover each day, that a bike that only does 60 is going to slow the pack down too much. 

you have almost 11 months to sort your bikes. Make sure your chains and sprockets are good. That you engine runs strong and reliably. Theres either a fuel filter, or no shit in your tank. You're going to need a spare clutch/brake lever. Tools to fix a puncture. A spare tube. 

The maps will be posted up shortly. 

LETS RIDE BIKES!

70-75KMH, not mph you mad bastard! U less you’re putting a turbo in the NBC?

5 minutes ago, RUNAMUCK said:

I dont want this to become a ride for "big bikes" 

But the back up guys dont want to be stuck behind super slow bikes.

90-185cc is the target range.

Don’t think there’s ever been anything smaller than a 100cc has there?

2 minutes ago, RUNAMUCK said:

A good CT can do 75.

Hell the monkeys can do 75 cant they?

I think my top speed was 93 on the down hill. Monkey is quicker, but my point is the smaller bikes like the postie will be a hinderance compared to the ever increasing big bikes. I looked at that XL250 but decided against it because I thought it wouldn’t be enough of a challenge. I was aiming to chuck a plate in my 79 XL100 next year. 

5 minutes ago, Willdat? said:

CT110s have never been an issue.

I’d disagree. This year, and I only got to do half of day 1 on a CT110, the other postie was miles behind the big bikes on the Lewis. I got a hurry up given to me on mine later in the day as the big bikes were well gone. 

So no more CT110s? Don’t burn me, but the first year was great because pretty much all the bikes were similarly paced. It’s more noticeable how slow the smaller bikes are now with big wheeled trial/farm bikes. I agree with the earlier comment about it being called the M***** Moped Melee not being so fitting anymore. I enjoy it because the true small bikes are a challenge. I’ve got big dirt bikes, but they’re made to do this, and that’s the point, I thought. I don’t want to ride my XR500, I want to struggle on inappropriately undersized bikes. My 2c. 

7 hours ago, RUNAMUCK said:

Day one, we rode small bikes wlthrough the Lewis pass. It was pretty cold tbh. Gassed up again at springs junction, and 5ook a last minute detour down the west bank (unsealed road) which came out near Maruia. 

We then pressed on to Maruia Saddle road, which was a very enjoyable trail. A boomer in a campervan forewarned us there were a number of people on push bikes coming the other way. 

Quite the way in, we encountered two old blokes on bikes. One had blacked out while riding and was incapacitated.  His companion had set off an PLB. (And Initially though we were the ones responding. 

Mof cancelled the call for him, (he seemed a bit away with the fairy's too tbh)  and we loaded up their bikes and gave them a ride back to murchison.  There we gassed up again, before gorging ourselves on delicious premium spicy tubes of mystery meat. Slathered in sauce, and washed down with a mixture of cheap beer/and or solftdrink/water.

With our bellies brimming with dead animals, we again set off. This time turning off up mangles valley road, which was another thoroughly enjoyable ride taking up to Lake rotoroa. We regrouped again here, and fucked about for longer than I would have liked. (I think it was bike trouble tbh) 

Eventually we then set off for the nightmarish hellscape that is the Porika track.  It was tricky last year, this year the very first section was almost insurmountable. (For a ride as unskilled as me) after the first hairpin it was more or less manageable. (But challenging none the less) @Hungry hit a rock got bounced off course and over the edge. Fortunately a team of helpers and Harry's winch were able to recover his machine from around 5m down a pretty steep bank. I didnt recall the decent being as bad last year either. I hit a big patch of clay and dropped the NBC.  Once we got clear of that misery, it was WOT all the way down to St. Arnaud for a gas up. Followed by another wide open throttle run into Nelson.  By then it was 730, and many of us were cooked. 

A nice curry and a few drinks went down a treat. (Except for wankbankA100 who proclaimed the curry to have been cursed. 

After a much needed sleep, we set off for a much nice days ride. Over the wongamoas, and out to French pass. With a stop st Okiwi bay going both ways. (The road was narrow and winding in places)  we were also treated to some breathtaking views. (I cant wait to go back tbh)  there was a great spot to park up at the very end of the road. Once again we stuffed ourselves with the flash of dead animals, burned over dinosaur gas. The ride back to the main road was pretty speedy.  The we had a protracted stop at rai valley to fix a broken clutch cable on the RGV. 

One back up vehicle had had their fill of twisty stuff for one day, and headed straight back to Blenhole. The rest of us took the glorious queen Charlotte dr. Not long I to this the spacy 250 gave its last fuck, and compression exited the chat.  We fanged it at extra legal speeds. The ride back to blenhole was a meh one. 

Once I finally located my accomadation, we gapped to the nearest pub for some much needed sustenance and hydration.  (A good time was had by all) 

The morning saw a dusty start. (The riders, not the road) and we embarked up the wairau valley for a long slow slog uphill, and Into a headwind. Once again at St. Arnaud was refilled, and then set off for the next leg.  Once the seal ended, the track to the toll gate was both rough as guts, and heavily shaded by native bush. Which made reading the road nearly impossible.  The first river crossing was cold and wet. And so few the feet of many following the crossing.  Beyond the toll gate the road gradually improved. And we were treated to some truely breathtaking scenery.  Beyond the very top of the wairau valley, the road improved out of site. And the more adventurous riders fucking sent it. Lake tennyson provided us with a sunny venue for the bbq lunch.  We added a sticker up in the rafters of the shelter beside the one from two years prior. After lunch the roads were fast and free flowing. With two riders running  out of talent. One of then went right off the road.  With a bit of team work we maneuvered the bike down to a lower track.  It started, and after the wheel and forks were realigned the rider continued on in the same manor. We reached the junction, and turned left, to take the longer way back to the camp. Jollies pass road was rough as guts. Naturally we took a detour off that track to prolong the run as long as possible.

Back at camp we finished off the beers, and loaded up the bikes. 

The GC prize was awarded to MOF for letting PeeDubs ride his bike for such a huge chunk of the ride.

850kms ish, three massive days. 

Saw a few old friends again, and made some new ones too. 

All I cant say is, Bring on next year! 

The Mackenzie moped melee 2024.

LETS RIDE BIKES!!!!!!!

Fantastic write up Bart, and makes me even more bummed I missed the second 2 days. Thanks for organising such an awesome trip, again, and I’m looking forward to the McKenzie Melee next year. And thanks to all t(e support crew and cooks and other GC's who make this trip give me warm fuzzies in my nether regions. 
Bring on the next ride (and stop riding capable big bikes, it’s cheating!).

17 minutes ago, RUNAMUCK said:

Who, what happened and where? Details man! Not all of us could be there. Weather looked mint. How was the ride out to French Pass?

50 minutes ago, Mof said:

Oh no, not another end of day on the trailer of doom….

11 minutes ago, Pee Dubs said:

French Pass for lunch. Neat wee road out there.

10 bikes? Do I ask where the rest are? I’m jealous, hope you guys are enjoying it. 

3 hours ago, Willdat? said:

Sounds like Gary may have done himself a mischief on a shake down ride over the weekend. Which possibly affects a few other Nelson entries as his son and a mate were entered I think...

How are you getting to Hanmer, and when? Just thinking if anyone wants to buddy up, I can take a couple of bikes on the back of the ute Thursday evening. 

15 hours ago, RUNAMUCK said:

Update!

We have 20 riders signed up for this now! Which has me a little surprised tbh! (My counting on my fingers was around 13) 

Theres still time to register if you feel like coming along though! 

Biggest turnout yet?

What aftermarket shocks are people running on the CT110s? I think the QCR boys had different ones? Need something decent but not bank breaking to support the kitchen sink I seem to be carting in my saddle bags. 

Man, I’m just at a loss of words with Aaron’s passing. I was hoping he was going to be riding the Maruia, so sorry for his family and close mates. 

5 hours ago, Pee Dubs said:

Yeah the plan was to do French Pass OR Kenepuru. Agree not possible to do both in a day!

Best overnight options are:

The Rai Valley Tavern (now called The Millers Rest) - camping only I think, will have to check. Bonus, it's also a pub!

Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) - DOC campground, but with a kitchen facility. Sweet river for a swim.

Havelock Holiday Park - cabins and campsites. Probably most versatile location, and a proper little town for supplies etc. Is just another 30min down the road. This would be my pick.

Agree, Havelock would be my choice too. 

Drove the Maruia Saddle today, that’s going to be a good ride. Won’t be much fun backing a rig with a trailer if you meet someone coming the other way, especially on the southern side. Can’t seem to add photos.  

On 05/01/2023 at 16:06, Chunky_t said:

also in addition to that, lots of pylon tracks not far after okiwi bay for some added spice

There’s tons of good riding out that way. But it took me about 2 hours on a slow bike from Richmond to Okiwi. It's another 1.5 without stops to French Pass, so not much time for playing or going down to places like Elaine Bay. And then we’re going to Blenheim? There’s no way we’ll get time to go anywhere near Kenepuru And we’ll be coming into Blenheim pretty late. What about Saturday night at somewhere like the Rai or Havelock?

Just now, Whoopeecock said:

 

Currently cruising the French Pass road and taking some short cuts which are turning into the long way round (been a while since I rode my dirt bikes through here and they didn’t have pannier bags), but you guys are going to love the roads out here. When I figure out how to downsize the photos I’ll post them. 

Next level inappropriateness. 
https://www.facebook.com/Thegreatcityroadtrip?mibextid=LQQJ4d