McKenzie Moped Melee - March 2024

[RUNAMUCK]

Enter here:

https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/pJKCz7d8D8O4ZN

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 four massive days riding. Featuring both mindblowing scenery, and some grueling "trails".

The total distance for this ride is 968kms over the four days. And Although this is a ride for small bikes, we're asking riders bring bikes capable of a sustained 70-75+kph. (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!

Entries:
D van Asch
R Begley
A Williams
G Gaskell
A Mealing
J Burgess
V Findlay
R Moffat
D Chaston
B Simpson
S Wallace
N Ritchie
K Raines
H Dawber
S Buttle
A van Asch
S Jensen

 

[Mof]

Due to popular demand, this Melee mission has now been extended to four days.

That’s right! All of the amazing tracks, beautiful scenery, dudes on bikes, now spread out an extra day so you can really feel the ass punishment.

 

I have access to a farm about 5 minutes south of Fairlie at Coal Stream to leave cars and trailers at, very secure and free. They also have some cheap accommodation people can stay at Thursday night, probably Sunday night too. (If people want to stay here, please let me know in advance)

 This will be our starting point Friday, and end point Monday.

 

This is just a quick overview of the routes

 

Day 1

From Coal Stream, 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

Over Lower Omarama saddle to East Manuherikia track. Into Otago

Arrive at St Bathans, end of day 1

220km

 

Day 2

Leave St Bathans, a bit of road section here to Thompson Gorge.

Over Thompson Saddle (so many gates)

Exit at Bendigo, road to Cromwell to fuel up.

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

Unavoidable long road section from Garston to fuel stop at Lumsden

Long road section from Lumsden to Waikaia for end of day 2.

255km

 

Day 3

Waikaia straight to 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

Head to Lake Onslow and Serpentine

Ranfurly for fuel and end of day 3

233km

 

Day 4

Danseys pass, back into Canterbury

Kurow for fuel

Hakataramea Pass back to Haldon Road

Over MacKenzie Pass back to Coal Stream beginning

End of day 4.

228km

 

These are all unbelievable bucket list tracks!

The longest stretch between fuel stops is 156km

[Whoopeecock]

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?

[RUNAMUCK]

1 minute ago, Whoopeecock said:

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

Yes I've edited that. Its friday night and my brain is somewhat addled. 

[Whoopeecock]

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. 

[Mof]

Lake Benmore from Black Forest Station 

 

Thompsons Gorge Road 

 

Old Man Range 

 

Parking/accommodation/camping at Fairlie 

 

 

[smokin'joe]

WOW, good coverage, looks like a name change to Midland Madness......... the 'key' comment was to keep it in McKenzie/SCanty, but awesome trails.

i do have a more compact 'local to Farlie' route involving keys, if needed

[Willdat?]

8 hours ago, smokin'joe said:

WOW, good coverage, looks like a name change to Midland Madness......... the 'key' comment was to keep it in McKenzie/SCanty, but awesome trails.

i do have a more compact 'local to Farlie' route involving keys, if needed

Thanks for the offer Joe, Mof has already pre-run this route (solo and with less daylight!). So we know it's achievable. If anyone else wants to discuss changing the route, please message Mof as the confusion created in the thread isn't worth it.

[tortron]

Looks good. 

Subscribed

[xsinclairx]

Yup looks epic. Might actually try to make this one. 

[tortron]

What was accommodation plans? 

[Mof]

On 15/04/2023 at 08:34, tortron said:

What was accommodation plans? 

Early days yet

Unfortunately there's not really big motels/cabins in this part of the world. I tried to stop in places that have at least something, and is still on route.

Night 1. There is only a couple places to stay in st Bathans so you all better get in sooner rather than later for beds. I think it may even be you might have to book the whole place then divide it up between yourselves. I'll be camping at the st Bathans domain campsite. 

Night 2. Waikaia there is a hotel/motel, and a holiday park.

I'll be camping at Piano Flat campsite which is about 20 mins up the road which we will be heading up the next day. 

Night 3. Ranfurly has a holiday park motel/cabins, motel and hotel.

I'll be at either the holiday park, or Waipiata domain which is about 15 minutes away. 

I'm sure there's a muddy ditch somewhere 

[Mof]

10 hours ago, smokin'joe said:

WOW, good coverage, looks like a name change to Midland Madness......... the 'key' comment was to keep it in McKenzie/SCanty, but awesome trails.

i do have a more compact 'local to Farlie' route involving keys, if needed

I must have missed that comment. 

Why don't you set something up for 2025?

[Pee Dubs]

McKenzie was the original concept, but we expanded South to cover some really sweet trails. I think @Mof will attest that the route is pretty epic and will be a good (but achievable) challenge on small bikes.

Keen for a proper McKenzie ride at some stage.

[RUNAMUCK]

Typically the ride had been named after where it rides on day 1.

Molesworth 

Marlborough 

Maruia

McKenzie 

Eventually we'll run out of places starting with "M". But we'll burn the bridge when we come to it.

[Hungry]

Thanks @Mof for route plan and on the trail research - great photos. 
I’m in, looking forward to it…..

[igor]

Say hi to Biggles and Wendy at Waikaia Pub on the way through.

[Chris.QCR]

Thanks Mof for sorting out a epic route and Bart for just always fizzing !  Also in advance Harry & Karl for support as you guys make it awesome

Im looking forward to this event ! Some amazing roads and views ahead

So much goes into organising these sort of events esp the routes and organising the support lads and we appreciate it. 

[smokin'joe]

11 hours ago, Mof said:

I must have missed that comment. 

Why don't you set something up for 2025?

i didn't realise you had even plotted the route when i first posted about 'key' access.

as for setting one up, am not a rider, and with limited L/H function, nor would i endeavour to attempt something of this, as it would need to be ridden prior.  i could advise some loops, if wanted/warranted, for a quite compact event.

@RUNAMUCK Middlemarch  Mainiototo !!

 

[RUNAMUCK]

I dont mind where we go each year.