McKenzie Moped Melee - March 2024

[johnnyfive]

7 minutes ago, RUNAMUCK said:

Driving a truck that far would almost be more miserable than riding a bike

At least I know @tortron would be up for chief copilot of punishment, am I right?

[tortron]

Days off are slim, riding down and back adds like 6 days realistically on a in the spirit bike. 

Not sure if an extra 2 or so days can be swung tbh

I might have to fly/sit on the couch with a cup of tea tbh

[Vintage Grumble]

49 minutes ago, johnnyfive said:

Correct, if it weren't a decent number, a double cab Ute filled with dudes and bikes with or without trailer would probably be hard to beat. 

Yeh that's sorta what I was thinking. 

I'm keen to come along.

[JustHarry]

8 hours ago, johnnyfive said:

A long way out, and I don't want to clog up the thread this early with theoretical maybes. But how many North Island bikes would head down if there was a bulk freight option from somewhere in the NI to a spot close to the start point?

The guys that got bikes moved down on a few pallets, how did this go? And how much?

I'm gonna try do a few sums, my hunch is that it probably wouldn't make sense unless there were a lot of bikes. 

If you do decide to ship bikes we can load many only my high side car transporter to get them to the start if riding both ways from chch is to much self punishment

That is offered to the red flaggots too @Tumeke @sentra

[RUNAMUCK]

2 hours ago, tortron said:

Days off are slim, riding down and back adds like 6 days realistically on a in the spirit bike. 

Not sure if an extra 2 or so days can be swung tbh

I might have to fly/sit on the couch with a cup of tea tbh

Worth noting his will probably be a four day ride now too.  (I've been too useless to update the thread yet) 

[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

[Mof]

You North Island dudes, I have plenty of room here if you guys need a place to stay.

Also, if you're shipping bikes down and need a place to send to, they can be sent to work. We have a forklift I can tip them off the side of the truck with and say that must have been broken when you sent it m8.

[Pee Dubs]

So keen for this, looks like a great route, thanks @Mof for figuring it out.

Logistics to get down there will be interesting. Quite a drive for those from up North, freighting bikes may be worth it to save time & possibly $$$. Driving is doable for Manawatu/Wellington crew but will have to carefully plan it.

I'd better start now on building a unsuitable yet reliable bike!!!

[Pee Dubs]

On 18/04/2023 at 20:44, Snoozin said:

So I've got a twinshock PE175, and this could be the kick up the arse I need to hook into it and get it running and on the road. Is a 21-inch front wheel in the spirit, lol?

On 18/04/2023 at 21:49, Willdat? said:

I think provided you didn't roost everyone and disappear in a cloud of dust everytime we stop you'd be fine. In 2021 I'd broken my back 4 months earlier so did it on a WR250R, I think Kyle might have been on a CB400 that year too. Attitude is probably the most important thing!

I'm really considering whether my (kind of similar to a PE175) early 80's twin shock XL185 'Super Farmer' is right for this ride. It was super fun (while it lasted) this year, but probably at the upper end of acceptable capability to be considered a 'small bike'. That being said if your PE175 is the smallest and least capable bike you have I'd rather you came along on it than stayed home. The CB400 I had on the first year was the only bike I had at that point, so if I didn't take that I wouldn't have participated. It was also not an off road bike and I have never really ridden off road before, so it wasn't like I was burning off into the distance, and sticking with the gc crew is 100% part of this event.

On 19/04/2023 at 12:08, slacker.cam said:

It's a bit of a catch 22 regarding big bikes IMO. If everyone shows up on big bikes aside from a small handful then yeah, likely that's going to effect the spirit of the event. But, if it's a couple of lads who are on larger bikes because they wouldn't be there otherwise then I say 100% just come. The more guys there to have fun the better.

This.

@tortron DRZ400 is a whole different league though. For anyone thinking of riding something like that I'd suggest instead finding something around the 125cc mark (not a twist and go - lol) in preparation for this epic event. DRZ would be perfect for the Dusty Butt a couple of weeks earlier though... 

[governorsam]

On 21/04/2023 at 16:06, tortron said:

Days off are slim, riding down and back adds like 6 days realistically on a in the spirit bike. 

Not sure if an extra 2 or so days can be swung tbh

I might have to fly/sit on the couch with a cup of tea tbh

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/listing/4099236400?utm_source=tmm-savedsearch&utm_medium=email&bof=BEieZ2nV

[tortron]

I'd like a challenge this time sam

[RUNAMUCK]

On 16/04/2023 at 10:14, Thphantum said:

Registering interest as a backup support vehicle. Is this route achievable in a standard Hilux or would something more capable be required? 

Now that this is a four day odyssey, theres a bit less worry about the support crew being left three hours behind the pack. 

If you're game for some possibly gnarly terrain (some, but not all of it is obviously) I'd be honoured if you came along. Having enjoyed your company (and outstanding hospitality!) On three separate occasions, I'd love to share this adventure with you if the stars align. Obviously we dont want it to turn into a 4wd trip that follows a small bike trip. But imho, you're a bit different to the average run of the mill hanger on. (Given your significant and selfless contribution to a number of the north islands premier small bike adventures.

[BLIZZO]

Man I’m so keen for this! Have ridden most of these roads either on the dusty butt or on other SI trips on the Africa twin, will be amazing on small bikes. I’ve just picked up an old ct125 that will be perfect for this.

ive got a big work trailer that has bike chocks, had 5 big bikes on it plus 2 on the Ute for dusty so the trailer would likely fit 7-8 small bikes plus 2-3 on the back of the Ute. If people could get bikes to palmy then I can be freight and we can just split ferry costs, should work out cheap, can take 3 people also of keen for the drive. I’d just smash palmy to fairlie in a day, I’ve done it on a drz400 so I’m sure a v6 ranger will be much more comfortable

[BLIZZO]

Also day 4, should def change the start of that from ranfurly to Kurow. Pansy’s pass from naesby to Kurow would be better than the current route. F people wanted to be hectic (would be a fun challenge) could always try some Over Mt buster / awakino saddle. It’s hard enough on a dirt bike and support vehicles can come but would be a notable achievement that’s for sure.

[BLIZZO]

Just noticed you mentioned it does use danseys pass, just didn’t look like it on the map 

[RUNAMUCK]

Maps can be aids. 

Be good to have you along again!

[Mitch.W]

I’m also keen on this, recently moved to chch so I have accomodation and can store bikes for you boys if you end up shipping them down from up north. 
 

im currently thinking I’ll hook the trailer up and tow bikes to Fairlie? Pretty boring ride from chch really 

[Mof]

The punishing ride home afterwards would be the worst 

[Mof]

9 months to go 

 

 

Is your baby going to be a boy? 

[Mof]

Two days late...