RUNAMUCK Posted June 20 Posted June 20 Brace yourself! Here are the details for the 2026 McKenzie moped melee. This event will be held over four days. From friday 27-2-26, to 2-3-26. It's more or less a carbon copy of the 2024 ride. see the thread for two years ago here, For those unfamiliar with the format, this is a multi day adventure ride, taylored for small displacment motorcycles. Dont let the name fool you. this ride coveres a lot of ground over the four days. (Including some pretty challenging trails) So entrants really need to be able to sustain 70kph+ for sustained periods. (The ride covers ~936kms over the 4 days) So an FA50, or a nifty50 arent really welcome sorry. I'll try a direct copy and paste from the '24 thread to transfer the information. (This post may be updated to include more relevant information too) our starting point Friday, and end point Monday will be coal stream near fairlie. 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 Non camping Accomadation is in short supply at st bathensThe historic Vulcan Hotel has some rooms. Otherwise it's camping at the nearby domain. Last time the whole group had a dinner at this pub. For those who are allergic to camping, there is the white horse hotel (13 mins away) or various options at lauder, or Omakau. (The central Otago rail trail makes these in demand at this time of year. So if you won't/can't camp, get these booked/locked in sooner rather than later) 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 Accomadation here is either at waikaia, (waikaia Hotel, Waikaia hotelmotel, or waikaia motorcamp) or camping at the DOC camp ground at piano flat. (Last time some of us were forced to stay at riversdale due to some horse event in the area. 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 Easiest accomadation here is the ranfurly Holiday park. They offer a range of options from camping, to cabins, and motel rooms. Day 4 Ranfurly to Naesby, 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 Back to the stating point for prize giving. Load up and head home. Maps will be added soon. Some details still to be finalized. There will be an entry donation. This contributes to the cost of fuel/rucs for the support vehicles, Meat for the BBQ, (We do a BBQ each day for lunch, and there will be a supplied BBQ dinner on the 3rd night) soft drinks, water and a couple of beers for lunch are also included too) The longest distance between fuel stops is 156kms. LETS RIDE BIKES! 6 2 Quote
Pee Dubs Posted June 20 Posted June 20 Hell yeah, I missed '24 so keen to do this. "Let's ride bikes!" 1 Quote
NickJ Posted June 20 Posted June 20 What sort of buy in cost is required for a newb to attend? Bike experience limited to AG100 on the farm. Bike + safety gear = ? Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted June 20 Author Posted June 20 Basically, yeah. A bike that's legal, (or at least appears that way) a pair of boots (workboots can do the job) That and a riding jacket of some description. (I have a spareb one that's a bit too big for me spare) You'd also be a fool not to bring some kind of wet weather gear. And gloves are a must. 1 Quote
Mof Posted June 21 Posted June 21 4 hours ago, NickJ said: What sort of buy in cost is required for a newb to attend? Bike experience limited to AG100 on the farm. Bike + safety gear = ? Get some (as much as you can) experience riding gravel roads. Practice = seat time. 70-80% of this ride is not paved. So you really need to be comfortable on gravel 1 Quote
Mof Posted June 21 Posted June 21 Also be self sufficient e.g carry all your own gear. There are support vehicles, but they are there for breakdowns and bbqs. Not for carrying your bags 1 Quote
JustHarry Posted June 21 Posted June 21 There are some long sections of "nice gravel" so speed is an important thing to keep the day moving 5 hours ago, Mof said: Get some (as much as you can) experience riding gravel roads. Practice = seat time. 70-80% of this ride is not paved. So you really need to be comfortable on gravel Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted June 21 Author Posted June 21 14 hours ago, JustHarry said: There are some long sections of "nice gravel" so speed is an important thing to keep the day moving Venus&Russell.jpeg Quote
Whoopeecock Posted June 21 Posted June 21 Is there some good riding down that way? I might be keen. 2 Quote
Mof Posted June 21 Posted June 21 It's exceptional These are proper big scenery middle of nowhere bucket list tracks. And this is your best opportunity to do them. 2 1 Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted June 22 Author Posted June 22 @tortron I can't pester you on messenger directly, so you get a direct tag here. Lots of opportunities for camping/rough sleeping. Plus you can subsist on unsalted boiled pasta if you so desire. I think this ride will be right up your alley tbh. 1 Quote
Whoopeecock Posted June 22 Posted June 22 22 hours ago, Mof said: It's exceptional These are proper big scenery middle of nowhere bucket list tracks. And this is your best opportunity to do them. A bit tongue in cheek I shifted from Nelson to Alexandra a couple of months ago. Loving the riding around here. But still lots more to cover and this has a few of those tracks in it so I’ll be there. 5 Quote
Reliables2k Posted June 23 Posted June 23 @RUNAMUCK Im struggleing to compute, where are the 4 days? Friday 27th - Coal Stream - St Bathans Saturday 28th - St Bathans - Waikaia Sunday 1st - Waikaia - Ranfurly Monday 2nd - Ranfurly - Coal Stream? Edit: your first post says 27-2-26, to 1-3-26 but the title is 27/2-2/3 2026 I understand now! Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted June 23 Author Posted June 23 52 minutes ago, Reliables2k said: @RUNAMUCK Im struggleing to compute, where are the 4 days? Friday 27th - Coal Stream - St Bathans Saturday 28th - St Bathans - Waikaia Monday 1st - Waikaia - Ranfurly Tuesday 2nd - Ranfurly - Coal Stream? Edit: your first post says 27-2-26, to 1-3-26 but the title is 27/2-23 2026 I understand now! Hey man, Yeah I fucked that up. (Not the first time, wo t be the last) First post edited. Thanks. 1 Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted June 29 Author Posted June 29 I've updated the first post again. A spot of mindless googling on my part shows there's actually a few non camping accomadation options not too far from St. Bathen on night one. Quote
WankBankA100 Posted July 1 Posted July 1 I'm in with a grin! Middy said yes! Just need to ensure bike is reliable. 2 Quote
Reliables2k Posted July 1 Posted July 1 7 hours ago, WankBankA100 said: I'm in with a grin! Middy said yes! Just need to ensure bike is reliable. 1 Quote
RUNAMUCK Posted July 3 Author Posted July 3 1 hour ago, WankBankA100 said: What's the distance between fuel stops on this gig? The longest gap between fuel stops is 156kms. In 2024, I did the whole trip without running out. (Unlike this year, when I ran out twice) 1 Quote
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