Tony Gets the Lamb on Day 3
Steve discusses the finer points of riding KTM 520's with grant
Mike Hits a rock and wrecks the rear wheel
The Damaged Wheel
The man made lake at St Bathans. Gold Mining damage
THe boys relaxing after a hard day
Friday, March 22, 2013
NZ Trip Photos
Steve and his weapon
Mike in the room of mirrors taking a long hard look at himself after his second crash for the morning
Highest point on the ride so far at 1960 metres
NZ Bike trip Day 5
Day 5, 201kms, 5 Hours riding time
We had a huge day. Definitely the biggest day so far. The organiser said it was going to be the best day on the trip but we all think day 4 has been the highlight. Probably the two high points of the day would be a fantastic lunch at a 30,000 acre sheep farm, and a close second was the 2000m climb up Mt Pinot. At the top the lanscape was lunar and there were pockets of snow around. The view was absolutely spectacular. Unfortunately we were all so tired from the hard days riding that it was hard to fully appreciate it.
The day finished with a decent of the famous Alpine road the Possum Borne was killed on a few years ago. Steve turned it into a flat track event and smoked everyone.
We are staying the night at the famous Cadrona Hotel. We have had a fantastic feed and are now tucking up into bed.
Tomorrow we will head to Queenstown for the penultimate days riding before finishing back in Alexandra. Tomorrow is supposed to be the biggest day. We are all wondering if we have the energy to finish.
I forgot to mention that I was awarded the Lamb for the worst days rider after falling off twice today on flat ground in front of many witnesses. I had it coming anyway after no less than 3 puncture on the ride so far.
We had a huge day. Definitely the biggest day so far. The organiser said it was going to be the best day on the trip but we all think day 4 has been the highlight. Probably the two high points of the day would be a fantastic lunch at a 30,000 acre sheep farm, and a close second was the 2000m climb up Mt Pinot. At the top the lanscape was lunar and there were pockets of snow around. The view was absolutely spectacular. Unfortunately we were all so tired from the hard days riding that it was hard to fully appreciate it.
The day finished with a decent of the famous Alpine road the Possum Borne was killed on a few years ago. Steve turned it into a flat track event and smoked everyone.
We are staying the night at the famous Cadrona Hotel. We have had a fantastic feed and are now tucking up into bed.
Tomorrow we will head to Queenstown for the penultimate days riding before finishing back in Alexandra. Tomorrow is supposed to be the biggest day. We are all wondering if we have the energy to finish.
I forgot to mention that I was awarded the Lamb for the worst days rider after falling off twice today on flat ground in front of many witnesses. I had it coming anyway after no less than 3 puncture on the ride so far.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
NZ Bike Ride Day 4
176kms, 4 hrs riding time
Day 4 was the highlight of our trip so far. A combination of spectacular scenery and very challenging and fun riding.
I had some dramas early in the when I hit a huge rock and ruined my rear Rim and tyre. We managed to patch it up well enough to get to lunch where we stole the rear wheel out of the spare bike.
In the afternoon we went down a river valley and crossed the river 30 something times. It turned into a bit of a race between all of us and a lot of fun was had. Fortunately no bikes got drowned, but we were all wet from head to toe.
We stayed the night in the lovely town of St Bathans, an old gold mining town that had a very quaint pub. We stayed in a little house beside the pub. Great food and atmosphere.
The boys all get on like a house on fire.
Ill put some photos up.
Mike Coates
mikecoatesy@gmail.com
+61418650318
mikecoatesy@gmail.com
+61418650318
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Big Grant
NZ Bike trip day 3
Day 3 - 190kms, 4.5 hours riding time.
Biggest day yet. We didn't get in till after 6pm thanks to 2 late afternoon punctures courtesy of your truly. I got a bit carried away racing with dave and Pinch flatted a tyre on the rocky summit.
The riding today was even more spectacular with some very tricky river crossings and some outrageous Mountain passes. There was plenty of dramas with lots of crashes and at least one watered bike drowned in a river crossing.
We are staying at the same place as last night which is good because we can do some washing and get a bit cleaned up.
The group is all riding well and we get on like a house on fire. The Kiwi's are just so nice and easy going.
The bikes are still shit, but there saving grace is that they are very forgiving which for me is a godsend.
I will try and post some more photos tonight but they don't really do it justice
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
New Zealand Ride Day 2
Day 2 - 3.35 hrs ride time, 131kms, 4700m climbing
We were on top of the world. It was bloody cold. Everything was frozen. It was bloody cold. Did I say that already?
What a great days riding. Incredible and challenging riding and spectacular scenery. The only problem is that if you take your eyes off the track even for a second your in big trouble. We took a lot more time today to stop and take it all in. The country is magnificent.
There were lots of off's today, from just about everybody. Steve and I were lucky enough to stay upright. The riding is incredibly challenging.
The group is fantastic. Some of the riders are unbelievable. I'm actually the 2nd slowest rider in the group. I'm struggling with confidence in the tricky conditions. Riding ruts is scaring the crap out of me. Steve is going much better and is definitely starting to come to terms with the bike. The blokes who brought there own bikes are at a great advantage.
We are seeing parts of the country that we could never get access to if you weren't in a tour like this. As much as I hate organised tours I can see the benefit in this case.
I will post some photos tonight. I have lots of video but Internet is dodgy so I might not get much up this week.
Sent from my iPad
We were on top of the world. It was bloody cold. Everything was frozen. It was bloody cold. Did I say that already?
What a great days riding. Incredible and challenging riding and spectacular scenery. The only problem is that if you take your eyes off the track even for a second your in big trouble. We took a lot more time today to stop and take it all in. The country is magnificent.
There were lots of off's today, from just about everybody. Steve and I were lucky enough to stay upright. The riding is incredibly challenging.
The group is fantastic. Some of the riders are unbelievable. I'm actually the 2nd slowest rider in the group. I'm struggling with confidence in the tricky conditions. Riding ruts is scaring the crap out of me. Steve is going much better and is definitely starting to come to terms with the bike. The blokes who brought there own bikes are at a great advantage.
We are seeing parts of the country that we could never get access to if you weren't in a tour like this. As much as I hate organised tours I can see the benefit in this case.
I will post some photos tonight. I have lots of video but Internet is dodgy so I might not get much up this week.
Sent from my iPad
Monday, March 18, 2013
NZ Adventure Day 1
170kms, 4 Hours , 3500m ascent.
Our ride started from the sleepy hamlet of Alexandra on the South Island near queenstown. We have 10 riders in our group and they are all competent riders. About half the guys are from NZ and they have the luxury of riding there own bikes. The rest of us are on total shitbox Yamaha 250r's.
The trail today consisted of about 50% 4wd and single track with the resting farm roads etc. the tracks are for the most part rocky, slippery and deeply rutted. He riding is challenging and requires high levels of concentration. Lots of people fell off multiple times.
The weather today was cold and rainy. A lot of the riding was t over 1000 metres so we had the added hazard of riding in fog and cloud.
There was some spectacular scenery when the fog cleared.
Unfortunately for much of the day the pace was a little too quick. It didn't give us enough oportunity to stop and look around. Hopefully everyone will settle down a bit tomorrow.
Steve and I are pretty disappointed with our bike. They are poorly set up and prepared. The boys who bought their own bikes are having a ball in the tricky conditions.
Tonight we are setting in a small town called "fuckknows"
Sent from my iPad
Our ride started from the sleepy hamlet of Alexandra on the South Island near queenstown. We have 10 riders in our group and they are all competent riders. About half the guys are from NZ and they have the luxury of riding there own bikes. The rest of us are on total shitbox Yamaha 250r's.
The trail today consisted of about 50% 4wd and single track with the resting farm roads etc. the tracks are for the most part rocky, slippery and deeply rutted. He riding is challenging and requires high levels of concentration. Lots of people fell off multiple times.
The weather today was cold and rainy. A lot of the riding was t over 1000 metres so we had the added hazard of riding in fog and cloud.
There was some spectacular scenery when the fog cleared.
Unfortunately for much of the day the pace was a little too quick. It didn't give us enough oportunity to stop and look around. Hopefully everyone will settle down a bit tomorrow.
Steve and I are pretty disappointed with our bike. They are poorly set up and prepared. The boys who bought their own bikes are having a ball in the tricky conditions.
Tonight we are setting in a small town called "fuckknows"
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 17, 2013
NZ Adventure 2013
And so the adventure begins. Brother Steve and I have just arrived on the South Island of New Zealand to take part in a 6 day off road Enduro bike ride. 12 bikes, 6 Days, 1200 kms in and around Queenstown. We are currently in the small town of Alexandra where we are getting our bikes sorted ( WR 250's) ready to head off tomorrow morning. It has rained here today which is great news for us as it has been very dry and dusty. Bring it on.
Regards
Mike from iPhone
Regards
Mike from iPhone
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