Brothers in Arms
The Famous Cadrona Hotel
Lake departure ( bye Fred)
The boys line up
Fossil Fuels Rule
Not me this time
Me this time
Me again
XR Destruction
Saturday, March 23, 2013
NZ Bike trip Wrap up
Here is a photo of the boys at the end of the ride. I think you can see how trashed we are.
There is something about off road bike riding that attracts a certain type of person. I like them
Nz Bike Trip Day 6
256kms, 6 Hrs riding
Wow what a ridiculously hard day. The afternoon was a bit like a death from 1000 cuts. We didnt get back to Alex intil after 7pm. The day started at Cadrona and headed over the crown range. We made out way to Queenstown where we loaded the bikes on a barge and crossed the lake. We then embarked on a loop ride that was like something out of a horror movie. Unfortunately we had 5 extra riders that robbie had invited along to help defray the cost of the barge. After 6 days of close riding together its fair to say that the group didnt take very kindly to the intrusion. We all know each other so well that we can pass each other with confidence that we know what the other guy is going to do. With the new boys that all went out the window. It mad the last day, when we were very tired, pretty unmanageable.
Anyway we got it done. Lots of steep climbs, deep river crossings and tricky rocks.
With then ride finally over we washed our gear and headed to the motel for a final meal together and a debreif. Tony was awarded the Lamb for the final day on account of his spectacular crashes. I was given the honourary Lamb for the amount of punctures I got (5). And greg got a lamb for his effort over the ride.
What a great bunch of guys. We really have turned into a very tight group over the 6 days.
Wow what a ridiculously hard day. The afternoon was a bit like a death from 1000 cuts. We didnt get back to Alex intil after 7pm. The day started at Cadrona and headed over the crown range. We made out way to Queenstown where we loaded the bikes on a barge and crossed the lake. We then embarked on a loop ride that was like something out of a horror movie. Unfortunately we had 5 extra riders that robbie had invited along to help defray the cost of the barge. After 6 days of close riding together its fair to say that the group didnt take very kindly to the intrusion. We all know each other so well that we can pass each other with confidence that we know what the other guy is going to do. With the new boys that all went out the window. It mad the last day, when we were very tired, pretty unmanageable.
Anyway we got it done. Lots of steep climbs, deep river crossings and tricky rocks.
With then ride finally over we washed our gear and headed to the motel for a final meal together and a debreif. Tony was awarded the Lamb for the final day on account of his spectacular crashes. I was given the honourary Lamb for the amount of punctures I got (5). And greg got a lamb for his effort over the ride.
What a great bunch of guys. We really have turned into a very tight group over the 6 days.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Trip Photos
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)