Rainbow and Molesworth Stations

Had the opportunity to mount the Dakar again. Interesting. After 100,000 km it still takes some tiome to adjust to.
So with Chris a competent rider unlike myself we set off from Havelock toward Rainbow Station. It started to rain as we approached St Arnaud so on with the wet gear which stayed on all day as it was cold the whole day.
Anyway down the farm road to the Rainbow Gate. Paid our $15 and off we went on a recently opened road after the flood damage. Great. Rivers, and high country and just plain beauty in the remoteness.
Made it to Hanmer for Lunch.
Back over Jacks Pass to Molesworth again for a really ebjoyable ride up the river valley.
New Zealand at its best. Just fantastic.
The ride from Molesworth down the Awatere is a long drag, but part of the pleasure, over the Jackson Pass to Blenhiem and so back to Havelock.
About 500km on every sort of terrain imaginable for about 10 hours of magical riding.
Even if you are slightly tempted, go do it.
It is pretty manageable, but some experience of off road biking is essential. There were a bunch of rev rev "Dusty Bum" riders on the Rainbow as well, but it accepts all skill levels and if in doubt go slow.
What a pleasure. Can't wait to do it again.

Robbie Crickett High Country Tours

Had a great three days in the South.
High Country Tours in Alexandra arranged a ride. Included a day with Chris Birch.
Had a great time scrambling round the hills (everyone else just calmly rode, but I am learnming), up tracks, over farmland, powerline tracks, farm tracks, Hobbit Country, huge views, lakes, mountains, back country hotels, rivers,(quite a few of them !) but huge fun, lots of learning, and all the time with a great bunch of people. Not all of them were old like me, in fact none of them, but what a great bunch of good helpful supportive people.
If you ever get the urge to go ride a bike off road, see these guys first.

Chris Birch

Had the benefit of attending a KTM riding class arranged by Robbie Crickett at High Country Tours.
It is a priveledge to be in the company of guys like Chris Birch. A man on top of his game. World famous in his trade Enduro Bike riding and "unknown" pretty much everywhere else.
He shared with our group a whole lot of real wisdom on how to survive on a motorcycle, particulrly off road. Should be compulsory.
I have ridden round the world as anyone that has read this blog would know. Wish I had met Chris before I went ! Now I will have to go again, bugger !