For those that don’t know, myself and a few friends do an annual highly anticipated(by us) motorbike trip around the South Island. The focus is on riding the technical tracks and trails in the mountains, enjoying the natural grandeur as we go. And the company. We are not stupid and so we mostly stay in motels and places with warm water and beds as god intended. The occasional backcountry hut to keep us grounded but yes. Motels and restaurants. This has the added benefit of keeping the bikes light and therefore more fun to ride. Except for Dave Mac. His belt buckle weighs more than all of my gear! Dave does not travel light.
So my riding companions need little introduction to most of this audience, but if there are any newcomers..
Firstly Dave Mac, you couldn’t really ask to package more personality disorders into one human being. He sent me a photo at 3.30am. Of a tyre. He hasn’t answered my last minute vital can you call me text for 48hrs. However, he has charm and somehow it all comes together in a great package. Life is never boring around Dave. And there is no person I’d rather have around if the shit hits the fan. So we keep him.
Annoyingly the other companion is David Lear. It would have been easier if they had different names. To simplify matters David will henceforth be known as David. David too is the most delightful collection of personality disorders rolled into one. We keep him because he lives an interesting life. He has lived in an extraordinary number of places and done some intriguing jobs. And hobbies. He also knows a lot about a lot. He is an excellent organiser and a thoughtful companion. Ex MI6 agent. Master of sand riding. Dakar David
Mostly I put up with them because they are the only people I know that are willing to come with me. The bar is set low. Oh and Bernie but that’s for another time.
Myself. I make sure we go.
Our planned route will be revealed in more detail as we go. It’s not unheard of to end up somewhere quite different to what was planned.
The broad itinerary is to do a road transport to Blenheim. Then, if the weather is kind, through the Clarence Valley after which we follow the Canterbury high country before crossing the Hawksdun ranges into Maniatoto and then further south over the Rough Ridge and Lammermoor ranges. We flirt with Southland as we ride west, eventually entering her at Waikaia. From there we head back over the Old Man and Old Woman ranges. Further north we explore the glacial valleys at the headwaters of Lake Oahu and Tekapo before we make our way back home. If it’s open we will leave the mountains via the Rainbow Road.
For David and myself we continue to ride on the 500exc’s. Perfect for the rugged stuff and actually quite fun on the sealed roads. It’s definitely not a tourer though. It is a blessing that most off road riding is done standing up. Dave Mac is on a larger KTM 890. Double the weight for a man who has the nuts to handle it. Dave has those nuts. And a deep voice. In the right hands the big bike will go anywhere and Dave has those hands.
So on that slightly disturbing note we head off. 
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