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KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye
The second KTM New Zealand Adventure Rallye was held in the Otago region. Danny Wilkinson and his camera were there to capture and enjoy the amazing, incredible riding paradise.
The Otago region of the South Island is an adventure-riding Mecca.
The South Island of New Zealand may not appear very big on the map (at least by Australian proportions) but if the mountains were flattened out, the story may be a little different. It seems as though intrepid Kiwis have forged tracks over each and every one of those vast mountain ranges and the result is an adventure-riding Mecca, especially if you hold the key to the gates. Thankfully, we were treated to a myriad of trails, quite often through private property, unlike anything I’ve ridden in Oz. It seemed like we were always either ascending or descending a series of panoramic vistas and the only relatively flat trail we did for the entire week was through the Nevis Valley, which was hemmed on either side by expansive highlands.
Kev Strassmeir had a great time on leave from KTM China.
Good reason
It isn’t just adventure riders who are keen to take in the spectacle of New Zealand.
Many small towns are inundated with tourist buses and the well-known sights are a hive of camper-van activity. As Jeff Leisk pointed out in his introduction to the event, adventure bikes are about mobility – the ability to escape the crowds and access places that aren’t on the regular tourist route.
And for that reason, I couldn’t think of a better way to explore such an amazing country.
Francois Shoeman pondering the white stuff on Mount Pisa.
The start
For 2017, the Rallye ran for five days starting at the base of Mt Cook and finishing in the bustling tourist hub of Queenstown. Organised by the experienced crew from KTM Australia and New Zealand, the Rallye followed the familiar GPS format with optional breakout tracks for those seeking a challenge. The Rallye attracted 110 riders and two slightly crazy pillions who were often found on the breakout routes smiling and clinging on tight.
Behind the scenes there were medics, lead riders, sweeps, technical support, a videographer, photographer and support vehicles to transport luggage. And then there was Chris Birch.
As a designated KTM Adventure Ambassador, Birchy roved through the pack providing help where it was needed and generally doing things on a 1090 that defied gravity. Otago trail pathfind-er Joe Forsyth was also pivotal to the event’s success. His track knowledge was amazing, and he drew on his extensive network of contacts built on the back of many years goodwill to gain access to large tracts of private land where riders could test their skills against some challenging trails. With optional breakouts graded on the Chilli system, riders could work out if they wanted to have a crack at them or stick to the main route. It was great having the option to pick and choose your path during the day by following either the orange or green arrows.
Chris Birch explained the rating system and it made sense in a very practical way:
1 Chilli – Should be achievable in a Rav 4
2 Chilli – Still passable in a Rav 4, but it’d better be stolen
3 Chilli – You really ought to be on an EXC and know how to ride it In line with the high level of ability on the ride, plenty opted for the harder breakouts, but there was some carnage along the way. I had a crack at one of the
3 Chilli routes, but I’ll be honest, the 2 Chilli options were closer to my comfort level on a big bike.
Razi Sharir welcomed some helpful advice from KTM Adventure Ambassador, Chris Birch.
Mt Cook to Alexandra
We were Fortunate to leave Mt Cook on a clear day. It was hard not to sneak an extra peak in the mirror as we headed south along the winding bitumen towards Black Forest Station and the pass that skirted around Lake Benmore. Recent rains had the creeks flowing and there were plenty of opportunities to get wet boots (and bikes for a few unfortunate riders) along the way. A dead wallaby beside the track had me thinking he’d either swum a really long way on his own, or I’d need to rethink my attitude towards the wildlife I may need to dodge.
It was in Alexandra I discovered the wonders of NZ convenience stores.
It seemed the old-fashioned ice-cream bar was flourishing among corner stores and seeing as New Zealand is the home of hokey-pokey ice cream, it would’ve been almost rude not to sample a cone or two!
Greg Fallon’s day took a turn for the worse early on in Alexandra. Twelve months to the day since he wrote off his last bike, he was taken out by a wayward U-turn, injuring his ankle and eventually earning him the Black Cat award at the presentation dinner for his less-than-fortunate run. Earlier on day one he’d scored a flat and Birchy did a bit of trail-side panel beating with a rock to straighten his front rim. At least he doesn’t have to worry about those tyre-lever marks anymore.
Heads in the clouds.
Alexandra to Cromwell
The ride through the Serpentine Mining Reserve was the highlight for the second day. At over 1000 metres the area was home to gold-mining exploits in the 1860s and there were a few relics to see. It was a track that was particularly easy to get into mischief on, though. While fairly flat by South Island standards, it would be incredibly boggy when wet, creating ruts deep enough to swallow an 1190. V8 Supercar icon Greg Murphy was along for the ride and unfortunately his Rallye ended when he got caught in a nasty rut, damaging his ankle. Bruce Middleton had a little difficulty putting his jacket back on after an altercation with another ugly rut.
Bruce had celebrated his birthday the day before and I suspect he suddenly felt a whole lot older.
It was great to see him still laughing though, even when his mates were quick to stir about the ease with which one of the pillion crews had just tackled the same obstacle.
Chris Birch used a rock to straighten Greg Fallon’s front rim and get him going again.
Cromwell Loop
The third day was the favourite for many, consisting of a spectacular mix of terrain and scenery.
It kicked off with a stunning ride through farm tracks in the Bendigo gold region and then, as if not to be outdone, climbed to the top of Old Man Range, leaving riders’ heads literally in the clouds. Rolling on the alpine breeze, the clouds would part and reveal the river below that looked miniscule in the distance.
The view from the top was spectacular, but the descent was something else.
Not having a great head for heights, I admit my knees got a little shaky as we slipped and skidded our way down the single trail to the valley floor. After 15 minutes of going straight down we were still towering above the wide river below, making it appear more like a trail of ant wee than a flowing torrent.
Pulled up at a gate, I commented on just how far up we were and one of the Kiwis piped up with, “Just don’t look down”. I didn’t fancy my chances of rolling down the rest of the hill blindfolded and decided my method wasn’t so bad.
The afternoon saw us passing over Old Woman Range followed by a descent through Craigroy Station. It was such a beautiful piece of trail I felt genuinely privileged to be riding it. Once again we were on private property and it was great to see the respect shown by other riders.
Dinner for the night was at the Highlands Motorsport Park and it was pretty cool overlooking the international road-racing track and wandering through the adjoining collection of exotic vehicles.
There were plenty of opportunities to get wet boots (and bikes for a few unfortunate riders).
Cromwell to Wanaka
Day four’s big feature was the optional breakout route that started with a run up the wide gravel road that used to be home to the Race To The Sky. It’s wide, loose and on a KTM twin there’s a bit of self-restraint called for as it makes its way up the mountain. At the top, we rode straight through the open gates of Snow Farm and continued the climb over Mount Pisa.
Only a madman would’ve missed the opportunity to enjoy the views.
We were now in proper alpine territory and the wind was strong enough to blow a bike off its stand. The tussocks of highland grass soon made way for bare ground and sheets of hard snow and it was almost eerie waiting with the camera for the next bike to come through.
We finished the day with dinner overlooking Lake Wanaka and it was great to chat with dairy farmers Dave Hislop, Alan Davie-Martin and Bryan Weatherstone. They had supersized the DR200s they regularly rode for farm work and purchased a trio of 1190s to broaden their horizons. They spoke about the different terrain they’d seen, and how much they were enjoying the Rallye. It was great to hear their perspective as first-time participants on an organised ride.
Heath and Karen Botica were frequently found in the optional breakout sections.
In places it was incredibly boggy when wet, creating ruts deep enough to swallow an 1190.
Wanaka to Queenstown
The Nevis Track was a perfect way to finish the Rallye. It boasted 25 river crossings and the scenery from the perspective of the valley floor was a great change until it finally succumbed to the regular pattern of going over a mountain. It also had its fair share of gold history. The remnants of the past were dotted along the way.
The sign to the Nevis Valley Bowling Club sitting alongside a roughly trimmed patch of grass was typical of the Kiwi tongue-in-cheek humour prevalent during the week.
I was perched in one of the creek crossings when Israeli father-and-son duo, Razi and Guy Sharir arrived.
Razi got a little crossed up and in the time it took me to utter an expletive or two he speared off the track and into the rocky gully below. When the splash had cleared, I was happy to see he was okay, although nursing a swollen wrist. Guy hopped on his Dad’s bike and with some skilful trials riding (and the odd tow rope from the assembled helpers) the bike was back up on the track and ready to go again.
Chris Birch made the most of an excellent Mt Cook setting.
Another winner
With the crew safely in Queenstown it was time for the final presentation and the Rallye was done for another year.
Attracting riders from eight different countries, I couldn’t help but notice how polite the Kiwis were. Clearly at home on the steep and technical trails, they were very tidy riders and seemed intent on taking in the experience as much as the riding. Maybe it was because so much of the good riding relied on access to private property and they were wise to the consequences of misbehaving, but the group was a particularly good one and that definitely made the trip across the ditch worthwhile.
Father and son, Guy and Razi Sharir after extracting Razi’s bike from a gully.
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