and, between us, checking the two big trails –
Dam Buster and Spur Buster – both of which
end up being 75km-long loops from the start
point. Sam and ‘Doc’ Martin take on Spur Buster,
while Dave and I recce Dam Buster, eventually
meeting up again where the tracks cross.
The riding is stunning with everything from tight
single track and slippery climbs to deep stream
crossings and open tussock. The variety of riding
on these loops is huge and mixed in with running
around putting out pigtails and standards, as well
as marking out detours for the trickier sections, it’s
hard work. Thankfully we’ve got Duncan Farmer
and Mike Watson (an Air NZ 777 captain when he’s
not playing in the mud) in side-by-sides carrying
the lion’s share of the route-marking gear. Out
here you need to be prepared and we’re all carrying
plenty of tools and spares, and thankfully so were
the side-by-sides as we had to replace one of the
drive-belts after it snapped on a tough climb.
I’m glad of the EXC’s headlight as we’re making
our way back to HQ, marking as we go, as the
sun goes down. We eventually sneak into camp
at 1945hrs, almost eight hours later. Sam, Dave
and Doc are old hands at this and seem able
to shrug off long hours and tired muscles (as
do the other volunteers) but, as a desk and van
jockey, I’m shattered. A hot dinner and a couple
of beers later I’m fast asleep in the luxury of
Chateau Transporter for the second night.
Photo: Off Limits Events
RIDING THE TUSSOCK BUSTER
Waking on Saturday morning I feel like I’ve been
ten rounds with an angry gorilla. Everything is
sore, including muscles I don’t remember ever
having. The marshals and volunteers have been up
for two hours already and I’m happy to be a rider
today and enjoy the lie in. I wander around the
campground while I wait for my riding partners,
Todd Sutherland and his son Ryan, to turn up – my
detour on Thursday was to pick up a CRF250X from
enduro legend Sean Clarke for Todd to ride. The
huge queue of riders waiting to go in the holding
area is impressive, but with some slick organisation
they are quickly given a safety briefing and sent off
in batches to put a constant trickle of riders onto
the trails rather than just opening the flood gates.
Robbie Phillis (25) took to the track with
Stephen Briggs, Aaron Slight and Randy Mamola
60 KIWI RIDER