We left Cromwell in quite chilly conditions, compliments of an overnight southerly change. The plan was to ride Thompson’s gorge track but we would access it a little South of the main road turn off. This involved a little bit of navigation and at least one discussion as to whether “no public access “ applied to us. My reasoning was that I would not be seen in public with the 2 Dave’s and therefore it couldn’t apply to us. After making our way cross country through a few paddocks, mildly relieved not to find any locked gates and even more relieved not to find any angry farmers we got onto the track. We climbed up into the cloud quickly and were soon riding in heavy fog or light rain, I am not sure which. It’s a great track and drops down from above 1000m near St Bathans where we had a coffee at the old hotel. Then back into the mountains, still in low cloud, towards the Omarama saddle via the east branch of the Manuherika river. This is a really fun track with a few river crossings and then a big climb up to the saddle. As we crested we also rode out of the cloud to have spectacular views towards the north. By now I am in full dirt bike mode so it was a fast descent to the bottom and a little sadness closing the final gate. I would have liked it to go in longer. 
After lunch I had a go in Dave Macs 790. I’ll get back to that in a moment.
We then took the Black Forest Station track. Roth from Lake Benmore. It might surprise you that this track runs through Black Forest Station!
It is very spectacular as it climbs high into the mountains. The blue lake set against a Martian back drop is most striking.
From there fast gravel back to McKenzie pass. I figured something was up as the wind picked up and a wall of cloud was spilling over the saddle. The cloud contained rain which we were not quite prepared for. Of course, our special model helmet comms, known as the Sena Dissapointment, were no longer working again. Fortunately I don’t need comms to know what is going on in Dave Macs mind and in this case he was thinking if I rush the last half hour to Fairlie I won’t get wet. He doesn’t like to put in his rain gear until he is wet of course. I, on the other hand, have waterproof goretex gear because I am aware it rains in New Zealand. Unfortunately my vents were all open. This could have been rectified by a 30 second stop to close them but of course that would have made Dave 30 seconds wetter. Personally I didn’t see that we both needed to be miserable but the Sena Disapointment wouldn’t allow to to tell him I would catch up. So I had the joy of riding into the freezing rain, in my waterproof gear, with all my vents open. My front was soaked and my nipples were so hard it would have made a supermodel envious. The are still cramping now.
So we entered Fairlie, numb to the core with snot streaming in the wind given I was wearing my hot weather goggles, rather than my visor down.
The last 10 k were the longest 10k on the planet.
So when we get to Fairlie eventually I pull over, feeling quite bedraggled and in need of a hot shower. Dave Lear appears a couple of moments later, and asks with great earnesty “would you like to go to the motel?”
My reply was less than gracious.
If you don’t have an interest in motorbikes you can tune out for a moment. I was asked how the 790 is going. I think it is going very well to be honest. This is testament to Dave Macs skill, courage and stupidity. I wouldn’t dream of riding it where we have been. It is an awesome machine, packed with features although the one that interests me the most is the ejection seat. It still needs a little refining but when it works it is good. It takes the rider, tucks him into a little ball, and flings him down the nearest bank. Dave has deployed it a few times and seems to like it as a mode if getting off the bike. Then he pops up like a little jack in the box, all pleased with himself. I think if they can make a version that deploys the side stand it would make more sense as then we wouldn’t have to pick up the bike.
I did take it for a short ride and it is very exhilarating. The quick shifter is very addictive indeed. If you like the sensation of having your eye balls pushed back into your head it is the bike for you.
The pictures are from Thompson’s track in the morning and Black Forest in the afternoon. 
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