WORDS & PHOTOS: As credited
DUSTY
BUTT
2019
Steven Croad and Scott
Brooker did this year’s
epic Dusty Butt and came
away not so dusty.
STEVEN CROAD
After missing the 2018 Dusty Butt, the
first one I had missed in four years, there
was no way I was going to miss it in 2019.
So, my entry was in and the planning
was all underway ahead of time. The
planning, accommodation, riders, the
route to and from the event are all part
of the fun package. In the lead up to the
event, my bike was checked over and had
a new set of road/adventure tyres, and
my spare set of rims with off-road tyres
were sent to Fairlie for the event.
Monday, the day before departure, was
gear-check and packing day. It’s always
hard, and trying to do it with the least
amount of gear possible isn’t my strong
point…
Tuesday morning I was all geared up
and set to leave Auckland for the short
trip to Wellington to catch the 5pm ferry.
An easy, cruisey ride down the through
the National Park is always good, and a
few rain showers gave me the chance to
test my new Michelin Adventure tyres in
all conditions, they didn’t disappoint.
I caught up with the rest of the boys
also doing the trip at 4pm, just as we
got on the ferry. The three-hour ferry
ride cruised by with a few beers and
yarns. That night we stayed in Picton
overlooking the Harbour with a view and
sound of the sea – a great way to start
the trip.
Next morning we were up and ready
to face the day after a good cooked
breakfast and a coffee. The riding was
going to be a great mixture today. The
first part heading north from Picton
around the peninsula was amazing
first thing in the morning. Then it was
through Blenheim and a few inland
roads before hitting the main road south
through Kaikoura and then we took more
inland roads heading for some farm
station tracks. The tracks were amazing
and made for a fun afternoon. A short
stop was needed to fix a puncture from
a nail, and then we were off again. We
stayed in Oxford for the night, and after
a quick look at the options for beer
and food we were set – there’s only
one option. So it was pizza and beer –
couldn’t go wrong.
KIWI RIDER 93