Attn Nelson Crew: Planning a trip down the Molesworth and Rainbow on 5 January

**Benjah** · 31st December 2010, 10:58

Hi guys

Well I've had a change in plan and I'll now be riding solo from Picton to Christchurch on the 5th of Jan. I Figured on grabbing as much scenery as possible so I'd like to try the Molesworth / Rainbow roads that Paladin has been telling me so much about.

I'll be riding a fairly laden R1100gs. A couple of questions:

Are there any "big bike" unfriendly sections?

And more importantly.. Would anyone fancy coming along for the trip? It would be great to have a guide/company.

I'll be leaving Wellington on the ferry at 8am so should be in Picton around 11-12 ish. I'm planing on taking three days to get to Chch,travelling via the molesworth and take in arthur's pass but thats all the plans I've made. I like to play it fast and loose.

If any one feels like joining in for part of the trip or even the whole shebang let me know

-Benjah

**cooneyr** · 31st December 2010, 12:12

The scree slopes in the Rainbow (northern end) have come down over the road in about 1/2 and dozen places. The scree is small, loose and soft but we got through OK in a Prado. Should be no worries on a bike but you may find it soft enough to get stuck if you don't get it right the first time.

Alternatively the farmer may have put a blade over it since before Christmas. Cynna is coming up for the beach racing on the 3rd so should be able to give an update.

**cynna** · 31st December 2010, 12:51

yep - im heading up there today in the surf so will let you know how the roads are. might not get access to the net for the next couple of days tho

**Benjah** · 31st December 2010, 13:35

Cheers Guys

Keep me posted on the track condition.

**JATZ** · 31st December 2010, 15:38

Day 1.... Picton to Hamner via Molesworth (go over Taylors pass instead of Hway 1)
Day 2.... Hamner to Westport via Rainbow rd and Buller gorge.
Day 3..... Westport to Chch via Coast rd and Arthurs pass

No, no, don't thank me, just doin my bit for a fellow rider

say Hi to Paladin for me

**CrazyFrog** · 1st January 2011, 09:34

According to the Nelson Mail newspaper, the Rainbow Rd is still closed due to slips and flood damage.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/n...s-for-trampers

Might pay to phone Rainbow Station leaseholders first, 03-5211838 Dave and Kate McEwan, and ask when it's likely to open.

Alternatively, for the Molesworth road, try the DOC hotline, 24hrs message service, 03-5729100 before heading down the Awatere Valley and finding it's a no-go.

Cheers bro, would love to join you, but working.... C'est la vie.

**Benjah** · 2nd January 2011, 10:44

Shame about the rainbow been closed. Looks like I'll need to go to plan B..

Tarmac.

The Rainbow will have to wait for another day

**JATZ** · 2nd January 2011, 21:03

Originally Posted by Benjah

Shame about the rainbow been closed. Looks like I'll need to go to plan B..

Tarmac.

The Rainbow will have to wait for another day

Molesworth is open

came through there today

**Padmei** · 2nd January 2011, 22:24

Originally Posted by JATZ

Molesworth is open

came through there today

4wd go alright then?

**cynna** · 4th January 2011, 23:49

on the 31st we stayed at lake tennyson at the start of the rainbow - heard from others that it wasnt possible to get thru so decided to go back and head up the molesworth the next day

on the way back from lake tennyson on the 1st the grader was heading up to the rainbow so he might have got all the slips cleared by now

the moleswoth was fine and you will have no trouble there. there was hardly any traffic and the road was is good condition