Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

[Padmei]

Just took the girls to have a look at this.

Absolutely unreal rambling old buildings up the end of Teal Valley. If you get a chance check it out during an open home- prob one of the craziest farmlets in NZ.
I came across it while mtbing from Maitai valley on a real stormy afternoon . Thinking I was heading back down to Maitai I came to a gate & these old buildings were sitting askew in fields. It was such a sureal sight & thinking after I was in the Lud Valley I could never find it again. After a few years I was unsure if it was real or if I'd dreamed it!!


I don't think you can ride down as far as this from the forest - locked gate now.

Anyway I'm gonna have a quiet quick cruise around Hira forest now.

[NordieBoy]

So how did Hira go?

[NordieBoy]

Nothing at all like this I suppose?

Is this man a builder or sparky?
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Going...
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Going...
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Gone!
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[Padmei]

Bugger
ftcr

[NordieBoy]

I think I see your problem.

Your right leg is too heavy.

[Padmei]

Forgot to ask you - Have you any spare DR footpegs. I hear they're lighter.

[NordieBoy]

I do have a spare pair.

They're definitely lighter than a KLR.

[Fluffy Cat]

Is that one DR footpeg is lighter than a KLR, or two footpegs are lighter than a KLR?.
This is an important detail.

[thommo77]

Official NCC statement re: Maungatapu track -

"The track has closed signs at both ends, at the start of the Pelorus river, start of the road up to the track and at the saddle when coming from Marlborough. There is a large sign at the start of the Maitai just down from Branford Park by the old Quarry and again at the new gates, when coming from Nelson.

It is worth noting the track is niether a paper road nor legal road.

The track will stay closed at least until the organisations that pay for it's upkeep can have it repaired from all the damage that has been done by four wheel drives. This damage includes mud-plug holes that have exposed the warring tape for the fibre optic cable that runs along the track, deep holes caused by water courses being blocked off making access out to the power line corridor difficult for service vehicles.

Once the repair work is completed it will be up to the power and communication companies in conjunction with Nelson City Council to decide how to best manage access over the track. It is unlikely to be a free for all. We have only heard from the local four drive club and freedom motor bike riders, who are working with us in regard to organised access.

If you have any further questions or if you represent a group of interested users, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me."

[NordieBoy]

Wonder who the "freedom motor bike riders" are?

Wonder if Ulusseyyess are involved? They have regular runs over to Pelorus.

[warewolf]

"Freedom motor bike riders" ?? Sounds like a double-edged sword, that appellation. Does an adventure rider shit in the woods?

I'd say uly-Cs aren't, judging from my correspondence. Not unless they've gone _really_ soft and got an extra couple of wheels.

[Howie]

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It wasn't all that happened...

Not a good look...

That’s definitely not a good look

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This sucks but it seems like this is the end. Can't argue public road or anything so all you "top enders" can do is establish a permission based access agreement.

Any body spoken to the Council about this yet?

Cheers R

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I have been in email conversation with the council throughout today. The gates went up because 4wders were lifting the cable, running over the signs and cones to get access. They are in final stages of costing up the repairs. So far only 4wd groups have been in discussion with the council about access. No mtb groups. I've mentioned the adventure motorcycle users and the council is keen to talk and set up a meeting. At this stage, I am happy to spearhead this, but I am away over Easter so there may not be any action for the next month, apart from research.

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Best of luck guys. Sounds like a good course of action to follow. Glad they are welling to talk - make the most of it. I'd help out if I was a bit more local.

Cheers R

So what can the rest of us do to support the top of the south guy's that are in communication with the NCC? As this is another in a growing number of 4wd tracks/routes where accsess is being restriced/stopped.

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Official NCC statement re: Maungatapu track -

"The track has closed signs at both ends, at the start of the Pelorus river, start of the road up to the track and at the saddle when coming from Marlborough. There is a large sign at the start of the Maitai just down from Branford Park by the old Quarry and again at the new gates, when coming from Nelson.

It is worth noting the track is niether a paper road nor legal road.

The track will stay closed at least until the organisations that pay for it's upkeep can have it repaired from all the damage that has been done by four wheel drives. This damage includes mud-plug holes that have exposed the warring tape for the fibre optic cable that runs along the track, deep holes caused by water courses being blocked off making access out to the power line corridor difficult for service vehicles.

Once the repair work is completed it will be up to the power and communication companies in conjunction with Nelson City Council to decide how to best manage access over the track. It is unlikely to be a free for all. We have only heard from the local four drive club and freedom motor bike riders, who are working with us in regard to organised access.

"

So they have only been contacted by a couple of groups at this stage, and a few individuals obviously.

What I'm trying to get at I guess is that a lot of ADV riders from all around the country at some stage have probably ridden the Maugatapu(and would again if able) but without a organised vocal voice like a club, or Association how do we all voice our concerns over these sort of changes? With out upsetting the local Coucil/ land owners.

[Padmei]

I have found our council very approachable & as a lot of those working there are into MTBing tramping & other outdoor activities they are very proactive re access to areas. I think at this stage they wouldn't want to deny access to anyone just find out who have interest in going thru it.
If you felt concerned about losing access to the Maungatapu a simple email to the council from indivduals from all over the country stating that that track is a reason many adv riders stop over in Nelson to ride as part of tour/ route.
We spend a fortune on self promotion to get visitors here so that is a good angle to start with.
I can't see it turning into a battle over access. Lets start with simple comunication & let them know what the Maungatapu means to Adv riders.

[Underground]

Good ideas Padmei, I would be interested in attending a meeting with council if one happens .
I actualy use the track for commuting as its on my way to town ,so its more than just a recreational route.
They've made it a bit difficult now with their wire ropes and such.
Perhaps the goodwill could start by council creating a narrow gap so bikes can pass through ?

[cooneyr]

Good idea Padmei with the emailing thing. I'm guessing the council staff and elected memebers dont really know how much use it really gets. Maybe if we all sent in an email about how much and when we use it they might get a better idea. Is there an email address we should use or do we just use the generic one.

I like Undergrounds idea of narow gaps for motor and mountain bikes. The regional council down here has created a couple of bike only areas along the side of the Waimak by wire roping of large areas (20+ heactres) and providing a few gaps with railway line driven into the ground. The tracks in these areas are generally not degrading at all though it is all gravel and sand based tracks. I believe stongly that motorbikes do absolutly minimal damage compared with 4wd's. I use to do a lot of 4wding and have seen the carnage they can create and you'd need hundereds of bike deliberatly trying to rip the place up to do the damage of 1 4wd. If the council made if freely accessable to two wheeled machines and by permission only for 4wds for a couple of years after the repairs are completed it would be interesting to see hoe much damage is or isn't done.

Cheers R