Picton to Nelson at night

[Lurch]

Hi Guys,

I'm catching the ferry from Wellington to Picton tomorrow (Friday) after work and was wondering if any locals knew the road conditions over the Whangamoas at the moment? I'll be landing in Picton at 9:30pm.

The weather is looking to be quite clear so there might be a risk of frost/ice I'm guessing but has anyone been across recently?

Otherwise I could go via Queen Charlotte but that doesn't tempt me so much at night and without recent memory of the road.

Any locals care to share?

[one fast tl1ooo]

Just ride careful - cause it'll be dark at night :rofl: :rofl::Punk:

[chester]

Went over the Wangamoa hill 2 weeks ago during the day and the ice and grit was everywhere, had to stay on car tracks as it was bloody slippery. Good luck.

[Lurch]

Went over the Wangamoa hill 2 weeks ago during the day and the ice and grit was everywhere, had to stay on car tracks as it was bloody slippery. Good luck.

Yeah that was a shit of a weekend, weather's been much more mild lately.. I hope.

[chester]

Its been nice lately, the Nelson side of the hill is the worst.Will send you a pm with number IF you get stuck......(have ute).

[LBD]

Travel via Renwick if you dont know the track at night.

[nsrpaul]

both the whangamoas and the rai hill are nasty at the moment

[Lurch]

Travel via Renwick if you dont know the track at night.

I'm an ex-nelsonian and know the road fairly well but I've never ridden it at night let alone in winter (although I have driven it dozens of times).

I'm used to the route and taking the springs junction bypass etc but just a bit concerned that it might be a pea gravel and ice nightmare by 10:30pm

[tigertim20]

Travel via Renwick if you dont know the track at night.

What he said. In renwick there is a 24hour petrol station (use eftpos at the pump type) so fill up there if need be.
Be carefull that hill has claimed a few bikes, and its share of lives due to the ice, even those who travel it regularly. it is infamous for its black ice so take your time, have a good trip and arrive alive

[CrazyFrog]

Heavy frosts last 2 nights and forecast the same tonight.
Yes, loads of grit on Rai and Whangamoa saddles.
If you're travelling around 10pm, the road shouldn't be frozen as bad as in the morn, your body will tell you if it's freezing conditions and the grass will look nice and sparky. Yes it's ridable, but use your common sense, and you won't end up on your arse. I've ridden many roads in frosty conditions and have never come a gutser on the ice, ride to the conditions, adjust your speed and watch everything!
Just cruise, another 15mins later at your destination won't hurt anyone, but sitting on your arse in the middle of the night with broken bike and body will be 10 x worse.
Don't bother riding the Queen Charlotte route at night, too many tight corners, pea gravel and just as long time-wise as the main highway thru Blenhiem/Raupara Rd.
The moon will be out though, so will still be nice ride. Magic riding with a full moon, even in winter.
Oh and remember to ride a trail bike, they go well sideways and flick back up again real good:Punk:

[Lurch]

Heavy frosts last 2 nights and forecast the same tonight.
Yes, loads of grit on Rai and Whangamoa saddles.
If you're travelling around 10pm, the road shouldn't be frozen as bad as in the morn, your body will tell you if it's freezing conditions and the grass will look nice and sparky. Yes it's ridable, but use your common sense, and you won't end up on your arse. I've ridden many roads in frosty conditions and have never come a gutser on the ice, ride to the conditions, adjust your speed and watch everything! Just cruise, another 15mins later at your destination won't hurt anyone, but sitting on your arse in the middle of the night with broken bike and body will be 10 x worse.
Don't bother riding the Queen Charlotte route at night, too many tight corners, pea gravel and just as long time wise as the main highway thru Blenhiem/Raupara Rd.
The moon will be out though, so will still be nice ride. Magic riding with a full moon, even in winter.
Oh and remember to ride a trail bike, they go well sideways and flick back up again real good:Punk:

Thanks for that CrazyFrog, that's made me feel better about it. I'm not a stranger to a bit of frost but don't like going in unprepared.

I've had a few early morning rides over the Rimutakas and Paekakariki hills recently in some very white conditions and as you say as long as you keep the speed down there's no reason to avoid it.

[gatch]

I used to live down there, I have no idea what it is like now but would definately urge caution, should be ok if you take it easy though.

[Taz]

Stay in picton? My dear old mum lives there she may be able to offer you her couch?

[MyGSXF]

Yep.. what CF says!! :niceone:

Stick to the left hand side of your lane. As you already know.. the hill is quite narrow.. & the log trucks take up a lot of room going round the corners!! :blink:

The moon will help light your way. Another idea I saw recently.. tape a torch to the top of your helmet.. so when you turn your head into the corners.. you will have alight pointing in that direction too... instead of your bike headlight pointing straight ahead.. into the wall!! :eek:

Take your time! :yes:

ps: a wad of newspaper folded & shoved down your front is a bloody good chill stopper too!! :innocent:

[chef]

take care man and good luck though

[Lurch]

Yep.. what CF says!! :niceone:

Stick to the left hand side of your lane. As you already know.. the hill is quite narrow.. & the log trucks take up a lot of room going round the corners!! :blink:

The moon will help light your way. Another idea I saw recently.. tape a torch to the top of your helmet.. so when you turn your head into the corners.. you will have alight pointing in that direction too... instead of your bike headlight pointing straight ahead.. into the wall!! :eek:

Take your time! :yes:

ps: a wad of newspaper folded & shoved down your front is a bloody good chill stopper too!! :innocent:

I don't think I'd even consider doing it if the headlights on the SV weren't so good for a stock system. And I'll definitely be in full winter gear! I bought some nice possum wool under gloves a few months ago and they have been the best $20 I spent in a long time.


take care man and good luck though

Thx Chef!

[Bardman]

both the whangamoas and the rai hill are nasty at the moment

Would avoid going through queen charlotte drive:nono:

[NZPETE]

I live on the Queen Charlotte Drive and travel to Blenheim every day.
Dry as a bone at the moment but looks like it could be frosty on Saturday morning.Go for it!! Take care :Punk:

[Kinje]

Howd you get on Lurch?

I'm considering the same trip this Friday :cold:

[Lurch]

Howd you get on Lurch?

I'm considering the same trip this Friday :cold:

No dramas, it was a fairly normal night time winter run!

It was cold and clear but the worst part was the fog that settled heavily, ie. basically raining but with 30 meter visibility as well. The fog was on and off from just after Picton and especially in Rai Valley.

The trip via Raupara Road was 1h40m, and that was with plenty of time sub 100(even sub 60) due to pea gravel on the icy bits etc.

I'd recommend good lights, warm gloves and to stick to the wheel tracks when you spot the gravel.

[Kinje]

Thanks mate

Managed to get the avo off work so takin an earlier ferry so hopefully will be warming up in Nelson before the fog rolls in. Will be watching out for the pea gravel and sticking to the wheel tracks

[Lurch]

I assume you'll be on the 2:30 ish one then, so that should get you rolling from Picton before things start to cool off too much. Should be a good ride as long as you slow down for the gravelly bits.

Good luck with the trip!