To the guy on the old Indian....

[AlpinePossum]

...according to Google the shortcut stock route to Hilltop branches off the main Akaroa road at Cooptown.

The one you directed me to that forks of at Little River goes to Port Levy via an Amazingly steep and hairy (and misty) track.

Just the sort of road a Suzi DR650 really loves best.

I didn't get to Hilltop, but that's OK. Initially I thought I had missed the turn off to hilltop in the 5m visibility mist at the top....

But it was a really fun Route over to Port Levy then over to Diamond Harbour and back to Chch. (Ooo the DR handles the twisty twistys _so_ much better than a Car. Fun!)

Thanks! I honestly enjoyed it better than going up to Hilltop and back!

I hope you and the rest of you classic bikers had a Grand day out. I'll be glad if my Suzi ever lasts as long as those old Indians!

[Transalper]

The stock road (Harmans Track) from near Cooptown to the hill top when it eventually turns to shingle is short and steep with a few tight hilly bends, often with quite a thick layer of very coarse chunky shingle.
Western Valley Rd (the one you did) is awesome most of the time.
There are plenty more around there, have you done Bossu Rd? It's on the map at www.advroutes.org.nz (http://www.advroutes.org.nz/).
Or go take ya lunch to Flea bay.

[veny]

Watch that wooden bridge on the Port Levy side in the wet though, (about halfway down).

Another good ride is Diamond Harbour, Port Levy, Pigeon bay.
Then a road climb to the summit road/hill top, some shingle down to Little River and back to Port Levy on Harmans Track.

About time the council put some new shingle down for us though :)