South Island Impromptu Adventure Ride: 12, 13, 14 March

[ADVGD]

This is a bit of an impromptu ride with little notice (sorry), there are 4 riders so far but its open to any rider as long as you are a good bugger with a sense of humour.

Just finished the final calls to check track status, access codes etc, all looking good for what should be a ripper of a trip

Departure time and meeting place
The Peg (Belfast Tarvern - 899 Main North Road ) 7:00am

Route overview
This is a 3 day ride but setup so you can jump in for a 2 day ride if you want (2 riders already doing this) . The tracks are mixed in terrain, the first day has a couple of testing sections on Edwards and Mailings but nothing extreme at all and is really just a great route. Day 2 Porika Track and Waitahu River track may be a bit more of a challenge in places, day 3 is Waitahu River track (heading out) and then Big River which is a pretty easy but fun track

Saturday : Christchurch > Hamner > Tophouse Road > Edwards Valley Track > Mailings Pass > Rainbow Road > Lake Rotoiti > camp the night at DOC campsite (I’ll be sliding in an evening fish)

Sunday : Head accross the top of Lake Rotoroa via Porika Track, Braeburn Track > Maruia Saddle > Reefton (grab a bite to eat) > Waitahu River track. Chill out or go for a walk up the Montgomerie River for a fish. Stay the night in Montgomerie Hut

Monday : Head back out Waitahu River track > Reefton (grab a bite to eat) > Big River Road > head back out > Chch

Fuel stop information
These are not absolutely precise, but conservative enough to keep yourself out of trouble if you have a small tank

140km : Christchurch > Hamner (Hanmer Springs Caltex open 7:30am 6pm)

190km : Hamner > Lake Rotoiti including 40km round trip Edwards Valley and 30km round trip Mailings Pass (St Arnaud Alpine Village Store Mobil open 8am to 7:30pm) head to Lake Rotoiti

70km : Lake Rotoiti > Porika Rd > Lake Rotoroa > Braeburn Track > Mangles Valley Rd > Murchison (Murchison Mobil open 6am – 9pm)

130km : Maruia Saddle > SH65 > West Bank Road > SH7 to Reefton (Reefton Mobil open Sunday 9am-5pm + 24hr Eftpos)

50km : Reefton > Waitahu River (Stay night in hut) return trip in morning (Reefton Mobil open Monday 7am- 6pm + 24hr Eftpos)

50km : Reefton > Big River return trip (Reefton Mobil open Monday 7am- 6pm + 24hr Eftpos)

160km : Reefton > Culverden (Culverden Service Station 24hr Eftpos)

100km : Culverden > Christchurch

890km : Total

Access details
Edwards and Mailings Pass : Open - gate access codes have been obtained, bikes have been logged – If you are going to come PM me your a)registration b)bike colour c) make/model so I can log it with DOC

Rainbow Road : Open - gate is manned from 7am till 6pm

Porika Rd : Officially open but classed as closed due to fallen trees. DOC guy recons impassable by standard four wheel vehicle but said we could give it a nudge on motorbikes, I am happy to attempt it, worst case scenario we may have to backtrack 15 km and reroute through SH63 and Gowan Valley Road. If we do have to backtrack it won’t put any pressure on fuel range in this section (backtrack will be well within 90km to next fuel stop)

Braeburn Track : Open

Maruia Saddle : Open

West Bank Road : Open

Waitahu River : Open but classed as degraded condition

Big River : Open

Fees
Rainbow Road : $15 per rider
Lake Rotoiti : Camp fee $7.10
Montgomerie Hut : $5.10 DOC hut fee (category=Standard hut)

Totals
$22.10 : for the 2 day riders
$27.20 : for the 3 day riders

** Bring cash as there is no eftpos **

If you are keen reply to thread or shoot me a PM

[mattsdakar]

Hey Josh,
Thanks for throwing itin together looking good.
My bike still making some odd noises so I might take tank off and recheck valve clearances but I should be good to go.
What is the plan for food each night? I don't have a gas cooker to bring so can you provide? My tent is a three man, so how about I bring us the tent and you can be the kitchen bitch???
:gob:

[ADVGD]

Hey Josh,
Thanks for throwing itin together looking good.
My bike still making some odd noises so I might take tank off and recheck valve clearances but I should be good to go.
What is the plan for food each night? I don't have a gas cooker to bring so can you provide? My tent is a three man, so how about I bring us the tent and you can be the kitchen bitch???
:gob:

All good mate :niceone:

Not good about those odd noises, fingers crossed its just clearances and you're good to go

I have my MSR cooker so will take plenty of spare fuel and have all the cooking gear we need. I can organise getting and taking up the food for night 1, then we can grab some supplies as we pass through Reefton for night 2.

Maybe a bit of overkill taking a 3 man tent, no doubt she'll be heavy and big, I have one of these you can borrow if you like
http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/23/dmh-hike-lite-shelter-fly.php
It only weighs a little over 800grms and fairly small, you're welcome to it if you are up for fly camping

[marks]

was down that way a week or two ago.

Porika was officially closed due to a slip - apparently lighter bikes can be manhandled past the slip.

Waitahu River is going to be a challenge to ride to the hut - awesome track but 3 million sump busting rocks fill the river bed you have to repeatedly cross - I've been in there 4-5 times and never yet made it to the hut

lots of great riding around Reefton

take lots of photos

would join you if I could :yes:

[ADVGD]

was down that way a week or two ago.

Porika was officially closed due to a slip - apparently lighter bikes can be manhandled past the slip.

Waitahu River is going to be a challenge to ride to the hut - awesome track but 3 million sump busting rocks fill the river bed you have to repeatedly cross - I've been in there 4-5 times and never yet made it to the hut

lots of great riding around Reefton

take lots of photos

would join you if I could :yes:

Thanks for that marks, neither of the DOC offices I talked to mentioned a slip, in saying that one girl from the Nelson DOC office said it was absolutely fine start to finish, thanks for the heads up... We'll give it nudge anyway:msn-wink: we can retreat if need be

As for your comments on the Waitahu, there is nothing I have read in quite a while that amps me up for a challenge quite like what you said :eek: Knowing mattsdakar's style he'll be dead keen too, will have my camera so will bring back plenty of pics, hopefully of our bikes parked outside the hut :innocent:

[Waihou Thumper]

Dayum.....I wish I lived in the South Island...:( Have a good one, sounds like a great little ride out...

[Padmei]

Thanks for that marks, neither of the DOC offices I talked to mentioned a slip, in saying that one girl from the Nelson DOC office said it was absolutely fine start to finish, thanks for the heads up... We'll give it nudge anyway:msn-wink: we can retreat if need be

As for your comments on the Waitahu, there is nothing I have read in quite a while that amps me up for a challenge quite like what you said :eek: Knowing mattsdakar's style he'll be dead keen too, will have my camera so will bring back plenty of pics, hopefully of our bikes parked outside the hut :innocent:

If you check the Jatz' thread you'll see that the slip on the porika isn't one to be taken lightly. I think it may be passable if the gear was taken off & the bikes carried/ manhandled across some serious muddy crap. Jatz do you want to jump in here (no not literally FFS)

[ADVGD]

If you check the Jatz' thread you'll see that the slip on the porika isn't one to be taken lightly. I think it may be passable if the gear was taken off & the bikes carried/ manhandled across some serious muddy crap. Jatz do you want to jump in here (no not literally FFS)

Cheers Padmei, could you kindly post a linky, I looked back through the "Wot the Jatz's did.." but couldn't see it, or are you talking about another thread?

[Padmei]

Cheers Padmei, could you kindly post a linky, I looked back through the "Wot the Jatz's did.." but couldn't see it, or are you talking about another thread?

Hmmm it could have all been a dream however was looking at doing the porika untill I saw the pics....

[rogerh]

Porika is pretty passable. I was there a few weeks ago, on my way escaping after the Christchurch quake. I went from the St Arnaud (Howard?) end to the lake. Likely easier that way I think. You are going that way, or do I have the lake names mixed up?

Not sure I would take a beemer through, but was fine on the 640. Got off and walked the bike through the slip, but depending on how many have been through since I would imagine it would be fine.

Eventually we may need to take up a chainsaw and spade to clear the entrance and exit of the slip, but the rock in the bottom was not slippery.

I think I took a photo on my phone. I will have a dig.

Have fun

[JATZ]

one girl from the Nelson DOC office said it was absolutely fine start to finish, thanks for the heads up... We'll give it nudge anyway:msn-wink: we can retreat if need be

I wonder if thats the same girl who told us the Rainbow was closed when we were coming down for the D.B. :facepalm:

Anyhoooo......http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/79336-Nelson-Rideouts-Where-next?p=1129971176#post1129971176
post # 3738 If MrsJ can get through so can you :Pokey:
I reakon you'll be fine with 4 bods, take a strop to let the bikes down the steep bit would be my advice, however it may have all changed by now. There was no trees down when we went through.
What time you fullahs planing on leaving the lakes ? I MAY tag along for a bit

[ADVGD]

Porika is pretty passable. I was there a few weeks ago, on my way escaping after the Christchurch quake. I went from the St Arnaud (Howard?) end to the lake. Likely easier that way I think. You are going that way, or do I have the lake names mixed up?

Not sure I would take a beemer through, but was fine on the 640. Got off and walked the bike through the slip, but depending on how many have been through since I would imagine it would be fine.

Eventually we may need to take up a chainsaw and spade to clear the entrance and exit of the slip, but the rock in the bottom was not slippery.

I think I took a photo on my phone. I will have a dig.

Have fun

Shot rogerh, cheers for that :niceone:

For interests sake, if you do have a pic that would be great

[ADVGD]

I wonder if thats the same girl who told us the Rainbow was closed when we were coming down for the D.B. :facepalm:

She was a nice friendly girl, but just not up with the play eh


Anyhoooo......http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/79336-Nelson-Rideouts-Where-next?p=1129971176#post1129971176
post # 3738 If MrsJ can get through so can you :Pokey:
I reakon you'll be fine with 4 bods, take a strop to let the bikes down the steep bit would be my advice, however it may have all changed by now. There was no trees down when we went through.
Nice job MrsJ :niceone: Cheers for the pics, that looks well doable to me :yes:


What time you fullahs planing on leaving the lakes ? I MAY tag along for a bit

For sure JATZ, would be great to catch up. We can touch base tomorrow once we have got all our ducks in a row, if you are keen to catch up for a squirt then we can set some times to meet up :)

[Crim]

have got all our ducks in a row,

If you are taking ducks I might have to talk the missus round and join you:blink: I want to see how you strap 'em on

[ADVGD]

If you are taking ducks I might have to talk the missus round and join you:blink: I want to see how you strap 'em on

It may not be worth a special trip, like most people I just use standard duck grade bungee cords

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/public-images/adventure-riding/duck-bungee.jpg

[mattsdakar]

Maybe a bit of overkill taking a 3 man tent, no doubt she'll be heavy and big, I have one of these you can borrow if you like
http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/23/dmh-hike-lite-shelter-fly.php
It only weighs a little over 800grms and fairly small, you're welcome to it if you are up for fly camping[/QUOTE]

Sorry call me soft but I would get munched alive sleeping under a fly, I'll ring around some mates who are into their camping and see what I can find

[ADVGD]

Sorry call me soft but I would get munched alive sleeping under a fly, I'll ring around some mates who are into there camping and see what I can find

There is a mozzy net with a zip entry and floor in it that I have made up. I use it to keep the sanflies at bay, great wee setup. Let me know how you get along, we'll sus something out for sure

How is your bike looking, or more to the point sounding?

[rogerh]

Josh, Jatz's pics are better I think, but try


http://www.tekowhai.co.nz/places_to_ride/porika/o_ee23e7_648_484.jpg

Hope it helps, but the bottom line is you should be fine on any bike that can deal with the rest of the track

[mattsdakar]

There is a mozzy net with a zip entry and floor in it that I have made up. I use it to keep the sanflies at bay, great wee setup. Let me know how you get along, we'll sus something out for sure

How is your bike looking, or more to the point sounding?

Gave it a clean and that seem to fix it, I wish!!!
Will take it apart tomorrow and see what I can find.
Don't expect you to carry all the food etc, we'll try to spread it out amongst those going I reckon, have dug out my collapsible fly rod, so up for a bit of that!!!
:eek:

[Smifffy]

It may not be worth a special trip, like most people I just use standard duck grade bungee cords



Have you ever tried (ahem) Duck tape?

:woohoo::innocent:

[ADVGD]

Hope it helps, but the bottom line is you should be fine on any bike that can deal with the rest of the track

Sure does, thanks mate :niceone:


Don't expect you to carry all the food etc, we'll try to spread it out amongst those going I reckon,

We can sort all that out tomorrow mate, I'll come up with sort of horrifically overpriced haulage rate :p


have dug out my collapsible fly rod, so up for a bit of that!!!
I catch and release 99% of my fish but every now and then I take one home for the table, a freshly caught trout could be just the ticket for a meal one night :yes:

[chainsawbike]

sent pm - thanks for organising this :)

[GrantWtf]

It may not be worth a special trip, like most people I just use standard duck grade bungee cords

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/public-images/adventure-riding/duck-bungee.jpg


Good to see that you are taking a spare, just in case the first gets completely ducked.:rolleyes:

[Padmei]

:Oi:Oh look this thread is getting completely silly- Ducks FFS!!:nono: Now get this thread back on track or I'm gonna call a mod in to kick your lily white arses.

[ADVGD]

:Oi:Oh look this thread is getting completely silly- Ducks FFS!!:nono: Now get this thread back on track or I'm gonna call a mod in to kick your lily white arses.

You're right, sorry Padmei, if I am going to post pictures they should really be adventure riding pictures like this one

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/71/images/DB1K-74.jpg

Mind you, to be fair, this isn't actually adventure riding is it Padmei? Its more like adventure falling :bleh:

[Monstaman]

:Oi:Oh look this thread is getting completely silly- Ducks FFS!!:nono: Now get this thread back on track or I'm gonna call a mod in to kick your lily white arses.

Feathers gettin flustered there Padmei :devil2: ... take a paddle and keep ya sticky beak out of it.

ADVGD might send you a bill for wasting his time.

Anyway, if you want a roasted duck I have one :rolleyes:

[Transalper]

Have a good ride guys.
I might still go camp up somewhere like Lake Tenneyson or further into the Rainbow area maybe for Saturday night with J but we'll be later and skipping all your interesting extras.
Cheers
TA.

[mattsdakar]

Sorry Josh, just checked my roster again and unfortunately I am back to work at midday Monday, bugger!! :argh:
So I'll only be coming for the Saturday night. Depending how we go for time would still be interested in doing an in and out up the Waitahu, another option might be going up the Rappahannock and Station creeks to near the back of Lake Daniels??
I've sussed out a tent so no worries there
Cheers Matt

[ADVGD]

Have a good ride guys.
I might still go camp up somewhere like Lake Tenneyson or further into the Rainbow area maybe for Saturday night with J but we'll be later and skipping all your interesting extras.
Cheers
TA.

I couldn't recommend Edwards and Mailing Pass enough, you'd be right at home there mate, fairly easy with just enough technical bits to make them good fun. The views are stunning, you and J would love it.


Sorry Josh, just checked my roster again and unfortunately I am back to work at midday Monday, bugger!! :argh:
So I'll only be coming for the Saturday night.

You've been drinking heavily and then planning trips again haven't you?


Depending how we go for time would still be interested in doing an in and out up the Waitahu, another option might be going up the Rappahannock and Station creeks to near the back of Lake Daniels??
I've sussed out a tent so no worries there
Cheers Matt

I'll still be doing the 3 days, pretty flexible for day 1 and 2 but to be honest I'm really amped to have a nudge at getting to the end of Waitahu, as a group, or solo. We can play it by ear on the day, the Rappahannock maybe a better option if we start to run out of time, either way I am easy as both options sound like fun to me :)

[mattsdakar]

Bike sounding better now, not perfect.
Next dilemma, my rack brackets are witha mate to reweld them after snapping them on the Dusty Butt, unfortunately he cant find them, so I guess I will be carrying everything in a backpack, :doh:

[ADVGD]

Bike sounding better now, not perfect.

That's good :)


Next dilemma, my rack brackets are witha mate to reweld them after snapping them on the Dusty Butt, unfortunately he cant find them, so I guess I will be carrying everything in a backpack, :doh:

That's shit :rolleyes:

I do have this 35(ish) litre tail bag if you want to use it...

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/public-images/adventure-riding/tail-bag.jpg

[Shoshoni]

Do you guys mind another person to tags along, just interested in doing the Rainbow then head back to quake town.

[ADVGD]

Do you guys mind another person to tags along, just interested in doing the Rainbow then head back to quake town.

Good as mate, PM me your bike reg, make and colour so I can register it with DOC for Edwards and Mailings Pass

See you in the morning :niceone:

[ADVGD]

What time you fullahs planing on leaving the lakes ? I MAY tag along for a bit

Is this still your plan mate? Did you want us to set times to meet up? Lake Rotoiti would probably be the easiest as this is where we will be camping Saturday night and departing from on Sunday

[JATZ]

Is this still your plan mate? Did you want us to set times to meet up? Lake Rotoiti would probably be the easiest as this is where we will be camping Saturday night and departing from on Sunday

Right.... Lake Rotoiti camp ground.
It's about an hour and a half away so I could be there by about 8:30
Don't bother waiting around if you wanna take off earlier

[ADVGD]

Right.... Lake Rotoiti camp ground.
It's about an hour and a half away so I could be there by about 8:30
Don't bother waiting around if you wanna take off earlier

Good stuff, we'll be staying at the West Bay Camp Ground

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/public-images/adventure-riding/camp.jpg

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/nelson-tasman/nelson-lakes-area/west-bay/

8:30 sounds great, see you then :niceone:

[mattsdakar]

That's good :)



That's shit :rolleyes:

I do have this 35(ish) litre tail bag if you want to use it...

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/public-images/adventure-riding/tail-bag.jpg

Nah mate it's all good, backpack will be fine

[ADVGD]

All sorted this end, a fresh E09 on the back, a crisp new visor for the S4, major routes input to the GPS, all packed up and good to go.. bring it on :headbang:

A couple have pulled the pin (including badblackbuell who is washing his hair this weekend, or some other similarly flimsy excuse :oi-grr:)

So at this stage there are 4 starters:

ADVGD
mattsdakar
chainsawbike
Shoshoni

See you in the morning 7am at the Peg, (see you 8:30 Sunday morning at Lake Rotoiti camp ground Jatz)

[badblackbuell]

A couple have pulled the pin (including badblackbuell who is washing his hair this weekend, or some other similarly flimsy excuse :oi-grr:)

I'll make it up to you bud, guided tour on the peninsula next week?

[Shoshoni]

Right.... Lake Rotoiti camp ground.
It's about an hour and a half away so I could be there by about 8:30
Don't bother waiting around if you wanna take off earlier

ADVGD has asked to pass a message onto JATZ. He is going hard out on the bike and wont be able to catch up with you on this trip.

[JATZ]

ADVGD has asked to pass a message onto JATZ. He is going hard out on the bike and wont be able to catch up with you on this trip.

O.K......
:banana:

[chainsawbike]

my bike decided it no longer wanted to go fast a bit after hamner :(
so i drove it straight home (albeit slowly...) and sent it to its room :P
ill be sending it into the bike discipline school to get it back into line :D

it still was a good trip :)

[ADVGD]

Cheers for passing that on Shoshoni

Sorry for the mess around JATZ, Matt and I felt the urge for a big day and planned to do a few more hours on the bikes aiming to push right through to New Creek/Deniston

However, did not plan to be here typing this (Murchison motor camp) but a log that was hiding in the bushed rudely launched itself at Matt coming down the Porika (which other than that we made through fine), smashed up the radiator, which then started bleeding fluids :(

Unsure what tomorrow will bring, Matts plan is most likely trying to get bike back to Chch without overheating, I'll most likely push on and aim to reach Montgomery Hut...

[Shoshoni]

Here is a couple of Pic's of the day.

234281234282234283234284234285234286

[mattsdakar]

Well got back safe n sound, pity I can't say the same about the bike.

While coming down the steep south side of the Porika I was caught out by a fallen tree protruding from the bank behind bush which I copped straight into my right radiator.
Speedo cable was ripped off, radiator protection bar bend around 90degrees and 3 of 4 fuel tank bolts bent or snapped off completely not to mention the nasty wound to my right shin. After a top up of water we managed a quick sprint to Murchison for repairs where we were able to stem the bleeding courtesy of some radiator stopleak.
After tenting the night at the very noisy Kiwi Holiday park in Murchison I limped home to chc via tarmac. ADGVD carried on towards Montgomery Hut for some fishing.
Going to drop radiator off to a repair shop tomorrow, hopefully they can weave some magic as I hate to think what a replacement is worth :crybaby:
.
234361

[cynna]

I hate to think what a replacement is worth :crybaby:

theres one on trademe for $280

how did your rebuilt engine go on the trip?

[mattsdakar]

theres one on trademe for $280

how did your rebuilt engine go on the trip?

Yeah saw that on trade me, it's on my watchlist just in case
Took radiator into A1 today and they quoted $45-$90 so hopefully they can sort it.
Just need to get a speedo cable, although are toying with the idea of getting a vapour speedo as haven't really got speedo sorted out when in supermoto mode
Engine felt good, more power than b4 and didn't miss a beat, however it sounds crap sort of like loose tappets, however it can't be that as I even had Phil Parish double check them and are definitely correctly set, more head scratching required!!!

[Crim]

Righto, what sort of time did you blokes do? (thinking of doing Rainbow / Molesworth before winter)
Left CC at 7am, what time did you leave Hamner? Did you do both Mailings Pass and Edwards Valley and what time did you get to St Arnaud? Can I do Rainbow, Mailings, Edwards Valley and Molesworth in one day (keeping in mind I ride like a nana - but am on a rocket [cough, cough :scooter: KLR] ship) from quake central?

[mattsdakar]

Righto, what sort of time did you blokes do? (thinking of doing Rainbow / Molesworth before winter)
Left CC at 7am, what time did you leave Hamner? Did you do both Mailings Pass and Edwards Valley and what time did you get to St Arnaud? Can I do Rainbow, Mailings, Edwards Valley and Molesworth in one day (keeping in mind I ride like a nana - but am on a rocket [cough, cough :scooter: KLR] ship) from quake central?

In a word, I would say nay, to many km's
We left The Peg at 07:15...stopped at Hanmer for 15mins and got to St Arnaud around 15:45 after doing Maling and Edwards Valleys.
Even if you left out the Edwards and Malings I think you would struggle doing the Rainbow and Molesworth in one day ex chch...maybe if you started from Hanmer??? Then again we did do that on the Northern Dusty Butts
Three or four years ago the Christchurch regulars rode Christchurch to Blenheim and return via Molesworth and it took approx 14hours add another hour for doing Rainbow / Molesworth, wouldn't recommend

[ADVGD]

Made it back in one piece, fricken awesome trip :)

After mattsdakar began nursing his bike home from Springs Junction I took a nosy up Palmer Road, nice ride, then off to Waitahu River Track. This is one heck of a fun track, lots of fast sections, a few challenging bits, gnarly bolder sections, muddy sections, and a great hut at the end, highly recommended :yes:

Will throw up some pics tomorrow...

[Howie]

Righto, what sort of time did you blokes do? (thinking of doing Rainbow / Molesworth before winter)
Left CC at 7am, what time did you leave Hamner? Did you do both Mailings Pass and Edwards Valley and what time did you get to St Arnaud? Can I do Rainbow, Mailings, Edwards Valley and Molesworth in one day (keeping in mind I ride like a nana - but am on a rocket [cough, cough :scooter: KLR] ship) from quake central?

BMWRSNUT and myself did Hanmer Molesworth/ Blenheim/ Rainbow,back to Hanmer in a day a few weeks ago without doing malings, or Edwards passes, and from the times on my pics it took about 8.5 hours, although we weren't riding that fast, stopping for plenty of photos etc

[cynna]

Righto, what sort of time did you blokes do? (thinking of doing Rainbow / Molesworth before winter)
Left CC at 7am, what time did you leave Hamner? Did you do both Mailings Pass and Edwards Valley and what time did you get to St Arnaud? Can I do Rainbow, Mailings, Edwards Valley and Molesworth in one day (keeping in mind I ride like a nana - but am on a rocket [cough, cough :scooter: KLR] ship) from quake central?

check with thepom - he recently something like that in a day and had enough left in him to do the clarence the next day

[mattsdakar]

BMWRSNUT and myself did Hanmer Molesworth/ Blenheim/ Rainbow,back to Hanmer in a day a few weeks ago without doing malings, or Edwards passes, and from the times on my pics it took about 8.5 hours, although we weren't riding that fast, stopping for plenty of photos etc

Hmmm I obviously got my travel times mixed up, mind you was ex Christchurch so adds another 90mins each way on :facepalm:

[ADVGD]

Click here for article with pictures (http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/articles/12/77/3-day-rainbow.php?admin=sing-art-access-8286765-1123)

[chainsawbike]

:( pity my bike was not running right

looks like you had a nice ride :)

[thepom]

I did chch to hamner,left at 9 30 in the morning got to Hamner and had a big fry upat the cafe on the right,then headed to Moleswort.
Tanked up in Blenheim and fast pace -100kmh- to St Arnaud-tanked again.
Lost half an hour helping a guy who drowned his beemer in the crossing at the beginning of the track and then made a steady pace to Hamner arriving about 7 00in the evening and found some digs and was showered and in the pub by 7 45:banana:...

I think a top ride would be chc to Hamner and Edwards amd Malings poasses and home again.....

[Crim]

I think a top ride would be chc to Hamner and Edwards amd Malings poasses and home again.....

I reckon the same, Kenny - was thinking of doing a one dayer - CHCH leaving 6.30am or so doing Molesworth / Rainbow and home and then seperate one dayer CHCH to Hamner, Edwards & Malings and back home - I want to see them thar poasses!

[Padmei]

lovely photos 'dave'. Nice piece of country round there isn't it

[ADVGD]

lovely photos 'dave'. Nice piece of country round there isn't it

Absolutely spectacular Padmei, hard to pick a favourite track as they were all pretty much, well, spectacular