Ultimate South Island adventure ride?

[Ruralman]

Who is interested in a trip around the South Island sometime Nov-Feb - the game plan is to drive over every "Pass" on either sealed or gravel roads in the South Island. There's quite a big list, and I reckon it can be done in 4-5 days without going completely nuts.

[Transalper]

Interested I am, but i can usually only manage 3 days of freedom Friday morning to Sunday evenings or maybe over the week of Christmas to New Year.

[Ruralman]

By my current count there are 20 Passes to get over and I don't know how far to travel but it must be close to 1500-2000km. Given some of them are on back roads I don't think less than 4 days would work - unless you want to ride for 8-10 hrs per day plus stops??

[Transalper]

split the trip into two weekends and i can go anytime. Otherwise i'd join in where ever you are on a Friday and farewell you Sunday arvo. Unless it's the week between Christmas and New Year... or Easter (but thats a long way off).
And i prefer big riding hours(about 8 or 9 hours is good), including short stops, but by the end of 4 days i'd be getting tired.
My trip to the Brass was 4 days made up of 9hours then 4.5hours then 9hours then 8hours on the road including stops and it was just nice.

[Jantar]

By my current count there are 20 Passes to get over and I don't know how far to travel but it must be close to 1500-2000km. Given some of them are on back roads I don't think less than 4 days would work - unless you want to ride for 8-10 hrs per day plus stops??

I'm in if it can be done in a single ride of up to 10 days. I think your estimate of 4 - 5 days may be a bit short: Its 1700 km just doing Haast, Lewis, Geddes, Burkes and Lindis. Then when you combine Mackenzie, Hakataramea and Danseys there will be a lot of to and fro across the same mountain ranges in opposite directions.

Lets put up a list of as many as we can think of, then we can work out distances and times.

[Jantar]

Some of the ones I can think of are:

Haast
Danseys
Lindis
McKenzie
Hakatarmea
Burke
Aurthers
Porters
Geddes
Lewis
Wards
Weka
Dashwood

And these are only ones with "Pass" in the name. If you add divide, saddle gap, col etc there are many more.

[far queue]

I'd be interested, but as Jantar says, I don't see this as a 4-5 day thing, plus I wouldn't be interested in going head down and arse up to get it done quickly. I'd rather take it a bit easier and see the views, plus I'm not that interested in too many of the sealed roads. The seal's just there to get me to the good stuff.

Just a thought, but perhaps you might want to split it up into a number of shorter trips for those who can't get longer periods off work and include a rally or two in the planning, such as Winchester in November, Hokitika in January, Vincent County in February I think, and March Hare in March.

Still it's 6 months away yet, so I'll just see wait and see what develops.

So, put me down as an interested but watching.

[Ruralman]

Good feedback , I think doing the trip in stages is possible but I would rather do the whole thing in one go and take another day or so - once you get halfway up the island you might as well carry on and come back a different way. For what its worth heres my list, roughly in order as I would rife them starting from Dunedin. There is only one bit of repeat road (unfortunately a boring bit) from Hamner Springs to Amberley. Here goes:
Danseys, hakataramea, McKenzie, Burkes, up to ChCh then Dyers and Gebbies on Banks Peninsula, Weka, Lewis, and up to Inungahua Junction and up the Buller Gorge (just 'cos its a great bike road), thru St Arnaud to Blenheim then Dashwood, Taylors and Redwood (all side by side almost), up the Molesworth Rd and over Wards pass, to Hamner and Jacks and Jollies passes, down to nearly rangiora and head inland to Okuku and lees passes, come out at Ashley Gorge, join the West Coast road over Porters and Arthurs, down the Coast to Haast, over the Lindis and either continue down the Waitaki valley and back to Dunedin that way or turn back and the top of the Lindis and head back towards Alexandra and celebrate at the first pub we come to!!! - 'cos I think thats all of them.
To answer one other question - "Saddles" don't count. Does anyone know of any passes missing???

[Jantar]

Good feedback , I think doing the trip in stages is possible but I would rather do the whole thing in one go and take another day or so - once you get halfway up the island you might as well carry on and come back a different way. For what its worth heres my list, roughly in order as I would rife them starting from Dunedin. There is only one bit of repeat road (unfortunately a boring bit) from Hamner Springs to Amberley. Here goes:
Danseys, hakataramea, McKenzie, Burkes, up to ChCh then Dyers and Gebbies on Banks Peninsula, Weka, Lewis, and up to Inungahua Junction and up the Buller Gorge (just 'cos its a great bike road), thru St Arnaud to Blenheim then Dashwood, Taylors and Redwood (all side by side almost), up the Molesworth Rd and over Wards pass, to Hamner and Jacks and Jollies passes, down to nearly rangiora and head inland to Okuku and lees passes, come out at Ashley Gorge, join the West Coast road over Porters and Arthurs, down the Coast to Haast, over the Lindis and either continue down the Waitaki valley and back to Dunedin that way or turn back and the top of the Lindis and head back towards Alexandra and celebrate at the first pub we come to!!! - 'cos I think thats all of them.
To answer one other question - "Saddles" don't count. Does anyone know of any passes missing???

Thompsons: Between Tarras and Omakau. And a good reason to to celebrate at Chatto Creek before heading back to Dunedin on the Dunstan Trail.

[Ruralman]

I've never seen that road before - on my map there's no mention of a pass, I see its called the "Rise and Shine road" and marked for 4WD so it should be OK if its dry, and yes the other end is very handy to Chatto Creek - sounds good to me.

[robertydog]

I would be in. Im heading down that way somewhere between the 19th Jan to4 -5th Feb

[Transalper]

Dont know exactly how serious you are about finding all Passes but heres some from a search for the word Pass on the Topo Maps.
Here's a couple of small ones, almost insignificant really...
There's Ahuriri Pass, about 7km out of Otematata toward Omarama.
Little Pass on the Haldon Rd. near Grays Hill.
Dover Pass near Lake Tekapo.
Evans Pass, Lyttelton to Sumner on the edge of Christchurch.
Flanagans Pass is a vehicle track doted line off the side of Lake Ohau on my map.

Saxton Pass is kinda off Wards Pass.
Weld Pass is one i think well proberbly do anyway on the way to Dashwood.
Wilmot Pass, im not convinced we could get there, might require a ferry acrass Lake Manapouri and proberbly requires a heap of land owner permission..
Pahau Pass, another track by Hanmer.
Others found are just more 4x4 stuff in places i think are not realistic to go to.

[skidMark]

at some point....most likelywhen summer hits cus i aint going down south when it's snowing....

me and gpx are going to go on a big adventure....starting in auckland and taking most likelt the coast roads the length of the country right down to bluff...will probably end up jump to stuart island to go as far down as i can....then head back up the west cost.....right up to the very tip of nz....then back down to auckland again....

will have to save alot though for accomadation....cus i know too many kiwibikers hate me to gve me a bed for the night and a garage to keep the bike in / maintain it along the way...so i'm gunna have to think up a plan.

[Ruralman]

Hi Robertydog - were you planning on doing this on an R1???

[Ruralman]

Thanks Transalper - maybe I'm not so sure I mean that - I think that the ones you have raised are relatively minor ones that don't appear on most maps (I Have actually seen the Sexton Pass on the Molesworth Rd in one map bbok tho)
So maybe we alter the rules a little and say all the Passes that appear in the Kiwimaps New Zeakand Travelllers Road Atlas (A bit like restricting things to one dictionary when playing scrabble - it cuts out all the shite words that some smartarse learns from looking up scrabble dictionaries or something).
The Kiwimaps Atlas's are the ones commonly available at most service stations.
Cheers
PS One reason for starting in Dunedin was so we can look at the forecast and decide whether to start or finish with the West Coast run.

[Transalper]

So maybe we alter the rules a little and say all the Passes that appear in the Kiwimaps New Zeakand Travelllers Road Atlas (A bit like restricting things to one dictionary when playing scrabble - it cuts out all the shite words that some smartarse learns from looking up scrabble dictionaries or something).

:laugh: Excellent, i like it. I'd say your list is pretty inclusive.
As for the Thompsons Road between Tarras and Omakau, it's not a pass on my map but still a road i'm keen to explore. (almost went that way during the Brass Monkey trip)

[Transalper]

One reason for starting in Dunedin was so we can look at the forecast and decide whether to start or finish with the West Coast run.
The down side for us from Christchurch is we will have a five hour ride to get to Dunedin before the trip starts, but then someone's always going to have a big ride to get to the start on trips like this.

[Transalper]

I would be in. Im heading down that way somewhere between the 19th Jan to4 -5th Feb
Just noticed that was robertydogs first post...so... welcome to Kiwibiker robertydog. We hope your time with us is enjoyable and you make lots a new friends.
I'm sure you will be welcome to join this ride for what ever parts your bike can handle if we are all at the right time and place to meet.
There is about eight of the passes in the list that are nice sealed roads you would be sure to enjoy.

[T.W.R]

looks if you guys are planning a good ride.

just wondering, have you or do any of you use the 4WD south island books ? there's 2 1st has 77 tracks & the 2nd has 93 tracks scattered across the island. Each track has a description, distance detail etc. Compiled by Ken Sibly & Mark Wilson

Use it a bit for 4wd trips obviously, but have found it fairly accurate

[cooneyr]

and up to Inungahua Junction and up the Buller Gorge (just 'cos its a great bike road), thru St Arnaud to Blenheim

If your going from, Murcheson through St Arnaud to Blenhiem you might as well do the Porika Track and Braeburn Track instead of the sealed road. They may not have pass but they are pases. They are gravel road power pylon roads. The fords are mostly concrete bottem and the tracks are generally in good condition. The climb up the Porika is steep and a little rocky but should be ok on big adventure bikes.

Roughly the Breaburn is from Murch to Lake Rotoroa and the Porika is from Lk Rotoroa to SH63 south of St Arnaud. Can get back to SH6 from Lk Rotoroa so if Porika is to much is easy to bail (note the Porika goes from SH6 to SH63 hence bypasses the Kawatiri Junction).

Also the Rise and Shine road between Tarras and Omaka is a gravel road that will be a piece of cake on a big adventure bike. No fords that I can think of and not steep. Good gravel road.

Done all of these tracks in a 4x4 and they are kind boaring ie not even in 4x4 let alone low ratio for Rise and Shine and Breaburn. Porika is low ratio 4x4 due to steepness and lumpness but shouldn't be a problem. Also there are the Old Dunstan trails from Omaka back to Middlemarch that would be fun on an big adventure bike.

Can send topo maps if you want.

Cheers
R

Opps - just noticed the post above. The 4x4 books are where I found out about the 3 tracks (plus many more). I recon the tracks are over rated though for the Merivale tractor drivers - there are many tracks rated as 3 or more vehicles required that I have done by myself and not got stuck in a fairly standard 4x4 (ie not a 33+ inch tyres wanker).

[Transalper]

looks if you guys are planning a good ride.

just wondering, have you or do any of you use the 4WD south island books ? there's 2 1st has 77 tracks & the 2nd has 93 tracks scattered across the island. Each track has a description, distance detail etc. Compiled by Ken Sibly & Mark Wilson

Use it a bit for 4wd trips obviously, but have found it fairly accurate
Yep, PLUG and I both have them. I think farqueue might use them too.

Good books imo. allthough i personally like following someone who already knows the way.
Thanks.

[Jantar]

Also the Rise and Shine road between Tarras and Omaka is a gravel road that will be a piece of cake on a big adventure bike. No fords that I can think of and not steep. Good gravel road.


I notice quite a few on here refering to this road as the Rise and Shine. Until this thread I've always known it as Thompsons Track. The AA signs at either end call it Thompson's Track, and the LNZ Topo maps list it as Thompson's track.

It starts at Matakanui, near Omakau, and follows Thompson's creek, through Thompson's Gorge, over Thompson's Pass then down to Ardgour Stn near Tarras. The pass is 4200' above sea level, and great views out towards Hawea or back to the Poolburn area.

It isn't too steep, and I have done this trip by dirt bike, by 4WD, and on the GS1200. There are a couple of very small fords, but the only downside to this track is the 14 gates that each have to opened and closed. My wife's stepbrother lives right at the Tarras end of the track and we occassionally go that way and back by road to make a round trip of it.

Edit: My wife has just reminded of the Rise and Shine refference in the area. There was an old gold mine at Bendigo, called The Rise and Shine, and there is a gravel road that goes from the Tarras area to it, and from there over the Dunstans to Leaning Rock stn. This is not the same road as Thompson's.

[Jantar]

The next thing is to set a date. I can get sufficient time off work anytime after 20th January and before the 19th February. What times suit the other potential riders?

[cooneyr]

I notice quite a few on here refering to this road as the Rise and Shine.

Blame that on Ken Sibly's 4x4 book. Just had a look on a Topo and it is Thompsons Gorge Road.

Cheers
R

[far queue]

Yep, PLUG and I both have them. I think farqueue might use them too.
Nope, I don't use them. I mostly use topo maps so I can measure out the distance between fuel stops and work out if I need to carry extra.

[far queue]

If your going from, Murcheson through St Arnaud to Blenhiem you might as well do the Porika Track and Braeburn Track instead of the sealed road. They may not have pass but they are pases. They are gravel road power pylon roads. The fords are mostly concrete bottem and the tracks are generally in good condition. The climb up the Porika is steep and a little rocky but should be ok on big adventure bikes.
This area is on my list of places to check out and your description makes it sound like a visit would be fun :yes:

[far queue]

... I've always known it as Thompsons Track. The AA signs at either end call it Thompson's Track, and the LNZ Topo maps list it as Thompson's track.

It starts at Matakanui, near Omakau, and follows Thompson's creek, through Thompson's Gorge, over Thompson's Pass then down to Ardgour Stn near Tarras. The pass is 4200' above sea level, and great views out towards Hawea or back to the Poolburn area.

There's plenty of exploring I'd like to do around here too :yes:

[cooneyr]

This area is on my list of places to check out and your description makes it sound like a visit would be fun :yes:

I'll be in Nelson over the Xmas/New Year with In laws, If I manage to pick up a DR650 before hand I'll be taking it up. Maybe the Chch riders (plus any others intested) who cant join Ruralman and others on the "Passes" ride could do a top of the South ride ie Rainbow, Molesworth, Keneperu Road, French Pass (with clay pylon track from Elaine Bay to Penzants for those keen), Maungatapu, Porika, Breaburn, Awatere Gold Fields Track, Anatori/West Haven etc etc.

Maybe we could travel with the "Passes" riders for a few days depending on route. I'm keen for two or three days between New Year and mid Jan if I get a 650.

Cheers
R

[far queue]

I'll be in Nelson over the Xmas/New Year with In laws, If I manage to pick up a DR650 before hand I'll be taking it up. Maybe the Chch riders (plus any others intested) who cant join Ruralman and others on the "Passes" ride could do a top of the South ride ie Rainbow, Molesworth, Keneperu Road, French Pass (with clay pylon track from Elaine Bay to Penzants for those keen), Maungatapu, Porika, Breaburn, Awatere Gold Fields Track, Anatori/West Haven etc etc.

Maybe we could travel with the "Passes" riders for a few days depending on route. I'm keen for two or three days between New Year and mid Jan if I get a 650.

Cheers
R

:drool: :drool: :drool: mmmmm this sounds like fun, lotsa exploring out the back of nowhere. I'm keen - still 6 months away though, so no commitment at this stage, but it's definitely high up the "to do" list. I get the impression you know this area fairly well.

[cooneyr]

I'm keen - still 6 months away though, so no commitment at this stage, but it's definitely high up the "to do" list. I get the impression you know this area fairly well.

Yep - lots of time to pass before then. Been over all of the tracks except the clay pylon track from Elaine Bay to Penzants in a 4x4 so know most of them pretty well. In laws up in NN and usually go up for summer hols so have had to find something to get out of the house! :gob:

Cheers
R

[Ruralman]

I like the idea of early February straight after schools go back (altho I have a feeling they are finishing later in Dec this year and starting back a little later). The Moleworth Rd will be open then and generally the weather is pretty stable.
Would be great if a few others could do it then and if those who can't make the whole trip could link up for a couple of days or so, probably around the top of the South. Who other than Jantar reckons this time could suit?

[rogson]

I would be interested in doing a ride like this, but I can't do it after school starts (which next year (2007) is apparently February 7).

I would want to do it in one 8 - 10 day shot.
Anyone interested in the window January 22 - February 4?

[Jantar]

I would be interested in doing a ride like this, but I can't do it after school starts (which next year (2007) is apparently February 7).

I would want to do it in one 8 - 10 day shot.
Anyone interested in the window January 22 - February 4?

Those dates would suit me, as would Ruralman's window of straight after School goes back. Lets see if there are any other suggestions, then perhaps we can start a poll and see which window gets the most takers.

[laRIKin]

Those dates would suit me, as would Ruralman's window of straight after School goes back. Lets see if there are any other suggestions, then perhaps we can start a poll and see which window gets the most takers.

I have been reading and are interested in the trips.
And for me trying to get time off work after Xmas will depend on if I work though and how busy we are at work at that time of year.
Because if we close down (almost completely) I can come back to mayhem.
As I am the only one that can do my job at work and I could have a back log of work to catch up on.
I could get a long weekend off with out to much trouble. (I think)
So I could not come up with any hard and fast answers to what time I could get off this far away.
So pencil me in and plan away and I will see if I can get time off to fit in.

[cooneyr]

As I am the only one that can do my job at work and I could have a back log of work to catch up on.
I could get a long weekend off with out to much trouble. (I think)
So I could not come up with any hard and fast answers to what time I could get off this far away.
So pencil me in and plan away and I will see if I can get time off to fit in.

Great being indispensable! Hope they pay you what your worth though. Me, I had to leave and go somewhere else but did it for work conditions rather than pay. :angry:

I'm in the same boat. Unless imediatly after new year then will have to be a long weekend.

Cheers
R

[laRIKin]

Great being indispensable! Hope they pay you what your worth though. Me, I had to leave and go somewhere else but did it for work conditions rather than pay. :angry:

Yep the pay's pretty good, but it's time to move on I think.
They get there pound of flesh and it's got to the stage I really really hate going to work.
Like you I will be moving for conditions as I will not be getting the same pay.

I will stop there I think.

[thehollowmen]

A thought!

Why not document a "fluid" ride? List points and passes to go through, and a small group have a trip. At a different time that suits, a different group of us can find those same places and see what we can find. Sort of like geocacheing.

We'll argue about dates and times until the cows come home.

[Sniper]

will have to save alot though for accomadation....cus i know too many kiwibikers hate me to gve me a bed for the night and a garage to keep the bike in / maintain it along the way...so i'm gunna have to think up a plan.

Cheer up dickhead. Regardless of peoples veiws on you on KB, you will more than likely have a bed with most folks, just be prepared for a heap of piss pulling.

BTW, if you are serious, I have a spare bed and a garage in CHCH

[Jantar]

Ruralman, who came up with this idea, and I have been communicating, and have made an executive decision.

The ride will start on the weekend of 10th - 11th February and will take aproximately 6-7 days. All passes with a designated public road (seal or gravel) will be traversed, except for Wilmont pass as that would require 3 full days to get there do the pass and get back on track, and hiring a barge for the bikes could prove quite expensive.

Now its just a matter of finalising the route. All are welcome. For those on sprotbikes who would like to join in but don't want to do the gravel roads, I'm sure we can devise an alternative route whereby we would still all link up each night. :yes:

:ride: :ride: :ride:

[far queue]

I'm not interested in doing the whole thing, but when you've got your plans finalised post up the route with planned dates etc and I could be keen on joining in for parts of it.

[Transalper]

I'm not interested in doing the whole thing, but when you've got your plans finalised post up the route with planned dates etc and I could be keen on joining in for parts of it.
What he said. I'll be back at work by then and am not so interested in the sealed passes that i've done often already, so will see what your final plan is and will see what suits me from there too.

[laRIKin]

What he said. I'll be back at work by then and am not so interested in the sealed passes that i've done often already, so will see what your final plan is and will see what suits me from there too.

What they both said goes for me as well.

[cooneyr]

What he said. I'll be back at work by then and am not so interested in the sealed passes that i've done often already, so will see what your final plan is and will see what suits me from there too.

What he said and what the other two chch fullas said - translation - same for me to. Gravel roads and will join you for what I can.

Cheers
R

[Ruralman]

I've started a new thread over in the Adventure ride section. Will update further when Jantar and I get together. One thing I have wondered about tho is whether we make up our mind which way we go round just a couple of days before hand depending on the weather forecast for the West & east Coasts.
Hope we can link up with some of you for at least part of it.
Can you canterbury riders shed any light on the 2 passes out behind Loburn - the Okuku and lees - whats that road like and how log do you reckon to get round it and out at Ashley Gorge??

[far queue]

Have a look here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24678 for a ride we did through Lees Valley last February. The road is in good condition, I think we did it in around 4 hours or so, but that was with lots of stops and diversions to have a look around. I guess you could shoot straight through in an hour and a half or so.

There's a link in that thread to check out the river level, be sure to check it out 1st as the river can rise and fall rapidly, and if it's up you won't be crossing it.

[Ruralman]

Have a look here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24678 for a ride we did through Lees Valley last February. The road is in good condition, I think we did it in around 4 hours or so, but that was with lots of stops and diversions to have a look around. I guess you could shoot straight through in an hour and a half or so.

There's a link in that thread to check out the river level, be sure to check it out 1st as the river can rise and fall rapidly, and if it's up you won't be crossing it.

Thanks for that - looks like a good ride and normally in Feb that river will be low but if there's been some rain we should check out that link.
If the Passes trip goes something like I imagine we would probably be leaving Hamner that morning and aiming to do the Lees valley with its 2 passes on the way over the Arthurs with the next night on the coast before the big ride South and over the Haast. I haven't quite thought through what will happen if the weather at the start says we should do it the other way around, I presume we'll do it exactly in reverse.
Thanks again