Lees Valley?

[greerADV]

Maybe some Christchruch guys could chime in on this one.

I'm in Akaroa for the night and I'm making my way to Hamner for the Molesworth and Rainbow. I was hoping to do Lees Valley on the way, but I don't know anything about it. I'm sure I could search it on here, but my internet time is limited (ie, paying for it!)

I have a full load of gear on back since I'm on the road for the next 5 weeks. Would it be possible to ride fully loaded? And where exactly does it start and finish (if I were going Southish to Northish?)

I will probably ride tomorrow afternoon, or early Tuesday. If anyone is keen, I'd be glad to have the company. Just send a text and I can tell you an exact time if you tell me where to meet. 027 711 9379.

Cheers
Andrew

[T.W.R]

Lees Valley road starts about 8kms up from Oxford on the Oxford/Loburn rd by the Ashley Gorge bridge (roughly) and comes out again through the Okuku Pass just above North Loburn

Pretty easy shingle road mostly with it tightening up a bit past the Okuku Saddle and down through the Okuku pass.

Done it a few times in a 4wd whilst chasing pigs (never needed to use 4wd on most of the occasions apart from winter with a foot of snow on the ground) it'd be an easy jaunt on a bike at this time of the year.

[cooneyr]

Google Map showing Lees Valley route here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=8004638277569782211,-43.288790,172.188150%3B4095401745156072331,-43.063731,172.310961%3B12780914051582702608,-43.298674,172.595050%3B12826943043827447909,-43.087069,172.450962&saddr=-43.296074,172.197819&daddr=Okuku+Pass+Rd+%40-43.063731,+172.310961+to:Ashley+St+%40-43.298674,+172.595050+to:Okuku+Pass+Rd+%40-43.087069,+172.450962&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=13&sll=-43.281704,172.229919&sspn=0.087853,0.160675&ie=UTF8&ll=-43.253205,172.411194&spn=0.703155,1.2854&z=10&om=0)

The road will be easy to ride however the Okuku River in the middle has to be forded and it can vary from a peice of cake to unpassable by bike. Looking at the forecast for today and tomorrow I'd say you will be OK but if you are unsure check the crossing out by foot first. Also when you ride across rivers if at all possible got at a angle downstream i.e. don't try and go straight across or head upstream, the force of the water makes life difficult. There are a couple of big boulders near the crossing but it should be possible to ride at an angle down stream as the crossing is nice and wide.

Cheers R