Molesworth and Rainbow

[timpel_800]

Hi!

Last weekend I drove the molesworth and rainbow road on my guzzi, and I loved it!

I made a little story and a movie which i put down below!


This weekend I was planning on doing the maungatapu track to Nelson. I've hear d that this is quite a rough ride, any experiences, tips?

Kind regards,
Tim

Molesworth and Rainbow

When I first got my pushbike in New Zealand, a loan-gift from Fred, one day I took it out to the Taylor dam which protects Blenheim from a flood from the Taylor River, might it rain that hard -which will probably not happen in the very future - but it’s nice to know were safe.
When I had a look down at the dam, I saw a roadsign, with the following information: “acces to Molesworth and Hanmer, no fuelservices for the next 190 kms”.
From that moment on, I knew, one day, I will travel that road on my motorbike.
The road only opens through certain periods a year, and for the start, it did not seem like it was gonna be open this year at all, with another hot and dry summer, and with that a very high fire risk, to come. The area is so remote, it might be to late for people to discover a fire.

My first attempt, was a few weeks back, but with a lack of preparation, it all went wrong, and I ended up loosing my sleepingbag not far from the start, and eventually, sliding down a ridge, with bike and all. Fortuanelly only my ego got damaged.
Leaves are turning yellow and the harvest is started, telling me that fall is not far away, and I had to make some progress because otherwise, the road will be closed again at the end of March.
So with some extra day’s off during easter, a custom made pannier rack and a new sleepingbag firmly tied up on the back of my bike, I was up for the second attempt, this time, reminded by my own phamflets to enquire if somebody may have found my sleepingbag, that I hung up a few weeks ago, and whose survived the constant blowing wind in the valley, I regulary checked if all my luggage was still with me, and it was.
So over the Taylor Pass again, taking a right on the Awatery Valley Road, a road which follows the Awatery River. Things can be so simple.
Leaving the vineyards behind, I also find the road running out of asphalt. So far for the smooth ride, let the work begin.
Work I have to, the gravel is rough and the sun is hot. I first clime some hills, and keep being amazed by the fact that there are people living so far from the supermarket. But collegue Russel once told me, if there’s a road, there a houses, otherwise there will be no road.
In this matter, that is not exactly true. The Maori’s were first to use the route to go to the battlefield and fight with other tribes on the westcoast. Hundreds of years later, they told the European settelers the route to Hanmer, whose had to bring their sheep, from Marlborough to newly discovered Canterburry.
Later, in the 1950’s, a high voltage powerline, between north and south was establised on this route, and to maintain this line, a road had to be made.
Soaking up al this information, and all the beautifull views, I get distracted for one second, and with squeezing tyres and screaming brakes I come to an hold a few centimeters before the edge of a canyon. I truly had to cool down for a moment and sing that song from the Black Seeds, before I could go along.
The landscape is getting harsh, and the only thing living down here are cattle and some sheep. A chopper flies over. Not to search for a lost biker I hope, because I might be covered in dust, and my hair’s all messed up, lost I am not.
I come to a realise, that I misunderstood the Molesworth station thing. I thought that the whole route I was driving on, was the Molesworth station, but when I reach a gate which says, “you’re now entering the Molesworth station” I understand, that it begins right from this point.

There is an old cottage, which used to be a place for shepherds to stay the night on their long journey to the west that took them about six days. Nowdays, around this cottage, a camping area is develloped and there is a little rangers accomodation house. I tell myself to call it a day and make camp here.
A campervan with an elderly pair is staying here aswell, and I make a little chat with the man while I pitch the tent and cook some tea. What’s on the menu tonight? According to the information on the can, it is spagetti with meatballs. And, maybe it is because I’m hungry, it tastes delicious.
I have a walk around and at the otherside of the hill, where you can see the actual Molesworth homestead. Are there really people living here? Yes. A little town, only a few houses and some sheds big is establissed here in the middle of fucking nowhere. The people living here, maintain the grazing cattle (10.000) with their horses (80) and dogs (45) at New Zealands biggest station, 180,476 hectares big.
Cattle, and not sheep. There used to be about 100.000 sheep and over a milion of rabbits in this area, and it was highly overgrazed, almost turning it into a dessert.

[timpel_800]

I sit down at the hill, watching the shades of the peaks reflecting on the hill behind me. Do they have WiFi overhere, and maybe a big lousy chair? The internet is not an option, looking at the coverage of my cellphone, which gives no sign of life at all, but the chair I find at the porch of the rangershouse, and while it seems that there’s nobody around, I might aswell make myself at home, with a book and some peanuts. Totally nuts.
The ranger shows up though, and I ask him if he don’t mind I’m using his chair. He says he’s gonna charge me six bucks for that, which matches the camping fee, and I’m happy to pay.
For the first time in New Zealand, I sleep under the stars, and although I intented to call this little story **a ten thousand star hotel**, I stay warm inside my tent, knowing that were about 1500 meters above sealevel and it freezes on the ground, two out of three days.
Although I don’t sleep very well, I never suffer from cold, and that makes me happy with my new sleepingbag.
The morning my back’s aching, very chilly and everything is moisty. Thats one thing I don’t like about camping, getting up in the morning with everything wet. But there are worser things in life, and a cup of hot tea, and some ontbijtkoek (a dutch sort of sweet spice bread, called breakfastcookies) helps allot. I leave the sandwiches for what they are, ‘cause the peanutbutter is almost frozen.

At home we have movable chemical toillets, called DIXI’s, and it’s fun to tip them over if somebody’s taking a shit inside. The chemical toilets in New Zealand are from different made. They call them Long Drops here, and looking into the pot, I understand why. The surface of - well, what shall I call it? Shit - is about 3 meters underneath you, and I really think it is a good thing to take note from the sign, which recommends you to supervise young childeren, because it really is deep, and I think quite hard to swim in.
Even if you don’t fall through the hole, you might suffer from ammonia poisoning, it is as strong as taking a sniff of bakingammonia in the bakery. (yes, we do use this for baking)

The moment I turn the key to start the bike, a car is just passing the gate, and the driver keeps it open for me. With a wave to the ranger I hit the hills again, chasing the powerline, that sometimes dissapears, but is never far from the road. The altitude get’s higher and I’m really in the high country now, almost no vegatation can live here but some tussock . And everything is grey- or brow-ish and overall very dusty. Driving on the moon is what it feels like to me.
Approaching the Hanmer side of the track, it gets greener and the temprature’s rising, so its time to change handgloves. The only other house I pass is the Acheron Accomodation House, another old cottage. This also was being used for travellers for a meal and a good night sleep. The matrial the cottage is made of is cob, and cob is made out of water, sand, tussock, and in this matter, dung. Cowshit. They had to made it out of the stuff that was around.
The cottage is open for public and I have a look around in it, bumping my head to the celling. People must have bin smaller those days.
Jacks Pass is the last mountain to cross after the road winds down into Hanmer, and it has some awesome views going down. Hanmer is busy, busier then I thought, and way to busy for me. It’s like they have opened up a can of Kiwi’s and offcourse Asians. They’re everywhere. It’s like bloody Zandvoort on the Dutch coastline.
Hanmer is famous because of his hot pools, water being warmed up by the earth, due to the earthcrust thats very thin underneath it. I intented to have a refreshing dive in that pool, but I came here for my rest, and I was not gonna sit down in this with people stuffed swimming pool, was I?
The bike needs some petrol, and I treat myself with an icecream. I’m on holiday anyway. Looking where to go now I decide to take the Rainbow Road, thats leads to St. Arnaud, through another piece of the Molesworth station.
I go up over Jacks Pass again and make a left turnoff to the Rainbow Ski fields. I face some mountain bikers and always think I’m doing a pretty tough ride, but mountainbikers really go the extra mile, and although I have a lot of respect for people travelling the world on a pushbike, to me they’re crazy in the head. A lonely biker a bit further is sitting at the side of the road, repairing a flat tyre. I put my thumbs up, and do the ‘you’re allright?’ look. He smiles so he must be fine.

Lake Tennyson is the first stop I make, and is absolutely breathtaking. A big blue mountain lake in the middle of authumn coloured mountain peaks with white tops reaching the sky. The Wairau River I mentioned in one of my other story’s actually finds it source up here.
The road I’m on is 4WD recommended only, but it is not to hard for me to drive on. Sometimes there are streams or creeks to cross, and you can choose whether you take the bridge or the ford. Not a very hard choice.
I make a really steep climb on one of the highest peaks of the station, the Island Saddle. It must be nice down here when it’s snows.
After the twenties gate, prevending livestock to stay in the property, that I have to open and close again, I get stopped by one with a paddlock. There’s no way around it, and my Mc Gyver skills and swiss pocket knife is not gonna take me any further. I’m thinking about sawing down a few trees and use them as a bridge, or braking down the bike in bits and pieces and lift it one by one.
Bugger! This was not said in the information voucher. I feel a little bit shitty about it and have to think for a moment what to do. There’s a campingspot a wee back, but I get eaten by sandflies already and it’s only early in the afternoon, so the best bet is to go back.
I try to lighten up, but that takes a few minutes, and in those minutes, I take a wrong turnoff and when I try to make a 180 degree turn, I loose control over the bike and fall over. With al the power I have in my arms I put her right up again and try to follow my way, but even the bike feels shitty, making it run on one cilinder only. How fucking charming.
Apart from that little interference, going back is always faster although I really can do without opening and closing those gates all the time and those stupid staring cow’s, but hey!
I run in to those mountain bikers again, and ask them if they’re aware of the fact that there is a locked gate, but they tell me they just lift the bikes over it. Thats the way, true. He asks me till what point I came and I say; “till the gate?”
“Wow” he says, full of disbelief, which probably means I drove a little bit to fast.
Jacks Pass, for the third time today, and again I run in to that lonely biker, and again, he’s stitting at the side of the road, repairing a flat. This time I can’t discover a smile on his face, but there is one on mine. Although I should not laugh about getting a flat, because that’s bad karma.

So eventually, I end up asking for a campingspot at the Top 10 Holiday park, but there’s not one spot left anymore. That’s always something that I don’t believe, but I’m not making a hassle of it. Hanmer is very touristic and there will be more campinggrounds and on the next one I have more luck, if you want to call it like that.
When I pitch my tent, drunken teenagers are laping down the paddock, beeping with their Dukes Of Hazard airhorns and loud cracking music blows out of their SuperCheap speakers. A guy opposite to my tent is sitting down with his head betweens his knees, allready having had to much, and the evening isn’t even started. This is gonna be fun.

I take a break at the hotpools, whose are way less busy tonight. I feel a bit taken in. Who proofs me that they are really warmed up by the earth? It all looks a litlle bit to flash to me and the chlorine smell does not help neither, but it’s nice and warm and I have a go on the waterslide, which is so black inside, you can’t see a thing and I really shit myself for a few seconds. The master skydiver speaks.
Allot of young girls with too bigger tits showing off, and fat people, that really should not wear togs walking around. There’s a girl on the poolside, taking pictures off a big couple. See takes two photo’s of them. Probably cause they don’t fit both on one.
I watch the sky go from bleu to pink to deep red to black. A beer would be nice, and can I have a hot Austrian chick with that?

[timpel_800]

Since I was on holiday, I might aswell get some take aways, so I order some at the fish and chips shop, by a girl that lookes likes she really doesn’t want to be there. After a few minutes I get my meal, wrapped in a news paper.
The colemine workers a hunderd years ago had their sandwiches wrapped in new paper aswell, I think. It tastes like the lit of the saltjar fell off, and where’s my mayonaise? But hey! Luckely the boys are all wasted and have calmed down when I return.

The next moring having an early rise, and prepare for going home. There are even toasters on the campingsite, how funny.
Another funny thing is that the toilets are a 3 minute walk from our camping spot, and people actually go there with their car! And yesterday, is saw a man walking the street, holding a sigaret in one hand each and smoke them seperatly. How bizar.
I go back home over the East Coast, and the piece of road from Hanmer to Kaikoura is truly bikers paradise, so I put the hammer down on this beautifull maintained winding road going up and down through fresh and lovely green hills. Magnificent! I love thermac! The only thing buggering me are some RV’s (recreational vehiceles).Along the coast it gets cold and I’m happy I did not carry my wintergear all for nothing, and realise the summer is almost at it’s end...

Trip information:
630km: Blenheim – Molesworth Station –Hanmer – halfway through the Rainbow Road – Hanmer, Kaikoura, Blenheim.

A little movie made by me: http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=HepxP_XdvPI
A little movie, with information about the Molesworth station: http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=fefLh2t6X9w&feature=related


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8455/molesworth012smallfa3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8455/molesworth012smallfa3.0c2d1458ca.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=503&i=molesworth012smallfa3.jpg)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3175/molesworth021smallmw5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3175/molesworth021smallmw5.5142652827.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=503&i=molesworth021smallmw5.jpg)

[clint640]

Nice writeup mate! :2thumbsup

My friend from Rangiora who was riding up to meet us in Havelock a few weeks ago also got caught out by that gate on the Rainbow!

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

Cool writeup Timpel. I especially like the non PC bits - funny:D

The Rainbow road is open till the first weekend in March so you only just missed out. If you have a look on my web site www.advroutes.org.nz and click on the rainbow road you will see the phone number for Star Holdings. You can arrange a key to get through the Rainbow at any time of year though they sometimes close the road due to slips, washouts etc.

The Mangatapu is steep and a bit lumpy but it is not too hard to ride. It might be worth riding it from Pelorus to Nelson first so you go down the more difficult sections.

Other routes that you might like to check out near Blenhiem are Altimarloc (dont go up there if the weather is bad or there is snow on the tops), Onamalutu, the Kaituna Tuamarina Road, and the road between Pictonm Waikawa and Rarangi.

Cheers R

[Transalper]

It still amases me how many people are uninformed enough to get caught by the locked gates in the Rainbow.
Mostly enjoyed your trip report.
Here's a video from the Mangatapu starting on the Nelson side. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w852ZlE_gTY)
Cheers
TA.

[timpel_800]

Hi, tnx for your replyes!

I was well informed about the molesworth and rainbow, I had printed out all the pdf's from the DOC, but, english not being my native language, I don't understand everything, and in this matter i just missed those "first week" words. I saw march, and assumed that it would close the same time as the acheron road !
But, another lesson learned! It did not matter in the end anyway, I liked it!

Cool vid! Seems like I can handle that. My boss is a diehard 4w driver and he said especially going down on the nelson side might be a bit hard. Big rocks or so. But since i'm in blenheim, i start at the polurus side anyway!

Nice website, although i don't have any gps.

I tried most of the roads around blenheim, the road from rarangi to picton, the french pass, the tuamarina kaituna road and the waikakaho and I was wondering, if you could ride all the way to Cullensville at linkwater? According to the doc information on the track, it shows a 4wd picture, but on their website it say nothing about driving the track.
by the way, from tuamarina you can drive very close to the river instead of going over the actual road, quite cool aswell.


I also drove to the end of the northbank road, that last piece is 4wd aswell (tried to cross the wairau river, wasn't a very smart idea :))
Those big rocks in the wairau, I find very hard to ride on, it's more like jumping from one rock to another.

The onomalutu is on the list! Where about is the Altimarloc?

[timpel_800]

Cool writeup Timpel. I especially like the non PC bits - funny:D



:) tnx! What does PC mean?

Got another story for you if youre bored!

16th of February 2008

The end of the road.

Blenheim is located on a flat piece of land, in between of two large mountain ranges. The flat piece is called the Wairau Valley, and there’s a big river running through it, named the Wairau River. It is one of New Zealands longest and steepest rivers and back in the days Maori fished in it. Today it’s the main source for the many vineyards located in the valley. Mind you that one grape plant takes about a liter a day.
On the southside on this vein of life the highway to the westcoast is suited. I once rode this flat and boring road on my trip to Hanmer Springs.
On the otherside of the river, which borders the Mount Richmont Forestpark, the land is way smaller before the mountains rise and therefore less usable for mankind.
Never the less there runs a narrow and windy road, which gives acces to the Forestpark, some camping spots and a few remote farms.

The Wairau River starts 260 kilometer inlands at a 2020 meter high glacier. Looking at the map, and following the thin blue line, you’ll see that its got a lot of small tributaries and 3 bigger branches, whose are actually a river themself, and because of that, the Maori called it Wairau, which can be translated as “many waters”.
The river twists it’s way through the country and ends up in the Wairau Valley, before it mixes at the bar with the salty sea.
The river is very width, at some points it will easily be about a 100 meters, only towards the end it gets a wee more narrow. Don’t imagine a Nile, or a Missisippi. It is more a braid of dozens of little streams on a riverbed made out of millions of stones.
Because of the water is spread out so much, and Marlborough being a really dry region, the river never gets really deep, and is especially in summertime easy to cross.

I rode most of the roads surrounding Blenheim, but this one, on the northside of the river, was still on my list. A little bit on the bottom, though, because the road has a dead end, and so you’ll have to go all the way back when you reach the end, and that’s something I don’t really like doing. Riding the same road twice. They invented the main highway to Amsterdam, the A1, for that purpose.
I always try to make a round trip, but New Zealand being so big, and sometimes mountains in the way or there’s no purpose at all taking the road further up, lots of roads have dead ends.

After a decent lunch I’m on the loose and for a change I wear my all-wheater suit. It may take some time, but I learn too.
I solved the problem of the engine using a lot of oil but today another problem occurs. One of the cilinders stops regulary leaving me with only half the power. It’s fun driving this temprament full Italian bike, but there always seems to be something wrong with it.
On a windy road it is a bit of a pain and even a little dangerous with such a stubby engine, ‘cause when you’re in a corner and the cilinder kicks in again, giving back full power, it almost wipes you out.
Stubbornly I keep on driving and this time the problem seems to dissapear the moment I hit the gravel.
I drive to a camping spot which you can’t reach with a normal car. There are big mud puddels and fords in the road and I even have to cross a little stream. And I think all that is quite cool.
I can’t really be bothered with the camping area itself, although it is a neat spot and in the oasis of rest I eat an apple.
Swingin on gravel up and down alongside the river, reaching a gate and a sign, saying the public road ends but there’s a 4WD track taking you further into the woods.
I open the gate, close it as the sign asks me to and suddenly I’m in the backyard of a farm. I turn around and notice that I have taken the wrong turn off.
When I want to get on the bike again, a little farmbike with a farmer on it, wearing an overall, a litte hat and almost having no teeth, appears behind me and asks me if I’m lost. I tell him I took the wrong turn and that’s why I ended up on his paddock. We have a little conversation and while he’s here, I ask him if I’m able to do this last piece, pointing at the bike. He says it will be no problem.

Right on the otherside of the river runs the highway and since it is way shorter to cross and take that road heading to Blenheim or Murchinson, I ask him if they do that. He tell’s me they do and that there’s a spot a little bit further down the road, but since the wheater has bin a bit shitty the last few day’s and a lot of rain fell down, the river’s in flood and you can’t today.
I thank him and drive on a fairly rough, but beautifully remote road till the end. From this point there are a few walkingtracks in the woods, one of them leading all the way to Nelson.
I have a stop and when I want to put the bike on his stand, my foot slips of the step and I loose balance.

On the way down, I saw some skins of wild pork laying at the side of the road, and I’m not totally confinced, the wild brother of the lazy fat pig in the childeren’s farm back home isn’t coming out of the woods, all sniffing and growling to eat me. I’ve heard there not very gentle on people.
I get back on and return to where I came from, taking a left to the muddy road that leads to the riverbank, curious if there’s really no way to cross it, but he was right, it is to deep and the bank to steep.
Fortunally there are a few more spots and the situation on the next one looks defitnelly better. I walk into the river for a bit and the water is not reaching any higher than my motorcycleboots, it’s about 5 meters to the otherside. I take notice of the rough scenery and ask myself for a while if this is a smart thing to do, but then I think, fuck it! The only thing that can possibly happen is that the engine sucks up water, stops, I fall, drown, and eventually get drained out by one of the many fishermen fishing at the diversion

So off we go. A big bow wave washes out the bike and fills my boots up with water. Steam is coming from the exhaustpipes and the engine struggles for a moment but without problems I make it to the other bank. So far for stream one.
The surface of the river contains reasonable hard sand, little stones or big rocks with a diameter of about 10 to 15 centimer. Singing I make it to the next stream, which is way smaller and is no obstruction at all.

Sectretly I think and actually hope I’ve already made it, but I start smiling, for so far I wasn’t, too early. Jumping over big rocks, whose telling me where to drive, instead of me controlling the vehicle, I see that there is another stream, and unfortunally, this one is more deep, widly and wilder.
For a moment I’m thinking about crossing it anyway, but even my stupidity stops at some point, so I make a u-turn. But everything looks the same and I’m not sure where to go. Somehow I loose my calmness and when I’m trying to get up a ridge, my rear tire looses grip and I fall.
When I got her up her wheels again, which is quite heavy and hard to do, I try it again further up, but for a second time we hit the ground, kinda controlled, though.
In my head flicks are playing of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor, struggeling to cross rivers with their overloaded BMW’s in the Far East of Russia. My bike probably weigths about half of that German piece of metal, but still she’s to heavy for this kind of work, having to wrong side up for another time, and this time my foot is underneath it and one of the mirrors crackes. But I wasn’t looking in it anyway. Although maybe it should do that more often?
Adrenaline rushes through my blood and sweats pouring out of every pore in my body. I take my helmet off and trow it on the ground, having a look at myself in the remaining mirror, saying to myself; “Godverdommes! Look where you got yourself into. Leave the bike for one moment, calm down, and find out how to get back the easiest way. Before things turns really ugly.”

[timpel_800]

I walk the way I think I came, and have a look around, if there’s maybe a house up in the mountains, with somebody standing in front of the window, laughing at my capriols and just waits for a few more minutes for me to understand how very wise on my own I was, again, and offering me help to get out. But the far my eyesight reaches, there’s nothing but green mountains, grey rocks and blue water.
This truly is the end of the road.
I drag the bike to a flat piece of land, amazed by how she let her thread like this. All bits and pieces stay on it, even the indicators are still up high.
Spinning up the ridge, jumping from rock to rock, untill I reach the stream again. Looking for the spot I left from in the first place, raft through the water, giving full rev’s on the end, making it to the otherside. Looking back and puffing. I could almost emty the river, so desperate I was for some liquid.
Up the hill again, I get a clear shot of where I tried to cross, and see that the last stream that had made me turn around, get’s really small and humble a few meters further, I laugh and say dammit, I could’ve done it in the end! Almost! But what do you buy for that? Now there’s no other option than going back the way I came, how much of a shame that is anyway.

When adrenaline flushes away and my hart beat dropes down to normal, I notice that my boots are filled with water, my back’s sore and when I’m finally on the run, the bike get’s his mood again.
Being glad it did not happen back there, it does not stop this time. I can’t be bothered having a look at it, one cilinder get’s me home. And that’s where I want to be. Feeling my tummy ache.
When unburned fuel starts dripping out of the exaust manifold, I get anoyed because of the waste of itl. The shit is expensive enough these days.
I stop, replace the ignition unit and for a change it actually works again. How nice.
The last end I’m speeding a bit, and when I realize that there’s somebody in blue pants standing beside the road with a lasergun in it’s hand, I’m too late closing the trottle. My speedometer go’s from 120km/h, to 100km/h till 70km/h, while the road signs go from 100km/h, to 70km/h to 50km/h. The city kitty orders me to stop and thinking while taking my helmet off, don’t even try to start a discussion. I almost lost it when he asks me this stupid question; “Is there any particular reason you were speeding, mate?” Well, for a start I’m not your mate, and...
But judiciously and politness gets the overhand and he even takes of a few k’s. Making me pay only 80 bucks instead of 120.

Thanks, mate, you have a nice day aswell.

Tim van Dalen

Route: Blenheim, Tuamarina, Te Rou, end of Northbank Road, Goulter River.
Other details: Unknown

[cooneyr]

.....Nice website, although i don't have any gps.

You dont need a GPS to make use of the site. Just use it to find tracks that you may be interesting in riding.



I was wondering, if you could ride all the way to Cullensville at linkwater?

I think you can get between Cullensville from the Queen Charlotte Road


I also drove to the end of the northbank road, that last piece is 4wd aswell (tried to cross the wairau river, wasn't a very smart idea :))
Those big rocks in the wairau, I find very hard to ride on, it's more like jumping from one rock to another.

Yep that is pretty rocky there. The river could be very challenging as well.


The onomalutu is on the list! Where about is the Altimarloc?

Check out the red line running east-west at the north end of the Molesworth Road.


What does PC mean?

PC = Politically Correct. Your comments about "young girls with too bigger tits showing off, and fat people, that really should not wear togs walking around" are what I am referring too.

Cheers R

[timpel_800]

Cool :D Altimarloc found!

What i mean by the cullensville, there's a route from cullensville to waikakaho, but i'm not sure wherther that is a track you're able to do with a vehicle.

[NordieBoy]

Cool vid! Seems like I can handle that. My boss is a diehard 4w driver and he said especially going down on the nelson side might be a bit hard. Big rocks or so. But since i'm in blenheim, i start at the polurus side anyway!

It's been tamed somewhat since that vid was shot.
You shouldn't have any problems at all.

Excellent writeups :D

[cooneyr]

What i mean by the cullensville, there's a route from cullensville to waikakaho, but i'm not sure wherther that is a track you're able to do with a vehicle.

Hmmmm - not sure about that. On the topomaps it is a walking track and walking poled route (not a well defined track). If I look on Google earth though there is a well defined track where is isnt covered by cloud.

Just done some reading of the DOC leaflet - do not ride the track. It is a walking track that is open to mountain bikes and vehicles will not be allowed. It quite possibly can be ridden as it is probably an old miners track so was probably built for horses and carts but it is not allowed any more.

Cheers R

[zeRax]

a temporary local, HI, nice bike btw ! RADICAL

mangataupu is a great track, piece of piss too, , what time u doing it this weekend ?

[timpel_800]

Hi tnx you guys. A temp local indeed, for another 6 months orso, but i might come back one time, quite like it here :)

The cullensville, yeah did the reading on the doc to. Seems like a cool thing to do anyway. Even if it's walking.

Not sure if i would do the muderers rock this weekend, got a bend in my back wheel, probably hit a puthole to hard on the molesworth. Have to sort that out first. Mind you, it's raining in nelson ? Maybe better stay in blenheim :sunny:

[NordieBoy]

Not sure if i would do the muderers rock this weekend, got a bend in my back wheel, probably hit a puthole to hard on the molesworth. Have to sort that out first. Mind you, it's raining in nelson ? Maybe better stay in blenheim :sunny:
Rain?
Where?

[timpel_800]

http://nz.weather.yahoo.com/nelson/2349669/:rolleyes:

[NordieBoy]

Oh, there.

:D

[timpel_800]

Just bin up to the Onamalutu track. The ride up is nice, but going down i saw the different side of new zealand. Bare hills. Bit of a shame but i guess you gotta make money somewhere :)

Don't know, allways liked riding through putholes

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JFc1LVeUnUM&hl=nl"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JFc1LVeUnUM&hl=nl" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[timpel_800]

Hi guys

spend my saturday doing the maungatapu track, awesome ! The roughest track i did so far, but not really a problem. Quite amazing that they did this road with horses and wooden wheels :)

Missed the Rock though, so might have to do it another time :argh: :2thumbsup

[nelson gt250r]

yeah its a rough track mate
fine on the pelorus side to the top but gets rocky and a few good rutts on the nelson side
i got stuck up there one night on a tt600
took a few hours to walk it down to pelorus to get a lift out

[timpel_800]

Hmm bummer! How did you get struck?

[NordieBoy]

Hmm bummer! How did you get struck?

Up until Jan-Feb this year it was a lot ruttier and hardpack and clay holes.
The first right hander on the Nelson side of the summit was a rock hole that could swallow bikes :D

I went up to the summit today about 4:30pm :)

[Transalper]

Hey Nordie, I been over that track myself several times now (as you know) but haven't actually identified the Murderers Rock itself.
Any chance you could mark it as a waypoint on your gps and take a photo of it so we can know when to stop and look for it
Cheers
TA.

[NordieBoy]

On the way down the Pelorus side you go through the big ford and then up and around a tight left hander and the rock (and white memorial thingy) are at the top of the next right hander.

Photo from June last year.

There's a cache not all that far from here...

[timpel_800]

All this rain isn't that bad I reckon! C u at the diversion 8)

[twotyred]

All this rain isn't that bad I reckon! C u at the diversion 8)
only bad for your camera! :eek5:... nice shot though.

[timpel_800]

no worries, got a Olympus MJU725. Is supposed to be water and shock proof :)

[buggsubique]

Other routes that you might like to check out near Blenhiem are Altimarloc (dont go up there if the weather is bad or there is snow on the tops),

Cheers R

OK, silly question, but is that purely from a safety perspective wrt the weather? Not that I'm looking to get cold and wet, but on a clear winters day how bad is the snow? with a set of MT21s and my little yellow bike I reckon I might head up there for a geez before she gets too much colder.

[JATZ]

OK, silly question, but is that purely from a safety perspective wrt the weather? Not that I'm looking to get cold and wet, but on a clear winters day how bad is the snow? with a set of MT21s and my little yellow bike I reckon I might head up there for a geez before she gets too much colder.

Clear winters day would be good, see for miles.
Its pretty exposed up the top, but your not to far from the bush line, best to make the call on the day

[cooneyr]

OK, silly question, but is that purely from a safety perspective wrt the weather? Not that I'm looking to get cold and wet, but on a clear winters day how bad is the snow? with a set of MT21s and my little yellow bike I reckon I might head up there for a geez before she gets too much colder.

A safely and minimising impact on others thing when they have to come and pick you up. The track is the highest public access point I know of in the South Island at 1696m. If the snow is down I doubt you will be able to get much above 800/1000m. Snow or not be well prepared with warm and wet weather gear and food. If there is no snow then go for it but still be prepared for the cold.

If you are not use to snow it is hard work walking through soft snow and if it is more than ankle deep it is very very hard work. I once spent about 6 hours travelling what would normally take around 2 hours cause of knee deep snow. Just keep that in mind before you push too far up the hill. We tried riding in snow last year around Hanmer and while it was fun it was hard work. Once the snow gets about as deep as the skip plate (or not soft enough to push though) the bike doesnt like to go forward very well. If the snow is compacted and hard you slide around all over the place. Transalper's video of it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCASa-xgbhc).

I'm not saying dont go just be bloody sensible as everything is a lot more serious and tiring and if things go wrong your a long way from help.

Cheers R

P.S. Just seen Jatz's comment and I disagree. The bush line is generally around the 800/1000m mark and as I mentioned this is 1696m high.

[JATZ]

A safely and minimising impact on others thing when they have to come and pick you up. The track is the highest public access point I know of in the South Island at 1696m. If the snow is down I doubt you will be able to get much above 800/1000m. Snow or not be well prepared with warm and wet weather gear and food. If there is no snow then go for it but still be prepared for the cold.

If you are not use to snow it is hard work walking through soft snow and if it is more than ankle deep it is very very hard work. I once spent about 6 hours travelling what would normally take around 2 hours cause of knee deep snow. Just keep that in mind before you push too far up the hill. We tried riding in snow last year around Hanmer and while it was fun it was hard work. Once the snow gets about as deep as the skip plate (or not soft enough to push though) the bike doesnt like to go forward very well. If the snow is compacted and hard you slide around all over the place. Transalper's video of it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCASa-xgbhc).

I'm not saying dont go just be bloody sensible as everything is a lot more serious and tiring and if things go wrong your a long way from help.

Cheers R

P.S. Just seen Jatz's comment and I disagree. The bush line is generally around the 800/1000m mark and as I mentioned this is 1696m high.

It didn't seem that far when I was up there, however my reality can be a little hazzy sometimes

[buggsubique]

A safely and minimising impact on others thing when they have to come and pick you up. The track is the highest public access point I know of in the South Island at 1696m. If the snow is down I doubt you will be able to get much above 800/1000m. Snow or not be well prepared with warm and wet weather gear and food. If there is no snow then go for it but still be prepared for the cold.


Shit, that's pretty high. I've only been up to about 1300m up north, snow and all that. I always take enough to stay overnight and always have a comms plan / report times. Prob wouldn't be going there alone in the white stuff though. Cheers for the heads up.

[timpel_800]

COol pic! Be happy to join you by the way!

[timpel_800]

A Transalper's video of it here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCASa-xgbhc).

.

Cool vid !!! looks indeed pretty rough. think my bike is a bit to heavy for this. But maybe with some good tyres...

[NordieBoy]

no worries, got a Olympus MJU725. Is supposed to be water and shock proof :)

But is it Guzzi proof :D

[NordieBoy]

OK, silly question, but is that purely from a safety perspective wrt the weather? Not that I'm looking to get cold and wet, but on a clear winters day how bad is the snow? with a set of MT21s and my little yellow bike I reckon I might head up there for a geez before she gets too much colder.

20th October on a nice fine day...
Howling wind, sleet, snow, rain at 1400m
That was as far as TransAlper and I could get.
It was just skidplate surfing in the drifts and the tyres had problems touching the road.
Not icey at all though.

And fine back down the bottom.

So when are we doing it? :D

<img src=http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20071020%20Black%20Birch%20Track/slides/20071020-162510-000015.jpg>

<img src=http://www.photostorage.nelson.geek.nz/sports/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20071020%20Black%20Birch%20Track/slides/20071020-162752-000018.jpg>

[cooneyr]

Shit, that's pretty high. I've only been up to about 1300m up north, snow and all that. I always take enough to stay overnight and always have a comms plan / report times. Prob wouldn't be going there alone in the white stuff though. Cheers for the heads up.

Seems you know whats up. Sorry if my post was a little over bearing. It's a bit frustrating when people head into the hills (especially an alpine environment) and get into trouble because they are unprepared and don't know how to deal with it.

I'm actually quite keen to get up there myself if the snow is nice and soft.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

I think it'd be good up there around the time of the first snows when it's still warm(ish) down below.

[buggsubique]

hell, no probs Cooneyr! Lets keep the idea in the back of our mind as it cools down a bit and look at a ride up there at some point? Looks like Nordie's keen. By then our local (Blenheim) Adv club should be up and running and it might be something we can host - bit of a dash and a frolic in the white stuff followed by a cookup and hot brews.

In the meantime I'd better replace / refit my roadkit from the Waiau trail ride the other weekend...note to self: take all road gear off and change to MX tyres next time!

[buggsubique]

COol pic! Be happy to join you by the way!

Let me get my bike sorted over the next week and I'll PM you for a ride. Think I might gear my bike up a bit more for the road again...

[timpel_800]

But is it Guzzi proof :D


Well it has bin send out for repair twice allready. But the last time i started reading the manual, and found out that i had to clean it :wacko:

[timpel_800]

hell, no probs Cooneyr! Lets keep the idea in the back of our mind as it cools down a bit and look at a ride up there at some point? Looks like Nordie's keen. By then our local (Blenheim) Adv club should be up and running and it might be something we can host - bit of a dash and a frolic in the white stuff followed by a cookup and hot brews.



Were you the guy in the Sun or the marlborough midweek the otherday?

[buggsubique]

Nah, that was Julian (Julz). He's on a Yammie and is head honch in setting up the club.

[timpel_800]

Hi Guys!

Last weekend I went all the way up to farwell spit. But the only gravel I did on that trip was the Pigeon Valley and the Wharariki Beach road :) Not very challenging, but, cool though!

For the anzac weekend im planning on going to the west coast. I saw this long route on the map from New Creek to Waimangaroa, but I read in the 4wd book that that is probably a bit to much! The Bouler gorge is probably cool enough.

Did any of you guys did a trip like that above 4wd track at all on a bike? Looks so cool to me to do that with a group of people! Maybe with a backup truck and some ropes though!

My plan so far is, Blenheim, westport, hokatika, from there take the Old CHCH road to St highway 73, go up through Te Kinga, to Still water, Reefton and then back home over Murchinson.

This is only a rough tought. I leave on thursday afternoon and then have till sunday night. This should give me some time i reckon.

Any spots along this route, or a differente route recommended, that i really should not mis?

Tha!

Tim

Ps, frigging cold in a tent last saturday in Kaiteriteri allright!

[cooneyr]

For the anzac weekend im planning on going to the west coast. I saw this long route on the map from New Creek to Waimangaroa, but I read in the 4wd book that that is probably a bit to much! The Bouler gorge is probably cool enough.

If the river is not up then the New Creek to Denniston track is a really interesting track. I wouldn't recommend going by yourself though as you need to walk the bikes across the Mackley River.

Places to visit - Denniston Plateau.

Cheers R

[JATZ]

You shold have let me know you were coming over this way Timpel, could have shown you some other places to go.
Your bike should be fine to go up Altimarloch, I took the f650 up there o.k. with some fairly road orientated tyres on, wasn't a problem.
Denniston to Lyel would be a good ride, just that pesky river in the middle and a couple of steep hills to get up,as coonyr said do it with someone else, your a long way from help in there. If you go up to Denniston when your on the coast theres a 4wd track up to a tv repeater which looks out over Westport, awsome veiw on a good day.
May be keen to tag along for a couple of days over Anzac w/end, have to check my diary though

[timpel_800]

Hi Jatz, thx for that. But it kinda came up like going to the toillet. :)

Would be keen to drive together on anzac day! (mind u my bike only goes a 100km/.h max :P)
Just let me know if u want to!

Otherwise we can maybe plan on do that denniston track anothertime...!

[timpel_800]

No westcoast for Tim. The big ditch of water at the taylordam , where for some reason I had to ride through yesterday, snapped my carter :| Bugger!! Godverdomme!

[cooneyr]

No westcoast for Tim. The big ditch of water at the taylordam , where for some reason I had to ride through yesterday, snapped my carter :| Bugger!! Godverdomme!

I assume you mean the crack in the case where the red line is? Good luck getting that repaired - your going to need it with an unusual (for NZ anyway) machine like that.

Keep us informed as to how you are getting on.

Cheers R

[JATZ]

No westcoast for Tim. The big ditch of water at the taylordam , where for some reason I had to ride through yesterday, snapped my carter :| Bugger!! Godverdomme!

Ahhhh I see, thats what a carter is.:crybaby: for you. Is it alloy ?, can it be welded?, looks serious anyway.
Mrs JATZ aint to keen on me going down the coast by my self, but I might just have to,just spent half an hour being creative tying on the saddlebags and tank bag

[NordieBoy]

just spent half an hour being creative tying on the saddlebags and tank bag

To what/whom?

:shit:

[timpel_800]

Hi tnx guys.

Indeed, the crankcase is the right word.

I happend because the engine got water in the cilinder. You cant impress water, but because the piston is going up, the water has to find it's way out. Usually the crank itself get fucked, but in this matter, the case cracked.

So becarefull if you ride through a river, that the engine does not suck up any water.

I have some crankcases on the shelves in the shed at home, and sending them over should only take a week. Another option is buying one overhere (know a guy up in waiheke island who does guzzi parts). I first thought about welding, but people with knowlegde don't recommend doing that.

Tim

[timpel_800]

dismanteling is the easy part ... :)

[JATZ]

I hope you remember where everything goes at assembly time.West coast was brilliant as always,Arthurs pass was something else(never been through there before)East coast today was brilliant except for the fog north of Christchurch,much more fun than pulling your bike to pieces, how long before its fixed?

[timpel_800]

Hmm, I know how the westcoast was, on the last moment i could borrow me flatmates nissan skyline :)

Way less fun than on a bike offcourse, but fair enough!

Have my dad to dismantel the engine that i have at home and send it to me. To get here it should only take a week. than maybe another few day's to put it back together. Looks thougher than it is. Done it a few times so got some experience :)

[timpel_800]

Hi guys

Put my father to work an he has allready prepared the new crankcase for shipping to nz.

I was wondering if anybody had some tips about what to write on the box, to get the easiest way through customs.

I sometimes read about Ebay purchases that they put "gift" on it or so.

Anybody experience with it?

Tim

[Padmei]

I usually find "Asian medicinal products" in large printing on the sides slips it's way thru...

[JATZ]

No experience with customs, but it looks like your father could do with a new set of drills :Pokey:

[timpel_800]

Yeah and with a new overall aswell. The drills are my bet, I wasted most of them :)

[timpel_800]

Hi guys,

we're getting there....

[NordieBoy]

Looking better :woohoo:

[timpel_800]

Yeah i'm all happy and shit!

[NordieBoy]

Yeah i'm all happy and shit!

I was talking about the bike.

:Pokey:

:D

[timpel_800]

Fair enough :scooter:


Btw, I have asked permission from DOC to do the molesworth again on queens birthday, we're planning to go to hamner with my flatmate and do a bungy ???????? :blink:

[NordieBoy]

Btw, I have asked permission from DOC to do the molesworth again on queens birthday, we're planning to go to hamner with my flatmate and do a bungy ???????? :blink:

That sounds interesting.
Which day?

A Blenheim, Molesworth, Springs Junction, West Bank, Maruia, Braeburn, Porika, Dry Weather, Sherry River, Sunday Creek, Dovedale Hill, Pig Valley, Wairoa Gorge, Ben Nevis, Boundary Road, Wairoa Gorge, Nelson loop would be fun :D

[buggsubique]

Hmm, not sure what I'm up to on QB...under pressure to do the family thing, which is actually quite a resonable request really, kids and all...

Let us know how you get on.

[JATZ]

Fair enough :scooter:


Btw, I have asked permission from DOC to do the molesworth again on queens birthday, we're planning to go to hamner with my flatmate and do a bungy ???????? :blink:

Would love to come,BUT doing other things:doh: has d.o.c given the o.k?

[NordieBoy]

I'll be riding :D
Where is the only question.

I hate MapSource...
Just linked together a nice little ride from Nelson over to Blenheim, Hamner, Springs, St Arnaud and back to Nelson and it's around 700-800km with the usual little detours (and missing some out) :(

Time to do some pruning...

[timpel_800]

Not sure yet which day, depens on the weather a little bit. Have not yet had permission. But send it away a few weeks ago now.

DOC send it to the station manager, we have to get an mail from him. Should not be far off i reckon!

I'll let you know anyway (there goes my romantic ride with my flatmate :))

[NordieBoy]

I'll let you know anyway (there goes my romantic ride with my flatmate :))

We'll follow from a distance with long lenses. Paparazzi style :D

You won't even know we're there.

Untill you see the youtube footage :innocent:

[marks]

A Blenheim, Molesworth, Springs Junction, West Bank, Maruia, Braeburn, Porika, Dry Weather, Sherry River, Sunday Creek, Dovedale Hill, Pig Valley, Wairoa Gorge, Ben Nevis, Boundary Road, Wairoa Gorge, Nelson loop would be fun :D

you wouldn't be interested in doing something like this early next week would you?

I'll buy you a hot chocolate...

[cooneyr]

you wouldn't be interested in doing something like this early next week would you?

I'll buy you a hot chocolate...

Man how cheap do you think Nordie is? There will have to be at least one marshmallow with the hot chocolate :lol:

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

2 marshmallows and I'm anyones :D

What day do you have in mind?
Nelson to somewhere or Nelson to Nelson loop?

[marks]

2 marshmallows and I'm anyones :D

What day do you have in mind?
Nelson to somewhere or Nelson to Nelson loop?

2 marshmallows it is....

I'm thinking of coming down Sunday afternoon if the weathers ok and staying in Waikawa Sunday night .

I'll come to Nelson via Mangatapu hopefully first thing Monday morning.

what about Rainbow, Hamner (stay night?), Springs Junction, West Bank, Mauria Saddle, Mangles Valley, Braeburn , Porika and then any other bits and pieces you suggest (or all of that backwards)

I don't mind a Nelson - Nelson loop - I just want to ride.

I've got all week to get to the Brass.

cheers


Mark

[Transalper]

Just note that the Rainbow people don't like it when you ring up last minute expecting them to give you a key, and they like a couple of weeks notice if the key needs to be posted anywhere (they will not drop everything just to drive all the way in to town just to post a key and then the mail man doesn't visit St Anaud every day either).

[NordieBoy]

And the Rainbow may be a bit dodgy snow-wise.

I can quite easily come up with a 5-600 km ride without it though :D

[marks]

Just note that the Rainbow people don't like it when you ring up last minute expecting them to give you a key, and they like a couple of weeks notice if the key needs to be posted anywhere (they will not drop everything just to drive all the way in to town just to post a key and then the mail man doesn't visit St Anaud every day either).

Yes - I hadn't really thought that bit through.

After hearing snow warnings on the Rainbow I wasnt game to try it on my own so I hadn't done anything about arranging keys etc but thought if Nordieboy was there to shovel snow out of my way it would be ok - forgot about the key....
:confused:

[marks]

And the Rainbow may be a bit dodgy snow-wise.

I can quite easily come up with a 5-600 km ride without it though :D

I am easily (mis)led....

should I just turn up with a packet of marshmallows?

when suits you?

[timpel_800]

Instead of waiting, we emailed the station manager, this is what he emailed back. Nice job DOC?

Sam, I havent had a copy of your application sent to me. We have the Goose Shoot on that weekend and access is not a go. Give me a ring on 03 5757043 and we will see what we can do .Jim.

[buggsubique]

Mate "see what we can do" = "call me and we can do and open them cold as fuck gates for ye".

[timpel_800]

well the bike is fucking ready for it allright!

It took some blood sweat and tears, and a broken indicator (who needs indicators anyway) but I pulled it off!

Monday we're gonna make the call.

[NordieBoy]

I am easily (mis)led....

should I just turn up with a packet of marshmallows?

when suits you?

What time are you looking at hitting Pelorus?

[NordieBoy]

well the bike is fucking ready for it allright!

It took some blood sweat and tears, and a broken indicator (who needs indicators anyway) but I pulled it off!

Monday we're gonna make the call.

Be good to hear some Guzzi sounds finally.
Fingers crossed for the call :mobile:

[timpel_800]

Hi guys,

My dad got sick. Hart attack. I'm going home today. Don't know nothing yet.

Just wanted to let you know that i might not be around for some time.

Tim

[twotyred]

Best wishes to you,and hopes for a speedy recovery for your Dad

[buggsubique]

Shit dude, sorry to hear that. Sincere best wishes for your dad's recovery.

[cooneyr]

Thats not good news. Hope that everything turns out OK. Best of luck.

Cheers R

[marks]

Hi guys,
My dad got sick. Hart attack. I'm going home today. Don't know nothing yet.
Just wanted to let you know that i might not be around for some time.
Tim

Really sorry to hear that - hope he make a full recovery.
Keep us updated.


What time are you looking at hitting Pelorus?

Provided the rains stops in Wgtn (I'm a pussy) I will catch the evening ferry down. So if I leave Waikawa about 9ish and go via Queen Charlotte Drive and Havelock - I'm guessing about 10ish?. My cellphone is 0274499115. If I haven't heard from you by 10 - or see you at Pelorus I'll assume you don't love me anymore and will make my own fun :)

If its pissing down in Waikawa/Picton I will stay in bed....

***edit - still looks pussy in Wgtn and I cant be bothered starting a holiday soggy so - weather permitting - I will go tomorrow***


cheers



Mark

[NordieBoy]

Hi guys,

My dad got sick. Hart attack. I'm going home today. Don't know nothing yet.

Just wanted to let you know that i might not be around for some time.

Tim

Bugger :(

Good luck to the both of yez.

[timpel_800]

Hi guys,

All thanks for your support.

Tim

[Padmei]

Good luck with your dad & come back soon. I should have my KLR by then & you can hear my girly squeals as we go down the motutapu

[cynna]

just trying to wade thru all the info on these 2 roads. just a quick couple of questions

- are both the rainbow and molesworth suitable for a solo rider that hasnt done that much long distance off road work. i will carry all the usual gear - just havent had to remove a tyre before to change a tube. that will be my biggest problem i think

- im planning on doing the ride about 10th january so the roads will be open. do i stil need a key for the molesworth gate

- where can i buy maps from. can they be obtained form DOC?

[Transalper]

Best you learn how to fix a puncture, especially if you are going it alone. It's actually quite easy once you have learned how.

Had a little laugh at the 'long distance' and 'off road' bits. At less than half a tank through each personally i don't consider either to be long trips (unless maybe done as a single day round trip) on the DR650 and they are both well formed roads although the Rainbow is not so well maintained. I'm just saying they are only shingle and dirt, it's not bush bashing or single track stuff or anything.
Then I see your profile only lists you as riding a bauer. Quick search indicates them as a pushbike, now it sounds like a long trip, or a vintage looking thing? also a long trip?

Gates do not require keys in January but in the Rainbow you will have to stop at the gate with signs next to it saying pay here and pay the man who will come out to greet you.

Maps... DOC is probably good as anywhere, or the likes of mapworld in town. The roads are fairly easy to follow... or is it that I've done both enough now to know all the confusing bits?

[JATZ]

Both roads are easy enough, If your going through on the 10th and still unsure about it all then give us a yell.

[Transalper]

This is the normal DOC info and map for the Molesworth and Rainbow.
Click Me. (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/south-marlborough/molesworth-station/plan-and-prepare/map-of-molesworth-station/)

heres the current Rainbow specific DOC .pdf. (http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/rainbow-road-and-upper-wairau-valley.pdf)

[cynna]

cool thanks for the info

no im not taking the mountain bike - its about time i updated my profile. will be taking the xr650. better buy start practicing my tyre removal.....

thanks fo the offer JATZ - will keep that in mind

hope there isnt too much risk or road closure due to fire danger at that time of year

[cynna]

took my bike out ot the waimak today to see if i tightened everything - luckily i did - lost half my number plate and lost a bolt holding the tailight/number plate assembly on.

im off tomorrow for a night in hamner - will check out most of the rainbow and jollies pass. will head up the molesworth on friday and spend the night in nelson. will probably spend sat in nelson as well and will check out a few of the local roads - any recommendations? will check out the nelson thread as well for info on the maungatapo (sp). will then head off on sunday to st arnaud and down the rainbow and back home

my first 4 week break from work in ages so making the most of it. 1300km on the motard after xmas, 1500km in the car over new years now its time to go offroad