SI tour...

[Creeper]

Hi to you all, new to this KB site but been twisting the throttle for over 30 yrs.... anyway seems to be heaps of good info to be had on the KB site.
I'm planning a trip (on KLR650) around the South Island early next year & I would be greatfull for comments on the following.
I plan to include the molesworth, rainbow rd, hakataramea valley, danseys, dunstan rd 1 & 2, Thompson gorge track, skippers, macetown.
is there anything else that is a "must do" ride?.
And would February be the best time to tackle all of the above?
Would be looking at mid thru to late Feb ....(want dry weather but not the heat of late Jan early Feb).
Whats the chance of the SI Passes ride happening again next yr?


thanks for any comments

creeper

[buggsubique]

If you are going to do the Molesworth north to south then I would recommend taking the Port Underwood rd from Picton to Blenheim, then come through Blenheim up Taylor Pass road into the Awatere valley and into the Molesworth. Just a touch more exciting than staying on the seal. It's still going to be pretty hot in the molesworth in Feb (not that that reeallly matters) and you will always need to keep your ear to the ground to make sure it hasn't been closed due to fire risk. Just my 2c...or is that 10c now given inflation and rounding?

I'm a katikati lad originally so sing out if you need a pad or a beer as you pass through.

[clint640]

Hi Mate, welcome to the forum!

Feb/Mar seems to be a pretty good time for SI Touring.

The Porika (can be technical) & Braeburn tracks & the Maruia Saddle road around Nelson Lakes are good. The Maungatapu track from Pelorus Bridge to Nelson is cool too, but can also be a bit technical depending on condition. A poke around Golden Bay & Whanganui inlet is fun too.

A look into the Mavora lakes is good further south, see if you can get on the Earnslaw over to Walter Peak then out through there. The Nevis from Bannockburn to Garston is really cool.

Check out some of the ride reports over in the NZ section of advrider.com too.

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

I know it isn't very interactive and there is not much about the routes/tracks but if you want to know where some of the routes/tracks are have a look at my web site. www.advroutes.org.nz

It is very new and still being developed so keep an eye on it.

As for the tracks - the suggestions above are good. If you dont mind deep water then the New Creek to Denniston route (not on advroutes yet) would be worth a look.

Cheers R

[Creeper]

hey Buggsubique, thanks for the reply......will look into underwood rd.....cheers for the offer of pad/beer, will keep that in mind

[Creeper]

cheers for reply clint.....Mavorasounds good. I had the Nevis in mind, I have read that Carricktown/Young Australian section out of Bannockburn are very steep/tough.....or are the writers of these motorcycle atlas' just been cautious? Bit cautious about early March, as always in the North Island it is usually wet..not sure if this is the same in the South Island?!
Cheers Creeper

[cooneyr]

cheers for reply clint.....Mavorasounds good. I had the Nevis in mind, I have read that Carricktown/Young Australian section out of Bannockburn are very steep/tough.....or are the writers of these motorcycle atlas' just been cautious? Bit cautious about early March, as always in the North Island it is usually wet..not sure if this is the same in the South Island?!
Cheers Creeper

Carricktown to Duffers Saddle should be no worries. It is a grass/clay track so could be a little slippery but with reasonable tires (an I don't mean full knobbies) and skill shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't say it was overly steep but the last time I was through was in a 4x4 about 5 years ago.

Cheers R

[Frodo]

I'm planning a trip (on KLR650) around the South Island early next year & I would be greatfull for comments on the following.
I plan to include the molesworth, rainbow rd, hakataramea valley, danseys, dunstan rd 1 & 2, Thompson gorge track, skippers, macetown.
is there anything else that is a "must do" ride?.

creeper

I had a great trip around the South Island a year ago - report here: http://http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201699

[Creeper]

ah Frodo.....of Kiwi Rider fame?? If so great report. At that stage I was selling my VTR1000 & going to be without a bike for a while.....but after redaing about yr ride in kiwi rider, I went out & got me a adv bike!!

[Monkeyboy]

Westcoast from Hokitika to Queenstown, then Queenstown to Te Anau then onto Milford Sound. Unbelievable!!! Also try Christchurch to Akaroa and on that bike of yours, go from Port Levy/Pidgeon Bay to the Summit Road.:devil2:

[Jantar]

Carricktown to Duffers Saddle should be no worries. It is a grass/clay track so could be a little slippery but with reasonable tires (an I don't mean full knobbies) and skill shouldn't be a problem.

At this time of year it is generally dry, and quite passable on road tyres. This last weekend was the Carricktown Crusher mountain bike race. Two of the guys from work did it and the report is that the track is dry and hard.

Next SI Passes ride will be summer 2009-2010.

[bvaut]

just returned from this area and did this route, no worries about state of the state of the track- just a good old metal grass track with the odd washout to watch out for and also mountain bikers who frequent the route as well, so would probablty be wise to ride from top to bottom in high season to avoid oncoming mbikers.

[Creeper]

thanks for yr reply bvaut.......

[Creeper]

thanks to those who replyed to the above.....have got my plan all sorted now. Due to family stuff, I will set off Mid March 09 & spend about 2 1/2 in S Island. Covering the above & more. If this is of interest to anyone who may be keen for a SI tirp, let me know. I can send a detailed plan of what I'm going to cover....open to other ideas also

Cheers

Creeper