View Full Version : Southern chaps - riding advice please
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 09:04
On thursday 21st ths month.
my self and dave are spending the day in the picton area.
its been well over 20yrs since ive been down there.
im thinking of rideing eather of theses roads.
French pass and western Marlborough Sounds.
Queen Charlotte Portage and Kenepuru.
there is also a road that runs along Port underwood,
ill do this one first off.
but i aslo want to allow time to get to nelson to catch up with old work mates.
so im asking which roads will give us best ride and views.
will have aprox 14hrs on thursday to travel around and be back in picton to meet the other guys off the ferry.
your thoughts plzz
cheers
JMJ
Underground
3rd May 2009, 10:16
Mt Patrirch and Onamalutu would be the pick for an easy ride with good views , gets ya right up into the high country I've done it 2 up so you NI chaps should be able to struggle up there.
If you want more good views ,twisty seal and miles of gravel its easy enough to fill the rest of the day in out this way (French Pass)
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 10:36
Ditto.
Do Mt Pat, Back through Onamalutu to SH6, left through Havelock to Pelorus, over the Maungatapu Track (you call it the Pelorus Track I think). Catch up with yer mates in Nelson, then back over the track, turn Left at Havelock to take the queen charlotte track to Pictown. There's a bit of a hillclimb to play on at Havelock (look east, you'll see it).
Friday (with the whole group) leave Waikawa heading around the bay through the windies to Port Underwood, through Rarangi Beach to Blenheim, gas top up + a pie, then head out towards Renwick to pickup SH63 to St Arnaud, Porika etc.
Personally I'm not a fan of the sounds - cars on wrong side of the rd, stomach churning roads and weird people (we've posted Underground out there to keep them at bay). I've only been out toWaitaria bay and the end of the rd past Punga cove though, so I haven't seen it all.
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 10:50
This is Mt Pat...it is a GREAT ride!
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 15:24
oh well if your suzuki can make it up ther then mine should.
i take it there is no gas station up there, with your luggage.
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 17:52
Nah, the only gas station is on Zerax's 28L KLX...ironically on that day he ran out within view of Havelock...and I mean there was literally nothing left in the tank - we'd already done all the tricks to get the last drops!
It's not that far - only 70 odd km each way from town I think...just clibs up to 5 or so thousand feet!
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 17:58
I'm getting excited already!!!!!!! Am on countdown to May 21st 1am to depart for the ferry with Joe!!!!!!
:woohoo:
The test run on the back was ok today, painful but kept at bay by Panadol & Voltaren, plus the Black Beastie got to play on the beach at Riversdale for the first time - FUN!!!!! Did my best to roost Joe haha!
:yes:
Ahem....... Why are you fullahs going back to Picton ? Why not head over the Maungatap then go to Golden bay, shoot into the Cobb or out to Totaranui with a side trip to Birds clearing then back to Nsn or crash here and catch up with ya mates at St Arnaud.
That way you miss the god awfull drag up the Wairau
God I hate Dial up......
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 18:20
Oh cr@p! Thursday 21st!? That's my boys 2th birthday - I thought it was on the weekend! Wonder if I can swing it so I can join you lads on the ride over the weekend...hmmm.
Otherwise It'll be the Thurs ride only for me...
Yay for kids birtday parties!
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 18:34
Ahem....... Why are you fullahs going back to Picton ? Why not head over the Maungatap then go to Golden bay, shoot into the Cobb or out to Totaranui with a side trip to Birds clearing then back to Nsn or crash here and catch up with ya mates at St Arnaud.
That way you miss the god awfull drag up the Wairau
God I hate Dial up......
I think the short answer is there's someone coming Thurs eve who is sharing accom with me & Joe, plus its a group thing so be good to catch up with the guys and be ready to go brekky etc first thing with them all in the a.m. mate.
I get your point tho!
;)
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 18:40
okies i like the idea of a mountian climb.
it would be stink off us to leave the other lads hanging.
i dont mind riding for no reason, which is why we have to return to picton.
so im keen on the mountian if weather is good, not much chop going up if its pissing down.
so need a good bad weather plan.
whats good to ride in the rain.
yip we had fun to day riping up the sand.
was fairly soft.
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 18:59
whats good to ride in the rain.
Mate, this is Marlborough! That said, we did have a 4 day state of emergency with flooding last year:whistle:. Probably head out Tory Channel to keep it close to the accommodation and hot pies - or you could do the Kenepuru Rd area of the sounds - but if it's raining that's where it'll be raining hardest.
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 19:14
or we could come to your place for birthday cake.
we need to bring a pressy,,, not for you...
just keeping options open..
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 19:31
or we could come to your place for birthday cake.
we need to bring a pressy,,, not for you...
just keeping options open..
I draw the line at putting a clown suit on for his nipper tho!
;)
pete376403
3rd May 2009, 19:49
I draw the line at putting a clown suit on for his nipper tho!
;)
You don't need a clown suit, Dave, you already have a reputation....;)
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 19:53
You don't need a clown suit, Dave, you already have a reputation....;)
:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:
Altho a Darth Vader costume would go with the all black bike!
:whistle:
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 20:07
or we could come to your place for birthday cake.
we need to bring a pressy,,, not for you...
just keeping options open..
mate, just having more bikes pull up would be like 1000 christmases for my boy - he lives for bikes! just keep your helmets, gloves and keys secure!
Anyway, sorry off topic.
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 20:20
ok,
sure young fella wont trip over my safari mate.
i guess we only a few kms away so why not call in.
put the jug on we be there in about 3 weeks.
if you going to be around.
whats ya boy in to.
what age.
my boys 8 this year.
CookMySock
3rd May 2009, 20:31
[...] painful but kept at bay by Panadol & VoltarenWow, you guys are having fun, but just watch out with Voltaren - I had a major crash after being loaded up with Voltaren. I felt like my riding was godlike and I fucked up real bad.
As you were. Wish it was me.
Steve
If your not to full of cake and doing the kenepuru rd, shoot out to Titirangi bay, all gravel from where the road turns right at the head of Kenepuru
buggsubique
3rd May 2009, 21:06
OK so it turns out that we might be doing a birthday dinner on Thurs night - that's fine - I can still ride that day. The Mrs it turns out has squash training all weekend - here was I thinking I was a bad dad by wanting to go for a ride! So might butter up the in-laws and see if they can mind the zoo while dadda bear goes feral.
Might just have to bail back up north late on saturday is all. If I can ride I will!
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 21:16
If your not to full of cake and doing the kenepuru rd, shoot out to Titirangi bay, all gravel from where the road turns right at the head of Kenepuru
just looking at my map.
found Kenepuru Head.
so is Grants lookout in the right direction...
just looking at my map.
found Kenepuru Head.
so is Grants lookout in the right direction...
Yip :yes:
9,10....Arggggh 10 char.
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 21:42
Yip :yes:
9,10....Arggggh 10 char.
I am SO lookin fwd to meeting you SI nutters - my kinda sense of humour!
:woohoo:
junkmanjoe
3rd May 2009, 21:42
okies
just looking at my new zealand motercycle atlas.
and my wife thinks i cant read....
Paladin
3rd May 2009, 21:51
Wow, you guys are having fun, but just watch out with Voltaren - I had a major crash after being loaded up with Voltaren. I felt like my riding was godlike and I fucked up real bad.
As you were. Wish it was me.
Steve
I'm sticking to the recommended dose on the Diclofenac but am definitely maxing out on the Panadol daily allowance on days like today and thursday after the physio had beat me up! I found out early on today goin up Mt Dick that the back is nowhere near ready for me to ride standing up with all that pull coming thru my arms from the handlebars! OUCH! Rode sitting down alomost the whole time the rest of the day! Corrugations on Homewood farkin hurt too! :crybaby:
warewolf
4th May 2009, 10:55
I don't know the details, but my wife commented it is VERY bad to do heavy exercise while on anti-flams like Voltaren. Something along the lines of it accelerating or aggravating the injury. It'd certainly mask the pain that signals damage is being done. Great for recovery and rehab, but shouldn't be used prior to or during an event - I know lots of ppl do so.
btw voltaren and panadol combined make an excellent field painkiller for serious injuries. Recommended at the last first aid course that I did.
Ahem....... Why are you fullahs going back to Picton ? Why not head over the Maungatap then go to Golden bay, shoot into the Cobb or out to Totaranui with a side trip to Birds clearing then back to Nsn or crash here and catch up with ya mates at St Arnaud.
That way you miss the god awfull drag up the Wairau
God I hate Dial up......
Jatz has a good point - you give yourself many more options if you meet us in St Arnaud.
The Wairau Valley is mind numbingly boring - I'd miss it if I could but its by far the quickest way from Picton to St Arnaud
We'll have stuff all time in Picton - late in and early out
pete376403
4th May 2009, 16:53
I'm sticking to the recommended dose on the Diclofenac but am definitely maxing out on the Panadol daily allowance on days like today and thursday after the physio had beat me up! I found out early on today goin up Mt Dick that the back is nowhere near ready for me to ride standing up with all that pull coming thru my arms from the handlebars! OUCH! Rode sitting down alomost the whole time the rest of the day! Corrugations on Homewood farkin hurt too! :crybaby:
Have you got any sort of back support / kidney belt / corset / (suspenders and a bra-a-a-a) that you could use? Might help hold you together.
Paladin
4th May 2009, 17:33
Have you got any sort of back support / kidney belt / corset / (suspenders and a bra-a-a-a) that you could use? Might help hold you together.
Oi! My outfits I wear on saturday nites out are not for discussion on this forum!
:whistle:
The major problem area is between the shoulder blades to the left and right of the spine and the discs in the spine in that area,and above right shoulder blade so the female attire aint gonna help that I don't think, and neither is a kidney belt. Thx for the thought tho Pete!
Physio again this mornin, Wednesday and friday too this week - she's goin intensive on me to try get me as pain free as poss for the Invasion Ride 21st May! i have so many stretching exercises to do i can't freekin remember them all! Ugh!
It IS improving tho - not anywhere near as sore today as I thought I would be after riding y'day, which is really good news! Its just that main area high on my back - freekin continuous pain mate - put it this way, it still hurts just sitting still or swallowing drink or food, and thats' 3 weeks from the accident! Still, better than a broken neck or fractured spine or worse. I DO realise I was VERY lucky!
Anyway, onwards & upwards!
Paladin
4th May 2009, 17:36
Jatz has a good point - you give yourself many more options if you meet us in St Arnaud.
The Wairau Valley is mind numbingly boring - I'd miss it if I could but its by far the quickest way from Picton to St Arnaud
We'll have stuff all time in Picton - late in and early out
Are you trying to get rid of us cos of the swine flu jokes?
:hug:
junkmanjoe
4th May 2009, 18:55
Jatz has a good point - you give yourself many more options if you meet us in St Arnaud.
The Wairau Valley is mind numbingly boring - I'd miss it if I could but its by far the quickest way from Picton to St Arnaud
We'll have stuff all time in Picton - late in and early out
yea possably a better idea.
but we will have enough time to have a looky around catch up with mates have a feed off birthday cake. meet you chaps off the ferry and find time to top up the safari.
i like to stay with the group from start to finish.
cabins booked in picton.
right dave ya better be right behind me all day long...
rideing by the clock.....
Paladin
4th May 2009, 19:02
yea possably a better idea.
but we will have enough time to have a looky around catch up with mates have a feed off birthday cake. meet you chaps off the ferry and find time to top up the safari.
i like to stay with the group from start to finish.
cabins booked in picton.
right dave ya better be right behind me all day long...
rideing by the clock.....
I'm there bro'!!!!!!
:pinch:
BMWST?
4th May 2009, 22:04
right dave ya better be right behind me all day long...
rideing by the clock.....
is that what you called that last bit of riding yesterday just before we branched of to Toppies and you went Back to Materton?
Better get that front wheel balanced Dave!
Box'a'bits
4th May 2009, 22:14
right dave ya better be right behind me all day long...
rideing by the clock.....
Given Dave's reputation with DR's (DR Destroyer...), & the fact that you are also riding a DR, are you absolutely SURE you want him riding right behind you....I'd be far more comfortable with him in front - at least you've SOME chance provided that you can SEE the inevitable happening. :dodge::shit:
junkmanjoe
4th May 2009, 22:59
well if he wipes out, hope not.
it reduces the risk of him takeing me out as well, if he is behind me, and if i wipeout and spill all my lovely gas, ill be pissed.....:argh:
so daves at the back.
also his pipe is to noisey. brrrrrmmm pop pop bbrrrrmmm pop pop bbbrrrmmmm something like that..
Paladin
4th May 2009, 23:06
is that what you called that last bit of riding yesterday just before we branched of to Toppies and you went Back to Materton?
Better get that front wheel balanced Dave!
Front wheel will be ok! Hey, i managed to keep up with Howie (pretty much!) racing(boys will be boys ;) ) over the 'Takas in Sunday evening traffic without crashing (altho there was one serious clenching moment involving locked rear wheel :gob: ) And that's me riding more conservatively AND with D606's on the road hahahahahaha!!! I'm SO bad! (The devil made me do it, honest!)
Given Dave's reputation with DR's (DR Destroyer...), & the fact that you are also riding a DR, are you absolutely SURE you want him riding right behind you....I'd be far more comfortable with him in front - at least you've SOME chance provided that you can SEE the inevitable happening. :dodge::shit:
I think behind Joe is more sensible - wouldn't wanna wipe out and have Joe run me over now would I?!
:crazy:
well if he wipes out, hope not.
it reduces the risk of him takeing me out as well, if he is behind me, and if i wipeout and spill all my lovely gas, ill be pissed.....:argh:
so daves at the back.
also his pipe is to noisey. brrrrrmmm pop pop bbrrrrmmm pop pop bbbrrrmmmm something like that..
Nothin wrong with my pipe, needs the resin cleaned out but not too harsh! Oh sorry, wrong pipe!
:Oops:
Front wheel will be ok! Hey, i managed to keep up with Howie (pretty much!) racing(boys will be boys ;) ) over the 'Takas in Sunday evening traffic without crashing (altho there was one serious clenching moment involving locked rear wheel :gob: ) And that's me riding more conservatively AND with D606's on the road hahahahahaha!!! I'm SO bad! (The devil made me do it, honest!)
Hey Dave: the traffic was a bit heavy for racing over the Taka's on Sunday. :calm: Besides I'm to old to be racing on the road. :eek5:
Whats this Fascination with locking the back wheel up that you have!! Didn't you mention locking it up on the seal after Mount Dick as well??? :whistle:
Paladin
8th May 2009, 19:02
Hey Dave: the traffic was a bit heavy for racing over the Taka's on Sunday. :calm: Besides I'm to old to be racing on the road. :eek5:
Whats this Fascination with locking the back wheel up that you have!! Didn't you mention locking it up on the seal after Mount Dick as well??? :whistle:
Haha! That was you waiting for me in that traffic was it LOL! You were in even more of a hurry to get home than I was! ;) TBH it was bloody hard work to keep you in sight mate! :argh:
Locked wheel nr Mt Dick???? Moi???? Surely not!
:Oops:
(I blame you for not using your brakes and catching me napping!)
Haha! That was you waiting for me in that traffic was it LOL! You were in even more of a hurry to get home than I was! ;) TBH it was bloody hard work to keep you in sight mate! :argh:
Locked wheel nr Mt Dick???? Moi???? Surely not!
:Oops:
(I blame you for not using your brakes and catching me napping!)
Brakes what are they for on seal?? seriously take it easy on the Takas, theres not a lot of room for error when the traffic is heavy.
This thread has some good info for riding smoothly on the road, which is what I try and do. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=60340&highlight=Riding+pace .
Now on the other matter which this thread was started for, a ride out Kenepuru sound, or out to French Pass is really good as the views are great, and a bit of gravel to ride as well. If you haven't been down that way before you can probably find plenty to fill in a day, and end up back at Picton for the night, and meet the rest of the Wgtn folk. I do agree with Marks that the road from picton to St Arnaud isn't that exciting as it just follows the Wairau river up a wide valley. Either way you'll have a great time.
junkmanjoe
8th May 2009, 20:24
Hi Howie
whats them lines in the water shell fish farm..are they.
Hi Howie
whats them lines in the water shell fish farm..are they.
Yeah I think so Joe, Probably a Mussel farm of some sort is my guess.
junkmanjoe
8th May 2009, 20:42
have you riden all around this aera.
have you riden all around this aera.
Unfortunatly No I haven't, and it is an area I want to return to. I did a 4 day trip to the top of south island in Feb 08, with three others, Highlights being French pass, Nelson, across Dovedale hill ,Takaka, Aorere Gold fields track, Anatori, Nelson Hospital, and then there were three :Oops: Murchison, New creek to Deniston, Braeburn, and Porika tracks, and Sherry river road. I still have plenty of exploring to do down that way.
Underground
8th May 2009, 23:04
Now on the other matter which this thread was started for, a ride out Kenepuru sound, or out to French Pass is really good as the views are great, and a bit of gravel to ride as well. If you haven't been down that way before you can probably find plenty to fill in a day, and end up back at Picton for the night, and meet the rest of the Wgtn folk. I do agree with Marks that the road from picton to St Arnaud isn't that exciting as it just follows the Wairau river up a wide valley. Either way you'll have a great time.
That photo and caption had me buggered for a moment ,although it is on the road to FP its actually taken looking to the south and away from FP , If you panned a bit to the left you would see my place off in the distance .
And they're mussel farmes alright ,growing those little suckers is what keeps us poor http://www.marinefarming.co.nz:80/
junkmanjoe
8th May 2009, 23:11
is that what you do for a crust mate.
Misleading title. I thought for a moment you were coming South. As you were...:rofl:
junkmanjoe
8th May 2009, 23:17
yea we are in a couple weeks, i just a day early than the rest of our group.
i was just finding out where some good day rides could be found.
is part of the south island invasion this month.
Paladin
8th May 2009, 23:29
Brakes what are they for on seal?? seriously take it easy on the Takas, theres not a lot of room for error when the traffic is heavy.
This thread has some good info for riding smoothly on the road, which is what I try and do. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=60340&highlight=Riding+pace .
Good advice - cheers matey!
:2thumbsup
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