Leslie Rd. Putaruru to Mamaku

**Ixion** · 17th November 2007, 21:44

I posted a report on this road here

Leslie Rd is a public road that runs through the central forest. More or less from Putaruru to Mamaku, outside Rotorua. CHH tried recently to claim it as a private road for their own benefit. A noble public spirited gentleman call Russell Orr invoked the law and the Ombudsman to stop them and CHH and the council have had to back down and admit that they have NO right to restrict access.

So, you can legally ride the road, right through the forest. It is not challenging as an adventure trail, but it IS an interesting road and a nice alternative to SH5.

There are also quite a lot of other tracks and trails opening off it, the legality of which for riding purposes is uncertain. CHH claim of course that they have total and absolute control of everything, but the truth is very much more complex, and their right to restrict access to tracks or trails that were no longer used when they took ownership of the forestry lease (they do NOT own the land) is very debateable.

It would be good to see bikers using the road so it can't be claimed that it is unused and abandoned. But be responsible of course.

**Jantar** · 17th November 2007, 21:48

Jeez, I had forgotten about this road. I tried it on a PE250 about 25 years ago, and a great ride. Next time I'm up north I'll do it again.

**young1** · 19th November 2007, 07:40

Seems like a good road to include in some future Kiwi Biker ride, hint hint to those of you living on that side of the island!

**Waihou Thumper** · 12th November 2009, 10:49

Yep, this was my last ride before I sold the Katie...

[YOUTUBE]5RYC2oSO53M[/YOUTUBE]

**Waihou Thumper** · 12th November 2009, 10:51

It was a magic day as well guys!
I will have to add some music to the others as I have Copyright issues with You tube, will find a nice tune..

[YOUTUBE]zyEma-VL5qg[/YOUTUBE]

**NordieBoy** · 12th November 2009, 17:50

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Yep, this was my last ride before I sold the Katie...

That's, that's beeutfilll man

**Ixion** · 12th November 2009, 17:52

Lot wetter than when I rode it.

**Waihou Thumper** · 12th November 2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

That's, that's beeutfilll man

Taking two steps back to go forward...Had to..

It twas a bit sad....
NZKTM plate on a XR600R tomorrow....

**Waihou Thumper** · 12th November 2009, 17:58

Originally Posted by Ixion

Lot wetter than when I rode it.

We had to really hunt for that small lake...

Once I saw it, I had to of course test the depths! Been caught out before with deep puddles..

Could have gone through there three or four times for the camera...lol

**That looks like fun** · 14th November 2009, 18:11

Went across there on the way home from MMMMM ride last year.

That first big mud hole just before Galaxy Rd Intersection gave me cause for concern

Had visions of trying to pick up the beastie all by mylelf in the middle of a big mudhole (again)

Had a look at it and found much to my joy it was frozen solid by the frost, slid across it in style

The signs at both ends ( Cecil Rd - Leslie Rd ) have both been changed to read "No Exit"

An alternative is to go through Mamaku and down South Rd to Tokoroa

**Waihou Thumper** · 14th November 2009, 18:16

Followed it all the way down and came out at Puriri Rd, awesome trails. I saw a wild pig too....big barstard!

Ran right out in front of me. The Puriri Rd gate could have been closed, it was a lucky stab in the dark. It looks as though a mediocre bike would get around the gate...(no good for a 990A though...

)
There are a lot of trails there, mid week is the best as the gates tend to be open.
I met a guy with a key, so there may be possibilities there about getting one. Galaxy Rd goes a long way down, I turned off prior and went trail riding!

**dino3310** · 14th November 2009, 18:33

some good pigs in there bro, the odd deer as well, havent poached in there for years

**Waihou Thumper** · 14th November 2009, 18:40

Originally Posted by dino3310

some good pigs in there bro, the odd deer as well, havent poached in there for years

Why it was big mate!

**CookMySock** · 14th November 2009, 19:08

Closed gates are no sweat. In my 4WD (car) I carry a stack of cutting discs, a little angle grinder and an inverter. Chop chop! Haven't had to use it yet.

Steve