Nelson area

[richyrich]

hi all, seasons greetings to one and all .
now there's about 4 or 5 of us from down here in dunners heading to hamner and nelson area for a few days of adventure riding and we are looking for some good tracks to do.
so far we plan on going up the rainbow,hanging a left then porika,braeburn,hopefully new creek to denniston(is this doable this time of year and weather permitting)then make way back to nelson area.
my question is ,whats in the way of trailriding/adventuring in and around nelson besides the munga track .we will be traveling light and on thumpers and have a 4wdsv,so anything challenging is good
return to hamner via picton,portunderwood,blenheim,molesworh.
does anyone have any suggestion on this route.
thanks in advance
RR

[JATZ]

hi all, seasons greetings to one and all .
now there's about 4 or 5 of us from down here in dunners heading to hamner and nelson area for a few days of adventure riding and we are looking for some good tracks to do.
so far we plan on going up the rainbow,hanging a left then porika,braeburn,hopefully new creek to denniston(is this doable this time of year and weather permitting)then make way back to nelson area.
my question is ,whats in the way of trailriding/adventuring in and around nelson besides the munga track .we will be traveling light and on thumpers and have a 4wdsv,so anything challenging is good
return to hamner via picton,portunderwood,blenheim,molesworh.
does anyone have any suggestion on this route.
thanks in advance
RR

When you coming up ? With the amount of rain we're having New creek to Denniston won't be a goer.
The ride down to Anatori's pretty good(below Farewell spit) and while your in Golden Bay do the Aorere goldfields.
The'res plenty of trail riding in the Hira forest and about the Spooners range

[richyrich]

Thanks jatz,possibly heading up end of jan. if not will be march.will check out topomaps of that area, as never been in that part of the country.

[NordieBoy]

Some good day long trips around the area....

[Woodman]

Could easily spend a day doing our favorite wee rides just around nelson. e.g. Sharlands, Hori Bay, Wairoa gorge, Panic Mac. Or Nordies real estate tours.

[CrazyFrog]

I'm happy to play guide for you boys for a few hours so long as I'm not rostered to work the day(s) you're here. Generally I have a few hours free each day, the benefit of being a shiftworker, but only have 2 weekends off each month.
Something we prob need to consider, are your bikes all road legal or do you need to stick to "offroad" trails.
There's good gravel roads in every direction, otherwise just a short trip on the back of the ute or trailer, to some good forestry areas, but also need to consider fire risk/closed access areas.
Gravel road options close to Nelson:
1. Maitai Valley/Mangatapu/ Rai/ Mt Duppa, Hori Bay, Sharlands
2. Wakefield/Dovedale Rd/ Sunday Creek/ Stanley Brook/ Spooner Tops/ 88 Valley/Quail Valley Rd/Wakefield/ Wairoa Gorge/ Brightwater
3. Wakefield/Stanley Brook Forest/ Tapawera/ Wangapeka roadend, Sherry -Dry River Rds/ Home via "private" roads
4. Wakefield/Quail Valley, Spooner tops, Motueka Gorge Rd, forestry roads linking to St Arnaud, then Porika, Braeburn to Murchison

Trail only (for non-rego'd bikes)
Sharlands Creek, Mangatapu, Spooner Tops, Stanley Brook, Panic Mac Rd, Eve's Valley, Wairoa Gorge....
Just ask for local info and use your common sense with restricted access areas, respect land owners and fire restriction closures.

Enjoy,
Froggy

[Padmei]

Just back from Port Underwood today & if you want some cool forestry riding with great views you could spend a few hours up there on your way back round. Forestry is forestry though so you may get a bit bored (- personally I love them!!) Just watch for trucks tho. access to the matariki Forest is at the top of the "Tounge" I can get you more info if desired.

Heres some pics of a few of the above mentioned rideshttp://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=537291

The Maruia Saddle is another great ride from Murchison towards Spring junction.

I'm sure there would be someone around to show you a few places if you're stuck. - waddaya like at crashing??