West Melton?

[thepom]

Spoke to an attractive woman today in chch and she mentioned an off road/ trail type course out by west melton? something like willowbank? any one got any information on it,? might good for a wee ride sometime....

[Peril]

The willows is what I'd guess she's talking about.
You can get to there from the McLeans Island riding area or follow the old west coast road until you see the sign to turn right.

[veny]

Spoke to an attractive woman today in chch and she mentioned an off road/ trail type course out by west melton? something like willowbank? any one got any information on it,? might good for a wee ride sometime....

That sounds like the "Willows" further up from Mcleans Island.
Great memories of riding all the way to the Willows from the Peg in Belfast.
Dragging the bikes under any locked barriers we came across.
It was a long time ago..., but from memory, you can bypass the locked gates if you go from the Old West Coast Rd. Turn right onto either Intake or Thompsons and follow the Waimak up river.

Could be a bit hot & windy today tho...

Don't do Lees Valley on a day like this

[cooneyr]

Spoke to an attractive woman today in chch and she mentioned an off road/ trail type course out by west melton? something like willowbank? any one got any information on it,? might good for a wee ride sometime....

The Canty off road club has a track at the river end of Weedons Ross Road. More like a motocross type track for off road buggies (4 wheels) and 4x4's. There is a enduro type track at the river end of Miners Rd but the markings are now next to non existant and it has a few trees down with bypasses around them. If you go out to miners road and go looking around there are plenty of tracks that you can follow but if your navigationally challanged if would be easy to get lost.

Cheers R

[Transalper]

There are several tracks about the place as mentioned above and more. Some really tight stuff hidden in the trees at Weedons Ross Rd access point.
Gates are not a problem for bikes now days, it's open from the gorge all the way to Belfast if you know which are the open gates.
Have you made much progress getting hands on a lighter adventure/trail bike? I'm sure you were looking when last we spoke.
You have my number, I'll show you round a bit more if you want. I'd prefer to take advantage of the CRF230 out there though (no road going on that so I'd van out)

[thepom]

Hi Carl,yeah got myself an xt600 with 5th gear issues but should do the dusty ok and then I can pull the engine and see if I can fix the 5th gear.....I was up at the Waimak 2 days ago and wore myself out practicing in the ATV area and think I got airborne at one time....bloody great fun and not such a problem as the xt is somewhat lighter than the africa....all preparation for the dust butt. I was going to have my right eye re-lasered but will put it back a week as I don,t want any grit in my eye after the op.Might pop out to the willows next week end if I get time .....

[junkmanjoe]

Hi southern fellas... whats the story about lees pass,, is the river crossing, deep or passable by bike..
we are thinking of riding in from west coast road end..
any one got any photos of the crossing, i guess it will be subject to rain in the hills of course..
im not sure if the 9 fiddy can swim, and rather not find out eather...

P:S Sorry to hijack your thread...
JMJ

[thepom]

HI junkman.hopefully some one will answer your question soon but I have been through it when it has been not too deep and it always scares me haha .....maybe transalper will have some pictures for you and I think he has a way of checking the mass flow through it too so he might leave a message.....

[Transalper]

I'm sure someone should give you a right spanking for the hijack JMJ.
I cycled in Lees Valley/Okuku Pass on New Years Eve.
River was very shallow and not very wide. If it's going to be easy any time that time is now... or was on New Years Eve.
See attached river

and a view...

Was going to just attach but thought I'd better try out the inline option since it's new.

[junkmanjoe]

thanks transalper.

maybe if your around on sunday 24th you could guide us through..

you be keen..

joe.

[Transalper]

Sundays are good, should be free on that one too.
You can't get lost in there now anyway, there's signs and/or locked gates at all the wrong turns or near by now.

[junkmanjoe]

Sundays are good, should be free on that one too.
You can't get lost in there now anyway, there's signs and/or locked gates at all the wrong turns or near by now.

you will find our trip over at junkmanjoes heading south

be good to catch up again.

JMJ

[Transalper]

Hey Kenny, just been mucking about on Youtube and rediscovered one of my older vids from the Waimak South bank from Miners Bank Rd, McLanes Island up to the Intake... past the Willows and beyond..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6NM4WXPj9E

[thepom]

Looks like a good ride,and just watched your dunking exercise on you tube...christ I hate waterand the guy on the africa .......also a killer ....catch up soon ok..