Saturday Winter (not the WNR)

**cruza** · 17th May 2010, 20:40

Originally Posted by Transalper

Lees Valley Map attached.
The Big ford is 30km from the Whiterock end or 43km from the Ashley Gorge Rd end. The rest are pretty much creek crossings on the Whiterock side of the big one.
The road itself is road, not track but can be quite corrugated in places at times. The only thing I consider to be 4x4 stuff would be the water crossings, the rest I would do in my 2wd Hiace Van unless it was raining.
I go in knowing I may get wet feet on the big one which in a dry week could just as easily be more riverbed than water.
I haven't been in since New Years Eve on the MTB when I went in from Whiterock to the big river and back.
It was well swept then.

Yeah the ford at the white rock end is the only iffy bit. nothing to major most of the time , some awesome straights on the valley floor aye brp , just wind the 650 to the throttle stop!! . ford was a bit bumpy last time we were in there hunting at one of the stations , just wet boots at the worst.

**gloplg** · 17th May 2010, 20:49

Originally Posted by helenoftroy

Oh yes! pick me! love Lees Valley too...

Finally collected young Sams(Casualty) replacement XR this morning & he is very keen too

..just got a couple of bits to sort on the BRP and will re-rego it

HOT Lady are you and Sam a starter if the 29th May looks good weather wise??

**cruza** · 17th May 2010, 20:50

Done lees valley heaps of times on the dirt bikes, happy to ride on the throttle stop on the valley floor straights and slide the corners, but not taking my speed triple road bike through. Be happy with loading up my cruiser with other non riders for a bbq and day out.

Think it should be really levelled that this trip is on shingle roads from good to steep rutted, blind corners and creek crossings, stock , cowshit. Maybe a trip first via port levy or similar should be tried first? if taking a road bike?

**Transalper** · 17th May 2010, 21:26

Indeed, if you aren't happy on the Western Valley rd (Little River to Port Levy) then you probably won't like Lees Valley. If you do like the Western Valley then there's nothing stopping you doing the Bossu Rd as well.
Best place for the BBQ might be at the Ashley Gorge area, otherwise there is a little rest area in the Valley a little on the Oxford side of the main river crossing, though I'm not sure if there's much more than a toilet and big grassy area there.

**neels** · 17th May 2010, 21:36

Originally Posted by gloplg

At this stage we have pencilled in 29th May.

Crap, I just got another invite last night for the 29th

But, if you guys are planning an early start and finished earlyish then I may be able to do both, as long as the offer of transport for the bike from end back to start is good for that date.

Originally Posted by cruza

Maybe a trip first via port levy or similar should be tried first? if taking a road bike?

That's probably very good advice, I've driven but never ridden Lees valley, most of it is pretty good but there are a few scruffy bits to watch out for. Port Levy to Pidgeon Bay or Little River would give you a good idea if it is going to be fun on a road bike. I took the XJ from Port Levy to Pidgeon bay and on the basis of that wouldn't take it through Lees valley, the trail bike however I'm definately keen.

**cruza** · 17th May 2010, 21:37

Originally Posted by Transalper

Indeed, if you aren't happy on the Western Valley rd (Little River to Port Levy) then you probably won't like Lees Valley. If you do like the Western Valley then there's nothing stopping you doing the Bossu Rd as well.
Best place for the BBQ might be at the Ashley Gorge area, otherwise there is a little rest area in the Valley a little on the Oxford side of the main river crossing, though I'm not sure if there's much more than a toilet and big grassy area there.

Totally agree .
Yeah that rest area pretty open thru? Maybe ending at ashley gorge end is better option for bbq? get all the riding and riders thru . Maybe plan a coffee and cupcake stop halfway?
then the "ford" is dealt with early in the day, what ya reckon?

**maxf** · 17th May 2010, 21:40

Originally Posted by Flip

I just can't get the harley to ford rivers.

Strategically placed C4 and a long fuze?

Got the A7 books to look at too if you're along on Weds night...

**helenoftroy** · 17th May 2010, 21:43

Originally Posted by brp

Did Lee's Valley couple of weeks ago - From Oxford to the first bridge there are a couple of Real tight corners that if not taken slower enough could result in a very long drop to the bottom of the valley or being taken out by a vehicle coming the other way.

We did it on a Sunday afternoon and came across 1/2 dozen vehicles going the other way on the range, the unimog turned camper took up most of the road. Big drop off's in places coming back the other way. Awesome ride !

Helen - Sam get another cracker deal ?

It is an awesome ride- yes,& I really like that its a loop

The new XR is more battle scared(& was cheaper!) and rego had lapsed so just a few fairly minor bits to sort before its on the road.. but it will be great!

Sams itching to get out on it!

**Shadows** · 17th May 2010, 21:57

With all the rain we've had over the last couple of days I wouldn't like to try taking any decent sized road bike over those hills.

**Flip** · 17th May 2010, 21:59

Originally Posted by Transalper

Indeed, if you aren't happy on the Western Valley rd (Little River to Port Levy) then you probably won't like Lees Valley. If you do like the Western Valley then there's nothing stopping you doing the Bossu Rd as well.
Best place for the BBQ might be at the Ashley Gorge area, otherwise there is a little rest area in the Valley a little on the Oxford side of the main river crossing, though I'm not sure if there's much more than a toilet and big grassy area there.

I took the side car over the western valley rd on Sunday in the rain. Had a neat and muddy trip, its just a bit slow going down the hill as the brakes are 30's technology and a couple of times they got very hot and were loosing the battle with gravity. I have a set of shoes in at Safe R Brakes being redone in modern material, so will see how these go.

I have a porta potty that fits in the back of the landy if anybody thinks they will need it, just let me know.

I really don't have any problems if anybody wants to take a 4wd on this trip. The WNR bunch are a mixture of mostly road riders who may not have access to a trail or small old road bike to do this trip on. I was going to throw in the BBQ, cooker and enough stuff to feed an army. I can also tow an army trailer that will fit 2 bikes in case of a breakdown.

Many years ago we did a trip around the very bottom of the north island all on old road bikes or if we were lucky trail bikes. It was a blast and it resulted in a invite only rally called the lemmings run starting up. It was called the lemmings because it was held on the top of the cliff at the bottom of the North Island.

**Flip** · 17th May 2010, 22:02

Originally Posted by cruza

Totally agree .
Yeah that rest area pretty open thru? Maybe ending at ashley gorge end is better option for bbq? get all the riding and riders thru . Maybe plan a coffee and cupcake stop halfway?
then the "ford" is dealt with early in the day, what ya reckon?

That was our thinking as well. Tackle the ford first. I can ferry bikes across if necessary in the trailer.

**KiwiPhoenix** · 17th May 2010, 22:07

I'll bring lots of cupcakes in exchange for a seat in the Land Rover!!??

**kerryhare** · 17th May 2010, 22:10

Originally Posted by Flip

I have a porta potty that fits in the back of the landy if anybody thinks they will need it, just let me know.

.

That reminds me of my son. He was going on a scout camp and the leader said to him that they had to stop and pick up the porta potty, I just about fell over laughing when they stopped to get it and it was a bucket. He thought it was a full size porta loo.