Ride around Christchurch

**javaman** · 2nd July 2005, 11:27

Hello all.... I'm visiting NZ (Christchurch) next week and would like some opinions on nice day-trip bike routes. My understanding is a loop around Arthur's Pass is very nice?

What about the weather? I know it's winter there... is it safe to ride or not (ice/black ice & other crap) ?

**TonyB** · 2nd July 2005, 13:47

Can't see Arthurs Pass being much fun at this time of year. The road to Akaroa is very good and a fairly safe bet. When would you be going?

**pritch** · 2nd July 2005, 15:56

Was interested in your remark re Akaroa.

I'm planning a trip to Ch next month

and had previously been warned off the inland road south from Kaikoura and both the Lindus and Arthurs passes at this time of year. Akaroa seemed like an interesting ride and I've never been there.

There will be about enough time for that and perhaps a visit to a place I once stayed briefly, across the road from the Giesen vinyard...

**onearmedbandit** · 2nd July 2005, 16:33

Akaroa, probably the best local ride this time of year. However, no matter where you go you can come across wet corners and grit because of ice.

**TygerTung** · 2nd July 2005, 21:01

Be VERY careful around the port hills at the moment, the council has seen it as a good idea to put grit all over the road!!!

Nearly had an accident in my cage, came around the corner, got sideways due to grit, corrected, went to a non gritted area, then speard towards off the road down a valley!!!! Luckely I corrected again and she was all sweet.

So yeah watch out on those hills!

**Silage** · 2nd July 2005, 21:36

I suspect the Arthurs Pass road will have areas of grit all right. I was up to Porters Pass today (half way to Arthurs) and there was reasonably thick grit on the rise to the pass but the wheel tracks were mostly clear. All was well sign posted. The rest of the way to Arthurs will have a lot of the shady parts gritted. Only a few patches of snow on the ground at Porters Pass.

Saw zero/nill/nicks other bikes out even tho it was sunny, dry and warm (inside all the gear). Where is everyone?

**Skyryder** · 2nd July 2005, 22:57

Akaroa is not really a day run. The distance is about 80 k's. So that's 160 there and back. Nice place for lunch etc. My favourite ride is what is known as the inland rout. It's got a little of everything. From Christchurch head north to Rangiora then to Ashley, through Loburn, Glentui and onto Oxford. These are relitively straight roads with the exception of the Ashly Gorge area. From Oxford
follow State Highway 77 all the way to Ashbuton. State Highway 77 takes you through both the Waimak and Rakia gorges. Turn left (still on SH77) at Mt Hut and follow through to Ashburton then on SH 1 back to Chch. This is a nice ride with little traffic but watch out for the fuzz. I've noticed that their is more activety on these back roads than on SH1. If time becomes a problem from Oxford carry on to Waddington and take SH 73 through Darfield, Kirwee, West Melston and Chch.

Another day trip from Chch is SH 1 as far as Washdyke or Timaru for lunch then get onto SH 8 to Fairlie then right onto SH 79. Go through Geraldine and then about 12 k's out from Geraldin (Oran bridge) turn left and go through Arundel, Mayfield Mount Somers, Mt Hutt and over the Rakia Gorge. From the gorge on there are a number of side roads where you can take short cuts back to Chch or else you can carry on (you are now on SH 77 and can turn off at Homebush through to Darfield, Kirwee etc and back to Chch.

These two runs are suitable for this time of year and give a varied ride from twisties to straights with out getting too far into the snow and ice areas.

Hope this helps.

Skyryder

**TonyB** · 3rd July 2005, 06:51

Originally Posted by TygerTung

Be VERY careful around the port hills at the moment, the council has seen it as a good idea to put grit all over the road!!!

Nearly had an accident in my cage, came around the corner, got sideways due to grit, corrected, went to a non gritted area, then speard towards off the road down a valley!!!! Luckely I corrected again and she was all sweet.

So yeah watch out on those hills!

I avoid the Port Hills summit road at any time of the year- lots of cyclists, runners, walkers and slow moving cars. Random diesel patches from boy racers, grit etc etc.