Trip planning?

[.chris]

A couple of years back I rode my bike from Auckland to Fairlie and tried to catch a few of the fun places to ride on the way down, but I found a reoccurring theme that only once I had been through places people would say "Oh why did not you do the *insert track name here* track".

So this time I plan to do a bit more planning/research to ensure I catch as many of these before I go.

Phase One: South Island.
I plan to arrive in the mainland either late Jan (after the 23rd) or delay my trip till late Feb.
I will be traveling with a tent and reasonable ability to carry my own food/supplies, so remoteness is no problem.

On the top of the south island I have the following tracks I definitely want to do (info and tracks from the Advroutes website)

• Maungatapu
• Mt Patriarch
• Altimarlock
• Rainbow
• Lake Sumner

I really want to do some exploring around the Mackenzie High Country/Mt Cook area, inspired partly by AGVGD's great RR/trips there seems to be plenty of good riding options up that way. I have at least a date with the Macauly River again, I imagine I will need to sort out some extended fuel range, as the 250km I currently get will not be enough for the good days. Hopefully the new pannier racks Clint has for me will sort that problem. There seem to be quite a few DOC huts around that region, and my rough plan is it visit them all.

Further south I will probably hit the usual goodies (Dunstan Trail, Nevis etc).

But now for your part, what am I missing?

[FJRider]

The Omarama saddle ...

Thomsons track (Omakau/Tarras)

Shingle creek / Piano Flat ... (Old man range)

Mavora river/ Walter peak station ...

[JATZ]

The first 3... Mt Patriach
Altimarloch
Maungatapu
could be done in 1 day easy. There is also... Anatori/Turamawiwi rivers in Golden bay.if you don't mind back tracking back over the hill.
Big river, Napoleons hill around Reefton
Mackley river through to Denniston on the West coast.
And if your going down the West coast, pop into Cascade river, another long backtrack ride, not challenging, but worth a look IMHO
there's heaps more..... how long have you got ?

[That looks like fun]

How long is a piece of string

[clint640]

If you're doing the Rainbow side trips over Malings & Edwards passes are probably a good idea, we haven't been through since they were opened so they're on our list for the next trip. ADVGD did a good writeup on both. Trying to catch one of the open weekends for the Clarence is also an objective.

Cheers
Clint

[.chris]

The Omarama saddle ...

Thomsons track (Omakau/Tarras)

Shingle creek / Piano Flat ... (Old man range)

Mavora river/ Walter peak station ...

Thomsons track I have done, was great but OMG THE GATES!!!! Got a bit sick of that.
Oldman range, is added to the list.

The first 3... Mt Patriach
Altimarloch
Maungatapu
could be done in 1 day easy. There is also... Anatori/Turamawiwi rivers in Golden bay.if you don't mind back tracking back over the hill.
Big river, Napoleons hill around Reefton
Mackley river through to Denniston on the West coast.
And if your going down the West coast, pop into Cascade river, another long backtrack ride, not challenging, but worth a look IMHO
there's heaps more..... how long have you got ?

I might try and organise a meet up around the nelson region see if I can enlist a few locals, I figure a Mungatapu - Mt Patriach - Down Rainbow - Up Molesworth/Altimarlok, would be a good weekender.
Can you get from the North side of the Wairau River (Northbank Road) to SH63? Satelite imagery shows a braided river, which I guess is fordable?

How long is a piece of string

How long have I got? Pretty much as long as I want, I figure If I come down late Feb I could spend all of March. But if I am forced to come down late Jan, I will have to be back North by the 20th of Feb.

[cooneyr]

Treads like this are exactly why I started the ADVroutes website. Problem is that I don't have time to maintain now - new job and a youngin.

Seems to me you have many of the "key rides" its just a matter of adding bits on. If you want to do a lap of the SI and let us know what locations you want to pass through i.e. become a quake tourist? That way we can fill your days with exciting riding. I'm not sure what your overall plan is.

.....
Can you get from the North side of the Wairau River (Northbank Road) to SH63? Satelite imagery shows a braided river, which I guess is fordable?......

Tried this as part of a Dusty alternative when the Molesworth might not open due to fire risk. River bed is boulders the size of your head so bloody bumpy. Also river was way to high. If bed was smoother we might just have made it but way to fast deep and too much chance of dropping bikes. I tried to get access through forestry up true left to SH63 at the "wash" but never heard back despite lots of trying.

Cheers R

[.chris]

Treads like this are exactly why I started the ADVroutes website. Problem is that I don't have time to maintain now - new job and a youngin.

Seems to me you have many of the "key rides" its just a matter of adding bits on. If you want to do a lap of the SI and let us know what locations you want to pass through i.e. become a quake tourist? That way we can fill your days with exciting riding. I'm not sure what your overall plan is.



Tried this as part of a Dusty alternative when the Molesworth might not open due to fire risk. River bed is boulders the size of your head so bloody bumpy. Also river was way to high. If bed was smoother we might just have made it but way to fast deep and too much chance of dropping bikes. I tried to get access through forestry up true left to SH63 at the "wash" but never heard back despite lots of trying.

Cheers R

Your Advroutes site, even in its current static state it still stands as a great resource, I wish I had studied it better for last trip.

The route across the Wairau was a worth a try, it would be a great way to combine those few tracks together. But even with the back-track I reckon I can still do Nelson - Maungatapu - Mt Patriach - Altimarloch - Molesworth Cob Cottage campsite for the night. But riding the way I tend to do (slowly) I would be more inclined to do that over 2 days with plenty of stops and complete the Molesworth.

[paulj]

Variations on a theme - take a look at Bannockburn, Carrick, Duffers, Old Woman with a side trip to Obelisk, then on to Waikaia/Piano flat with a side trip to Blue Lakes - a good 60+K of high altitude track riding - recommend only in good weather - dangerous in high winds and cloud/cold.

[Padmei]

I always like the Braeburn & Maruia saddle - not hard or long but beautiful.

[pete-blen]

Your Advroutes site, even in its current static state it still stands as a great resource, I wish I had studied it better for last trip.

But riding the way I tend to do (slowly) I would be more inclined to do that over 2 days with plenty of stops and complete the Molesworth.

I intend to do the Rainbow / Molesworth ride over the summer..
looking at a 2 day ride.. I will be taking a dirt side car unit though..
so a slowish ride.. so could hook up if the dates line up..

Pete

[.chris]

It appears that this trip originally planned for 2011, is actually happening this year.

Plan on heading south Mid December, sticking around the south island till the Dusty Butt, then making my way back north. Will be a semi working holiday (laptop on-board).

Rough plan so far.
Day 1: AK to Waiouru (Tukino Rd) - Camp Waiouru
Day 2: Waiouru to Ocean Beach (Takaparki Rd, Whariti Rd, Mt Dick) - Camp Ocean Beach
Day 3: Ocean Beach - Wellington (ferry to SI) - Camp Picnic Bay Campsite
Day 4: Looking around the sounds (interested in sugested routes around here Maungatapu?)
Day 5: ?? - Mt Patriarch - Hamner Springs (Molesworth/Altimarlock)
Day 6: Hamner Springs to Fairlie

Then I shall stay in Fairlie and base most of my rides out of there (staying with Family), doing as little work as possible.

Probably head back north soon after the Dusty Butt.

[Rosie]

It appears that this trip originally planned for 2011, is actually happening this year.

Plan on heading south Mid December, sticking around the south island till the Dusty Butt, then making my way back north. Will be a semi working holiday (laptop on-board).

Rough plan so far.
Day 1: AK to Waiouru (Tukino Rd) - Camp Waiouru
Day 2: Waiouru to Ocean Beach (Takaparki Rd, Whariti Rd, Mt Dick) - Camp Ocean Beach
Day 3: Ocean Beach - Wellington (ferry to SI) - Camp Picnic Bay Campsite
Day 4: Looking around the sounds (interested in sugested routes around here Maungatapu?)
Day 5: ?? - Mt Patriarch - Hamner Springs (Molesworth/Altimarlock)
Day 6: Hamner Springs to Fairlie

Then I shall stay in Fairlie and base most of my rides out of there (staying with Family), doing as little work as possible.

Probably head back north soon after the Dusty Butt.

Nice
We're thinking of doing the Dusty Butt this year, and will probably wrap some manner of S.I trip around it, will be a shorter trip than yours though

[NordieBoy]

Sounds boring as hell.

All that riding will get you down. You'll need a holiday once you get back home.

[.chris]

Nice
We're thinking of doing the Dusty Butt this year, and will probably wrap some manner of S.I trip around it, will be a shorter trip than yours though

Might be able to put you guys up in Fairlie around the DB (have to confirm closer to the time tho).

Sounds boring as hell.

All that riding will get you down. You'll need a holiday once you get back home.

There will be Xmas with my parents, and New Years Eve in Fairlie to keep the excitement levels up between the rides, so I won't be too bored.
Maybe I should come visit Nordiewood for some excitement