Public road? Nelson area

[Racing Dave]

Here's a question for someone with local knowledge in the Nelson-ish area. I'm planning my 2013 TT2000 route, and it would be convenient to use Thorpe Orinoco Road to travel between the Ngatimoti checkpoint (Cnr of Waiwhero and Thorpe Orinoco Rds) and the Dovedale checkpoint (Dovedale cemetery, Dovedale Rd).

Is Thorpe Orinoco Rd a public road with no restriction on access? That is, no locked gate, Jacob's Ladder rideable?

Any information gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Dave B

[CrazyFrog]

Yes, this road is public with no access restrictions. Half sealed, half gravel.
The clay track off to one side is tempting but can be very slick if wet, with some deep sticky holes as Nordie can attest. Ok on a day ride, but you wouldn't want an extra 10kg of clay stuck to your bike on the TT.

[thommo77]

Just don't let that bitch Jenni Richardson know about your plans................

[Racing Dave]

Thanks, CF, I'll include it in my plans.

Jenni? I don't think her outrageous comments from earlier this year have done her any favours. I predict a low profile event in Feb.

Cheers

[warewolf]

Mz Richardson hasn't been bitch-slapped yet, but judging from her inane comments during the year, it's not far away...

[NordieBoy]

Is Thorpe Orinoco Rd a public road with no restriction on access? That is, no locked gate, Jacob's Ladder rideable?

The Thorpe Orinoco Rd is know locally as Jacobs Ladder.
Even in the wet, it's the quickest way between The Olde Thorpe Store and the Orinoco Cemetery...

The clay off to the side is MX bike territory (rough as guts) at the moment...
Even the mighty DR struggled last Friday...


They've felled some trees to block the side track and not cleared them

[Racing Dave]

You were so helpful last time, here's another opportunity.

Further planning for the TT2000 indicates that using Sunday Creek Road (from Thorpe to Stanley Brook) would be to my advantage.

Anyone have any recent knowledge of this one?

Thanks

Dave B

[Padmei]

They are logging thru Sunday creek so the roads are pretty good. The only thing I'd say is that it is a very tight winding marbly gravel road & the locals do drove their stock thru there at times. I really nana it thru there however that can be said on me on most gravel roads.

[NordieBoy]

Yep, it's so twisty and tight that it probably wouldn't be worth the risk of meeting a local or stock vs the highway.

It is cool though...

[JATZ]

I went through there yesterday, the Stanley Brook side is in good nick, the Thorpe side is a little more....ahem....rough for a gravel rd. It is tight and twisty in places, but for someone of your ability it could be quicker than the seal option. I'm assuming you are looking for an alternative to going the Mot valley route.

[Racing Dave]

Thanks, Nordie Boy and Jatz. Yes, it's an alternative to the Mot Valley.

One of the great things about rides such as the TT2000 is that it gets you to places that you might not normally think to ride. The two roads in this thread are perfect examples of that, and so not only will I (possibly) save a few minutes along the way, I'll also see some new (to me) places that I'd otherwise zip past without noticing.

You'll never see me cut a blind bend, but I take your narrow/winding/rough warnings in the spirit they're given, and will take extra care.

Cheers,
Dave B

[whatastoner]

Appreciate the info, Sunday Creek is on my route too.