South Island Riding - Mid April 2014

[.chris]

I am planning on doing a bit of riding around the south island from the 17th of April. My bike is already in Fairlie after a bit of a disaster of a march trip (ended up in timaru hospital for 6 days). So I am keen to have another crack.


My rough plan is.

17	Thursday	Waimate - Danseys Pass - lake onslow track into Roxborough - obelisk track - waikaia bush camp site
18	Friday	up the nevis - old man range - skippers canyon - mace town (depending on river levels) - camp macetown or skippers
19	Saturday	skippers - clyde - Moa creek - poolburn - ranfuly - mt buster johnstones creek - omarama saddle - hakataramera - mackenzie pass (or black forest or omarama pukaki river track across to haldon arm (river level dependent)) to Fairlie
20	Sunday	Fairlie - macauly valley day ride
21	Monday	Fairlie a & p Show
22	Tuesday	Lake Ohau - Glenn Lion/Dobson Valley Track - Back to Fairlie
23	Wednesday	Head North - Havelock River Track - Camping at Hut
24	Thursday	Hamner Springs - Acheron Campsite
25	Friday	Molesworth - Altimarlok - Spy Station - Lethman River - Camping Kowhai DOC site, or lake rotoiti
26	Saturday	Porika Road/Braeburn Track - Collingwood-Farewell Spit Campsite
27	Sunday	Pelorus - Mungatapu - Mt Patriarch - Camp Mill Flat

Anyone keen to join me for any parts of this? I will be hammock camping and riding solo (which is fine with me) but if anyone is keen to meet up and do some sections or have some other ride ideas/substituions let me know.

[Devil]

Jeepers dude. What happened?

Wish I could get away from work!

[nooles]

OH mate bugger I was just there doing all those roads/tracks. Its real KTM country down there the roads were awesome, once I'd done the road I wanted to turn round and go back over it the gravel was sooooo goood
I should have taken my A/L a couple of weeks later lol, weather was brilliant but it didn't get light in the morning till way late , I'd already been on the road 2 hours before the sun would show its head.
Heaps of photos on my FB
Neal Sutherland

[.chris]

Jeepers dude. What happened?

Wish I could get away from work!

Nothing bike related (or exciting), ended up with acute Pancreatitis (which is something you do not want, spent 3 days under a morphine haze).

[.chris]

OH mate bugger I was just there doing all those roads/tracks. Its real KTM country down there the roads were awesome, once I'd done the road I wanted to turn round and go back over it the gravel was sooooo goood
I should have taken my A/L a couple of weeks later lol, weather was brilliant but it didn't get light in the morning till way late , I'd already been on the road 2 hours before the sun would show its head.
Heaps of photos on my FB
Neal Sutherland

I had kinda figured most people got their south island trips done around the dustybutt time (when I started) but the old hospital/month recovery pretty much ruined that.
But on the off chance I figured I would post up.

I tried to find your pics on fb but no luck, link?

[nooles]

They are all in my album on here now South Island 2014 trip.
The KTM ate a brand new Karoo on the trip around but glad I had it in the skippers and Macetown lol things get a little hairy when your on your own

[.chris]

They are all in my album on here now South Island 2014 trip.
The KTM ate a brand new Karoo on the trip around but glad I had it in the skippers and Macetown lol things get a little hairy when your on your own

Nice series of photos looks like a mean trip.
How was it up the macetown track? Any challenges with the crossings? From the YouTube 4x4 videos show some interesting river levels. I figured I go up for a look at least.

I have a fresh tractionator ready to be loaded on the rear figure that should get me home. Got a karoo3 on the front but I have a 20% worn d606 I could use if I feel the need for more knobs.

[nooles]

Hasn't been much rain for a long time apparently, its all good as long as you don't fall in lol. Bugger wish I had of waited a couple of weeks now would have been good to cruise around with someone else.

[.chris]

Hasn't been much rain for a long time apparently, its all good as long as you don't fall in lol. Bugger wish I had of waited a couple of weeks now would have been good to cruise around with someone else.

Yeah, that is poor timing, got plans for next year?

[FJRider]

Hasn't been much rain for a long time apparently, its all good as long as you don't fall in lol. Bugger wish I had of waited a couple of weeks now would have been good to cruise around with someone else.

It has been raining here most of the night. And still is ...

April is usually still pretty settled down here weather wise ... but mid to late April (heavy) rain is not uncommon.

Places such as the Waikaia Bush road (it can get snow in summer), The Nevis road , and the Old Dunstan road (also gets snow in summer) at that time ... may not be the best place to go/be alone.

[.chris]

It has been raining here most of the night. And still is ...

April is usually still pretty settled down here weather wise ... but mid to late April (heavy) rain is not uncommon.

Places such as the Waikaia Bush road (it can get snow in summer), The Nevis road , and the Old Dunstan road (also gets snow in summer) at that time ... may not be the best place to go/be alone.

I grew up in Fairlie so I am pretty comfortable in the area and am well aware of how changeable the weather can be, I will be keeping multiple parties aware of my routes/intentions as well as carrying a plb, so I am reasonably prepared. But of course if the weather goes to crap I will head in another direction. but then again I am not afraid of a little snow.