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Thread: Molesworth/Rainbow Roads

  1. #16
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    12th January 2008 - 15:44
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    Here are a couple of photos from the Isolated Flat area.
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  2. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by neels View Post
    Have been through rainbow from hanmer to st arnaud for lunch, and then across and back ...
    Were you lunch for the sandflies, or did you try to eat your lunch before they did?
    Quote Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
    It's barking mad and if it doesn't turn you into a complete loon within half an hour of cocking a leg over the lofty 875mm seat height, I'll eat my Arai.

  3. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    There was a test ride article of the Africa Twin going through the Molesworth in the ChCh Press earlier this year done by the motorcycle reviewer.
    Yeah I read that Paul Owen article. he did 3 stories, one on each model. The Africa Twin has some appeal but apparently still a heavy bike and the engine is dull for on road but perfect for off road use. I've been venturing on to more gravel out Wairarapa way lately, friend has a Scrambler and wants to explore more. The Zed is fine if you ride slow enough but there's little fun in doing that for long periods and any deep gravel I'm in the poo. Plus it ruins expensive sports tyres. Did the Catlins down south on it no trouble.

    Being from the West Coast and Canterbury I'm keen to explore the likes of Molesworth/Rainbow one day. Areas you hear about but never get to see. Thanks guy for the pictures.
    Happiness is a means of travel, not a destination

  4. #19
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    3rd March 2008 - 11:55
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gremlin View Post
    Were you lunch for the sandflies, or did you try to eat your lunch before they did?
    Had lunch sandfly free at the cafe, then went and looked at the lake long enough for the sandflies to get annoying.

    There are a few of them up there.
    Riding cheap crappy old bikes badly since 1987

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  5. #20
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    18th August 2008 - 10:43
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    Great to hear they should be open as normal, I am heading sound a bit before xmas and had hoped not to have to take the long way down to CHCH.

    Anyone keen on going through north-to-south around the 21st/22nd Dec?
    "As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts." ― Herman Melville

  6. #21
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    Gee pics look enticing. Few of older mates got adventure bikes now. Can't really get away for longer rides while kids young and I'm still keen on decent trail riding. One day.
    Don't you look at my accountant.
    He's the only one I've got.

  7. #22
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    4th October 2008 - 16:35
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    if you have ridden a road bike on a typical NZ gravel road without problems there is no reason why you cant do the molesworth.The only difference is its long and fairly narrow.Keep well left and apply some common sense re speed.The rainbow,on a good day is anly a bit rougher.On a bad day you may not get across stream or you may find a large shingle fan has covered the road.Oh and the man at the gate will want your $15 ?? per bike.You dont need an adventure bike for either,one might be preferable on the rainbow

  8. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by BMWST? View Post
    if you have ridden a road bike on a typical NZ gravel road without problems there is no reason why you cant do the molesworth.The only difference is its long and fairly narrow.Keep well left and apply some common sense re speed.The rainbow,on a good day is anly a bit rougher.On a bad day you may not get across stream or you may find a large shingle fan has covered the road.Oh and the man at the gate will want your $15 ?? per bike.You dont need an adventure bike for either,one might be preferable on the rainbow
    Deciding if it's a good or bad day ... is usually done at the end of the day. The middle portions of either road is not a good time to find that bad could be the days end result. I doubt if AA rescue will patrol either road.
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  9. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by FJRider View Post
    Deciding if it's a good or bad day ... is usually done at the end of the day. The middle portions of either road is not a good time to find that bad could be the days end result. I doubt if AA rescue will patrol either road.
    the rainbowcan be dicey if the weather has been bad for days before.It would have to be really bad weather on the day.The Molesworth is much better.Given that the molesworth is only open over summer.....

  10. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by BMWST? View Post
    the rainbowcan be dicey if the weather has been bad for days before.It would have to be really bad weather on the day.The Molesworth is much better.Given that the molesworth is only open over summer.....
    I've been over the Nevis valley road on a road bike on a good sunny day. Some streams were well washed out. Bigger heavier road bike would have to be lucky to get through.

    Errors of judgement and (lack of) ability can do you more harm than a bad road.
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by MD View Post
    Thanks Gremlin and Tazz, those are nice pics and it really helps to see the quality of the road, as well as the terrain. I couldn't spot the local MacDonalds neon signs anywhere in the distance

    You have serious knobblies! So I doubt the Zed on sports tyres would cut the mustard. I am keen to do this one day, maybe when an adventure bike resides in my garage. The new Africa twin has some appeal. I must test ride one someday.
    You'd be fine on the Molesworth for sure mate. They keep it in very good condition.

    Those knobblies are just for the region, not that road in particular

  12. #27
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    Just found some pics on a memory stick, was wondering where I'd put them when I brain dumped my old phone.

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    Riding cheap crappy old bikes badly since 1987

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  13. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by .chris View Post

    Anyone keen on going through north-to-south around the 21st/22nd Dec?
    Chris, wife and I on the Beemer cross on 21st and if it's open, would plan to do Molesworth en route to Invercargill on 22nd
    I may not be as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was.

  14. #29
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    if you stay in hamner the night at the old forest campsite the molly and bow can be enjoyed easily in a day including the two passes.

  15. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by thepom View Post
    if you stay in hamner the night at the old forest campsite the molly and bow can be enjoyed easily in a day including the two passes.
    Kenny, stop trying to provoke me...

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