Island Saddle (Rainbow Road) mid-winter adv ride

[warewolf]

Well I think there's a good chance you chaps will find snow next weekend.

There is snow on Takaka Hill; yesterday we had to use chains on the 4wd to get along Canaan Rd to the Harwood Hole car park. That's only 7-800m high. The latter, lesser-trafficked parts were deep enough that the underbelly of the 4wd was ploughing through it.

Without the chains, I only ju-u-ust made it in to the caving hut. It would definitely make a good play area for the bikes.

[Skinny_Birdman]

Now the inevitable question, do Pinky and I need to turtle it up with heaps of fuel? What sort of distance do you reckon we're talking about from Hanmer to Hanmer?

Cheers
A

[cooneyr]

Now the inevitable question, do Pinky and I need to turtle it up with heaps of fuel? What sort of distance do you reckon we're talking about from Hanmer to Hanmer?

Cheers
A

Bout 55km each way so if you allow 150+kms for playing around etc then should be ok. Besides we will have a KLR and an IMS DR - just bring your wallet

Few days out yet but couple of potential fronts to top up the snow. Fingers X'd they move on before Sunday.

Cheers R

[cooneyr]

Jeeze - been watching metview over the day and it went from Okish on Sun this morning to crappy looking southerly front to not so bad again. Who bloody knows whats going to happen.

Was hoping for a nasty front to go through midweek but doest look like its going to.

Cheers R

[far queue]

Who bloody knows whats going to happen.

It's going to be cold and horrible and you'll end the day cold and rooted!
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But it'll be fun all the same in a masochistic sort of way, and you'll pleased you did it! Have fun

[cooneyr]

Snow Snow and more Snow. Might even be snowing while we are there (down to 800m). From Jollies Pass on we are above 750m. Snow is much nicer than rain though!

Thu Jul 19 Issued at 4:29 am 18 Jul 2007 NZST
High cloud increasing. Scattered rain developing at night, falling as snow above 1300 metres.
Wind at 1000m: Light and variable.
Wind at 2000m: Light easterly.
Free air freezing level: About 1600 metres.

Fri Jul 20 Issued at 1:26 pm 17 Jul 2007 NZST
Mainly fine, with morning frosts. Light winds at all levels.

Sat Jul 21 Issued at 1:26 pm 17 Jul 2007 NZST
Fine at first, with light winds. However, a cold southerly change towards evening, strong about the tops, bringing a brief period of showers. Snow lowering to 700 metres in the evening.

Sun Jul 22 Issued at 1:26 pm 17 Jul 2007 NZST
Cloudy periods, with a few showers in the west. Snow down to 800 metres. Cold southwesterlies, fresh about the tops.

I gotta stop looking at the weather sites.

Cheers R

[426crasher]

Hey there Ryan and co. I'm up for this ride.Will probably try to borrow a mates trailer to drag the wr up there as i dont fancy a cold early morning ride to Hanmer on the wr seat,arse would be finished by the time i get there !! Are you meeting up in Hanmer or off towards the start of Jollies.Trailer should take 2 bikes if anyone else is on for it.

[cooneyr]

Hey there Ryan and co. I'm up for this ride.Will probably try to borrow a mates trailer to drag the wr up there as i dont fancy a cold early morning ride to Hanmer on the wr seat,arse would be finished by the time i get there !! Are you meeting up in Hanmer or off towards the start of Jollies.Trailer should take 2 bikes if anyone else is on for it.

Hi Crasher - glad to have another nutta along. TA, Pink Panther, and I will be coming up from Chch. TA and I will be riding up (wont we TA! ) but Pinky might be interested in a trailer ride if he is still coming.

We are meeting Skinny in Culverden and Lugzy at the Caltex just south of Hanmer. We are planning to fuel up at the Caltex around 1030 so would meet you there.

Just checked the weather again and its not looking to bad for Sunday now. It will probably change 6 more times before Sunday though. I'm not sure how mad keen the rest are if the weather is crap but I will post on Friday lunchtime about the WX and making a call.

Cheers R

[Transalper]

... TA and I will be riding up (wont we TA! ) but Pinky might be interested in a trailer ride if he is still coming....I will post on Friday lunchtime about the WX and making a call.

Cheers R

I'll still be looking at the forecast just before i go to bed on Saturday night.
And... but but but... it's a trailer... towed by a car...with a heater i assume.
Oh ok I'll ride all the way... all the way there at least.

[cooneyr]

I'll still be looking at the forecast just before i go to bed on Saturday night.
And... but but but... it's a trailer... towed by a car...with a heater i assume.
Oh ok I'll ride all the way... all the way there at least.

I know what you need - a big glass of HTFU - heater be damned. Though my tune may change by 5 in the afternoon.

WX seems to be holding and looking not to bad. Dont think there will be much if any rain on the way there or back but may be some snow falling up there and may be windy. Check out the Metservice Nelson Lakes Mountains Page, it should be the best prediction for the Hanmer on section.

Been looking at Topos and Google earth. Island Pass may be worth a look. It is about 1km south east of Island Saddle, the same height but is a dirt track. Get onto the track from the valley floor on the north side of Island Saddle (just north of the culvert if you know where I mean).

Cheers R

[Lugzy23]

Hi all
Think I might leave the KLR at home and take the TF, as I havent had a chance to get a knobly on it. Am only riding from Hamner, so should be sweet, and then that means I can find some real nasty stuff to ride. Just a bit slow on the road sections thats all

[Skinny_Birdman]

Hi all
Think I might leave the KLR at home and take the TF, as I havent had a chance to get a knobly on it. Am only riding from Hamner, so should be sweet, and then that means I can find some real nasty stuff to ride. Just a bit slow on the road sections thats all

TF!!?? You mean this TF?? .... excellent.

[NordieBoy]

TF!!?? You mean this TF?? .... excellent.

The Annoying Thing?

[Transalper]

On MSN Pinky told me he's doing the Sefton Trailride this Sunday, so we will not catch him on the road.

[Skinny_Birdman]

The Annoying Thing?

Yeah, you know. Ba-ding-ding-ding and so on. Go two strokes! Go the TF!!