South Island Passes Ride 2008

[tri boy]

I'm still in. (will take alot of photo's to rub salt into Windboy's and CM's) wounds.
If other nth island riders are heading down, maybe Ferry Timetables could be sorted soon.

[Jantar]

This is probably covered elsewhere in this thread, but I missed it. What type of accomadation ( pub/motel/caravan park) are we going to frequent at the overniters on this ride?

Backpackers and/or low cost hotels.

[Crisis management]

I'm still in. (will take alot of photo's to rub salt into Windboy's and CM's) wounds.
If other nth island riders are heading down, maybe Ferry Timetables could be sorted soon.

You bar steward.......I'm blowing up the service centre at the Bombays and cutting all of you off

I can't get to the ride this weekend, or the passes ride, AAAAAARGHHHHH!


These photos better be good and show that bloody scrambler stuck up a tree or something.

[Racing Dave]

Pardon me butting in, and I think it's a great idea to cut out all the passes in a long ride, but you seem to have overlooked Wilmot Pass. Not many have ridden this one, and it's a bit of a challenge to get there, but good fun to do.

[Jantar]

We did look at Wilmot Pass for last years ride. However unless we want to spend both arms and legs for a special barge trip, the only ride we could get last year would have us over there on a Wednesday, and back the following Wednesday.

I must admit I haven't even enquired for this year's ride.

[Racing Dave]

If you're only planning on riding most of the passes, then you could add a slight challenge by adding Big Pass and Saxton Pass, and a particularly easy Dover Pass. That'll at least bring it up to 97%.

[Jantar]

Big Pass was also on our list for last year. It does not have a road over it, just a farm track, but that wasn't the issue. The land owner would not give permission to cross his land. Saxton pass still has a paper road listed, but DOC will not give permission to go there either.

Where is Dover Pass?

[Zukin]

Dover Pass is on the Main road between Tekapo and Twizel, by the lookout to Mt Cook

[Jantar]

Thanks Scott, I'll check it out. It wasn't listed on any of the maps we used for last years ride.

[RedKLR650]

Thanks Scott, I'll check it out. It wasn't listed on any of the maps we used for last years ride.

It's the point immediately east of the old Mt Cook Lookout layby at the south east end of Lake Pukaki, so I think your route takes you through there anyway

See centre of the map attached

Cheers, Stu

[_Shrek_]

Big Pass was also on our list for last year. It does not have a road over it, just a farm track, but that wasn't the issue. The land owner would not give permission to cross his land. Saxton pass still has a paper road listed, but DOC will not give permission to go there either.

Where is Dover Pass?

i'm pretty sure you don't need permission to go over a paper Rd because it is a public paper Rd

[Jantar]

i'm pretty sure you don't need permission to go over a paper Rd because it is a public paper Rd

Generally correct, but I'm not prepared to pay the court costs to defy DOC. Note how they also close the Molesworth for most of the year, and that too is a paper road.

[ducatijim]

I am going to regretfully have to withdraw from this ride Malcolm, we have reached crisis point with the drought up here and my attention is needed to keep the stock alive. Besides, income dryes up along with the withering grass!!

You guys have fun now, you hear( THAT is like telling the POPE to say his PRAYERS!!!)

Cheers, Jamie.

[tri boy]

Thats a tough call for you to have to make Jamie, but ultimately I guess the farm must come first.

I'm hanging in there Jantar, but hopefully final details re upfront costs, and final ride out groups could be sorted soon, as budgets/time off/ extended ride after the passes, and other details need clearing away shortly.

As a newby to sth island routes, could someone suggest a sensible route down to ChCh that might involve a bit of gravel that will not be on the ride.(Picton - sth).

If i have to do the main road gig, I will hold off on fitting the new tyres until I'm in ChCh. (might even freight them down, and fit them up when I arrive). Just don't want to burn up new TKC's on seal from Waikato-ChCh.

Cheers.

[cooneyr]

.......As a newby to sth island routes, could someone suggest a sensible route down to ChCh that might involve a bit of gravel that will not be on the ride.(Picton - sth).

If i have to do the main road gig, I will hold off on fitting the new tyres until I'm in ChCh. (might even freight them down, and fit them up when I arrive). Just don't want to burn up new TKC's on seal from Waikato-ChCh.

Cheers.

I've been following this thread but not that well. I'm not sure when you are coming to Chch but the Molesworth is your best option for Picton to Chch of the seal. It may be closed by the time you come through though. Contact South Marlborough Doc to check. Other option is to do go up SH63 (Wairau) and down the Rainbow to Hanmer. Can also include what we call Pyrimad Valley, really Ram Paddock Road. Turn south at Waikari and follow the roads around till you get to Mound Road (turn south again) then follow the follow the roads down through to Sefton and jump back onto SH1 somewhere to come into chch.

If you need a place to shoe on some tyres and we are around your welcome to drop by (sorry the house is full at the moment till March/April)

Cheers R