Good trails in North Canterbury?

**Alpha Solo** · 29th August 2007, 14:23

Just did Lee's Valley last weekend, now looking for more trails.

Gravel roads are OK but would prefer some mud and maybe a DOC hut to stay in over night at the end of it.

Any recommendations welcomed !

**merv** · 29th August 2007, 14:54

Have you checked out Lake Sumner area http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32746

It was a fav of mine when I lived in ChCh in the '70's so you'll see some of my old stuff linked there too. Access arrangements are slightly more restrictive now but there are huts up there if they haven't all been burnt down.

**Transalper** · 29th August 2007, 15:24

So ya didn't think to invite us on one of our favourite rides. I'm going to be startin to not like you. Just not feeling the love.

Did ya take any of the diversions in the Okuku end or just stick to the main road?

**merv** · 29th August 2007, 15:30

Again I can only speak from 70's experience Transalper and I've seen your pics of Lees Valley (none from peachvw and bugger he didn't invite you) but is that route still able to be done in a car. We took the Escort and the Hunter through there and the only mishap was in the winter the water was so deep at the river the Hunter got its horns drenched never to beep again so I bought new ones and mounted them higher. On a trail bike or a 4x4 easy peasy.

**Transalper** · 29th August 2007, 15:35

When the water levels in there are low I'd say no problem in a 2wd car so long as the car's not too flash, like covered in low skirts, and ya had some idea on fording so as not to go to slow and get stuck, or not so fast as to drench the electrics.
On a bike ya can do it on 100% street tyres most the time (not so well after a lot of rain or snow melt turning the clay bits to goo.

**_Shrek_** · 29th August 2007, 16:22

most of the fords have been concreted so towny's can get to Lake Talyor from there to Loch Katrine the holes have got deeper & the creek crossing just before the Loch is step & you can get stuck on it in a car other than that a great place for bikes & 4x4

**Transalper** · 29th August 2007, 18:36

http://www.kiwibiker.zyns.com/forums...ad.php?t=37846
That was a good day out, maybe not as muddy as you want, but still. it was SH1 to Greta Valley, down to Motunau Beach, along the back roads to Gore Bay (involves some gravel), into Cheviot, cut across Random Spur Road and gravel roads to Culverden.

As for DOC hutts, I thought you only got those on walking tracks, hope you aren't planning to give us a bad name by riding on walking tracks. That kinda behaviour is what's getting us locked out of more and more places.

**Zukin** · 29th August 2007, 19:32

Originally Posted by Transalper

http://www.kiwibiker.zyns.com/forums...ad.php?t=37846
As for DOC hutts, I thought you only got those on walking tracks, hope you aren't planning to give us a bad name by riding on walking tracks. That kinda behaviour is what's getting us locked out of more and more places.

WOW you really seem to have your claws out for this rider

I did not read it like that at all, I read it that he would love to go riding, and at the end of the day. stop at a DOC hut (at the end of the road, or near a lake etc) and then head home the next day.
Not riding on walking tracks

We have lots of these huts in the North Island, and I am sure there are plenty down South too

Have a look here

My thoughts
Scott

**Alpha Solo** · 29th August 2007, 19:49

Hey Transalper - dont be upset that I havent been in touch, just picked up the Gas Gas Pampera on thursday and sunday was the test ride... I'm keen to hook up for a ride out sometime though, PM me your details.

Lees was great on sunday, took it easy as a 2 stroke with knob tyre's in always twitchy in the dry

Met up with the 'dirt devils' who were giving it some on big KTM's / BMW's etc - nice people too.

I'm not into people riding in the wrong place eithier as it gives everyone a bad name and leads to gates etc... (they should ban horses, especially on the road!)

I haven't got a tent at the moment hence asking about the huts!

**Transalper** · 29th August 2007, 20:57

Originally Posted by Zukin

We have lots of these huts in the North Island, and I am sure there are plenty down South too

Have a look here

My thoughts
Scott

Lot's of huts listed there thanks Zukin, just not seeing any that you can actually ride too. Someone please start pointing them out.
I don't recognise lots of them so there is hope.

Originally Posted by peachvw

Hey Transalper - dont be upset that I havent been in touch, just picked up the Gas Gas Pampera on thursday and sunday was the test ride... I'm keen to hook up for a ride out sometime though, PM me your details.

Lees was great on sunday, took it easy as a 2 stroke with knob tyre's in always twitchy in the dry

Met up with the 'dirt devils' who were giving it some on big KTM's / BMW's etc - nice people too.

I'm not into people riding in the wrong place eithier as it gives everyone a bad name and leads to gates etc... (they should ban horses, especially on the road!)

I haven't got a tent at the moment hence asking about the huts!

Apparently some days I am easily upset

, just seemed you're back asking where good rides are again but after several open invites to good rides in this forum we still haven't met so don't know who you are. Thinking you're either very shy or snubbing us.

Dirt Devils, that be Dust Devils I suspect, some of them are here too. I assume DAS Phil was among them.
Also assumed you'd have been on the F650 that has been listed in your profile for a bit now.

We sometimes stay in cabins, pubs or Backpacker type places in small towns on the road between patches of dirt. Most the stuff we do locally is just a single day out. Like I said l don't personally know any DOC type huts that you can actually ride to, but would be interested to know of them if any are pointed out.

A new Gas Gas Pampera aye, do you need to run it in? I don't know 2-strokes very well. You'll be going up Worsleys soon then? I'd be in on that. Also go further a field to Big River Mine, Reefton sometime, keep in touch with Phil for that.
Back of Hanmer has some interesting hills better suited for lighter bikes too. More summery weather for them though.

**cooneyr** · 30th August 2007, 08:52

Originally Posted by Zukin

WOW you really seem to have your claws out for this rider

I did not read it like that at all, I read it that he would love to go riding, and at the end of the day. stop at a DOC hut (at the end of the road, or near a lake etc) and then head home the next day.
Not riding on walking tracks

We have lots of these huts in the North Island, and I am sure there are plenty down South too

Have a look here

My thoughts
Scott

I think TA is just feeling a little bit lonely at the moment. To many of the normal chch crew are a bit pussy wipped at the moment

As for back country huts that are rideable to, there are not a lot around canterbury. Those that spring to mind at the moment are the Lake Sumner Huts, Big river (not actually Canterbury but hey), Townshend hut. Of these the only one that doesnt need permission is the Big River hut. Further afield there are some down near Alex being the Potters Hut, one south of the Old Dunstand Road, Macetown Huts and Skippers huts (not sure if you can stay in these or not). Some of the ashvegas fullers were talking about getting permission to go through Mesopotamia to one of the muster's huts - nothing happening yet though.

If you want mud around Canterbury you'll be pushing it except river silts. Remember it is a big river gravel plain. Mud is best found round central otago or the north island.

Cheers R

**Alpha Solo** · 30th August 2007, 10:42

Thanks again all.

I've ordered the NZ motorcycle atlas which apparently has some good routes in, bookshop still hasn't got it in...

I have had the GS on the gravel a few times but it's quite big and heavy for me so I have decided to keep it for road touring (perfect for me + wife like's it too

)

TA - the Kennedy / Worsley loop looks exactly what Im after for a short blast, I will probably head down there this saturday if you are keen p.m. me.

+ I might grab a cheap tent too so that the world is my lobster!

**RedKLR650** · 30th August 2007, 10:53

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Some of the ashvegas fullers were talking about getting permission to go through Mesopotamia to one of the muster's huts - nothing happening yet though. Cheers R

Hi Team, I know the Proutings that own / run Mespotamia Station, so would you like me to make contact there ?

Cheers, Stu

**RedKLR650** · 30th August 2007, 10:57

Originally Posted by Transalper

Also go further a field to Big River Mine, Reefton sometime, keep in touch with Phil for that

I'd be keen on that ride too if someone can point me in the right direction re info etc, or hasn't it been organised yet ?

Stu

**cooneyr** · 30th August 2007, 11:12

Originally Posted by peachvw

TA - the Kennedy / Worsley loop looks exactly what Im after for a short blast, I will probably head down there this saturday if you are keen p.m. me.

+ I might grab a cheap tent too so that the world is my lobster!

Ahh - you cant ride Kennedy's Track. Part of it is over private land so no go at any time for petrol powered and it is normally closed to walkers and MTBers + others for lambing over August Sep. You could do Huntsbury Track or Rapaki and along the summit road with Worsleys as a loop. Good bit of wigley seal between the tracks that way. Some of the other tracks Bridle, Bowenvale etc might be paper roads but bit of bad form to use them. You will get enough glares from the treadliests and walkers on Rapaki but it is a legal road.

Originally Posted by RedKLR650

Hi Team, I know the Proutings that own / run Mespotamia Station, so would you like me to make contact there ?

Cheers, Stu

Timg and XF650 were talking about it and it is their thing - leaving it for them to move this one along but suspect it will be a summer thing.

Originally Posted by RedKLR650

I'd be keen on that ride too if someone can point me in the right direction re info etc, or hasn't it been organised yet ?

Stu

Phil at DAS does organised trail rides in the area (knows LOTS of tracks) reasonably often but you need to contact DAS on 389 0080 bout this. He was talking of organising a adv bikes (650ish) ride into Big river some stage in Nov/Dec. Will have to wait and see how it pans out though. The Napoleon Hill Tunnels would be a good side trip for the way there or back (now that I know where to go LOL).

Cheers R