Central Otago Trails - the best?

[greerADV]

Yeah mate, thats fun that one. I should be heading off about 1-2 ish. Gotta take the little ones to a christmas thing at the fire station, its supposed to finish at 2 but i get the feeling it'll be over before that and besides their mum can take care of them so i can go for a ride!

Send me a txt or call me on 03 4098501 or 0274635631

My tyres are definitely road-biased at the moment, do you think that will be much of a problem on the Macetown run? I ask because I am still new to the off-road scene and the Domi is my only mode of transporation - need to be just a little bit cautious!

[greerADV]

Greetings GreerADV,
welcome to the madhouse ( actually some of the others are actually sane
I work a lot of weekends, but would be good most Mondays, so keep in touch
I may be Timvegas based but it's not a problem to scoot down for a good ride
Great video too

Cheers, Stu

Thanks Stu! I'm definitely up for some rides out your way as well. I'll also be starting a road-trip on the bike around mid-Jan. No plans and no destination as of yet, so if we don't get to ride before then, maybe you can show me around your back yard as I pass through.

Cheers,
Andrew

PS - where was the picture in your signature taken? it's incredible.

[necrolyte]

My tyres are definitely road-biased at the moment, do you think that will be much of a problem on the Macetown run? I ask because I am still new to the off-road scene and the Domi is my only mode of transporation - need to be just a little bit cautious!

Macetown track isn't too too bad, but the river crossings might be a bit slippery? But then again you did do some river crossings in the Nevis...

[Winston001]

My tyres are definitely road-biased at the moment, do you think that will be much of a problem on the Macetown run? I ask because I am still new to the off-road scene and the Domi is my only mode of transporation - need to be just a little bit cautious!

It is a road not a track so no problem. Just take it easy through the fords - they are much wider than the Nevis River but generally shallow. Worst thing that could happen is you walk the bike across just to be sure - keep on the upstream side of the bike. Personally I'd go for it.

The biggest danger on the Macetown road is hoons on trail-bikes and idiot 4WD drivers.

[necrolyte]

Now now, not all the guys on trail bikes that go up there are hoons... Just most of them, i have a little respect.

[greerADV]

Macetown track isn't too too bad, but the river crossings might be a bit slippery? But then again you did do some river crossings in the Nevis...

That sounds good to me. I did make it through the Nevis without much truoble, so I'm sure if you can show me where NOT to cross the river, I'll be alright.

I'll be in Queenstown tonight and I'll send you a text tomorrow around 12 to see what time you'll be setting off.

Cheers,
Andrew

[necrolyte]

Sweet as man, i'll be here

[Winston001]

Now now, not all the guys on trail bikes that go up there are hoons... Just most of them, i have a little respect.

Agreed. I understand what it is like to ride a trailbike and have fun, particularly with a group of friends. The trouble is that some guys are just too enthusiastic riding fast on a rough road where there are walkers, mountain-bikers, and 4WDs around each corner in the summer.

They also do a lot of damage riding off the road and you must have seen the scars on the hill-sides. What worries me is the road will be closed - this was proposed a couple of years ago - and we won't be able to get in at all.

[necrolyte]

Agreed. I understand what it is like to ride a trailbike and have fun, particularly with a group of friends. The trouble is that some guys are just too enthusiastic riding fast on a rough road where there are walkers, mountain-bikers, and 4WDs around each corner in the summer.

They also do a lot of damage riding off the road and you must have seen the scars on the hill-sides. What worries me is the road will be closed - this was proposed a couple of years ago - and we won't be able to get in at all.

Yeah thats what worries me too, its a great place to go for a quiet ride with mates. I know a few of the guys that tear the place up and they have been told by heaps of people that they will end up ruining it for everyone but they just don't give a shit.

[paulj]

Here's the word folks -

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4321688a6570.html

Interesting - being whacked-off by a DOC official could be OK!

[cooneyr]

For all you southerners - is it possible to travel from Coal Pit Saddle to the head of the Nevis via the tracks (looks possible on Topomaps)? Is it private land and does the owner/s allow access?

Cheers R

[Winston001]

For all you southerners - is it possible to travel from Coal Pit Saddle to the head of the Nevis via the tracks (looks possible on Topomaps)? Is it private land and does the owner/s allow access?

Cheers R

I'm not quite sure what you mean. There is a paper road which is also a sheep station track from Gibston, over Coalpit Saddle through to the Nevis Crossing. The Crossing is the bridge on the Nevis Road at the north (ie Cromwell) end of the Nevis Valley.

In the middle of the track there is a locked gate but sometimes it is open.

This is a great trip even if you only go halfway but please respect the stock and stay on the track.

The "head" of the Nevis River is in the Garvie Mountains to the south, near Garston. It might be possible to get there offroad but it would involve a lot of private land and the Remarkables Conservation Area. Really all tracks run off the Nevis Road into the mountains rather than along the mountains.

However I'm sure you don't mean that so yes, you can get to Nevis Crossing - sometimes.

[Winston001]

Cooneyr has reminded me that one of my adventures (one day....) is to travel offroad (or at least gravel) from Gibston to Dunedin. I went from Arrowtown to the Bannockburn Pub via Coalpit Saddle 15 years ago, and back. That's when the idea arose.

The problem is there are unavoidable bits of seal around Clyde and Alexander but otherwise its nearly possible. It would be fun in a small group. Might have to allow 5% bitumen.

[cooneyr]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. There is a paper road which is also a sheep station track from Gibston, over Coalpit Saddle through to the Nevis Crossing. The Crossing is the bridge on the Nevis Road at the north (ie Cromwell) end of the Nevis Valley.

In the middle of the track there is a locked gate but sometimes it is open......

Opps my bad - I meant Coalpit Saddle to Nevis Crossing. Thanks for the info. Is the track through private farm land i.e. should we talk to farmers first? Nothing major planned at this stage so dont need specifics. Just thinking about a Central based Dusty Butt for 09.

I grew up on a farm so ya preaching to the converted re staying on the track and not annoying stock

Cheers R

[Winston001]

So far as I can tell, this is a paper road and I've met 4WDs and bikes on it from time to time. In other words it is public access. I don't know who owns it these days but at one time the landowner wasn't too happy about travelers. Nevertheless the Coalpit Saddle gate has never been locked in my experience. Its rare to see anybody in there.

FYI, there are a couple of tracks leading off which go up into the back of the Remarkables reaching around 1800m. Very enjoyable but these are on private land....... I keep a low profile.

There is also one from Coalpit Saddle to the left which goes up over the top of Mount Rosa and comes out down beside the new Queenstown rubbish dump. The one I really like but cannot do is to the right of the Saddle which goes most of the way to the Remarkables ski field. It was proposed as the route before the existing road was made. Unfortunately the gate is solidly locked.

Apart from that, in Cardrona there is a track to the left (south-east) up to Tuohys Saddle and which leads down eventually to the Roaring Meg. You can't ride that far but what you can do is turn right at the Saddle and go up over Queensberry Hill, eventually coming out above the Crown Range viewing area - and a locked gate. I've walked this and ridden part of it.

Of course you can turn left from the Saddle instead and go up onto the Cardrona ski area roads. I'd love to explore the top of the Pisa Range - there is a lake up there, but need to ask John Lee, the owner of the ski area.

Check out what I've said on Google Earth, you can see the tracks - and a few which simply don't exist.