Central Otago Trails - the best?

**paulj** · 27th November 2007, 18:09

Wow - this thread is turning into a trip planner for some trailing down this way – great – given that, then maybe we should look at the options based on who will come along and from what direction you will approach. I live in Bannockburn (Plug would have nearly tripped over me when he passed and has missed out on a beer or two)!

Originally Posted by cooneyr

This route from Lawrence north then west sounds good. How long do you think this would take? I think we could spare the some of Sunday morning to do a little bit more - do you recon there is anyway we can work in a bit of the tops between say the Mt Benger Road and the Obelisk with possibly a side trip to the Potters Huts.
Cheers Ryan

Lawrence/Poolburn – one day with one or two side excursions – clearly it depends on how long and hard you wish to ride. Personally I like to trundle along, and knock off about 3pm or so – depending on where I am. A nice pub or eating shop will use up a fair amount of time and I’m not averse to a granddad nap in the tussocks. There’s a truck load of side trips and Poolburn etc is not too far from the flesh pots of Alexandra.

The Serpentine is no pussy trip either – even though it shows as a ‘road’. There is some gold working machinery there that this time I WILL get to see – I’m advised that the track down to it is one way – once down you won’t get back up – this means out via Manorburn or walk

.

If we bailed out via Onslow, or better still, end up in Alex with better ale houses, accommodation ... then Fruitlands/Obelisk on the Sunday is a go - steep gravel and fairly easily negotiated – we could ride down to the gnarly bits and suss it out for another day - on a good day this is a great trip as you say. Potters - saw the turn off but haven't been there - will talk with my work colleague again - he seems to know all the stones etc by name! .

Bengar – dunno – not been there – will investigate.

Originally Posted by GaZBur

Hi Guys.
Had a heap of fun with my DR already but no Adventure rides yet. I will be up central sometime mid Jan and would love to tag along with someone who knows what its about and how not to get lost, so long as they don't kick up too much dust of course

Nice pics guys - you got me keen.

PM me when you know what you're up to - always available (nearly) - I have the enviable situation, that I simply look out the window at the local weather, trawl the web for the next few day’s weather and, if it all looks good, pack up and go, week or weekend – no I’m not retired.

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I think maybe Duffers saddle is a bit out of the way compared to the rest of the tracks you mention? Pity we don't have a another day so we could do the Nevis!
Cheers Ryan

Agreed - if you zoom in on the "Ultimate" pic I posted, you'll get some idea of the ruts - you can see where others have tried to avoid them, but those areas were deep spongy bogs even in the dry weather - there's no way I'm going there till it dries out.

The main complication is the return trip on the Sunday – you’re either at your backdoor – as I would be – or you’ve got some serious road riding to do which isn’t nice or proper. Dunners riders could go home via ODR/Clarks Junction/Outram which isn't too bad.

My thoughts are not to make this a regimented route ride – if one wants to blat away elsewhere, go do it – otherwise we get back to structures, timetables etc, which contradicts my Codes of Practice …. meet up in Lawrence and go ride - be great to have some companionship.

Post your thoughts here – the days are fine and I for one won’t be hanging about thinking it over! And I've still got to fit my Molesworth Top O the Island trip in.

**cooneyr** · 27th November 2007, 19:23

Originally Posted by paulj

The Serpentine is no pussy trip either – even though it shows as a ‘road’. There is some gold working machinery there that this time I WILL get to see – I’m advised that the track down to it is one way – once down you won’t get back up – this means out via Manorburn or walk

.

The Serpentine Road (southern end between Lake Onslow Road and the Serpentine Church) is pretty rough with some big ruts and has a fairly deep creek crossing (over the bonnet of a Landy when we went through in January so would drown a bike) near the lake Onslow road end.

There is a stamper and wheel (essentially complete) down from Long valley road just north of the serpentine road. We drove the landy about 1/2 way down but didnt want to risk the rest of it given we were on our own. It is the only stamper and wheel together I've seen (outside a museum) so is defiantly worth a look. I'd suggest we just ride as far as we think we can manage then walk but I suspect we could justabout ride the whole lot.

Originally Posted by paulj

The main complication is the return trip on the Sunday – you’re either at your backdoor – as I would be – or you’ve got some serious road riding to do which isn’t nice or proper. Dunners riders could go home via ODR/Clarks Junction/Outram which isn't too bad.

Most of the Chch riders do the Danseys, Mackenzie etc when going to and from the brass. We really dont have time to do much more than hit the seal for most of the ride to and from Central. To and from anywhere around Lawrence to Cromwell doesnt make much diff to us me thinks.

I think I'd better

now. This is your playground

If you ever want to have a look through the Molesworth, Rainbow etc etc then I'm sure there would be somebody keen to show the way.

Cheers R

**paulj** · 28th November 2007, 04:28

Thanks for the background on Serpentine Cooneyr - at last I'll see the damned thing - pity about the deep creek into Onslow - maybe we need to look for an alternative ...

Yeah - the Top O The Island trip is a go'er - R80 with the shock set on 'hard', panniers etc etc ... got a bunch of waypoints from Scott to mull over and now it's lie-low and let the bank balance swell a bit.

Bring on Santa ... if anyone wants to blast up out of Lawrence, drop me a note.

**paulj** · 2nd December 2007, 05:11

Went Roxburgh > Onslow > Paerau yesterday on the R80 - up to the cylinders (that's not a difficult task!).

Great cruisy trip.

**necrolyte** · 2nd December 2007, 09:32

Hey i'm always keen to hit a bit of dirt! If someone is planning a ride around this here area (Central O) i'll be keen. Just need to get a trailer to get to and from with the dirt beast.
Have you been up Coal Pit Road to the top of the Remarkables? Awsome ride, but hard on the old body & bike.

**GaZBur** · 2nd December 2007, 13:42

Originally Posted by paulj

...
PM me when you know what you're up to - always available (nearly) - I have the enviable situation, that I simply look out the window at the local weather, trawl the web for the next few day’s weather and, if it all looks good, pack up and go, week or weekend – no I’m not retired....

Wow thanks - I certainly will. Hope to meet you sometime in Jan then. I just looked up the distance between Bannockburn and where I'm staying in Albert Town and its 60.8km and 47 minutes between the two. But I bet you know the un-short cut dontcha!!!

**paulj** · 2nd December 2007, 21:30

Originally Posted by necrolyte

Have you been up Coal Pit Road to the top of the Remarkables? Awsome ride, but hard on the old body & bike.

Sheesh no - tell me more - doesn't look like it would work according to the map - have you been thru into the Nevis from Coal Pit?

**necrolyte** · 2nd December 2007, 21:46

Originally Posted by paulj

Sheesh no - tell me more - doesn't look like it would work according to the map - have you been thru into the Nevis from Coal Pit?

Its one hell of a road, mostly old farm tracks that are either worn out or non-existant. Its got altitude, to the point where the DR won't go without the throttle wide open! The snow is a bitch too, broke the clutch lever off last time in that. All there is up there is a good view of the Remarks and little else, just a nice technical ride really.

Never been to the Nevis at all to be honest, would like to do the road thru to Garston (i think) and back, sounds like a good ride.

**greerADV** · 4th December 2007, 22:36

This would be my first post (woohoo, popped the cherry!), but I've just been reading through the thread and figured it'd be a great place to ask who is around Wanaka, Q-town, Alex, etc. to ride with. I bought a Honda Dominator a couple months back and have just started to explore Central Otago a bit. Just did Nevis Crossing from Bannockburn to Garston yesterday and rode Thompsons Gorge last weekend (be ready to stop for a LOT of gates if going that way!)

I'm still new to off-road riding, but I think I'm picking it up pretty quick. But sure wouldn't hurt to get out there with someone who really knows what they're doing! I managed Nevis without a much trouble (not to say I didn't nearly fly head-first into some of those hidden fords .. watch out!)

I'm living in Wanaka until around mid-Jan, so if anyone is out there and wants to do some riding, I'd love to tag along or meet up. I'm off every Sunday and Monday, but I can get Saturdays off if need be. If you want to ride or just have some suggestions of some good trails, I'm all ears!

Cheers

**paulj** · 5th December 2007, 05:11

Originally Posted by greerADV

Just did Nevis Crossing from Bannockburn to Garston yesterday and rode Thompsons Gorge last weekend (be ready to stop for a LOT of gates if going that way!)
Cheers

Bugger - and it was FINE weather too ... all I could do was drive around in m'cage being throughly pissed off ...

Went up onto Duffers on Sunday with the intention of going into Old Woman Hut, but lost two carefully replaced exhaust bracket bolts and then was punted in the ass by my pannier rack heading upwards as I headed downwards - whaaaa

Welcome to Kiwi Biker greerADV

**necrolyte** · 5th December 2007, 16:51

Originally Posted by greerADV

Just did Nevis Crossing from Bannockburn to Garston yesterday

Cheers

Well, thats a trip i would love to do sometime. Just need to come back again on the same road as my dirt bike is purely for dirt only but things can be arranged. Going to macetown on sunday arvo if anyone is interested?
Unless i remember whatever it is i've forgotten, happens everytime i want to hit the dirt!

Edit: Oh yeah, welcome!

**Xaria** · 5th December 2007, 18:33

Originally Posted by paulj

Attached here is a flyer for the trip mentioned above - if it's to your taste, then this style of riding can be adapted to the back country too, in fact that was where I started before getting hobbled to the seal.

Just wondering when the dates are for this run as
I couldn't see them on the PDF. Sounds fun

**paulj** · 5th December 2007, 18:37

Originally Posted by Xaria

Just wondering when the dates are for this run as
I couldn't see them on the PDF. Sounds fun

It's the Club's call on how it finally shapes up, but the proposed dates are a weekend in late February. Too far out for me - many trips to do meantime!

I would like to do a XCountry version based on a similar style - but with less clues and more navigation etc ... but that's me.

**greerADV** · 5th December 2007, 22:49

Originally Posted by necrolyte

Well, thats a trip i would love to do sometime. Just need to come back again on the same road as my dirt bike is purely for dirt only but things can be arranged. Going to macetown on sunday arvo if anyone is interested?
Unless i remember whatever it is i've forgotten, happens everytime i want to hit the dirt!

Edit: Oh yeah, welcome!

Thanks necrolyte and paulj!

I put together a little slideshow/video last night that might motivate you to get out there in the Nevis Valley, and help prove paulj's point about CO.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRng3dyp80

Macetown is something I'd be interested in, that is, if the Arrow River has gone down a bit. A couple weeks ago I nearly drown the Domi at the first major crossing. Took me over an hour to dry everything out and get running again. Afterward, I realized it was a dumb thing I did, but I still couldn't find a place that I think I could have crossed easily. Is there a better spot I didn't see .. one without waist-deep water?