Chch Wednesday Evening Cruises - 2008

[Transalper]

Just thinking ahead... anyone up to doing the Waipara Tavern or Greta Valley Tavern kind of places for a destination? I'm still resisting Biggles2000 with the Leader Valley loop, but with a conversation I had last night I got the impression one or two others thought the Leader was dooable, maybe not for every one, but we don't have to please all the people all the time, and obviously there are some that would like to do something completely different once at least. Then there is those northernish people saying come our way so we can hook up too.

Next week I may be doing a Molsworth and Rainbow loop so not sure where I'll be at what time, so not sure I'll be there, but then if the ride should happen north, I may make it to the destination in time for tea. Otherwise give it a week or two for the idea to grow on people.

[JAS-1100]

yep sorry about the smoke that was pouring of the back i didnt even notice I was speaking to some poeple today about the smoke they think its running a little rich ,needs needle jets and needles and a good tune-up and said the older type GSX 1100 uses about 1 Litre every 1000Kms

[Subike]

An interesting ride would be....
Gather at Marshlands BP, or close to it.
Marshlands road to Lower Styx road
Lower Styx Rd past Spencerville to Brooklands, then left onto Kaiaga,
Over the Old waimack bridge, continue on old SH1 to Kaiapoi,
Left at the First roundabout, over the motorway, then Lineside road to Rangiora.
North route out of Rangiora past the show grounds, then via Ashley, Seddon, Baicran and the back way into Amberley.Refuel at The mobil 24hr if needed
North out of Amberley to the Waipara Junction, then left to Weka Pass.
At Waikari turn right at the Pub onto Scargill road
This will take you to Greta Valley for a good meal and Sweet easy ride home via SH1 from there.
Lots or nice twisty bits around Spencerville, reasonable straights to Weka Pass, and 27k of fun from Waikari to Greta Valley ( my practice road )
Fast and slow ridrs should enjoy this, but would advise Greta Pub you are comming to ensure cook is on duty.

[Transalper]

Now that's the kind of thing I had in mind, except the meeting place must always be BK, Moorhouse Ave at 6pm, depart 6:30pm as per post #1 so that people can turn up on the night without having to wade through the entire thread just to find the current time and place each week.
Now need to stick that on a map with estimated time and distance to stick it in to perspective.

If only 3 or 4 people decided to split off and do this it would still be a good ride and with current numbers still leave more than enough to go do other stuff if the rest wanted.

[Oakie]

North route out of Rangiora past the show grounds, then via Ashley, Seddon, Baicran and the back way into Amberley.

We did that once just to be a bit different from SH1 and I found it quite boring. Long straights and nothing much to make it memorable. I'd rather just go up the highway straight to Waipara and save a bit of time for nattering at the eventual destination.

[Transalper]

We did that once just to be a bit different from SH1 and I found it quite boring. Long straights and nothing much to make it memorable. I'd rather just go up the highway straight to Waipara and save a bit of time for nattering at the eventual destination.

Agreed, looking at the map and realising where we are looking, been a while but after Rangiora I'd say it's worse than the SHW1.
Going up through Spencerville and Kaiapoi is still nice though.
Estimate 105km going to Gretta Valley that way round and 80km straight home to BK. Google estimates 1hour 18 minutes to get back but I disagree with their time estimate for the Scargill Valley so cant go by them for that. They have always been a little conservative but now they're being ridiculous...
Here looky looky.

[Subike]

yeap agree with oakie and transalp re the rangiora deviation.
The time given for the scargill valley road may be so long because its a twisty upsy downsy type road with some cheaky corners.
A cage would fall off it easy at 100kph, not because of the tightness of the corners, but the bumps that appear in funny places.
Its a fun ,but you have to read the road or get airborne at speed in two spots!

[Oakie]

Now that's the kind of thing I had in mind, except the meeting place must always be BK, Moorhouse Ave at 6pm, depart 6:30pm as per post #1

...but with a rally point just before leaving Christchurch because that's where we'd join ... living in Parklands as we do.

[Transalper]

For sure, make the ride go up Marshlands, they can stop and pick up people on the way at say the above mentioned garage.. so long as ya there about 6:40pm to be sure... could be 6:50pm by the time the ride gets there if running behind schedule.

[fireliv]

I guess because of waitangi day if the route looks longer we could leave earlier? Say leave at 6 or something??

[Subike]

I guess because of waitangi day if the route looks longer we could leave earlier? Say leave at 6 or something??

I think somebody is already organising a ride vis the inland road to kaikora for Waitangi day

[fireliv]

Thats true, but the wed ride could go ahead as planed. I was just thinking of distance time and stuff on your suggested northen route but if it can be fitting in in the normal time slot then all sweet!

[Transalper]

Watch out for the Public Holiday extra charges on food on Waitangi day.
I was thinking, it is likely I will be turning off through the Pyramid Valley on the way back from Hanmer so even if the ride goes North you probably will not see me as we would normally turn off before Waikari and don't get back to the main road untill practically Waikuku.

Like I said, give it a few weeks to let the idea grow on people, especially with the day run already going to Kaikoura earlier the same day this coming week.

[Oakie]

Like I said, give it a few weeks to let the idea grow on people, especially with the day run already going to Kaikoura earlier the same day.

Good idea.

[Biggles2000]

Can I suggest after we get to Kaiapoi head off to Rangiora then north and go up Upper Sefton Rd to Amberley. Its a much more interesting road with a few more bends and short straights.