Up Molesworth down Rainbow

[helenoftroy]

Cromwell > Geraldine > Woodend Beach > Hamner > Molesworth > Taylors > Blenheim > Rainbow > Hamner > Greymouth > Haast > Cromwell - 1,800kMs all up - very good - Rainbow's the best IMHO, even at $10 a shot.

The run down the coast was pretty damned good too - awesome place - pity about the seal though ...

Go forth and ride m'hearties.

Looks like you had great weather guys

German warhorses made for this kinda adventure .....I'm missing mine already

Did this round trip on the GS this time last year(molesworth in the pouring rain!!!)so will do my best to be there for this on the new bike

Will be in touch Shrek

[Transalper]

Sounds good... count me in for the ride also possibly a dead cert for the overnight stay in Hanmer. Will pm shrek with confirmation. Any ideas as to the route change if molesworth is closed.

lol... up Rainbow, down Rainbow one might think?
There are alternatives if you start going on the black top from St Arnaud and taking in Porika, Braeburn, Mauria Saddle, options start getting scarce after Springs Junction for a while..... but since the Rainbow is in season I'd go for that both ways.

[tri boy]

Just checked with DOC.
Molesworth open for at least another week.
Fingers crossed for a few more shower fronts to pass over it through late Jan-Feb.

[Transalper]

Your Rainbow toll is valid through to the following day too, so you can go through both ways on one payment if you do your return the same or the next day.

[426crasher]

Was thinking of the porika through to maruia route but just as keen to go up n down the rainbow.

[tamedm]

Wife and I just went through Molesworth last Saturday 19th Jan; it was dry as a chip, plenty of dust. Hit Jacks Pass at 0845 and hit the tarseal in the Awatere Valley about 6 hours later; long way from Molesworth gate to SH1. (stopped for a brew up and a ratpack on the way.) Blue sky, big country- saw 3 vehicles over the whole of the Molesworth! Have to pat wife on the back who doesn't like shingle!#* and who last year dealt with a second dose of breast cancer and double mastectomy... tough as.
Stayed in Picton overnite then I went round Waikawa Bay through the Port Underwood Rd. back to Blenheim where I met up again with better half, who suprisingly had had enough of shingle. Port Underwood Rd was only about 50km, but surface was like Kazakstan; diabolical, bad corrugations, coarse shingle, deep dust on bends, narrow and winding all the way.
Finished up with magic Kaikoura coast ride back to ChCh.
One of those rides to remember!

[Transalper]

Just checking... have you done Kazakstan?
So if I nip up an ride Port Underwood Rd I can say I've experienced a taste of it too? or are you Exagerating? It is after all still only a road?

Welcome to the site, we have plenty happening at the moment so will be nice to hook up sometime or if you want to make or suggest plans for us we'll welcome that too.
Cheers
TA.

[tamedm]

Let's say it felt like Kazakstan as I would imagine it could be on a good day... and the Molesworth surface was in better condition.

[warewolf]

Port Underwood Rd was only about 50km, but surface was like Kazakstan; diabolical, bad corrugations, coarse shingle, deep dust on bends, narrow and winding all the way.

Reckon that's a pretty fair assessment, at least of the gravel section. But the sealed bit up the hill from Waikawa is a blinder

[pevs]

Hiya Shrek..
Kinda thinking of tagging along on this one.. (if there's room!)
What kinda distance between petrol stations are we looking at?
Or.. how many bottles of coke do I have to drink between now and the off?

[Transalper]

....What kinda distance between petrol stations are we looking at?
Or.. how many bottles of coke do I have to drink between now and the off?

Hi, I just did the same run,,,,Hanmer service station to service station Blenheim only just over 210kms....
On way back fuel in St Arnaud, piece of cake..hanmer approx 130 kms....

Close enough I'd say.

[426crasher]

Howdy there Paul
Good to hear your up for it. I got myself a posh Whipps rack for the WR and mighty fine it looks too so i can carry a 5L petrol can. I'm ok for around 180km before resorting to the jerry can. Are you going up to Hanmer the night before and staying in the house Shrek has booked? I'm thinking about leaving CHCH around 3pm on the Tuesday.

[pevs]

Hey Tone
I get about 140kms before a fill is needed.. so i reckon i'll need another six litres.. what an awkward number that is! Yip I hope to head up the night before.. if there's room.. but i probably won't leave chch till later in the day (6) as i don't finish work till 4.30.. might be able to finish earlier.. just dunno as yet.

[Transalper]

I may not get away till 8 or 9pm unless i loose the OT for Turesday, but doing that don't help paying for these adventures.

[nigelp]

My plan would be to head away at around 6pm also if I can make it!

Must remember to look up a map of Hanmer before I go as finding the place in the dark would not be fun!