ChristChurch to Brass Monkey?

[stu_dog]

Hey All

I am traveling from Wellington down to the Brass Monkey. It is my first rally in the south and was wondering what roads from christchurch to the rally site are the best to take?

I have planed to leave CH CH on the Saturday morning so the 'scenic' route is not out of the question , any group rides leaving that day?

Cheers Stu

[skaz]

Hey man, I reckin the most senic ride would be to head inland from SH1 at Rangitata. The road from there takes you to Gerarldine then through to Fairlie on SH79. From Fairlie it turns into SH8 which goes past lake Tekapo, then past lake Pukaki, which on a clear day offers really good views of Mt Cook. Form there its past Twizel, through Omarama and over the Lindis Pass.
After a while you end up in Clyde, where you can turn off (or alternatively go into Alex if you want fuel/food or whatever) and head into Omakau, where you turn off over the bridge and head over the hill into the Ida Valley,which is where the rally is held.
Hope this helps.

[stu_dog]

cheers skaz, will check out that route on the map. I need to map fuel stops every 130-160kms , as the firestorm is thirsty. nothing worse than riding with your fuel light on in the middle of nowhere.
Be great if tag along with a group that would like to travel at a moderate pace along that route (moderate rests between 'nana' and 'demon').
If anyone knows of any organized rides going down on the saturday, shout out.

[munterk6]

Hey mate, heading thru the Lindis Pass in winter is potential suicide! (Ever heard the term "knee deep in snow"? I always head down the SH1 and head inland at Palmerston and over the Pigroot to Ranfurly if the weather reports even so much as hint at a Southerly thru the ranges. If the weather is reasonably clear, I turn off SH1 at Waimate and head to Kurow(stop in and say hi to Richie McCaw) then on to Duntroon where you head over the Dansey's Pass (dirt road and a neat old country pub to stop at). Then on to Naseby (like visiting a Museum!) and then onto Ranfurly. From Ranfurly its only about 20kms to the Rally site.
Good luck, but remember...keep away from the Lindis lol!!

[Evo1132]

definitly, the south in winter can be a bitch, i would take the pig route too, we goin from Dunedin, taking the manuka gourge. I am from the north island, been in dunners for 8 years now, please listen to me when I say "wear lots of layers" and when u think u hav enuff on, take another layer with you. At the brass monkey the air inside your airbed will freeze, your beer will freeze to the ground, i am serious, you dont want to get hypothermia ah, now hav the time of your fuvkin life, you will be hooked.

[TimeOut]

A nice alternative is to turn off the Pigroot up to Macraes (goldmine) to Hyde to Ranfurly.
Fuel at Palmerston and Ranfurly

I may be going up for a look on saturday.

[geoffc]

Hi Stu, I will be on the lookout for you. My cousin is riding down from Wellington also on his VFR800 & joining me at Oamaru for B.M. You are welcome to call in if you are travelling this way. What colour is your VTR1000?
Have a safe journey. Cheers Geoff

[et al]

Wish I could come with you Stu but I have to stay home and mow the lawns.

[quickbuck]

Hey mate, heading thru the Lindis Pass in winter is potential suicide! (Ever heard the term "knee deep in snow"?

Haven't you heard of Global Warming??

A few years ago we went through the Lindis on the way to the rally... Was an awesome ride. Warm day, no ice anywhere.
But you are right, it is dodgy if the weather is typical.
We were lucky it was mild....
I wouldn't have done it if it was cold.

Other years have taken the pig route, or around through Ranfurly.

All rides are great... Much better than the road from Christchurch to Timaru, that's for sure.

[MyGSXF:Me]

Yep.. ya never know from one year to the next what the ferk the weather is gunna do!!

One year when we left ChCh.. the Pig Route was still closed!! wasn't till we got not that far North of Palmerston, that the graders had been able to get through & clear the road enough.. woulda been a long ride back home if they hadn't..

If the weather is good.. the ride over the Lindis is magic!! one trip 2 years ago however, went over it early Dec.. & FERK was it cold!! bitterly cold!!! & was posed to be summer too..

as mentioned.. bring SEVERAL layers of WARM clothing.. coz things can change REAL quick!!! the Port Hills in ChCh were closed a couple of weeks ago.. coz of snow.. already!!!

ps: take an "emergency blanket".. & put it under your sleeping mat!! it adds a real good barrier between the cold ground & you!

pps: Keep an eye on the ChCh events.. someone usually puts something up about meeting Fri/Sat to ride down!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen