Nelson Rideouts - Where next?

**thommo77** · 2nd June 2009, 20:30

Have a few days off work this week, so decided to head over the Maunga about 11.00am. Not a great idea on the morning of a -9 degree grass frost!
Most of the roads were covered in frost by the golf club and the bridges were white with ice.
Anyway, battled on up to the start of the track at all was going pretty well until I got to that huge rutted clay area near the summit. That's where the fun began...................

Now, trying to pick a good line at with momentum is tricky on that wet clay at the best of times. However, when the water running off has turned to sheets of ice, well...

As you'd guess, the front slid out, as did the rear when I gave it a bit of gas to try and straighten/keep going forward!
End result = broken front brake lever and bent rear brake pedal. Took me about 10 mins to get the thing up and turned back down because I had no grip with my boots on the ice!

Turned around and headed back to town with both my bike and my pride a little the worse for wear.....memo to myself : don't attempt again in a heavy frost!

**thommo77** · 2nd June 2009, 20:34

Originally Posted by warewolf

I stumbled upon that the other night - was looking for that 'trig' track just by blundering about - right as dusk turned to dark... was already past my 'time and light' window, but kept going.

Decided not to push through this bit, had been on reserve for too long already. Backed out of it after a second half-arsed attempt, turned round and saw the trig... ah! Ding! Lightbulb moment.

Managed to get back to the gate with 2mins to spare, thought I'd have 30.

Probably shouldn't have done all the sidetracks on the way back, but hey, that's what riding's about.

Found some more neat tracks, and attempted the steep one between Sharlands Rd and the gun club. Made it up on the second attempt, with about half a dozen stalls and restarts. Would have done better on that try, but on the first failed run some gorse had knocked the fuel tap to off without me noticing, so ran out of go juice about half-way up.

That particular track makes an EXCELLENT training are with lots of line selection choice. Plenty of rock steps in amongst the loose gravel and ruts. The bike was alternating between wheel spin and trying to flip when it found grip so clutch, balance and throttle control all get a workout.

Man there is a heap of good riding in there at the moment, the Central road area is kinda loamy, unlike a lot of the Sharlands road stuff which seems to be all rock.

Is that area off-limits during the week?

**Padmei** · 2nd June 2009, 20:40

Thats no good Thommo. I had a similar experience up top of Maunga heading up to the repeaterer station. slipped sideways - bike lying across the track with the seat facing downhill. ended up having to slide bike downhill on its side to try to get it up with feet slipping on snow & ice. Very tired 10mins later I got it upright & rode on.

Adv riding I spose

Anyway looking at Sat lae morn/ luchtime/early avo if anyone else is keen.

**thommo77** · 2nd June 2009, 20:47

Would be keen, but Saturdays are out due to footy.
I might take a spin up there tomorrow, but not sure if it's out of bounds during the week?
If not, do I just end up Central Rd and detour at my leisure to find the good 'loamy' stuff? Only reason I ask, is that I haven't been up there for years.

**Woodman** · 2nd June 2009, 20:47

Originally Posted by Padmei

Thats no good Thommo. I had a similar experience up top of Maunga heading up to the repeaterer station. slipped sideways - bike lying across the track with the seat facing downhill. ended up having to slide bike downhill on its side to try to get it up with feet slipping on snow & ice. Very tired 10mins later I got it upright & rode on.

Adv riding I spose

Anyway looking at Sat lae morn/ luchtime/early avo if anyone else is keen.

Am out this weekend, both days %$#@!*&

**NordieBoy** · 2nd June 2009, 21:30

Originally Posted by thommo77

Is that area off-limits during the week?

Active logging during the week.

**warewolf** · 2nd June 2009, 23:54

Originally Posted by thommo77

Is that area off-limits during the week?

Yep, total bannage Mon-Fri for all users.

Originally Posted by Padmei

Anyway looking at Sat lae morn/ luchtime/early avo if anyone else is keen.

Will let you know, keen but need to arrange a pass.

Originally Posted by thommo77

Would be keen, but Saturdays are out due to footy.

Footy... that's some kind of stick and ball sports, innit?

Originally Posted by thommo77

If not, do I just end up Central Rd and detour at my leisure to find the good 'loamy' stuff?

Peel off Central Rd to Maitai Face Rd (on your right). Pretty much take any track/firebreak joining on the right hand side. Central/Maitai Face roads run slightly north / downhill of the ridge, the tracks/ firebreaks tend to be on the ridge or slightly south, with frequent connections back to the road. Some are easily doable, some are challenging. That should get you started.

**thommo77** · 3rd June 2009, 11:04

Cheers,guys.

**thommo77** · 3rd June 2009, 11:22

Any suggestions where I can waste a couple of hours this arvo (that's not as 'treacherous' as Maunga!)?
Ive never been up to Mt.Arthur way - worth a look?

**CrazyFrog** · 3rd June 2009, 11:39

Definitely worth a ride today, lovely out there, but avoid the Maitai, I agree, way too icy up there. Mt Arthur access road should be fine.
Or you could try and find my Tag-o-rama spot

**JATZ** · 4th June 2009, 21:47

Originally Posted by Padmei

I'm gonna head out there in the weekend to boogie around. Any one want to come & explore the limits of their bikes handling capabilities?

Where and what time, might bring the CT out to play

**Padmei** · 4th June 2009, 21:51

Prob head out Sat late morning after kids soccer around lunchtime. Looking at cruising around sharlands or Central rd & falling over a few times (beats doing it on my driveway)

**warewolf** · 4th June 2009, 23:05

Got a mate wanting to come along, he can't get there until after work, 1:30pm. If that is too late, I'll still come out earlier and arrange to meet him somewhere (carpark or up top).