Southern chaps - riding advice please

**junkmanjoe** · 3rd May 2009, 09:04

On thursday 21st ths month.
my self and dave are spending the day in the picton area.
its been well over 20yrs since ive been down there.
im thinking of rideing eather of theses roads.

French pass and western Marlborough Sounds.

Queen Charlotte Portage and Kenepuru.

there is also a road that runs along Port underwood,
ill do this one first off.

but i aslo want to allow time to get to nelson to catch up with old work mates.

so im asking which roads will give us best ride and views.
will have aprox 14hrs on thursday to travel around and be back in picton to meet the other guys off the ferry.

your thoughts plzz

cheers
JMJ

**Underground** · 3rd May 2009, 10:16

Mt Patrirch and Onamalutu would be the pick for an easy ride with good views , gets ya right up into the high country I've done it 2 up so you NI chaps should be able to struggle up there.
If you want more good views ,twisty seal and miles of gravel its easy enough to fill the rest of the day in out this way (French Pass)

**buggsubique** · 3rd May 2009, 10:36

Ditto.

Do Mt Pat, Back through Onamalutu to SH6, left through Havelock to Pelorus, over the Maungatapu Track (you call it the Pelorus Track I think). Catch up with yer mates in Nelson, then back over the track, turn Left at Havelock to take the queen charlotte track to Pictown. There's a bit of a hillclimb to play on at Havelock (look east, you'll see it).

Friday (with the whole group) leave Waikawa heading around the bay through the windies to Port Underwood, through Rarangi Beach to Blenheim, gas top up + a pie, then head out towards Renwick to pickup SH63 to St Arnaud, Porika etc.

Personally I'm not a fan of the sounds - cars on wrong side of the rd, stomach churning roads and weird people (we've posted Underground out there to keep them at bay). I've only been out toWaitaria bay and the end of the rd past Punga cove though, so I haven't seen it all.

**buggsubique** · 3rd May 2009, 10:50

This is Mt Pat...it is a GREAT ride!

**junkmanjoe** · 3rd May 2009, 15:24

oh well if your suzuki can make it up ther then mine should.
i take it there is no gas station up there, with your luggage.

**buggsubique** · 3rd May 2009, 17:52

Nah, the only gas station is on Zerax's 28L KLX...ironically on that day he ran out within view of Havelock...and I mean there was literally nothing left in the tank - we'd already done all the tricks to get the last drops!

It's not that far - only 70 odd km each way from town I think...just clibs up to 5 or so thousand feet!

**Paladin** · 3rd May 2009, 17:58

I'm getting excited already!!!!!!! Am on countdown to May 21st 1am to depart for the ferry with Joe!!!!!!

The test run on the back was ok today, painful but kept at bay by Panadol & Voltaren, plus the Black Beastie got to play on the beach at Riversdale for the first time - FUN!!!!! Did my best to roost Joe haha!

**JATZ** · 3rd May 2009, 18:08

Ahem....... Why are you fullahs going back to Picton ? Why not head over the Maungatap then go to Golden bay, shoot into the Cobb or out to Totaranui with a side trip to Birds clearing then back to Nsn or crash here and catch up with ya mates at St Arnaud.
That way you miss the god awfull drag up the Wairau

God I hate Dial up......

**buggsubique** · 3rd May 2009, 18:20

Oh cr@p! Thursday 21st!? That's my boys 2th birthday - I thought it was on the weekend! Wonder if I can swing it so I can join you lads on the ride over the weekend...hmmm.

Otherwise It'll be the Thurs ride only for me...

Yay for kids birtday parties!

**Paladin** · 3rd May 2009, 18:34

Originally Posted by JATZ

Ahem....... Why are you fullahs going back to Picton ? Why not head over the Maungatap then go to Golden bay, shoot into the Cobb or out to Totaranui with a side trip to Birds clearing then back to Nsn or crash here and catch up with ya mates at St Arnaud.
That way you miss the god awfull drag up the Wairau

God I hate Dial up......

I think the short answer is there's someone coming Thurs eve who is sharing accom with me & Joe, plus its a group thing so be good to catch up with the guys and be ready to go brekky etc first thing with them all in the a.m. mate.

I get your point tho!

**junkmanjoe** · 3rd May 2009, 18:40

okies i like the idea of a mountian climb.

it would be stink off us to leave the other lads hanging.
i dont mind riding for no reason, which is why we have to return to picton.

so im keen on the mountian if weather is good, not much chop going up if its pissing down.
so need a good bad weather plan.

whats good to ride in the rain.

yip we had fun to day riping up the sand.
was fairly soft.

**buggsubique** · 3rd May 2009, 18:59

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

whats good to ride in the rain.

Mate, this is Marlborough! That said, we did have a 4 day state of emergency with flooding last year

. Probably head out Tory Channel to keep it close to the accommodation and hot pies - or you could do the Kenepuru Rd area of the sounds - but if it's raining that's where it'll be raining hardest.