Saturday Winter (not the WNR)

[Transalper]

Lees Valley runs from North Loburn through the Okuku Pass through Lees Pass to Oxford or the other way round.
We usually go in through Rangiora to North Loburn where it turns to shingle at Whiterock and exit on the road between Ashley Gorge and Oxford (we passed that end on Saturday) but it can just as easily be done the other direction.

Edit:

distances....
23km Rangiora Mobil Garage to Whiterock.
74km Whiterock through Okuku, Lees to Ashley Gorge Rd.
6km To Oxford.

[helenoftroy]

I thought it was meant to be rainy 2 so made other plans.. hopefully plan on it for next weekend! cant wait to get out again. Glad to hear Sams got a new bike sorted HOT!!

Thanks chick!......and this weekend we are racing!
C.A.M.S Saturday & B.E.A.R.S Sunday

Sam would love if the Landrover did Lees Valley -fuel carrier for the XR!

[Flip]

Lees Valley runs from North Loburn through the Okuku Pass through Lees Pass to Oxford or the other way round.
We usually go in through Rangiora to North Loburn where it turns to shingle at Whiterock and exit on the road between Ashley Gorge and Oxford (we passed that end on Saturday) but it can just as easily be done the other direction.

Edit:

distances....
23km Rangiora Mobil Garage to Whiterock.
74km Whiterock through Okuku, Lees to Ashley Gorge Rd.
6km To Oxford.

Whats the road like? 4WD track or just a gravel road?

I'm making a jock strap frame so I can carry a 10 litre jerry can on the side of the sidecar right now.

[KiwiPhoenix]

There is no reason why I couldn't do the leada valley in my landrover, is there?

Now that would be fun, I'll bring the cupcakes if you be the driver??

[neels]

Whats the road like? 4WD track or just a gravel road?

Pretty much just gravel road all the way through, with a couple of fords along the way, the only big river crossing is on the okuku river at the north end.

I've been through there in the snow with a mate, in bog standard nissan terrano and ford escape no problems at all.

[Spuds1234]

Im hoping to steal my brothers bike for the afternoon and I'll come along. I'll probably meet you guys at the Goona Mobile station.

[kerryhare]

I've been through there in the snow with a mate, in bog standard nissan terrano and ford escape no problems at all.

So that means I should be able to bring the pathfinder (when it is fixed) along.

[Transalper]

Lees Valley Map attached.
The Big ford is 30km from the Whiterock end or 43km from the Ashley Gorge Rd end. The rest are pretty much creek crossings on the Whiterock side of the big one.
The road itself is road, not track but can be quite corrugated in places at times. The only thing I consider to be 4x4 stuff would be the water crossings, the rest I would do in my 2wd Hiace Van unless it was raining.
I go in knowing I may get wet feet on the big one which in a dry week could just as easily be more riverbed than water.
I haven't been in since New Years Eve on the MTB when I went in from Whiterock to the big river and back.
It was well swept then.

[cromagnon]

I went through there about a month ago, I had to pass the grader on the grass on oxford side of the Big ford on lees valley round so I doubt it has been graded again since then. The Big ford was only about 20cm deep then, compared to the 50-60 cms it was last spring.

[Flip]

Thanks for all the information. It all sounds fine and very dooable even on a road bike. Well I am in, we better do this trip in fine weather as a few of the bikes won't do a river crossing very well.

I could even fit a couple of bikes in my landrover trailer and get them across this river even in deepish water if need be.

[neels]

I could even fit a couple of bikes in my landrover trailer and get them across this river even in deepish water if need be.

Or trailer a non road legal XL250 back to the starting point so it doesn't attract attention on more public roads?....Maybe?....

[Flip]

Or trailer a non road legal XL250 back to the starting point so it doesn't attract attention on more public roads?....Maybe?....

No problem.

[brp]

Did Lee's Valley couple of weeks ago - From Oxford to the first bridge there are a couple of Real tight corners that if not taken slower enough could result in a very long drop to the bottom of the valley or being taken out by a vehicle coming the other way.

We did it on a Sunday afternoon and came across 1/2 dozen vehicles going the other way on the range, the unimog turned camper took up most of the road. Big drop off's in places coming back the other way. Awesome ride !


Helen - Sam get another cracker deal ?

[cruza]

Jacksons has gone to hell since the new owners took it over, it's just not the same now.

when did it change? this year in the last few months?

Man their meals, pies always been really good, Woodstock rally this year , jacksons was a welcome stop on both days, mmmmmm i love there pea pie & pud and lashings of gravy!

[gloplg]

Lees Valley runs from North Loburn through the Okuku Pass through Lees Pass to Oxford or the other way round.
We usually go in through Rangiora to North Loburn where it turns to shingle at Whiterock and exit on the road between Ashley Gorge and Oxford (we passed that end on Saturday) but it can just as easily be done the other direction.

Edit:

distances....
23km Rangiora Mobil Garage to Whiterock.
74km Whiterock through Okuku, Lees to Ashley Gorge Rd.
6km To Oxford.

Thankyou for this information TA.

And to all of you who have contributed information a big thankyou!!!!!

OK. As I see it for an old fart like me to do this trip on my old Hoooooonda we need lowish river levels and about 5 to 6 hours for the whole trip. Christchurch to ChCh.

PLEASE......... before you shoot me down I said the time was for an old fart like me!!!! You folk with your off roaders will leave me behind in the dust/mud.

I went in from the oxford end on 3 or 4 occasions and once in a car. I went in for an hour or so and turned around and came back.

I would seriously like to do this trip however the weather is turning to crap!!!!!!!!! We could face highish river levels and mud up to our wherever. I do not want to take on more than I am capable of, nor do I want to see anyone else in trouble!!!!

I think we need to have some thought and discussion with those who have been through there and know the conditions, because this is slightly more challenging than our usual rides!!

At this stage we have pencilled in 29th May. Bear in mind that this trip is weather dependant. All those who want to ride gravel roads on older type bikes are welcome to join us but please remember we will only have limited support. So if your bike might not make it you may have to leave it where it dies.

We have a week or so to firm up our plans before the 29th. Those of you with more useful information please come along to the maintenance evenings and share with Flip and me.

When I origionally posted on Lees Valley I didn't expect this ammount of interest. Thanks to all. Lets do this, all who are interested!!