The Maungatapu Diaries

[Padmei]

If you're going up Hurricane Hill its pretty slippery up the top by the ruts. I had to have a few attempts to summit it.

[NordieBoy]

If you're going up Hurricane Hill its pretty slippery up the top by the ruts. I had to have a few attempts to summit it.

Oh damn. Hurricane Hill is the only way in too.

Oh well, I'll have the camera going...

[NordieBoy]

Got my forestry permit (for both bikes) today and mentioned I wanted to take a foreigner through and she said she'd note it on the permit and all would be sweet.

[Kenb]

Should be no problem.

The cool thing about the ride to the start of the Maungatapu is it can be as easy or gnarly as you want

Big thanks for the hospitality and guide service. The track is in great shape and we really enjoyed the ride.

Ken

[NordieBoy]

If you're going up Hurricane Hill its pretty slippery up the top by the ruts. I had to have a few attempts to summit it.

Have you had a go at the bypass to the left?
Quite cool in its own right.

[NordieBoy]

Big thanks for the hospitality and guide service. The track is in great shape and we really enjoyed the ride.

Ken

Was good fun. Getting a bit travel sick trying to edit the footage from the back facing camera though.
It normally takes about 30min from home to the summit just cruising. It took us 55mins, so I would say the Hira section adds about 20min.

I went back via the Rai and turned back into the forest at the Wangamoa Saddle. Rode forever in the rain. Was cool doing the whole track I took you through, reversed in the rain.

I've got to remember to put my phone in a plastic bag no matter what the weather looks like.

Found one stopped up creek that's going to burst like a lahar across the track in the next good rain. The silt and logging crap build up is right on the side of the road.

[Willdat?]

Seems as good a place as any to ask...Can you get through to Pelorus over the Maungatapu yet? Riding the RMX to Kaikoura in a few weeks so figure it might be good to do some off road stuff seeing as I can't go through the Rainbow

[CrazyFrog]

Seems as good a place as any to ask...Can you get through to Pelorus over the Maungatapu yet? Riding the RMX to Kaikoura in a few weeks so figure it might be good to do some off road stuff seeing as I can't go through the Rainbow

Technically, YES, you can. It is officially closed to traffic, but the caretaker is bike friendly, so has no issues with bikes going up there. You just have to know the alternative route via Central Rd and Teal Saddle, rather than the usual Maitai Rd which is closed due pipeline works.
The wire rope is still in place at the summit, easy enough to lift it and wheel your bike under it. No worries on the Pelorus side.

[Willdat?]

Technically, YES, you can. It is officially closed to traffic, but the caretaker is bike friendly, so has no issues with bikes going up there. You just have to know the alternative route via Central Rd and Teal Saddle, rather than the usual Maitai Rd which is closed due pipeline works.
The wire rope is still in place at the summit, easy enough to lift it and wheel your bike under it. No worries on the Pelorus side.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about the Maitai being closed, seeing as I did Coppermine a month or so ago you'd think I would have remembered that Hmmmm so technically I'd need a pass into Hira?

http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/a...l-and-teal.pdf

[NordieBoy]

Riding the RMX to Kaikoura in a few weeks.

I know it's only a 50 but it shouldn't take that long. A couple of days at most...

[CrazyFrog]

Oh yeah, I had forgotten about the Maitai being closed, seeing as I did Coppermine a month or so ago you'd think I would have remembered that Hmmmm so technically I'd need a pass into Hira?

http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/a...l-and-teal.pdf

Hmmmm, maybe, but I think Central Rd is part of the public easement access to top to Whangamoas. Nordie will know.
I've always ridden without hassle but it might pay to keep an eye out for security vehicles and have an escape route planned......

[Willdat?]

I know it's only a 50 but it shouldn't take that long. A couple of days at most...

Smart ass! My main concern is the registered as a moped thing cruising at 85km/h...

I've always ridden without hassle but it might pay to keep an eye out for security vehicles and have an escape route planned......

Downhill, always downhill!

[NordieBoy]

Yep. Public Easement all the way from the carpark to the lookout above the dam.

[Kenb]

Hi Fran

With many of us now getting our summer riding plans sorted would you please update on track access, condition, availability of friendly local guides, etc

Thanks

Ken

[NordieBoy]

At the moment, the access is through Sharlands Creek at the Nelson end which is closed from 6pm-6pm weekdays...
The track is in good condition that a BMW, 2up with road tyres would be able to cope with.


They've added another gate 200 odd metres from the start of the Central Rd Public Easement.


This is going to be interesting as the permits run out this month and last daylight saving period, we could get in there 6pm to 9pm weekdays too.
That cost $120 pa and if we can't get in there week days... That's... carry the 4, divide by 7, multiply by 1.15, subtract the bikes cc rating...

2,444 hrs per year, not counting public holidays...

Reduces to...

1,664 hrs for probably the same price...

I've got a copy of the Crown Forestry Licence coming just to be nosey