Adv Ride: Molesworth (North to South) & Altimarloch - 22 Dec 2012

**.chris** · 19th October 2012, 13:33

As part of my heading south trip I plan to do a run through the Molesworth. I would rather not do this solo (due to the remoteness).

I plan to head through on Saturday the 22nd Dec

Anyone keen to join me for this?

I figure I might do Mt Patriarch in the AM, then head into the Molesworth around lunchtime and camp at the Cob Cottage overnight. Slow place plenty of photos and maybe a dip in the river along the way (I am predicting/wanting a hot hot summery day for this).
The date is flexible, I could probably push it to do it on the thursday/friday if people are keen on that date.

**Crim** · 19th October 2012, 14:30

Good idea but you may want to postpone for a few days - suggest Rainbow on the way down, Molesworth/Acheron on way north

"The Acheron Rd will open on the 28 December 2012 and subject to weather conditions and fire danger will remain open until 7 April 2013, daily from 7am to 7pm."

**.chris** · 19th October 2012, 14:47

That will teach me to plan ahead.

I assume with the Acheron Rd part being closed, I could still make it down and do Altimarloch?

Thanks for pointing out my stupidity Crim

**Crim** · 19th October 2012, 15:02

Those NADS blokes will be able to give you a betterer steer on that, - can still come down through the Rainbow, camp at St Arnaud very easy day (morning) ride through to Hanmer - there is even a couple of track coming off that one - you may still have to go to Star holdings (landowner) to get access as I think the toll road through there opens same time as Acheron
have you looked at Josh' site
http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/
bloody good SI based resource - he might even be up for a ride through there himself at that time

Wonder if I said to the missus that I had to go to St Arnaud to get her pressie I could get away with it?

**CrazyFrog** · 19th October 2012, 15:50

Hey Chris, I'd prob be keen to show you around Mt Patriarch and Altimarloch around the 22 Dec date.
These are best done as a day ride from Blenheim, as they are both in-and-out type rides, ie, back the same way you came in. Mt Patriarch is a nice ride with good elevation, and you should allow a good 3 hrs to do it properly. You could ride it early in morn, then head down Wairau Valley to St Arnaud and then do the Rainbow thru to Hanmer in the afternoon.

Mt Altimarloch is accessable off Awatere Valley Rd (good to use Taylors Pass as a link road from Blenheim) and you can get up there without the Molesworth Road being officially open, but it's good to include it with a run right through the Molesworth. The Awatere Valley Rd is public until you get to the first locked gate, a few km before the old Molesworh Homestead, about 75km from Taylors Pass, and is still a great ride in and out.

As Crim says, the other alternative is to use Rainbow Road from the Wairau Valley end near St Arnaud, which is accessable via Star Holdings out of the main summer season. Just pay yer money, and get the key for the locked gates. They will tell you what to do about key returns etc.

Feel free to PM me if you need more info

**Padmei** · 19th October 2012, 15:53

I'm planning on doing the annual Molesworth/ rainbow ride to celebrate its' opening on the 28th Dec as I have been doing the past few years. Hopefully we will pass each other on the way.

This is one club run that is compulsory for all NADS to attend if they wish to keep their patches & ceremonial merkins.

**JATZ** · 19th October 2012, 16:18

Originally Posted by .chris

As part of my heading south trip I plan to do a run through the Molesworth. I would rather not do this solo (due to the remoteness)..

Naaah.....you'll be fine by yourself, it's an easy ride

What's the worst that could happen

**NordieBoy** · 19th October 2012, 16:18

Originally Posted by Padmei

I'm planning on doing the annual Molesworth/ rainbow ride to celebrate its' opening on the 28th Dec as I have been doing the past few years. Hopefully we will pass each other on the way.

This is one club run that is compulsory for all NADS to attend if they wish to keep their patches & ceremonial merkins.

I'll see if me and me merkins are up to it...

**pete-blen** · 19th October 2012, 16:53

Originally Posted by Padmei

I'm planning on doing the annual Molesworth/ rainbow ride to celebrate its' opening on the 28th Dec as I have been doing the past few years. Hopefully we will pass each other on the way.

This is one club run that is compulsory for all NADS to attend if they wish to keep their patches & ceremonial merkins.

I'M IN

....
Be staying at my Blenheim holiday house over xmas...

planing on leaving the XR up there till moles opens... bring it to chch
via moles...

chris.............
I will be around at that time.... Could do the Mt Pat ride with yer....
If its a windless/still/dead carm day may be able to do Mt Altimarloch as well... it's on the
way though Molesworth...

**Transalper** · 19th October 2012, 17:46

I'll stay tuned, I have a free week starting the 22nd December until the 31st. If I'm careful with the spending until then I may be able to pack a tent and ride.

**.chris** · 19th October 2012, 20:29

Great, sounds like there might be a few riders (and bikes even) keen to join me. Which is great as I don't want to Jatz it up by myself.

Looks like it will be more likely a leave Blenhiem, do Patriarch, then down the Rainbow doing Mailing Pass and Edwards pass on the way through.
And of course what-ever else the Merkin wearing locals organise.

I will probably be arriving in the Mainland on the Wednesday or Thursday (17/18th) so if anyone is keen to mid-week it around the upper south shout-out, as I will be keen (assuming it involves camping/beer/advr).

**ADVGD** · 19th October 2012, 21:06

Originally Posted by .chris

Great, sounds like there might be a few riders (and bikes even) keen to join me.

This is at the start of my break so that sounds like a good way to kick off the adv riding holiday, at this stage I'm a starter

**thommo77** · 20th October 2012, 09:22

I'd be keen...........

**pete-blen** · 20th October 2012, 11:33

Originally Posted by .chris

Looks like it will be more likely a leave Blenhiem, do Patriarch, then down the Rainbow doing Mailing Pass and Edwards pass on the way through.

just a note for yer...
Mt Patriarch is half way up the Wairu Valley to the Rainbow turn off..
BUT on the wrong side of the river "north bank" so you have to back track to
almost Blenheim to cross on to the other side..
"wish they would open the north bank gates up to St Arnard"

**.chris** · 22nd November 2012, 21:43

My Trip planning is coming along nicely, so it looks like I am still on for hitting the mainland on the 19/20th Dec which leaves me very keen to do Mt Patriarch then down the Rainbow (Mailing/Edwards on the way) on the 22nd.

I think I shall leave Altimarlock for the trip back north after the db1k.

Crazyfrog, ADVGD, Transalper and Crim(pending permission from the BOSS, try tell her a poor unfortunate norf islander needs help finding his way around)
Are you guys still keen? No problem to keep it casual, but it would be great to have some company.