Rainbow Road (summer 13/14)?

**BrendanZX9R** · 19th December 2013, 13:22

Hi All. Its been a few years since I went through the rainbow road. I have a trip planned for feb and thought I would come home through there. Last time I went thought there I just followed the guy in front, which was great, but i'll be buggered if I can remember who to contact to get permission etc. I understand the road is normally open this time of year, but do I need to get any keys or gate codes etc from anyone to go through? Or can I just bowl on up and go for gold??? thanks

**ADVGD** · 19th December 2013, 13:37

http://www.adventureguide.co.nz/arti...inbow-road.php

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...wairau-valley/

**Eddieb** · 19th December 2013, 15:19

and/or

http://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/g...-rainbow-road/

**Racing Dave** · 20th December 2013, 10:13

The latest update (November 28) from Lone Star Farms website:

"The road will remain closed while it is being repaired following extensive damage from rain storms. We are expecting it to re-open in time for Christmas."

I went there a couple of weeks ago, heading north from Hanmer. All in good condition till well past Island Saddle and the boundary gate between Molesworth and Rainbow. Then the few streams that you cross are all heavily washed out with no sign of any maintenance, until a wide slip across the road (50m?) is encountered. We walked this and it seemed firm and quite OK, and there were a couple of obvious 4WD tracks showing where vehicles had driven over, but with the bike I was on being rather heavy, when a crossing was attempted the bike sank into soft wet shingle. After about three attempts it was deemed that turning back was the right move.

It'll be dryer now, and I guess (without knowing) that the normal toll gate at the old farm cottage will still be locked until the roads is officially open.

By Xmas? I hope so, but don't count on it.

**Gravel Man** · 20th December 2013, 16:59

Just been into the Rainbow web link & it says that the road will be open from Boxing day & tolls will apply.

Cheers G.M.

**Transalper** · 20th December 2013, 17:32

Originally Posted by Gravel Man

Just been into the Rainbow web link & it says that the road will be open from Boxing day & tolls will apply.

Cheers G.M.

Yess!! Updated at 11:01am today... what he said.
Must have happened just after Racing Dave checked and while he was typing his last post.

**BMWST?** · 20th December 2013, 18:48

Originally Posted by Racing Dave

The latest update (November 28) from Lone Star Farms website:

"The road will remain closed while it is being repaired following extensive damage from rain storms. We are expecting it to re-open in time for Christmas."

I went there a couple of weeks ago, heading north from Hanmer. All in good condition till well past Island Saddle and the boundary gate between Molesworth and Rainbow. Then the few streams that you cross are all heavily washed out with no sign of any maintenance, until a wide slip across the road (50m?) is encountered. We walked this and it seemed firm and quite OK, and there were a couple of obvious 4WD tracks showing where vehicles had driven over, but with the bike I was on being rather heavy, when a crossing was attempted the bike sank into soft wet shingle. After about three attempts it was deemed that turning back was the right move.

It'll be dryer now, and I guess (without knowing) that the normal toll gate at the old farm cottage will still be locked until the roads is officially open.

By Xmas? I hope so, but don't count on it.

the road was closed a couple of times last year and was pretty dodgy in a few places last time i went through.Its a lot of work for one little bulldozer

**Alpha Solo** · 21st December 2013, 06:09

Originally Posted by Eddieb

and/or

http://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/g...-rainbow-road/

Hey Eddie, I'm not sure what you are trying to do with your site but to me it seems like a poor version (and very similar imitation) of the adventureguide / ldr site we all know, use and respect Josh for creating. To me there seems little point in trying to imitate or take over this concept if you are not going to surpass it - if you are then I can't wait to see and use it! No offence intended, just seems stupid to reinvent the wheel to me.

**Eddieb** · 22nd December 2013, 20:45

Originally Posted by Alpha Solo

Hey Eddie, I'm not sure what you are trying to do with your site but to me it seems like a poor version (and very similar imitation) of the adventureguide / ldr site we all know, use and respect Josh for creating. To me there seems little point in trying to imitate or take over this concept if you are not going to surpass it - if you are then I can't wait to see and use it! No offence intended, just seems stupid to reinvent the wheel to me.

oooo, a harsh review but a fair question.

Josh has built a fantastic site and with his upgrades early next year I have no doubt it's going to be even more impressive and useful.

I also run a very active Facebook group and my site was originally born out of a request from members of the Facebook group to more permanently record their own user submitted tracks, and other information from the group, as well as provide some advice for people interested in or new to Adventure riding. I think with Josh's upgrades and those that I aiming to do next year you will see more of a divergence between the sites and they will offer different things to different people, and possibly different things to the same people.

Eddie

**Jarvis87** · 23rd December 2013, 11:36

Were is the nearest petrol station after hamner springs. Trying to plan a trip threw ther over the holiday period. I've got about 160kms to my tank. But was going to bring another few litres on my back. And info be good. Cheers

**NordieBoy** · 23rd December 2013, 12:24

Originally Posted by Jarvis87

Were is the nearest petrol station after hamner springs. Trying to plan a trip threw ther over the holiday period. I've got about 160kms to my tank. But was going to bring another few litres on my back. And info be good. Cheers

Going which direction after Hamner?

**Dave h** · 23rd December 2013, 13:55

I'm also going to do this over the break,

If I was to get an early sailing from welly on bluebridge and leave Picton at 6.00am and do Molesworth and Rainbow road (camping somewhere on Rainbow) then out the following day for a 7.00pm sailing home how does that sound timing wise?

**BMWST?** · 23rd December 2013, 14:31

Originally Posted by Dave h

I'm also going to do this over the break,

You could do them both in a day,but tis nice camping.you could camp at lake,at the beginning of the rainbow,there are huts as well and a campsite half way through

**BMWST?** · 23rd December 2013, 14:36

Originally Posted by Jarvis87

Were is the nearest petrol station after hamner springs. Trying to plan a trip threw ther over the holiday period. I've got about 160kms to my tank. But was going to bring another few litres on my back. And info be good. Cheers

Hamner, and St Arnaud are the closest to ends of rainbow althou I think there may be one closer but I cant recall the name of the place,its only a few?, ks anyway

**Tazz** · 23rd December 2013, 14:41

Originally Posted by Dave h

I'm also going to do this over the break,

If I was to get an early sailing from welly on bluebridge and leave Picton at 6.00am and do Molesworth and Rainbow road (camping somewhere on Rainbow) then out the following day for a 7.00pm sailing home how does that sound timing wise?

All things going to plan, heaps of time.

Could be keen to go with you depending on dates.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...d-Lake-Rotoiti