How long to do Rainbow & Molesworth?

[Taz]

do the rainbow and molesworth roads? We're medium fast on gravel. Thinking of doing both in 1 day starting from Motueka. Should be easy eh?

Andy.

[deanohit]

Long time since I've done the Molesworth, but the Rainbow is pretty damn easy to hold a good speed on.
Beautiful place up there as well.

[Transalper]

do the rainbow and molesworth roads? We're medium fast on gravel. Thinking of doing both in 1 day starting from Motueka. Should be easy eh?

Andy.

Should be easyish yes, depending upon how much time you take admiring the scenery.
Of course you know all about the limited open season for the Molesworth and key availability on the Rainbow out of season?

[cooneyr]

Parts of the rainbow are fast (Hanmer end) but the Nelson end is a bit slower. Molesworth is pretty fast the whole way. I would guesstimate about 1 hr NN to Rainbow, 3 hrs thru Rainbow, 5 hrs through Molesworth then hour back to NN i.e. about 10 hours with a few stops. If you didnt stop much about about 8.5 hrs.

From experience you need to allow about 50kph on gravel (including stops) and 100 kph on seal (no stops).

Make sure you go over Taylors pass between Blenhiem and the top of the Molesworth. Also if you have time Altimarloch peak on the Black Birch Range is a worth while side trip (PM for details if you need them).

Cheers R

[Taz]

Thanks for the replies. I am planning a trip around the South Island in Feb 08 so assume the molesworth is open. Where do you pay and how much?
Andy.

[cooneyr]

Thanks for the replies. I am planning a trip around the South Island in Feb 08 so assume the molesworth is open. Where do you pay and how much?
Andy.

No charge for the Molesworth, Rainbow is $10 for a bike. Molesworth is open from 28 Dec to 1 April (check with Doc South Marlborough for early closure on 03 572 9100) and the Rainbow is open beginning Dec to first weekend in March (Start Holdings PM for number).

Cheers R

[clint640]

Thanks for the replies. I am planning a trip around the South Island in Feb 08 so assume the molesworth is open. Where do you pay and how much?
Andy.

Officially the Molesworth is open til April, but almost without exception it gets closed for the season in Jan or Feb due to fire risk.

If it is closed, Doing the Rainbow, then Lewis Pass, then Maruia - Braeburn - Porika tracks would make for a good big day of riding out of Nelson.

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

Officially the Molesworth is open til April, but almost without exception it gets closed for the season in Jan or Feb due to fire risk.

If it is closed, Doing the Rainbow, then Lewis Pass, then Maruia - Braeburn - Porika tracks would make for a good big day of riding out of Nelson.

Cheers
Clint

We went through on the Dusty Butt trip on the 11th March 2007 but was closed the day after. Definatly best to contact Doc (see my post above) before going through. Been very hot so far in the south so far this year so may not be open very long this year.

Cheers R

[Garry.W]

I was on Blackbirch Station over the weekend, it's pretty dry through there already and it's only end of November. I suspect that unless there's significant rain over the Christmas period, Molesworth Station will close up for the best part of January February again.

BTW - there's a lot of grapes being grown down that way now, starting to look like the Napa

- and I went to Seddon (only briefly), I hate that new bridge

[warewolf]

I was on Blackbirch Station over the weekend, it's pretty dry through there already

We had 28+ degrees in Nelson/Stoke/Richmond last weekend, goodness knows what it was like inland. The Pillion ran a half-marathon at Mahana in that heat, part of the course was shielded from the gentle breeze and was significantly hotter.

They just announced water restrictions hereabouts, too.