Central Otago Trails - the best?

[paulj]

Thanks necrolyte and paulj!

I put together a little slideshow/video last night that might motivate you to get out there in the Nevis Valley, and help prove paulj's point about CO.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRng3dyp80

Macetown is something I'd be interested in, that is, if the Arrow River has gone down a bit.

GREAT VID - almost as good as being there ... has inspired me to vid some of my escapades - thanks...

Not sure about Macetown - council has become a bit precious about motorbikers - been one or two 'silly' things happening.

[clint640]

Thanks necrolyte and paulj!

I put together a little slideshow/video last night that might motivate you to get out there in the Nevis Valley, and help prove paulj's point about CO.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRng3dyp80

Macetown is something I'd be interested in, that is, if the Arrow River has gone down a bit.

Nice! been through the Nevis a coupla times now, last time we met the head shepherd of Nevis Stn & his bro about 1/2 way though, just parked up, leaning on the 'ol landy, takin in the evenin' air & sippin a Speights, they offered us a coldy too so we shot the shit for while, they told a few good stories.

You do have to watch out for those hidden fords though! One in particular I reckon someone should hide a motion triggered camera in the tussock for the summer, you'd get some great footage!

I think it's a public road into Macetown so access shouldn't be a problem. We did see some dumbass riding up there though, Tryin to blast through that track at race pace is just asking for natural selection to come around the corner in the form of a large bullbar.

Cheers
Clint

[cooneyr]

..................I think it's a public road into Macetown so access shouldn't be a problem. We did see some dumbass riding up there though, Tryin to blast through that track at race pace is just asking for natural selection to come around the corner in the form of a large bullbar.

Cheers
Clint

Last time I was in there (about 04) the 4x4's had done quite alot of damage around Macetown itself. Seems that going in and having a look it not enough they have to try and climb all the hills and tailings in the area as well. There is bound to be a few bike riders who try similar stunts.

It might be a public road but that doesn't mean that they cant stop access. Of course they have to "consult" with the public first.

Cheers R

[deanohit]

Last time I was in there (about 04) the 4x4's had done quite alot of damage around Macetown itself. Seems that going in and having a look it not enough they have to try and climb all the hills and tailings in the area as well. There is bound to be a few bike riders who try similar stunts.
Cheers R

See thats stupid, I went through in my truck and did it easy doing minimal if any damage, and that was in a loaded Isuzu Tooper lifted and on mudders. It was wet at the time, so it was muddy, but it was still reasonably easy to do.

[cooneyr]

See thats stupid, I went through in my truck and did it easy doing minimal if any damage, and that was in a loaded Isuzu Tooper lifted and on mudders. It was wet at the time, so it was muddy, but it was still reasonably easy to do.

Yup. I had an ex military 109 v8 landy (petrol slurper from hell) on a set of 31 inch BFG mudders and have done many of the tracks around Central up to 3 heavy 4x4 (Ken sibly's shiny's ratings) by myself. Never got stuck, never had to leave the main track and never went ripping up areas for the hell of it. Others obviously havent got the idea though - along the tops of the Old man range is another place. 4x4's and trail bikes have done a pretty good job of cutting it up.

Does anybody ever do the Carrick town route to get to or from Duffers Saddle? There is a complete water wheel (Yong Australian Mine) along the track and at other locations workings, mine shaft and remains of stone huts. Much more interesting than going up the gravel road.

Cheers R

[warewolf]

This would be my first post (woohoo, popped the cherry!), ... I bought a Honda Dominator a couple months back

Welcome! Good choice, I had a 1995 model a few years ago, loved it on gravel roads.

[necrolyte]

Thanks necrolyte and paulj!

I put together a little slideshow/video last night that might motivate you to get out there in the Nevis Valley, and help prove paulj's point about CO.
Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqRng3dyp80

Macetown is something I'd be interested in, that is, if the Arrow River has gone down a bit. A couple weeks ago I nearly drown the Domi at the first major crossing. Took me over an hour to dry everything out and get running again. Afterward, I realized it was a dumb thing I did, but I still couldn't find a place that I think I could have crossed easily. Is there a better spot I didn't see .. one without waist-deep water?

Well up to the start of winter i was doing macetown every couple of weeks, still not bored of it though. First major crossing would be the first crossing in general, that is usually the worst. when i first got my bike i went up there pretty much at the start of spring... good way to learn how to do river crossings, do them as deep as fu*k the first time then its a breeze after!

Give me a jingle and i'll get you on the jangle if you want to go, i have decided i'm going no matter what, i haven't hit the dirt in about 4 months and i'm starting to get an itch!

Edit: Sorry forgot to say that is one cool vid, i REALLY want to go there now!

[necrolyte]

Just uploaded a very short video of a small, deep crossing that can be found on the way to and from macetown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mi3IMdpxxQ

[paulj]

Does anybody ever do the Carrick town route to get to or from Duffers Saddle? There is a complete water wheel (Yong Australian Mine) along the track and at other locations workings, mine shaft and remains of stone huts. Much more interesting than going up the gravel road.

Yes - I agree with ya cooneyr - especially these days as it has a fair degree of scouring which really livens up the riding ... best route into Duffers as it starts from THE PUB!!

[PLUG]

starts from THE PUB!!

... i'm keen

[greerADV]

Just uploaded a very short video of a small, deep crossing that can be found on the way to and from macetown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mi3IMdpxxQ

You make that look pretty easy! That one looks nearly as deep as the one that got the best of the Domi. Looks like I'll be heading to Queenstown saturday for a night out with some mates. If you're planning on Macetown for sunday, I'm definitely interested. What time do you think you'll be setting off?

Thanks for all the comments on the video! I'll try to document more of my rides that way to share with everyone.

[RedKLR650]

This would be my first post (woohoo, popped the cherry!), but I've just been reading through the thread and figured it'd be a great place to ask who is around Wanaka, Q-town, Alex, etc. to ride with. I bought a Honda Dominator a couple months back and have just started to explore Central Otago a bit. I'm living in Wanaka until around mid-Jan, so if anyone is out there and wants to do some riding, I'd love to tag along or meet up. I'm off every Sunday and Monday, but I can get Saturdays off if need be. If you want to ride or just have some suggestions of some good trails, I'm all ears!
Cheers

Greetings GreerADV,

welcome to the madhouse ( actually some of the others are actually sane

I work a lot of weekends, but would be good most Mondays, so keep in touch

I may be Timvegas based but it's not a problem to scoot down for a good ride

Great video too

Cheers, Stu

[Winston001]

Haven't read the full thread yet but I've explored the Queenstown area offroad for the past 15 years. I tend to putt along on my XR200, helmet off, enjoying the experience. Not at all hardcore. Took my 12 year old son into the back of Ben Nevis last year - about 6000 feet when we stopped. He wants to go back this summer.

Anyway it would be great to join some others or at least swop suggestions of where to go.

[necrolyte]

You make that look pretty easy! That one looks nearly as deep as the one that got the best of the Domi. Looks like I'll be heading to Queenstown saturday for a night out with some mates. If you're planning on Macetown for sunday, I'm definitely interested. What time do you think you'll be setting off?

Thanks for all the comments on the video! I'll try to document more of my rides that way to share with everyone.

Yeah mate, thats fun that one. I should be heading off about 1-2 ish. Gotta take the little ones to a christmas thing at the fire station, its supposed to finish at 2 but i get the feeling it'll be over before that and besides their mum can take care of them so i can go for a ride!

Send me a txt or call me on 03 4098501 or 0274635631

[Winston001]

Just uploaded a very short video of a small, deep crossing that can be found on the way to and from macetown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mi3IMdpxxQ

Yeah I know where that is - it catches a lot of people unawares. 4WDs die in it from time to time. There is a shallower place to cross upstream but as long as you are ready for it, no problem.

In fact the second-last crossing at Arrowtown can be the worst.