Blenheim Adv Rides

**JATZ** · 8th March 2009, 20:24

Originally Posted by buggsubique

Nah we skipped the Wairau Jeff - had grumpy wives and GF's to come home to, and yeah I reckon it woulda been deepish.

When we're up there next I think we'll have a look down Wadsworth Rd, just along from Lake Argyle. Should be good river access by the looks of it so can hopefully hop skip and jump over to Northbank...just need an egress point!

Ask Cooney what it's like to get across

How far past the last hut did you get ? we drove up there a few years ago and went past the last hut on the "walking track", acrss a slip and the valley opened up nicely, didn't go any further as it was getting late.
I guess you didn't get up the Branch either,
Raglan range would be another cool ride, saw a chamois the last time we went up there,I've got the number somewhere here for acesss

**cooneyr** · 9th March 2009, 12:05

Originally Posted by JATZ

Ask Cooney what it's like to get across

....

Umm ya might want to think about a trials bike.It's not quite that bad but it was interesting trying to get the DR over the 300+mm dia stones. Also the river level when we where there was too high (mid thigh), fast flowing and the large stones were covered in alge. We didn't spend that long looking around but if you have the time head up and down the river a bit and tyou might find a better place to cross. You probably need to go up the Goulter River a bit, then cross it to get onto Northbank Rd I recon.

If you do find a good route I'm keen to hear about it as this was Plan B for the DB1k that was never needed.

Cheers R

**buggsubique** · 9th March 2009, 17:37

Originally Posted by JATZ

Ask Cooney what it's like to get across

How far past the last hut did you get ? we drove up there a few years ago and went past the last hut on the "walking track", acrss a slip and the valley opened up nicely, didn't go any further as it was getting late.
I guess you didn't get up the Branch either,
Raglan range would be another cool ride, saw a chamois the last time we went up there,I've got the number somewhere here for acesss

Heya Jatz, the final crossing was nearly over zeRax's head so I went it alone for the last couple hundy metres to the hut and turned around there. It actually looked like the track had been closed to vehs with a bit of an obstacle just past the hut so I called it quits there. Looking on Google Earth though it keeps going for ages past the hut. Another day perhaps!

River was a bit deep for the Branch too, so again, another weekend beckons. I was almost going to take a bangstick up too, but thought it best to focus on the riding.

**Lugzy23** · 10th March 2009, 09:08

Hi guys, when you went up the Branch did you have to pay a access fee? We were put off going up there about 5-6 years ago cause the were charging quite a bit for access (something like $25 a bike)

**buggsubique** · 10th March 2009, 09:35

not as far as I'm aware - but we didn't go up it the other day. Jatz?

**JATZ** · 10th March 2009, 16:25

Originally Posted by buggsubique

not as far as I'm aware - but we didn't go up it the other day. Jatz?

I'll check my photos later and get back to you when we went up exactly, I think it was about 3-4 yrs ago.
No charge then, it's a public rd ( but that doesn't make much diffrence in some cases i.e. Napoleons hill)
From memory it's a pretty rough crossing with some rather large rocks

**XF650** · 10th March 2009, 18:26

Are you sure all Napolean Hill is public? The "owner" at the locked gate end is adament he purchased the road with the land, and that the road was always private, never public. However he will still let people through, as long as they ask in advance. Sorry to see that you guys had access 'issues' though.
Ooops, thread hijack, but James started it.

**JATZ** · 10th March 2009, 19:45

Originally Posted by XF650

Are you sure all Napolean Hill is public? The "owner" at the locked gate end is adament he purchased the road with the land, and that the road was always private, never public. However he will still let people through, as long as they ask in advance. Sorry to see that you guys had access 'issues' though.
Ooops, thread hijack, but James started it.

Nah it was my fault we couldn't get in, just the way things worked out. As far as I'm aware it is a public rd ( I could be wrong, I was once before

)
Talking to the shop keeper at Ahaura, a lot of the locals aren't to happy about it, and I understand D.O.C. would rather it was not blocked by a gate, historic site and all that................anywho

Originally Posted by JATZ

I'll check my photos later and get back to you when we went up exactly, I think it was about 3-4 yrs ago.
No charge then, it's a public rd ( but that doesn't make much diffrence in some cases i.e. Napoleons hill)
From memory it's a pretty rough crossing with some rather large rocks

Back on topic.
April 06 we were up there, just had a look at some video of it and the water was up to the lights of a terrano.

**Padmei** · 10th March 2009, 19:57

Originally Posted by JATZ

Nah it was my fault we couldn't get in, just the way things worked out. .

Thanks for taking the heat for me jatz - I'll be on time next time

**buggsubique** · 10th March 2009, 20:10

Originally Posted by JATZ

the water was up to the lights of a terrano.

Ha, water was certainly up to the airbox on the KLX eh Z meister!

**zeRax** · 11th March 2009, 04:27

yea!!!, bit too much water for me! its just riskay business, shortness + lots of water + some big rocks here n there, eep !! awesome road thou

**buggsubique** · 17th April 2009, 20:10

Looking to do Mt Patriarch and Onamalutu on Sunday (time TBC). Take the bike out for a good run with decent tyres on it this time (and hope I don't get another flat!). Probly ponce around a bit with a video camera if the weather is good. zeRax and I at this stage, anyone else more than welcome!

B