Marlborough Adventure Rides

Time to start a thread.

Yep, there's enough of us now to justify it I reckon.

It was a cracking good ride today, no problems, excellent weather, great company, a good pace with plenty of breaks...... couldn't be better really

At 9.30am Padmei came to my house to drop off pannier racks that I'd almost forgotten that I had bought them. He had picked them up for me in Nelson. Together we went on to Spring Creek to meet with Te Hopo and Bucky, both were already waiting.

The original plan was immediately abandoned in favour of a ride up Mt Patriarch. We filled up at Renwick and off we went. It turned out to be the right choice.

I mean, look at the weather.



Beats getting the bike stuck on the beach.

It didn't take long to get there, soon we were making our way up the hill.





With the occasional stop to admire the scenery.







We continued on to the end of the road.



There were some short scree sections cross, but nothing too challenging in the end. Which was all right, because the boxers don't like to be dropped onto sharp rocks.



The views were outstanding.





After a musli bar and a bit of water, we were ready to head down and up again. I had been a bit worried about the return, but it was no drama in the end.





Te Hopo took us up to the enchanted look out. It was a very nice spot and we were all enchanted.





The we scooted back down again, almost as much fun as going up and went back to where we had come from.

Padmei had to head off back over the hills somewhere. That was pretty much it, plus I've run out of photos.

I really enjoyed the company and hopefully we'll keep doing this sort of thing for while.

Looks like you all had a great time - lovely day and awesome scenery - obviously making the most of life in your new province Koko - onya!

It was a great days riding. Not much more to add but some pics. I thought I'd better bail early to get home to the family. It was nice to meet the Beavertown crew.

After all the crap weather we've had for the last few weeks it was reassuring to see the sun. The Marlborough area looked incredible in the sunshine.

The mighty Wairau



Yours truly - this is the age of the selfie isn't it?



Ben - mainland Vet mx champ. His bike had a funny big lever that came out & you kick it to start the engine - never seen one of those before- weird!




A rest stop

The mighty XR



The rock garden. it was a bit sketchy but no dramas



Koko & Basil - looking sharp



Te Hopo & the magnificient XT250 - complete with selfoiling chain



Ben- just landed a 30ft jump

Te hopo summiting



How cool is this view



Koko at the top



Camera shy




And back out & down




Mt Pat is a fantastic ride - esp on a beautiful sunny day.
Thanks to the B-crew for the invite. I can see some excellent future excursions into the Port Underwood area coming up.

Very nice guys, on my list of places I want / need to go

Not camera shy, just admiring Schmitty's worn front tyre.

Your right Padmei, that shot coming up to the summit was a good one, got my self a new background for the laptop now

looks like a nice day on the hill.... not been up there for a while now..
think the last time was with padder s/chris the jafa /underground.. well over a year back now..
Next yer have to head for armaloch ?!!!.. "something like that"
On a very windless day...





.

We did talk about your over the edge plunge with the sidechair pete. I swear the ride up there gets better every time. it would severely give me the shits if I had to drive up there in a 4wd - the drop offs along the road are almost Himalayan.

Nice, I'll try to join you next time.

That was hard work pulling it apart/carrying back up in bits ,then reassembleing it...

http://imageshack.com/a/img835/682/t6t7.jpg


.

Awesome photos, thanks for sharing.

Is it a public "road"?

Where do you access the mountain from?

It is accessed via North bank Rd on the Western side of Wairau river. You ride up staircase road, past lake Chalice & onto the top ridge. It is all public - lots of forestry below. It is pretty well maintained & popular with walkers & the occasional MTBers.

Forgot to mention that on the bottom forestry rds we came across a skidder taking up the whole of the road as it slowly rolled to a new skidder site. They are bloody tall & was hitting the tops of the poplars & beeches as it moved. The ute driver in front waved us past as he saw us in the mirror. I cautiously rode alongside the skidder overtaking it as a branch fell from a great height just in front of the bike the driver pissed himself. i gave it a bit more throttle

Pity I didn't locate that when I was down South. I did do a little research because I recalled you guys going up there in winter, & thought it'd be a good ride. Next time.

Yer it wasn't exactly a twig that fell, I saw it coming down and then prudently waited until he was out of the trees before gunning it

There are times when it's better to be the second in line. I was really worried when I saw it unfold.












He was riding my bike