Molesworth Road condition Dec 2013

[Padmei]

Kia Ora.
Pete blen & myself did our annual celebratory Molesworth opening day ride from Blenheim via Taylors Dam rd to Hanmer for coffee & cake.

The roads were in excellent shape with small pea metal.

Here's a few pics - it doesn't change much from year to year but is a stunning place to ride.



The steeds




The Bridge over the water.


The water


The other water


A ford


Getting closer



Ok I'm an arsehole - pete was stuck but I just had to get the camera out before helping


Any one notice how the ford changed halfway?


As pete mentioned over on KB we passed a hippy paint job van & a small silver hatch back over the bank & it was only the 2nd day of the road being open.
We passed a DRZ loaded up, Harley with knobs having an egg sandwich on Ward pass- good on that badboy 2 x XRs & on the Rainbow we saw a 950 fully loaded wit the rider in a striking adv stand up pose.
Heaps of 4wds, family wagons & hire cars.

We both had a few arse puckering moments- mine when I came around a corner & found myself head on with a camper bus Although admittedly they are the same width of 4wd but seeing a big white wall in front of me sent me wobbling into the gravel at the side of the road. later I came around a tight corner to see a very fresh skid mark running straight instead of round the corner.

[NordieBoy]

So Pete didn't take his training wheel then :p

[bart-nz]

Good stuff. Nice to see you've got your priorities right. Take photo...laugh out loud...then help out.

I must get down that way again one day.

[Pete-NZ]

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

So Pete didn't take his training wheel then :p

LOL..Should have put the sidecar on... don't fall over..
Other thing I noticed the XR compaired to the XT..XR moves around alot more being
lighter it seems to react to the road condictions a lot more.. I was getting 26km per litre from
the little bugger..I had a 5L fuel container tied to the seat.. I didn't need..

Was a dam good ride..

[Kokopelli]

So what's the water like? Since you're not in your togs, I am guessing it's still pretty cold.

It better warm up for the Dusty.

[Pete-NZ]

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

So what's the water like? Since you're not in your togs, I am guessing it's still pretty cold.

It better warm up for the Dusty.

nice after the litre of water in my boot warmed up..

[McCardigan]

Good news, I have that the Molesworth only turns to crap if the grader is operating and its/has been raining.

What about the view from the Dunny looking up the valley from just below where you took the photo of the bridge. Has to one of the best Loo's with a View anywhere I have been.

Suppose some riders get Hemorrhoids and have to stand

I'm heading down early next week.

[Kokopelli]

Originally Posted by McCardigan

I'm heading down early next week.

Will you be doing the Off-Limits ride and stop by National Park?

[McCardigan]

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Will you be doing the Off-Limits ride and stop by National Park?

Yes, leave Wanganui Wednesday morning to be at the check in the morning. I'm booked into a cabin(loft) for Friday/Sat/Sun at National Park, then a beeline down to Wellington, o/n hopefully get a ferry Tuesday, do the Molesworth/Rainbow, Golden Beach? while waiting for Clint to arrive Saturday morning.

[jafar]

I knew I had a good sleep last night, but how did it get to be December 2013 already

Nice pic's though

[ztaj]

Originally Posted by McCardigan

Good news, I have that the Molesworth only turns to crap if the grader is operating and its/has been raining.

I'm heading down early next week.

Don't worry, they must've heard you were coming and the grader is parked on the side of the road at Acheron accom. house
At least it was yesterday.

[kiwiandy]

Is this suitable for a Ducati MultiStrada?

[Padmei]

Easily - just as with all bikes take it easy round the tight corners & stay out of the heaped up gravel in the middle & edges. You weren't riding thru nelson today were you?

Welcome to adv rider as well.

[kiwiandy]

Originally Posted by Padmei

Easily - just as with all bikes take it easy round the tight corners & stay out of the heaped up gravel in the middle & edges. You weren't riding thru nelson today were you?

Welcome to adv rider as well.

OK Thanks Will give it a go..looking at the pix here there seems t be some river crossings?.. so they have big boulders.. or are they pretty smooth?
No I havent had the bike up to Nelson yet... one day!
Cheers and thanks for the welcome

[Padmei]

Originally Posted by kiwiandy

OK Thanks Will give it a go..looking at the pix here there seems t be some river crossings?.. so they have big boulders.. or are they pretty smooth?
No I havent had the bike up to Nelson yet... one day!
Cheers and thanks for the welcome

The height of them depends on the rainfall over the previous day or so. There is only 1 ford on the Molesworth iirc on Taylors pass rd which is a piece of cake.
The fords at the Nelson end of the Rainbow are ok however they do creep up on you fast - if you see a sign SLOW DOWN. The one Pete fell in was a lil slippery - but he was just unlucky to slide off the front of a rock which spun him round. I went over ok & I think having a heavier bike helps a great deal. I was riding a newish 70/30 front & a half worn E07 on the back.
There are some closer to the
here's another RR I did a few years ago which has a bit more info.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=537291

It isn't really in the middle of nowhere as there are heaps of cars & mtbs going thru so don't be intimidated by it