I posted this on the other Earthquake thread yesterday but no comments in reply. Anyone heard this or know any more?

The rumour is that the road between Lyttelton & Evans Pass sumit is stuffed beyond repair. The word was that too much of it has fallen away, not to mention what has come down from above. They're apparantly drawing up plans to improve Dyers Pass to handle the trucks that can't go through the tunnel.

It was second hand info, apparantly sourced from someone who works for a roading contractor. Anyone else know more?

If it's true there goes the FOC Harbour Ride and the favourite training rides (Short & long Bays) for a lot of people.

Claude wrote:I posted this on the other Earthquake thread yesterday but no comments in reply. Anyone heard this or know any more?

The rumour is that the road between Lyttelton & Evans Pass sumit is stuffed beyond repair...

It's too depressing to reply about this subject, I'd prefer to be in denial...

can't see any sane way to remove the double hairpin on the govs side of dyers (which is what limits the max load length) - in fact it'd be easier to improve gebbies (just the one tight bend)

long term they'll repair evans (no such thing as 'irreparable' - it'll just be lots of $$$) - I suspect they're just looking at how to cope in the interim

Claude wrote: Dyers Pass to handle the trucks that can't go through the tunnel.

Evans is going to be repaired, they're just removing the rockfall danger from above it, before starting on the roading repairs.
Which makes perfect sense really, no-one wants to be working on teh road, when there is the risk of tons of rock falling on you!

Just remember it was closed for a long time after the September 'quake to stabilise the rock faces........come February we saw how effective that was!!!! Will the current remedial work be any better / safer??

Covered viaduct type thing like the Otira Viaduct? Hugely expensive but removes the issue of rocks falling from above.

I hope you're right Percy (and I agree it makes sense to get the danger out of the way first). But I'm getting sick of the climb up the B'stard and missing the cafe stop in Sumner!

Was only a second hand rumour, but I posted it knowing the good people of vorbland would know better . Just more evidence of the crap floating around (I hope!).

Anyway even if Evans pass Lytt side was never re opened(which I doubt), it would make for a great "Round the Bays" race via Govs to SOK, and along the Summit Rd

Claude wrote:I hope you're right Percy (and I agree it makes sense to get the danger out of the way first). But I'm getting sick of the climb up the B'stard and missing the cafe stop in Sumner!

Was only a second hand rumour, but I posted it knowing the good people of vorbland would know better . Just more evidence of the crap floating around (I hope!).

Who says you have to miss the cafe stop?

Just ride round the bottom to Sumner for delicious coffee, then back up Evans and round the top!

Percy Pig wrote:

Claude wrote:I hope you're right Percy (and I agree it makes sense to get the danger out of the way first). But I'm getting sick of the climb up the B'stard and missing the cafe stop in Sumner!

Was only a second hand rumour, but I posted it knowing the good people of vorbland would know better . Just more evidence of the crap floating around (I hope!).

Who says you have to miss the cafe stop?

Just ride round the bottom to Sumner for delicious coffee, then back up Evans and round the top!

Good theory Percy - I don't mind that climb too but the small matter of the rocks still up on Summit Road at the mo stuffs that idea for now anyway.

I haven't been over to Sumner since early March - the road then from Ferrymead on wasn't the flashest. Was rideable then but I'd be cautious if in a bunch. How is it after these latest quakes and whatever patch repairs that've been made?

Claude wrote: They're apparantly drawing up plans to improve Dyers Pass to handle the trucks that can't go through the tunnel.

Quite a few are using it already. As stated in an earlier email I witnessed some unusual passing behaviour between a container truck and a curtainsider . The container had some stuff on the top so wouldn't have fitted in the tunnel. Dunno bout the curtainsider but it was quite high too. Bet the Cashmere sect won't be too stoked about their road being used as a major trucking highway!

Claude wrote:

Percy Pig wrote:

Claude wrote:I hope you're right Percy (and I agree it makes sense to get the danger out of the way first). But I'm getting sick of the climb up the B'stard and missing the cafe stop in Sumner!

Was only a second hand rumour, but I posted it knowing the good people of vorbland would know better . Just more evidence of the crap floating around (I hope!).

Who says you have to miss the cafe stop?

Just ride round the bottom to Sumner for delicious coffee, then back up Evans and round the top!

Good theory Percy - I don't mind that climb too but the small matter of the rocks still up on Summit Road at the mo stuffs that idea for now anyway.

I haven't been over to Sumner since early March - the road then from Ferrymead on wasn't the flashest. Was rideable then but I'd be cautious if in a bunch. How is it after these latest quakes and whatever patch repairs that've been made?

i was on the bastard in the june 6.3 - fine

there is plenty of scope around the western end of the port hills including summit road, the bastard, dyers, Diamond harbour - to put together good rides - can get a bit repetitive, but hell, we're still a lot better off than much of the country for good hills.

I can't say I've noticed any real increase in trucking traffic on dyers but have noticed a general increase in the retardedness of driving everywhere in the city . . . .

Lyttelton - Evans Pass piccies. Doesn't look good.

Not so much for the roadie!