yeah - the pylon track is kinda nice across the summit, where it's in the native bush remnant. But that doesn't last that long, and then it's just a boring open 4wd track down to featherston...

Bit a a Wellytowm dredge this post but is this still legal to ride? Am thinking of riding to Smith's Creek then continuing up the valley after the shelter to Tutuwai Hut then back to the car. Does anyone know what percentage of this is ridable to averagely fit riders?

About 90% of it is ridable for someone capable of riding it.

I wouldn't recommend it as a ride for average weekend type riders as it is both physically and technically very tough (unless you want to walk...). Best done in the dry too.

mark2c wrote:About 90% of it is ridable for someone capable of riding it.

I wouldn't recommend it as a ride for average weekend type riders as it is both physically and technically very tough (unless you want to walk...). Best done in the dry too.

Mark chickened out of the downhill part i recall. Then again, we all did as it was a bit rough.
Its a great ride but pick a time when there will be few, if none, walkers/trampers. and take it easy from the creek to the shelter - its very tempting to go fast but no where to go when you need to stop quick.
and its a mother of a haul back out - you earn the beers.

smiths creek shelter to tutuwai not rideable. you'll be carrying mainly.
can ride about 10min past the shelter but thats about all that i recall before you start stream crossings and climbs/decsents, and the big boggy sections with tree rings as steps.

Cheers for the replies. Tylersdad, How about doing the Dobsons loop track? - how long would this take and am i right in reading from the topo map it looks best ridden in a clockwise direction?

tylersdad wrote:

mark2c wrote:About 90% of it is ridable for someone capable of riding it.

I wouldn't recommend it as a ride for average weekend type riders as it is both physically and technically very tough (unless you want to walk...). Best done in the dry too.

Mark chickened out of the downhill part i recall. Then again, we all did as it was a bit rough.
Its a great ride but pick a time when there will be few, if none, walkers/trampers. and take it easy from the creek to the shelter - its very tempting to go fast but no where to go when you need to stop quick.
and its a mother of a haul back out - you earn the beers.

So true! And don't wear running shoes with eggbeater pedals (my other sin).

MrGavdobaleena wrote:Cheers for the replies. Tylersdad, How about doing the Dobsons loop track? - how long would this take and am i right in reading from the topo map it looks best ridden in a clockwise direction?

clockwise would mean quite a bit of walking and you might not ride alot from the top down to smiths creek and then more walking out of smiths creek.lots of walking going clockwise or anti clockwise.

I forgot about that Mark. Full credit is deserved as what you endured was amazing.

In regards the Dobsons loop - NO. Its hard enough walking down, never mind lugging a bike.
That said the track to the old hut site from the carpark is do-able. There/Back only.

And if you are on the track watch out for old warratah's sticking up 50mm out of the clay - not tire friendly.

The roadend carpark is a bit dodgy too, so best park at KiwiRanch, or as we did, at the Incline carpark.

Now its been raised i'm thinking of doing this ride again.

Hmm, sounds good. Count me in.

Probably a bit late for this thread by the looks of things... But the Pylon Track has been opened up by the YMCA via a horse trail that rides from Camp Kaitoke and over to Featherston. The Kennets latest books got the details, but the track is cunningly hidden in the Waiarapa section....

If I'm not too hung over, I may go for a ride that way tomorrow.

rilancaster,

Not too late of an entry. Am just planning a few rides before summer (what summer) is over. Can you let us know more about that ride if you do it and where it exactly is/what it was like.