Mt White Bridge is where the Arthur’s Pass highway rejoins the Waimakariri and the railway line. Here a shingle road wanders off to nowhere really, roughly following the Waimak, its long lonely line on the map enticing to explorers by bike.

This ride was a lot of fun, on a track that had something for everyone to enjoy – forest, farmland, singletrack and interesting volcanic scenery.

We had hoped for a clear, still wintry day to ride up past the base of Mt Hutt into the wide Rakaia valley beyond. We got half of our wish.

A good-sized group of keen riders gathered on a cool late autumn night for a burst of what is becoming increasingly popular – night riding.

Three days before we were to do the Lees Valley ride, a southerly storm deposited snow right down to the valley floor.