My North Island tour

[haydes55]

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********.
I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed

FUCK that is shit =(

how long you lost your licence for?

[Ender EnZed]

Holy mother ****** ****** ******** ********.
I just lost my driving license this morning. One of my guys calls me at 7:50AM, telling me he won't make it to the office, while there's an important conference set at 8AM. I rush my ass like crazy and boom, those damn cops were here on this damn day, just waiting for me.
I'm freakin doomed

Shit. Do you already have your International Driving Permit (or similar) sorted and in your hand? Do you still have your (physical) French Driver's licence on you? Just get on the plane and sort out the details when you get home. No one here is going to check with your embassy if your licence current. As long as you have a couple of pieces of official looking paper you should be sweet.

[Ender EnZed]

If you already have your International Driving Permit then I'd bet my left nut you'll be 100% fine here provided you never break a rule. If I'd paid for flights and such I'd definitely get on the plane. If you have an IDP and a passport then the bike rental agency will be confident you're going to bring their bike back or pay up. You're sweet, you'll get a bike. If you happen to run into an alcohol checkpoint at night then the cop will see that you have the vast majority of your details in order, you should be fine. If you get caught doing 150km/h then you may well be utterly fucked for the rest of your trip. Don't get caught.

[MSTRS:Me]

You got excited when I mentioned 'tissues', eh?

[Jeremie]

Thanks for the messages guys.
I might have found a solution (it's about time I find one advantage of working for a law firm. But after all, it was for them that I had to rush my ass to the office): one lawyer is saying there's a possibility that instead of waiting for passing in front of a judge, get the sentence and remove the time between now and the sentencing from the suspension time; that I get my license back and that the term of the suspension would only start AFTER I see the judge and he makes his decision. That would be a solution. I really have no priors, that might help.
I should know monday.

[Jeremie]

I'M BAAAACK!!!
The solution with the lawyer worked, so I'm back on track!
And if I'm very lucky, he'll find a technicality and I'll get out of trouble completely but that's another story and frankly, I almost don't care now. At least I can pursue my trip.

[MSTRS:Me]

Whoppee...see you soon then

[Red39]

If you already have your International Driving Permit then I'd bet my left nut you'll be 100% fine here provided you never break a rule. If I'd paid for flights and such I'd definitely get on the plane. If you have an IDP and a passport then the bike rental agency will be confident you're going to bring their bike back or pay up. You're sweet, you'll get a bike. If you happen to run into an alcohol checkpoint at night then the cop will see that you have the vast majority of your details in order, you should be fine. If you get caught doing 150km/h then you may well be utterly fucked for the rest of your trip. Don't get caught.

And if you do run into the police just say this:

Je t'emmerde, espece de porc a la manque. On se reverra en enfer!

Good luck with that

[Jeremie]

Hi Jeremie

If you want to take a break for a pie &/or a drink in Palmerston North on your way to Wellington, let me know...

Thanks for the offer. I will probably need a break on this leg of the itinerary!

Good call. If I may make 2 suggestions tho...
When you get to the southern end of Lake Taupo, turn right just past Tokaanu, head for National Park, Ohakune and Waiouru, then turn left and do the Desert Road back to Turangi to rejoin your planned map. That way you get to see our majestic volcanos properly.
Also, when you cross over from Palmerston North to the Wairararpa region, instead of taking the main road (State Highway 2) some kind local could guide you down Route 52 instead. It takes you through much more interesting country and is not a boring road (bring tissues...)

Itinerary version 3:
I've followed your advice but that lengthens the trip quite a bit. I think I'll see after the first couple of days if ~400kms per day is too much or not
<a href="http://www.zimagez.com/zimage/capture5c6c691d0f9cd2ada7283a17c08bb56b.php" target="_blank" title="a"><img src="http://www.zimagez.com/miniature/capture5c6c691d0f9cd2ada7283a17c08bb56b.jpg" alt="a" /></a>

[MSTRS:Me]

The loop around the central plateau will add about 200kms. Doing Route 52 instead of SH2 through the Wairarapa will add some, not sure how much, but I reckon it'd be under 100kms.

[nosail]

Maybe we'll see you on the road. My mate is leaving Vancouver today (he has to see the vintage races at Pukekohe). I'll be arriving Feb. 6. We are going to head south on the 7th and ride the south island for a few days, then come back and ride the north island until Feb 18. We'll watch the battle of the streets in Paeroa and then ride the north with a group of Harleys some more until we depart on Feb. 26. If you see 2 old guys on BMWs give us a wave. One is a newer GS1150 and I'll be on an older K1000RT.

[Jeremie]

Maybe we'll see you on the road. My mate is leaving Vancouver today (he has to see the vintage races at Pukekohe). I'll be arriving Feb. 6. We are going to head south on the 7th and ride the south island for a few days, then come back and ride the north island until Feb 18. We'll watch the battle of the streets in Paeroa and then ride the north with a group of Harleys some more until we depart on Feb. 26. If you see 2 old guys on BMWs give us a wave. One is a newer GS1150 and I'll be on an older K1000RT.

Will do!
Another hurdle in my trip: now f***** Air France is (yes, I know, you're gonna say 'as usual') on strike Feb 6th through the 9th. And since the connection in HK with the Air New Zealand flight is only 1h and a half, it's going to be a nightmare of a trip, that's for sure.
Damn, my first beer is New Zealand will feel sweet and well deserved!!!!

One more thing, if someone could help: I've looked at the Gentle Annie road on Google street view and I'm not sure it's suitable for the bike I'll be riding (VFR 800). Anyone that has ridden it could advise?

[Quasi]

hey jeremie,
I am in Martinborough, approx 1 hour north of Wellington, on your route, can offer accommodation if you need.

cheers carla

[MSTRS:Me]

One more thing, if someone could help: I've looked at the Gentle Annie road on Google street view and I'm not sure it's suitable for the bike I'll be riding (VFR 800). Anyone that has ridden it could advise?

YES - IT IS.
Google is behind the times. No gravel any more. Thought you'd read this... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130246773
You want a guide?

[Jeremie]

hey jeremie,
I am in Martinborough, approx 1 hour north of Wellington, on your route, can offer accommodation if you need.

cheers carla

Thanks Carla, much appreciated. I was actually thinking in passing by this area but since I already have about 400km on this leg of my trip... But a stop in Martinborough would be a solution.

YES - IT IS.
Google is behind the times. No gravel any more. Thought you'd read this... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130246773
You want a guide?

Oops, sorry, I hadn't seen that someone had replied. That's great news. It's funny, we complain about the same in France about road works. Come here in the summer and it's just road work after road work. Back to gentle Annie, I guess I might see some people since I'll be riding it on a Saturday (assuming no more crap will stand in my way between now and then - I'm almost expecting it now).

P.S: it's -9°C in Paris today. Can't wait to get there!