Cajun & Motogirl hit the SI

[MotoGirl]

We finally sat down last night and planned our intinerary. So far we've got 5,000km planned and that's with two spare days up our sleeves. The google map is a rough indication the roads we're taking because it was thrown together in two minutes. Some of the actual roads may change but the destinations won't.

This is where we're heading:
6 March - Picton
7-8 March - Hokitika for Wildfoods Festival
9 March - Christchurch
10 March - Twizel
11 March - Queenstown for skydiving
12-13 March - Invercargill to see rellies
14-15 March - Dunedin for Ulysses AGM and Cajun and me will keep riding
16 March - Haast
17 March - Greymouth
18 March - Christchurch
19 March - Nelson
20-23 Wellington for Rock2Wgtn

[Daffyd]

Just one suggestion...change the Invercargill-Balclutha leg from SH1 to Southern Scenic route through the Catlins.
SH1 is utterly boring; SSR is one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

Might even get a coffee if you call in to my house.

[xgnr]

Just one suggestion...change the Invercargill-Balclutha leg from SH1 to Southern Scenic route through the Catlins.
SH1 is utterly boring; SSR is one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

Might even get a coffee if you call in to my house.

Second that... the Catlins are real nice even in the wet. Zapf and I went through that way last November and it is well recommended. Even if it did hail

cant comment on the coffee tho'.

[Daffyd]

And it only adds about 20km to the trip.

[MotoGirl]

Just one suggestion...change the Invercargill-Balclutha leg from SH1 to Southern Scenic route through the Catlins.
SH1 is utterly boring; SSR is one of the best motorcycling roads in the country.

Might even get a coffee if you call in to my house.

Yup, it's definitely on the list of places to go. We thought we'd do this while dad's at the AGM on the 14th and 15th.

[Daffyd]

The penny's just dropped! That's what the Plugz 4 Lugs crew are down for.

[FJRider]

Yup, it's definitely on the list of places to go. We thought we'd do this while dad's at the AGM on the 14th and 15th.

What you miss out on this trip, you can do on the NEXT. You will be back... wont you ???

[Gremlin]

If you can, try taking Leader Road from Waiau or summat to the coast, just above Chrischurch, nice twisty little road, if you're in that area (yep, you would be, you turn off just before you reach culverden - much more fun than the boring route into chch). Ride out to Akaroa from Chch is also good stuff.

Road up to Takaka is also very enjoyable, and only 75min from Richmond to Takaka (Top of SI).

I found the Lewis Pass a bit boring road wise (too open), but scenery was real good. Buller Gorge/Otira Pass is bloody good fun. Avoid the main highways as much as possible, they are pretty god damn boring, and traffic and cop filled (relative for the SI). At points on my quick trip south I wouldn't see another vehicle for over 30 min on the back routes.

I've added some shots if you want them. I definitely enjoyed my time down there, just quite compressed. Tues morn to Fri midday, I went Picton-CHCH-Picton, with one day spent in CHCH on work.

[Gremlin]

one more...

[madandy]

One more point to add...[as I'm originally from Ashburton](sshhhhhh - hangs head in shame) Avoid SH1 between Timaru & CHCH like the plague!
Go through Geraldine and take the foothills roads through to the Rakaia Gorge, under Mt. Hutt, to Darfield and onto the Garden City...you get some good counrty roads, little traffic, fewer fuzz and some great scenery.
SH1 between Timaru & CHCH must be one of the straighest, snoringest pieces of highway in all of NZ!

Enjoy your holiday guys
ride safe
Andy

[MotoGirl]

Avoid SH1 between Timaru & CHCH like the plague!
SH1 between Timaru & CHCH must be one of the straighest, snoringest pieces of highway in all of NZ!

Cheers Andy, I've updated the itinerary to avoid the boring bits
I've also added a return trip round the Catlins, leaving from Dunedin.

[madandy]

That's looking like a really bloody good ride now!!!
ENJOY

[MotoGirl]

I've added some shots if you want them. I definitely enjoyed my time down there, just quite compressed. Tues morn to Fri midday, I went Picton-CHCH-Picton, with one day spent in CHCH on work.

AWESOME stuff! I wanna go now

[MotoGirl]

Does anyone know any tourist destinations where it's not safe/easy to park the bike or turn it around?
Dad dropped his K1200RS last time because a parking lot was sloped and loose gravel. He just can't remember where this was and we'd prefer to avoid such places.

[Cajun]

less than 1 week before we are off.

New tires goes on sixxer tomorrow, and then gotta dump the oil and filter for a service, then strap the saddle bags & tank bag to the bike and good to go.