I'm new to Nelson

[wandering rose]

Hey there,

Just moved to Nelson. Beauty! Had a blast coming over on the scenic route...
Now I'm here, I'm just wondering what the parking situation is like. I've been enjoying the freedom of parking on Wellington footpaths and anywhere the little Suzuki FXR150 will squeeze. Between cars in paid parking spots etc. I see Nelson has a few designated motorbike parks.. but they're never quite outside the cafe I want to go to! And easy parking is something I like about riding. So Nelson riders, what are the parking wardens like here?

Also, when's the next shed night? I'd like to have a go at changing my own oil. Got all the stuff, just need a supervisor!

Let me know. and if ya see a chick on a green blue FXR, give me a wave.

[ZK-Awesome]

Evening.
I nearly bought an FXR about a year ago, very cool bikes! That was until I found out it had been run with very little oil for the past few hundred k! (I ended up with a lovely100cc two-smoker instead :blink:)

Join in on the Top of the South Tag-O-Rama (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=99012&page=30) and keep an eye on the shed night (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=102374) thread for the next one. I'm also keen to see how an oil change is done.

There are some good twisty roads around, the prob is that many are all covered in nasty ice/grit at this time of year.

[Taz]

I've just come back from a week at my sisters place in Motueka. Didn't rain all week. beautiful part of the country and one I'd consider living in if there was a job for me there that pays what I get here.
Andy.

[nsrpaul]

welcome to nelson, its the place to be for road bikes

maybe not in winter though!!

[nsrpaul]

Hey there,

what are the parking wardens like here?

.


they are not big on comprimise

[Foxzee]

Once I log off Turbo will give you his opinion......hold ya breath it's coming.....:no:

[JATZ]

You could also introduce y'self here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=92659
Been a bit quiet there lately though, also have a look at the adv forum for Nelson rideouts, sometimes we ride on the road to get to the gravel.

Welcome

[Harry the Barstard]

Hi there,

Im moving to Nelson early Dec. I only know one family there (none of them ride) and was wondering if there are many rides organized down there. Dont care about numbers, even if there are two or three going out. It would be great to learn the best roads with some locals. Although from what ive seen, most of them look pretty badass.

Also partial to beer and coffee.

[MyGSXF]

...moving to Nelson early Dec... and coffee.

Hi there.... there's 1 or 2 road riders down here :shifty: get in touch when ya get here & I'll introduce you to the best coffee house in town.... mmmmmmm... columbian mochachino.. :drool:

[Eurotred (NZ) Ltd]

Hi there,

Im moving to Nelson early Dec. I only know one family there (none of them ride) and was wondering if there are many rides organized down there. Dont care about numbers, even if there are two or three going out. It would be great to learn the best roads with some locals. Although from what ive seen, most of them look pretty badass.

Also partial to beer and coffee.

Hi, I know that the guys at Filco Farm & Sport do quite a few organized rides, try going in and seeing them.

[Harry the Barstard]

Hi there.... there's 1 or 2 road riders down here :shifty: get in touch when ya get here & I'll introduce you to the best coffee house in town.... mmmmmmm... columbian mochachino.. :drool:


Hi, I know that the guys at Filco Farm & Sport do quite a few organized rides, try going in and seeing them.

Cheers,

Ill look them up, It doesn't have to be an organized ride I suppose. Im just keen to meet a few people and learn some twisty roads with great pubs or eateries at the end of them.

Knowing a place to get a good coffee is paramopunt too, im not quite right until I get my fix in the morning.

Thanks again and ill be in touch once im in town. I havent got a job down there yet so will have some spare time. Hopefully I wont get one untill Jan :p

[nsrpaul]

theres always plent of rides on in nelson, its the place to be!

good roads a plenty

Martys the man at filco to talk to about their rides but can also talk to him or pm me about casual rides in between

[Padmei]

There's the xmas ulysses ride from Richmond to nelson. great to see so many bikes out tinsled up.

[Harry the Barstard]

Hi there.... there's 1 or 2 road riders down here :shifty: get in touch when ya get here & I'll introduce you to the best coffee house in town.... mmmmmmm... columbian mochachino.. :drool:


theres always plent of rides on in nelson, its the place to be!

good roads a plenty

Martys the man at filco to talk to about their rides but can also talk to him or pm me about casual rides in between

So I'm here.

I had a pretty average ride down. I left my old place one hour before the tornadoes went through. My old neighbourhood and my old rental got pretty messed up. My riding gear totally gave up by Taupo. Everything was wet bar my feet, to be fair though, I haven't waxed my leathers for a wee while....maybe even a year! Quick change of clothes half way around lake Taupo and the sun came out on the desert road for about an hr. Picton to Nelson was cool through the gorge part, sun was out and the road dry.... although that negatively cambered corner on a passing lane gave me a lil pucker.

I'm living in Richmond and so far have been out to the Nelson lakes and Mot. Haven't been out a whole heap as I have been busy unpacking my house. If anyone can recommend some cool roads or wants to show me around just PM me or let me know on this thread. Also, what is the queens charlotte road like to Picton? Looks ok on a map....

[Subike]

So I'm here.

I had a . Also, what is the queens charlotte road like to Picton? Looks ok on a map....
forget queen harlot sound, too many road snails... there is a very poorly kept secret about a road near Mot that you need to ride.
How do you get there? follow any bike heading west out of Mot, probably going to this secret road.
Understand its about 37km of winding riding bliss up hill then down, that good you want to turn around and do it again ....more than once!

[MyGSXF]

what is the queens charlotte road like to Picton? Looks ok on a map....

It'll be chaos this time of year!!! :crazy: bloody tourists! <_<

When I do ride it.. I generally find that going from Havelock to Picton direction the better way to go.. coz there are more lay bys for cars to pull over into & let a bike past.. whereas not so good the other direction! The surface in general is very uneven also.. eg: edges of the road slumping, tree roots, bumps etcetc... :facepalm:

Stunning scenery though... :sunny:

[Harry the Barstard]

secret road.


It'll be chaos this time of year!!! :crazy: bloody tourists! <_<

Good to know, thanks for the local wisdom.

Maybe ill save the charlotte road for a cruisy two up when the time comes. I am off to Mot again tomorrow for a few jumps so i will have a lil explore and see what I can find.

Looking forward to the races too, might see ya there.

[duckonin]

Queen Charlotte road is good either way (it is a road) tourists or other wise !! Go for it and form your own opinion.

[JATZ]

Queen Charlotte road is good either way (it is a road) tourists or other wise !! Go for it and form your own opinion.
Yebut.... It's more beterer from the Havelock end :D
Like Subike said, head west from Mot, Golden bay is that way :yes: I recomend the Wholemeal cafe or Mussel Inn.
Going down to Murchison and back is another good way to kill a couple of hours, Rivers cafe or the one by the Murch campground for caffeine, the Buller gorge is just around the corner too

[Harry the Barstard]

Ok, so i have only done the roads to Lake Rotoiti, Moutere through to the top of the Takaka Hill (I think the top, where the caves and Moa bones are) and the queens Charlotte road so far. Been busy with visiting families and unpacking the house etc. I still have heaps of roads I want to do so I am slowly ticking them off the list.

I can see what everyone was saying about the Queen Charlotte road. Still, I am glad I did it as I think you should do it at least once. She is post card NZ through there and although it seemed that every second Jucy and Wicked rental was trying to kill me due to them cutting the blind corners, it was still a bit of boot scraping fun.

On my list still to do is the full golden bay run, Buller Gorge to west port and St Arnaud. Anyone have any suggestions?

I must say though, the condition and calibre of the roads here are amazing. Also other motorists are pretty good/have less murderous intent than the Auckland drivers. Bikers still wave here too....crazy!!!

[Berg]

Good loop from Nelson is up to St Arnard then down the Wairau Valley to Blenheim, quick coffee then over the Whangomoa back to Nelson. Got family in Blenheim and mates in Nelson (being an ex-Nelsonite myself) so usually do this quick fang when I'm down that way. Another great spot is the Totally Roasted Cafe at Pohara (over the Takikia Hill) for lunch.

[Woodman]

If you are doing the Buller gorge then you really should turn left at the Westport intersection and do the Coast road to Greymouth. Awesome road.

[Berg]

:bye:I miss the South Island roads. Way too many of those straight bits between corners up here:crybaby:

[Harry the Barstard]

Good points,

I will be definitely be giving those roots a hoon. So many good rides, I really want to make the most of summer and get out as much as I can. I also went down to Filco Farm & Sport and got my email addy put on the list. Will be good to meet some other riders and learn some more roads.

Also, just on another note. What are the roads like here in winter? Do most people ride throughout the year or are you better off to de-reg? I don't mind the rain, but i'm a lil anti ice:nono:

Thanks for all the good tips. Appreciate it.