15 minutes down the road

[NC]

After getting off the boat on Friday morning at 0430, I was thinking it would be a “little cold”. I was wrong, it was freezing, I was going to have a sleep in Blenium but I carried on through to Wairau Valley were I stopped at a B & B. by this time I was absolutely freezing with all my clothes on that I took with me, under my leathers.. The people at the B&B turned me away because they were full. (I didn’t see any fucken cars in the car park) So I asked them where the next B&B was “apparently 15 minutes down the road” Well an hour later I ran out of gas and it was 0600 in the morning will a nice Gail force wind coming off the mountains 20kms out of St Anard. 1 ½ hours huddled up to the side of the bike in the freezing cold the first car comes past with 2 very southerly manly men. Who give me chainsaw gas.. By the way, I was a typical female, and I did do lots of panicking. And there was NO cell reception at all! :cold: :cold: :cold:
So after I got the gas I drove 20kms up the road (frost everywhere) and waited for the gas station to open.. The lady who owned it was from Wahi!
Anyway blah blah I carried on through, buy this time I was even more tired and more cold, feeling like shit I stopped at ‘The Crazy Cow Backpackers’ and asked if I could have one of there beds for an hour, then explained what had happened. The guy was awesome; he let me have a sleep and didn’t charge me for it, just asked me to pop in when I come back in the area again. Those guys are getting a few dozen in the mail.
Still freezing I had a nap for an hour and then carried on through to Hokitika.

Well I was there I had a awesome ride up past Punakaiki with feral1 and my friends fiancé Dennis, who is now Kaos on the site. Hehe. Feral is a good dude, and man he can ride that TLS:D :D.. Oh and when I was at the pub, I almost got into a fight with a local…


Yeah, the trip back was a hell of a lot better, only took me just on 4 hours. :whistle: And it was clear sky’s all the way home
Uh I have a few pics, but mostly video.

[bungbung]

What a mission! good to hear you've made it back in one piece.

[Riff Raff]

Farkin hell chick - what a nightmare! I would have had a big girly moment too if that had happened to me (as would a lot of the boys i suspect). Glad you came out of it ok. :niceone:

[Madguitarist!]

WOw, that must have been some trip! Would love to get some vids!! Never been to the mainland except for CC and that wasn't on a bike... :whistle:

Good to have ya back in one piece! :yes:

[sAsLEX]

I rode to St Arnaud at Christmas and it was fuckin freezin then!! Dont really envy you at all!

[Maximus]

Anyway blah blah I carried on through, buy this time I was even more tired and more cold, feeling like shit I stopped at ‘The Crazy Cow Backpackers’ and asked if I could have one of there beds for an hour, then explained what had happened. The guy was awesome; he let me have a sleep and didn’t charge me for it, just asked me to pop in when I come back in the area again. Those guys are getting a few dozen in the mail.
Still freezing I had a nap for an hour and then carried on through to Hokitika.



Big ups to these guy's, I was there a coupla weeks ago after almost falling asleep WHILST carrying a pillion, went and asked the same thing, they let me and my partner sleep there for FREE for 3 hours - what good bastards! :Punk:

Good luck with the rest of ya trip its bloody freezing down here!

[crashe]

Holy shit..... wow what a adventure that turned into for you...

I cant say that I would want to be sitting on the side of the road at night time and when its that freezing either... :cold: :cold: :cold: :cold:

I wouldnt be recommending the first B&B to anyone... heck they could have even let you sleep on the couch...

But good on the guy to let you stay for nothing...

But Im glad you made it all back in one piece.... :niceone:

(I was frozen riding back throu the Napier/taupo road yesterday... and was thinking gee I dont want to have a break down here...snow down to the road side in certain sections of the road - Napier side) :cold: :cold: :cold:

[erik]

Far out, glad you made it back ok. Must've been a long hour and a half waiting by your bike!

[Oakie]

I stopped at ‘The Crazy Cow Backpackers’ and asked if I could have one of there beds for an hour, then explained what had happened. The guy was awesome; he let me have a sleep and didn’t charge me for it, just asked me to pop in when I come back in the area again.

"The Crazy Cow Backpackers" huh? We're planning a bit of a trip over that way sometime and I think that having read this, I reckon we'll stay a night at the Crazy Cow, just on principle. :ride:

[Velox]

You poor lass - that must've been horrible!!! I'd shrivel up under a bush and die probably. Glad to hear that you're back on the road and tearing up the South Island! Stories like that make me want to go and support the Crazy Cow folk too. Where exactly are they?
Have an awesome time for the rest of your trip!

[Lias]

Sounds like a blast (of cold wind eheheh)

When i did outward bound a few years back it was about this time of year, and it was mighty cold down in those parts.. Camped on the side of a mountain in the richmond ranges, waking up to find yourself surrounded by some of the meanest hoar frost youve ever seen hehe.

[Paul in NZ]

Ah crap.... That sucks... (but what an adventure)

Well I'm sure you don't need to be told that cellphones don't work in all the places you want them too and to make sure you really do have enough gas to get to the next town... (no I'm not having a go at you - been there done similar) That road has caught out more than a few folks and often the names on the map in the south island are just that and you can't rely on anything being there.. The whole place shuts at 10pm so I'm glad you made it in the end (and what a cool story to tell)

I'm afraid you take you chances with the B&B crowd. A lot of them really don't like bike people as we have a lot of in convenient dirty gear that needs drying out and are not the 'naice' people (ie just like them) that they envisaged stopping at their overpriced, doyley laded shit holes.... Hardly any of them have any clue about customer relations etc etc. They just whack up a sign and expect to retire... Most of them thought Fawlty Towers was an instructional video..

'15 mins down the road' could be any friggin direction and that they didn't supply an actual address or offer to call up and see if the other B&B had a free bed coupled wth the no cars would have set off alarm bells in me (but I'm a cynic).

I'd suggest a shitty letter to them but that would not work. However I will bet there is an accomodation guide or a regulatory body that covers some thing. I'd be making a complaint to them and hopefully bringing down the wrath of some govt dept on them.... Shock them out of their apathy to the plights of others... I dunno...

Paul N

ps If ya think you are about to run out of gas before the next town you are sometimes better to stop early under a bridge or a nice big country mail box thingy to hole up in until the morning (or some kinda shelter). Hypothermia is no laughing matter.

[Ixion]

..
ps If ya think you are about to run out of gas before the next town you are sometimes better to stop early under a bridge or a nice big country mail box thingy to hole up in until the morning (or some kinda shelter). Hypothermia is no laughing matter.

Better still, somewhere sheltered where you can light a fire. When touring, fire is your friend. I always carry matches, lighters, a tiny amount of kindling and kerosene in a waterproof container. And a small axe (doubles as a spade) . In extremis, those little hutches they used to use to put the milk cans in are surprisingly confortable (sort of. Depends on the alternative!).

Also wrap all your gear in a waterproof, windproof sheet. If you can't find anything better, use the bike as a windbreak and hang the sheet over one side of it as an improvised tent.

And get that fire going. Like the man said , hypothermia is not fun.

[Fart]

It is freezing up here in Auckland. I can only imagine how cold it is down there. Poor thing. :eek5: You are way more brave than I am when it comes to the cold. :first:

[Paul in NZ]

Also wrap all your gear in a waterproof, windproof sheet. If you can't find anything better, use the bike as a windbreak and hang the sheet over one side of it as an improvised tent.

And get that fire going. Like the man said , hypothermia is not fun.

Actually... You said a mouthfull... When travelling alone I usually take my old oil skin sleeping bag cover for use as a bike cover. In extremis you can get inside it and be reasonably comfy. (not dry or warm but you will live)

Damn thing literally saved my life once on top of a mountan pass but that was a younger fitter other me...

A few snack bars are good too...

[Ixion]

..
A few snack bars are good too...

Yeah, I forgot that. *ALWAYS ALWAYS* carry high energy snacks with you. Candy bars, muesli bars, little tins of peanuts (I get small tins of peanuts, sealed, from Chinese shops. Very cheap, and keep forever) . Take naff all space or weight, and may save your life.

The sleeping bag is a given, even if you stop at camps etc you may want it.

[Wolf]

Better still, somewhere sheltered where you can light a fire. When touring, fire is your friend. I always carry matches, lighters, a tiny amount of kindling and kerosene in a waterproof container. And a small axe (doubles as a spade) . In extremis, those little hutches they used to use to put the milk cans in are surprisingly confortable (sort of. Depends on the alternative!).

Also wrap all your gear in a waterproof, windproof sheet. If you can't find anything better, use the bike as a windbreak and hang the sheet over one side of it as an improvised tent.

And get that fire going. Like the man said , hypothermia is not fun.
Carrying energy chocolate bars when you figure on travelling long distances, especially late at night, is good. Those mylar "space blankets" (reflective survival blankets) are excellent and take up fuck-all space on a bike - in addition to the water/wind-proof sheet Ixion suggests.

When caught in bad weather around Desert Road, I was mainly wishing for hot food to warm myself up (and I had to wait til I got to Taihape for that because the only servo open in Waiouru didn't even have frozen pies and a microwave - TWATS!) Need to get some of those cans that you pull the tab (or whatever) to heat the contents and carry those...

Bummer about the B&B, mate. Sounds like they need to look up "hospitality" in a dictionary. "Honesty" as well, while they're in the H section...'

Way to go "Crazy Cow Backpackers" big ups to them. :niceone:

[Paul in NZ]

Hell's teeth NC30 - You are going to need a Goldwing if you follow all these recommendations eh...

hey! How about the next rally is at the crazy cow.... Sounds like good people.

[Wolf]

Hell's teeth NC30 - You are going to need a Goldwing if you follow all these recommendations eh...
Nah, fitted more than that on the old Zundapp Bella. If I can carry what I deem necessary for survival on my back (and my days of enormous packs are long gone, I tend to pack more wisely these days) I can sure as hell fit it on any bike capable of the open road limit.

[NC]

You poor lass - that must've been horrible!!! I'd shrivel up under a bush and die probably. Glad to hear that you're back on the road and tearing up the South Island! Stories like that make me want to go and support the Crazy Cow folk too. Where exactly are they?
Have an awesome time for the rest of your trip!
Merchison...

I recon it would be wicked to hold a ralley there, just to let them know that we are gracious :)

[NC]

Hell's teeth NC30 - You are going to need a Goldwing if you follow all these recommendations eh...

.
Yeah, I would have set it on fire to keep warm :D

[Ixion]

Nah, fitted more than that on the old Zundapp Bella. If I can carry what I deem necessary for survival on my back (and my days of enormous packs are long gone, I tend to pack more wisely these days) I can sure as hell fit it on any bike capable of the open road limit.

A lot of this sort of stuff can be fitted to the bike. Wire/cable-tie axes etc to frame members. Fasten sheets to fairing sides. You can often stuff little bags of stuff in the space at the fairing front, around the headlamp (watch for air flow if using the lamp though) . The rest will go in pockets . Sleeping bags can be tied to the top of a load because although bulky they are light. Remember, what you wear you don't have to pack.

Also, if touring in the wilderness (anywhere south of the Bombays? :devil2: ) nowadays a cellphone and GPS unit might be a good idea.

If you still have room, you could add some of those rocket flares the boaties use :msn-wink:

[Paul in NZ]

Yeah, I would have set it on fire to keep warm :D

Fark they would see that in outer space....

Nah! I think they come with an escape pod for such emergencies... it's in one of the panniers and the whole bike matter transfers back to the factory... All part of the roadside assist program and if you doubt me... have you ever seen one broken down on the side of the road... Proof in my book..

besides... The damn things are not only big enough for their own postal code they probably have their own town centre and gas station on board..

Paul N

(actually you could probably curl up in one othe panniers)

[WINJA]

ITS LUCKY YOURE A FAT CHICK OR YOU COULDA FROZE TO DEATH

[NC]

ITS LUCKY YOURE A FAT CHICK OR YOU COULDA FROZE TO DEATH
Yeah, lucky your fat too. I bet it's hard to find your penis to have a piss when it's cold :msn-wink:

[WINJA]

Yeah, lucky your fat too. I bet it's hard to find your penis to have a piss when it's cold :msn-wink:
ITS EVEN HARD TO FIND IT WHEN ITS WARM, YOU WANNA TRY?

[NC]

ITS EVEN HARD TO FIND IT WHEN ITS WARM, YOU WANNA TRY?
Yeah, I wanna "sex" you baby

[WINJA]

Yeah, I wanna "sex" you baby
YOU SO DIRTY GIRL, YOU DO KNOW THE AVATAR PIC WAS MORTEN HARKET NOT ME

[NC]

YOU SO DIRTY GIRL, YOU DO KNOW THE AVATAR PIC WAS MORTEN HARKET NOT ME
I need to get rid of my second virginity

[StoneChucker]

OMFG! LOL :killingme :killingme
I'm sorry, but I almost died with those last few posts :laugh:

(I'm still laughing)

Good ol KB banter

[WINJA]

I need to get rid of my second virginity
YOU NEED TO MEET UP WITH NICKO HES REAL HANDSOME AND EASY,
BTW SECOND VIRGINITY IS THE ONE YOU DONT WANT TO GIVE AWAY, THATS THE ONE SPUD AND SCUM TAKE FROM GUYS IN THE HOLDING CELLS :buggerd:

[NC]

YOU NEED TO MEET UP WITH NICKO HES REAL HANDSOME AND EASY,
BTW SECOND VIRGINITY IS THE ONE YOU DONT WANT TO GIVE AWAY, THATS THE ONE SPUD AND SCUM TAKE FROM GUYS IN THE HOLDING CELLS :buggerd:
Oh, maybe I'm up to the forth one then? 'The armpit one'

[WINJA]

Oh, maybe I'm up to the forth one then? 'The armpit one'
IM TALKING TO YOUR MUM ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR, BACK TO BOARDING SCHOOL FOR YOU :mad:

[NC]

IM TALKING TO YOUR MUM ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR, BACK TO BOARDING SCHOOL FOR YOU :mad:
:devil2:

Boarding school? It has guys there too eh?

[WINJA]

:devil2:

Boarding school? It has guys there too eh?
NOPE GIRLS LOTS OF GIRLS WITH OTHER GIRLS AND A COMUNIAL SHOWER IM AHHH IM GOING TO THE TOILET BACK IN 2 AND A HALF MINUTES

[NC]

NOPE GIRLS LOTS OF GIRLS WITH OTHER GIRLS AND A COMUNIAL SHOWER IM AHHH IM GOING TO THE TOILET BACK IN 2 AND A HALF MINUTES
Don't flatter yourself, just change your undies.

[MrMelon]

NOPE GIRLS LOTS OF GIRLS WITH OTHER GIRLS AND A COMUNIAL SHOWER IM AHHH IM GOING TO THE TOILET BACK IN 2 AND A HALF MINUTES
What are you going to do it 10 times?

[WINJA]

What are you going to do it 10 times?
NO BUT I CAN FINISH FROM SLACK FASTER THAN KEVIN CURTAIN CAN GET ROUND PUKEKOHE , BUT NC0 GAVE ME A SOFT ON SO ILL TAKE LONGER

[NC]

NO BUT I CAN FINISH FROM SLACK FASTER THAN KEVIN CURTAIN CAN GET ROUND PUKEKOHE , BUT NC0 GAVE ME A SOFT ON SO ILL TAKE LONGER
http://w3.ag.uiuc.edu/AIM/Graphics/fat.gif

But I put a flower in my hair for you darling.. YOU SAID YOU LOVED MEEE! :love:

[WINJA]

http://w3.ag.uiuc.edu/AIM/Graphics/fat.gif

But I put a flower in my hair for you darling.. YOU SAID YOU LOVED MEEE! :love:
I SEE YOUVE LOST WEIGHT WAS THAT FOR ME OR SO YOU COULD FIT THRU THE DOOR YOU DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY FAT ROLL YOU IN FLOWER SLAPPER

[NC]

I SEE YOUVE LOST WEIGHT WAS THAT FOR ME OR SO YOU COULD FIT THRU THE DOOR YOU DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY FAT ROLL YOU IN FLOWER SLAPPER
Oh I love it when you talk dirty too me. I'm glad you noticed that I have started to lose weight. It's 1.5kgs now.

[WINJA]

Oh I love it when you talk dirty too me. I'm glad you noticed that I have started to lose weight. It's 1.5kgs now.
OK OK I GIVE UP YOU WIN , JUST STOP SENDING ME TEXT MESSAGES AND CALLING ME AND I WONT HASSLE YOU ANYMORE .FAT HO

[Ms Piggy]

...awesome write NC_30, you are one hard chick! Glad you're ok and still fighting fit ;)

If you can remember the name of that a-hole B & B joint please post it on here so I know never to go there!

[scumdog]

NOPE GIRLS LOTS OF GIRLS WITH OTHER GIRLS AND A COMUNIAL SHOWER IM AHHH IM GOING TO THE TOILET BACK IN 2 AND A HALF MINUTES

The toilets about a minutes walk away eh? :killingme

[scumdog]

YOU NEED TO MEET UP WITH NICKO HES REAL HANDSOME AND EASY,
BTW SECOND VIRGINITY IS THE ONE YOU DONT WANT TO GIVE AWAY, THATS THE ONE SPUD AND SCUM TAKE FROM GUYS IN THE HOLDING CELLS :buggerd:

So YOU were the one in the holding cells eh?
Why do you keep coming back? Must like what you got eh :msn-wink:

[NC]

...awesome write NC_30, you are one hard chick! Glad you're ok and still fighting fit ;)

If you can remember the name of that a-hole B & B joint please post it on here so I know never to go there!
It was called 'Millbrook' or something like that, it's in Wairu Valley.

[Sniper]

Only down the west of the south

[Flyingpony]

Having lived there. Country pubs often have a small amount of petrol (10L) as their reserve or generator fuel (frequent power cuts). It's expensive, but it's go-go juice.

Again if you're near one, ask a farmer, they'll hopefully have some fuel too.

Always carry cash when on the westcoast, Eftpos/CreditCard aren't widely used.

[XTC]

Having lived there. Country pubs often have a small amount of petrol (10L) as their reserve or generator fuel (frequent power cuts). It's expensive, but it's go-go juice.

Again if you're near one, ask a farmer, they'll hopefully have some fuel too.

Always carry cash when on the westcoast, Eftpos/CreditCard aren't widely used.

And make sure you watch out for them there rednecks..... Don't drink too much of that moonshine....
Actually your bike should run on that! :killingme

[Storm]

And make sure you watch out for them there rednecks..... Don't drink too much of that moonshine....
Actually your bike should run on that! :killingme
F%^kin oath, be an extra 10 hp at least in it :ride: :D :killingme

[feral1]

NC30 chick,

glad you made it home sweet as again. Next time you are down on the Coast again i still owe you a beer.
Oh yeah BTW - a rally at the B&B in murchison would be phat. Good ride for welly-nelson and chch guys. Perhaps early spring/summer. Last week off November, 05 ...

50/50 moonshine and avgas gives a 7hp hike in the TL'er... :niceone:

[NC]

NC30 chick,

glad you made it home sweet as again. Next time you are down on the Coast again i still owe you a beer.
Oh yeah BTW - a rally at the B&B in murchison would be phat. Good ride for welly-nelson and chch guys. Perhaps early spring/summer. Last week off November, 05 ...

50/50 moonshine and avgas gives a 7hp hike in the TL'er... :niceone:
I wanna do it, but does this mean I have to sort it out?

LOL i'll be down for a month over christmas...poor hokitikians :whistle:

[Slipstream]

Uh I have a few pics, but mostly video.

Glad you're Ok and at least had some fun after that ordeal. :hug:

If ya wanna get still photos from your video footage or put it on the comp, I have a program that you can borrow. :niceone:

[toads]

What an ordeal!, nothing worse than being seriously cold like that, that arsehole that turned you away and lied about the distance to the gas station needs to be made aware you could have ended up with hyperthermia!, I reckon we should all write him a letter, and tell him of what happened to you, if enough of us do it it might shame him into giving you a freebe for when you go back at christmas time!, I am of the opinion that recieving feedback from customers and potential customers has huge benefits for everyone, and this guy can't be allowed to turn people away like that and not know the effect it could have had, should things have turned out the worse for you.
how about it guys, how about we all sign a letter to this establishment saying how we feel about such treatment of a fellow biker?

[TonyB]

Wow NC30 Chick, not a nice experience at all. It gets pretty bloody cold at St Arnaud- the frost-lift has been known to damage sealed roads. Good to see you came out of it OK. Just as well it's not winter yet, otherwise the road just south of Kawateri Junction would have been permanently frozen. And it would have been even colder...

One thing to remember about the SI- gas stations are often few and far between and the ones in small towns will close at night (even the ones on the main routes).

About the letter, sounds like a good idea and I'll sign it, but um.....this goes without saying I guess, but.......don't word it in a way that confirms the B&B owners apparent believe that bikers are scum.

[Biff]

Respect NC30, that must have been a sphincter twitching experience.

This backpackers sounds like it needs some serious business thrown their way. A KB rally there sounds like a brilliant idea.

[Paul in NZ]

What an ordeal!, nothing worse than being seriously cold like that, that arsehole that turned you away and lied about the distance to the gas station needs to be made aware you could have ended up with hyperthermia!, I reckon we should all write him a letter, and tell him of what happened to you, if enough of us do it it might shame him into giving you a freebe for when you go back at christmas time!, I am of the opinion that recieving feedback from customers and potential customers has huge benefits for everyone, and this guy can't be allowed to turn people away like that and not know the effect it could have had, should things have turned out the worse for you.
how about it guys, how about we all sign a letter to this establishment saying how we feel about such treatment of a fellow biker?

Yeah well... BEFORE you get the posse' together and break out the pitchforks and burning torches... There may have been a 100 reasons why NC 30 didn't get a bed for the night... There could well have been a B&B 15 mins up the road but perhaps the sign was hauled in 'cos they were full or summat..

B&B's are not like regular accomodation, it's someones house. The owners can be a bit, erm, different (as anyone that has stayed in one in the UK can attest) which is part of the charm but there is another side....

Meh! Write away... I'll just have to remember never to ride there again incase someone shoots me...

Paul N

(who got into a huge argument with a shuttle coach driver at St Arn, the lake place) a few years back. )

[Paul in NZ]

Respect NC30, that must have been a sphincter twitching experience.

This backpackers sounds like it needs some serious business thrown their way. A KB rally there sounds like a brilliant idea.

Actually..... I floated the idea of a KB rally with Jane at Formerly the Blackball Hilton.....

Now THAT would be a laugh!

[Silage]

Well, following a quick search

The former :no: looks a bit upmarket - could be a good place for a KB gathering :mad: :devil2: http://www.homestays.net.nz/millbrookmarlborough.html

And the latter :niceone: :yes: seems to go by the names "The Crazy Cow" and "The Lazy Cow" http://www.bugpacific.com/reviews/New_Zealand/South_Island/Murchison/nz384/

Other bikers have enjoyed their stay there: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/rooiman/000478.php

And seems to be up for sale: http://www.realenz.co.nz/listings/Real%20Estate%20Agent/955/RCH10832.html (anyone flushed at the mo?)

[surfchick]

geeeeeesus geeeeeesus geeeeeesus geeeeeesusgeeeeeesus
good on ya fo making it after your freeze tucked under your bike exhaust. must have been a total mission. my knees were literally knocking the petrol tank and teeth chattering the other morning from a 20min spell in fog- after a 2 hour ride i couldn't heat my body core back up and had to go find a bath. people who don't ride don't understand how cold it gets- w. windchill at night turning a cold road into a mountain temperature experience. great to read the other posts about gear to carry... cheers.

[bear]

Sorry to heard of your misfortune, that story is a goodie though, it's one of those ones you'll be able to tell the kids (and grandkids) one day. Once I was riding to the West Coast...

[NC]

Respect NC30, that must have been a sphincter twitching experience.

Twitching? It was frozen! :cold:

This backpackers sounds like it needs some serious business thrown their way. A KB rally there sounds like a brilliant idea.
Yeah, I think its would be a great idea

[WINJA]

So YOU were the one in the holding cells eh?
Why do you keep coming back? Must like what you got eh :msn-wink:
HAVENT BEEN BACK SINCE YOU BASTARDS DIDNT BUTTER MY TOAST TO THE EDGE AND THEN ONE OF YOU GUYS LOST MY SHOELACE

[scumdog]

HAVENT BEEN BACK SINCE YOU BASTARDS DIDNT BUTTER MY TOAST TO THE EDGE AND THEN ONE OF YOU GUYS LOST MY SHOELACE

Now I know you're telling 'porkies' :bs: - shoelace indeed! What use is a shoelace to someone incapable of tying it?? :laugh: :killingme