Winter Itinerary: is it ok?

[AfroStof]

Hello all, my name is Mirco, I read your forum for a long time and now I write. From Italy.

I know, you are going to enjoy the summer, but I'm falling in the winter and I must think to the future to survive. Moreover, New Zealand is by far the first option for my next summer holydays, but the second would require long times of preparation (Italy to Uzbekistan by road and back by air). These are the reasons why I write so early.

All that said, I'm here to kindly ask your opinion about my idea: the month would be august, for holydays reasons. 15 days on a rented motorbike, from Auckland to Christchurch (or back to Auckland, depending on flight tickets prices)

The following is my basic itinerary, but I have lots of variations (the South-East, the North Island Eastern Peninsula, etc).
Is it feasible? What do you think about snow?

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3030/32581030.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8568/14044633.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9664/60052413.jpg

Thank you very much in advance for your suggestions.
Ciao,

Mirco

[Jantar]

The time of year you are looking at is very scenic, but also very cold. Expect ice and snow on many parts of the trip, with the possibility of the mountain passes being closed due to snow. Particularly Burkes Pass (near Tekapo), Lindis Pass (Omarama - Tarras) and Arthurs Pass are subject to rogue snowfalls. The Milford sound road is often closed that time of year because of avalanche risk.

However if you strike the weather right, and start each day an hour or so after sunrise you will experience the best part of the country and have a fabulous time.

[p.dath]

That looks like a great ride route! A lot of ground to cover in 15 days though.

[AfroStof]

Thank you for your help.
It was told me that mountain roads could be closed, but normally only for 1 day, 2 at the worst: only the time to clean. Isn't that true? I planned that itinerary to spare some day to be spent on that eventuality, to be sure to see all. Also, if the road to Milford Sound would be closed, it would be very sad, as it seems to be one of the best things to see there...

About temperatures I'm not so scared. As far as I read (http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate), they wouldn't be too low, with mean daily minimum temperatures seldomly under zero.
Last august, in Bolivia, we traveled also at -10° :)


About the distance (for p.dath): I (we, there are the girlfriend and some friends with me) normally like to ride all day long, so normally we cover long distances without to be too tired. If roads are not everywhere really slow, the itinerary would not have to be too long. Honestly, I was thinking it's short... :)

[James Deuce]

Don't forget that the roads will be gritted heavily and that this can slow your travel times tremendously.

[Pixie]

A good trip.
It won't be as cold or as snowbound as a European winter.You may encounter some isolated patches of black ice.

[CookMySock]

It was told me that mountain roads could be closed, but normally only for 1 day, 2 at the worst: only the time to clean. Isn't that true? I planned that itinerary to spare some day to be spent on that eventuality, to be sure to see all. Also, if the road to Milford Sound would be closed, it would be very sad, as it seems to be one of the best things to see there...I do not think you will get trapped somewhere because of snow. It would be wise to watch the news for snow warnings anyway.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=113572
See here for bikes.

Have a good trip!
Steve

[cave weta]

Looking for bikes? -
I recommend these people

www.motorcyclebuyback.com

[crazyhorse]

Sad you are missing out on the Hawkes Bay region. East Coast of North Island. Napier and Hastings are great tourist spots and our weather is often better than other parts of the country. However, totally understand you only have 15 days and alot of ground to cover.

Enjoy your trip in New Zealand :niceone:

[AfroStof]

Wow, you're all very Fast&Helpful!

I'm aware about grit: I don't like it, but I know it and I'll be careful, for sure.

About buyback, I don't think it's really interesting for a 2 weeks period but, as I don't know it very well, I will study a little.

@crazyhorse: I was wrong! I wrote west, but I was meaning east. So, the variants I refferred to, are to the South-East and to the Eastern Peninsula of the North Island. I considered Napier, but it will depends on time. I correct my post. Thank you.

[James Deuce]

Bear in mind also that NZ is more like Europe in that our State Highways are like A and B roads and pass through major towns and while some parts of the major highways are straight and well-surfaced, they are all two-lane with no central reservation or divider.

Distance is also not a good way to measure likely travel times, so be prepared to massage your itinerary. A 1000km day is easily achievable on Europes motorways, or US highways, or Australian Highways. You could do it in the North Island at that time of year, but you'll find it hard work, and the South Island, especially in the mountains.

[CookMySock]

Distance is also not a good way to measure likely travel times, so be prepared to massage your itinerary.Well perhaps you can, but maybe the numbers will be different to what you are used to. Mostly we see about 70-80 kilometres per hour average speed when touring if you keep moving.

I use Google Maps for route planning, and their trip times are a good estimate. There are plenty of accomodation along the route in the winter, so if you choose to make an unscheduled stop this should be no problem. Allow an extra hour for comfort.

Remember, if you have a problem in NZ, you should just approach any person and ask for help. Rarely we are unable to help for some good reason, but mostly you will find kiwis are keen to assist.

Steve

[MSTRS]

East Coast of the North Island is a lovely bit of riding road. Note that you show Whitianga here...wrong place. Whitianga is right near Hot Water Beach on the eastern side of Coromandel.

[Katman]

Remember, if you have a problem in NZ, you should just approach any person and ask for help.

Tell that to Karen Aim.

The reality is that it would be unwise to approach holidaying in New Zealand with any lesser degree of caution than you would in most other countries.

[Jantar]

....About temperatures I'm not so scared. As far as I read (http://www.niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/schools/resources/climate), they wouldn't be too low, with mean daily minimum temperatures seldomly under zero.
Last august, in Bolivia, we traveled also at -10° :) ....
Mean daily temperatures are not really a good indication. Here in Alexandra in August it is still common to get temperatures down to - 8 over night, reaching 0 around 1:00 pm then rocketing up to +12 by 4:00 pm then plumet to below 0 again shortly after dark. That is why I suggest making a late start each morning to give the worst of the frost time to clear. Fortunately the coldest parts of the South Island are also dry, so that means plenty of frost, but not too much ice. So the riding is still good even when it is cold.

[AfroStof]

As always: thank you all!

Time and distances: if you say google maps give a good estimation i will try it but, as the basic itinerary is 3800km long (I normally consider a 10% more than the strict MapSource calculation) I think 15 days give a good margin. Telling this, I'm thinking about my Alpine trips, I hope to be not too wrong...

Problems and people: all them who told me about their journeys there, referred to you as a very kind and hospitable people, and to your Country as a safe place to live and ride. And, for sure, this sounds good to my hear. But, as 1 idiot he's enough to spoil the game, I'll never completely low the guard.

Whitianga: thank you for the warning! I corrected my itinerary. The map of the "Free Open GPS NZ Autorouting Project" that I'm using shows 2 Whitianga. But I was interested in the one you told me.

Temperatures: the variations you say are a little wider than I expected, but still acceptable if during daylight temperatures are normally over 0 (I'm thinking about ice). I hope min and max average temperatures I found are not too far from the reality, as I looked for them only to have an idea.

Thank you again.

PS: if you decide to come to Italy for a ride, and it would be a great ride I ensure, I'll be happy to return your help!

[Pixie]

As always: thank you all!

Time and distances: if you say google maps give a good estimation i will try it but, as the basic itinerary is 3800km long (I normally consider a 10% more than the strict MapSource calculation) I think 15 days give a good margin. Telling this, I'm thinking about my Alpine trips, I hope to be not too wrong...

Problems and people: all them who told me about their journeys there, referred to you as a very kind and hospitable people, and to your Country as a safe place to live and ride. And, for sure, this sounds good to my hear. But, as 1 idiot he's enough to spoil the game, I'll never completely low the guard.

Whitianga: thank you for the warning! I corrected my itinerary. The map of the "Free Open GPS NZ Autorouting Project" that I'm using shows 2 Whitianga. But I was interested in the one you told me.




Temperatures: the variations you say are a little wider than I expected, but still acceptable if during daylight temperatures are normally over 0 (I'm thinking about ice). I hope min and max average temperatures I found are not too far from the reality, as I looked for them only to have an idea.

Thank you again.

PS: if you decide to come to Italy for a ride, and it would be a great ride I ensure, I'll be happy to return your help!


The temperature variation is not that large.
Alexandra is one of the few places in NZ with a continental climate where large day night variations occur.
Most of NZ has a mild maritime climate.

[Slyer]

the month would be august, for holydays reasons
Do you mean holiday or holy day? :D
I wouldn't plan a trip in NZ during winter myself, spring/summer/autumn are much nicer.

Will still be a lot of fun though!

[clint640]

The best way to enjoy a winter ride in NZ is to be flexible - Often the weather will be good on one side of the island but bad on the other. In winter there is no need to book accomodation more than a day ahead, so be prepared to change your itinerary to suit the weather & you will have a better trip.

Cheers
Clint

[AfroStof]

Hi all, I'm here again after some months as you were very kind with me, so I think it's correct to let you know what I decided about the trip.

Unfortunately, for many reasons we decided to change our destination, and it was not one I was thinking about last november.

Finally, we'll point our handlebars to Middle-East: Turkey, Syria and Jordan.

If you are interested, I'll post some pictures (or you'll can find on www.tuttobenetuttobello.com , my uncompleted travel-pictures website).

New Zealand will remain in my dreams for some time, but normally I satisfy my travel-dreams, so this travel is only delayed.

Thank you again, bye!

Mirco

PS: I hope you'll enjoy the sunday match (but also that you lose it ;) )

[Pixie]

Enjoy your Middle Eastern trip,Mirco.
Maybe when you get to planning an NZ trip it you can do it in summer:sunny: