Is it suicide riding in Queenstown?

[Bobbyman]

I may have to move down to Queenstown for the next couple of years and I have no car.. Soo was just wondering... Is it Suicide commuting everyday round there? Besides the crazy campervans and tourists on the right side of the road, whats the story with black ice?? Cheers :)

[Jantar]

Most of the time its not too bad. A lot will depend on which part of Queenstown you will live in and where you commute to. The only time you will really need to leave your bike at home and get the bus (or walk) is when there is black ice or snow and you'll soon get to recognise those conditions. Fortuantely, both are not too common and they are mutually exclusive.

[Metastable]

Up here I have seen guys ride year round.... snow and all. Ya not my gig, but we have some folks that are a bit nuts. Usually they are on a dual sport or an older standard. One guy I see on a 70/80s CB750 on a semi regular basis is out no mater what. Crazy nutters for sure. A friend of mine won't go out if there is snow, but otherwise he goes out with boot warmers, hand warmers, and a heated vest.

[Bobbyman]

Heard chains on bikes is the new craze with the new sport of bike drifting. Cool sounds like its a case of getting that bus timetable and being careful on picking your days then

[Berries]

Is it Suicide commuting everyday round there? Besides the crazy campervans and tourists on the right side of the road, whats the story with black ice?? Cheers :)

I think you are probably safer riding in Queesntown than in Auckland. Yes, ice can be a problem on some days, but it depends on your route and where you decide to live. A couple of the hills can be dodgy when other roads are clear so if you are that concerned choose your accommodation carefully. If working in central Qtown I would suggest trying to find a place within walking distance, especially if your company are paying. That way you can have a few beers after work, check out some of the backpackers, and have a Fergburger on the way home.

I wouldn't worry about the campervans and tourists. You are more likely to get taken out by a local or someone from the north island in holiday mode.

[Bobbyman]

Yeah if i remember rightly the mountain traffic can be a shocker... But my main concern was the ice really, cause of the early starts, and i would be biking to Arrowtown quite a bit around that back road past Coronet Peak and the Shotover, seemed quite hairy round there

[Metastable]

In all seriousness, IF legal, you can have tiny studs put into your tires (not chains). Those things grip like crazy on ice. Up here there are some places where you are allowed to have studded tires. You can't where I live, but sometimes you'll see an out of town car rolling by..... they sound kinda strange, but I'm sure they have no worries about driving on ice. It is expensive to get tires studded and I'm not sure how many guys down there are experienced with that sort of thing. Plus like I said, it might not even be legal.

One advantage would be if you have a nicely frozen lake and studded tires, then you also have a private track to bomb on.

[The Viking]

A bit aside perhaps, this is the earliest rally in Norway.It takes place in February in the southern
part of Norway, deep in the forest.:wacko::cold:
http://www.mc24.no/article.php?articleID=1118&categoryID=6
http://www.mc24.no/article.php?articleID=1770&categoryID=6

[Jantar]

In all seriousness, IF legal, you can have tiny studs put into your tires (not chains). Those things grip like crazy on ice. Up here there are some places where you are allowed to have studded tires. You can't where I live, but sometimes you'll see an out of town car rolling by..... they sound kinda strange, but I'm sure they have no worries about driving on ice. It is expensive to get tires studded and I'm not sure how many guys down there are experienced with that sort of thing. Plus like I said, it might not even be legal.

One advantage would be if you have a nicely frozen lake and studded tires, then you also have a private track to bomb on.

There isn't enough snow and ice over winter to make studding tyres worthwhile. A few of tried it on our motoX bikes 35 years ago for a race on a frozen lake, and that was fun. Overall though the road from Queenstown to Arrowtown is a good one and its only a dozen or so days per year that it wouldn't be rideable.

[george formby]

Stay warm & pay attention. Snow is pretty obvious, black ice will hide in the shade. I rode bikes for 12 years in Scotland regardless of weather, ended up enjoying riding in snow & learned to take it real easy if their was heavy frost or risk of black ice. The only thing that will really stop you is heavy snow & strong wind. If you have to lean into the wind while riding on ice your screwed.

[Berries]

I rode bikes for 12 years in Scotland regardless of weather, ended up enjoying riding in snow & learned to take it real easy if their was heavy frost or risk of black ice.

I lived in Aberdeen for six years and used to love winter riding. Even with deep snow at the sides of the road, you could be a lot more confident with the road than you can over here. And when it melted then dried the road seemed super grippy. [The only problem I really remember was not being able to get my flies open quick enough due to frozen fingers when I needed a slash]. Over here the roads are crap in winter and because of the grit they remain crap long after the weather has improved.

Take it easy on Malaghans Road when it gets really cold. It does suffer from ice in a number of places that can catch you out, even when the frost has gone in the afternoon and you think it will be sweet. As the banjo man above says, stay warm. Probably the best winter riding advice you can get, that and a nice malt in front of the fire when you get home.

[MaxB]

From memory Malaghans is at a higher elevation than 6(A). Stick to Lake level on the cold ones if you can. Get a mate to give you a lift on the icy, snowy days. Folks are way friendlier down south, its amazing how far some gas or beer money will get you.

To put the Lakes region into perspective, Wanaka and Alexandra are about the same distance away from Q town as Red Beach is to Takanini.

[george formby]

I lived in Aberdeen for six years and used to love winter riding. Even with deep snow at the sides of the road, you could be a lot more confident with the road than you can over here. And when it melted then dried the road seemed super grippy. [The only problem I really remember was not being able to get my flies open quick enough due to frozen fingers when I needed a slash]. Over here the roads are crap in winter and because of the grit they remain crap long after the weather has improved.

Take it easy on Malaghans Road when it gets really cold. It does suffer from ice in a number of places that can catch you out, even when the frost has gone in the afternoon and you think it will be sweet. As the banjo man above says, stay warm. Probably the best winter riding advice you can get, that and a nice malt in front of the fire when you get home.

Ha! It was Grampian where I lived too. I fondly remember arriving home at night & calling for my partner to hold the bike while I climbed off & fell over. No feeling in my hand's, feet or face whatsoever. And that lovely feeling of being stabbed in your extremitys while you wiggled your toe's in front of the fire to get the circulation back. Bugger it, I might move to Queenstown.

[Berries]

Ha! It was Grampian where I lived too.

For a year or so I lived on the Slug Road if it means anything to you. It was like living on a racetrack at times.

[Arrowolf]

Yes, it is just a few days a year you can not ride a bike in Otago. I am livin in Arrowtown, and i use my bike all year round. Only 5 - 10 days it is icey on the road. It is more dangerous with all the grit on our roads arround here. And it is bad for the bike too. But on sunny days it is just fun to ride around here. Worst place is probably Crown Range Road.
And after a nice ride it is just good to have a original french mulled wine in Arrowtowns Bonjour Cafe.

[Coldrider]

And after a nice ride it is just good to have a original french mulled wine in Arrowtowns Bonjour Cafe.I prefer the omlette and a flat white when I check out the Gibbston Valley.

[Digitdion]

Personally , I use the car alot more in the winter. I have very early starts for work and can not be buggered spending time getting totally rugged up for the ride. Yeah, on the main routes thru the area ice will a factor not so often. Some roads they spray a chemical to stop the ice forming. Alot of other roads though can be nasty. Grit is almost as bad as ice, and grit will be everywhere. Every winter is different. Some winters are shockers with ice, some are not. It all just depends how keen you are. For me I very much appreciate the fact that I can use my car in the winter. It saves time, hassle and potential snarl ups. each to there own though!