Riding in South Island

[Neshi]

I am living in Wellington and was planning on riding to Christchurch in about 2 weeks time. I got told this wasn't such a great idea as the roads would be covered in snow. Now I know it will be cold but that doesn't matter me much.. snow does... My question now is, is going to the south island this time of the year doable? Will the streets be clean or should I better take a plane down there?
I would just stick to the main road as I would like to do the ride within a day..
cheers

[schrodingers cat]

State Highway 1, for the most part is at sea level or under 300m. So long as the road is open below Kaikoura I don't see you'd have a problem. Bloody long way on a 250 tho...

[Virago]

Ah, a "visitor to NZ", eh...? :yes:

Who has decreed that the roads will be covered in snow?

There is currently snow inland and in the high country. I believe State Highway 1 in the north is completely clear.

As far as what the road conditions will be like in two weeks - who knows? But the chance of SH1 being blocked is fairly low.

There's no way you can plan a road trip in advance in mid-winter. Check the long-range forecast a week before.

[Neshi]

well, officially still a 'visitor'. I'm here on a student visa, and I've never been anywhere else than Wellington.. so just wanted to make sure going to Chch on the bike is still possible. I know doing that bit of highway on a 250 could get a little boring.. but it's just 450km. so with 110-120 it'll be done in 5 hours or so, not too bad.

So there will be no problems you can see? Not that I'm suddenly facing bits of ice on the road :shit:

[imdying]

Piece of cake, just check the weather forecast as far out as you can (10 day forecast on metservice site). Boring though. Wear a plastic wet weather oversuit from the Warehouse, and you'll be warm as toast... don't wear something like that, and the cold wind will make it a bitter miserable trip. Spend the $50, it'll be worth it.

[scumdog]

Don't come down here.

You could end up hitting a frozen-to-death penguin and crash into a 4 metre snow drift and only be found next February.

[LBD]

I would not run the risk for a couple of reasons

1) any patches of snow make perfect camoflage for those white woolly things that are waiting for unsudpectictig North is'and bikers. They will lay in wait then waddle out at the very last minute, to late to avoid and will leave you to die a cold and lonely death...almost like the cold kiwi bikers on Danseys pass nd they were warned.

2) This time of year the days are getting short and sunshine hours are dropping dropping SI temperments along with it....If you thought Deliverance was bad, you aint seen nothing till you have been cornered by a stir crazy, sunshine starved, SI farmer who has lost stock to early winter blizards ...that would be your worst night mare....

Dont go there...you have been warned.

[dangerous]

well, officially still a 'visitor'. I'm here on a student visa, and I've never been anywhere else than Wellington.. so just wanted to make sure going to Chch on the bike is still possible. I know doing that bit of highway on a 250 could get a little boring.. but it's just 450km. so with 110-120 it'll be done in 5 hours or so, not too bad.

So there will be no problems you can see? Not that I'm suddenly facing bits of ice on the road :shit: piece a piss, gone further on a 72 125... if wet the coast will be slipery, it will be cold other than that ya wont see beter scenery... enjoy.

[scumdog]

Don't come down here.

You could end up hitting a frozen-to-death penguin and crash into a 4 metre snow drift and only be found next February.

Hmm, I got a red rep with the comment 'twat' for the above post.

I guess THAT dude doesn't understand 'toungue-in-cheek' ...:blink:

[schrodingers cat]

Hmm, I got a red rep with the comment 'twat' for the above post.

I guess THAT dude doesn't understand 'toungue-in-cheek' ...:blink:

They need a huge smiley :taking the PISS: that flashes and turns cartwheels.

I thought it witty myself

[puddytat]

Watch out for the Seals stuck to the road too....
Youll be fine on a 250...youre limited to 104 kmh just like everyone else......

[Neshi]

I think I'll just take the plane down there. Not too sure about the weather as water on the road can turn to ice at 4 degrees already..

thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

[McWild]

I think you would have more fun if you waited til Summer.

[jellywrestler]

if you'r on the main road there's very little chance at all of ice as there's so much traffic over it that it will be worked off.
Wear a neck warmer, if you haven't got one just get a beanie and cut a hole in the top to make a neck warmer and enjoy the ride

[Flip]

Hell I just rode a vintage bike to the Brass with no problems, and it was -6 when we left Omarama.

You will have no problems on your 250, don't let these buggers talk you out of it. Just watch the weather, don't do the trip in a snow storm and don't ride at night in a frost.

Oh and watch out for the locals they dont like northeys from up north.

[JMemonic]

Meh ain't thought about putting the bike away and would happily do the trip from Picton to Christchurch and back again, frozen seals and penguins aside there is little else to worry about except truck drivers loaded on 'P'.

[Jantar]

I live in part of the South Island where it gets considerably colder than the Kaikoura coast. As a rule I ride all year round, except when there is compacted snow on the ground, when the air temperature is less than -6 C (just because I'm too soft), or when there is a high probablitity of black ice. It is easy to predict black ice; it occurs when there is rapid freezing on an already wet road, but cannot occur in dry conditions.

If you time your trip to get the morning ferry crossing (around 8:00 am departure) you will be riding down the coast in the warmest part of the day and you will arrive in Christchurch well before the temperature starts to drop to anywhere near freezing.

Whoever told you that "water on the road can turn to ice at 4 degrees already" doesn't know what they are talking about. Snow can fall and settle, briefly, at temperatures as high as 4 C, but for ice to form the temperature must be 0 C or lower.

Have a read of http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/111171-Ice-on-the-road? for some hints on winter riding

[NighthawkNZ]

:blink: there's snow :blink:


I think I'll just take the plane down there. Not too sure about the weather as water on the road can turn to ice at 4 degrees already..


How does water freeze at 4 degrees... :blink: thats like warm water ummmm sorry but for water to freeze it has to be zero degrees

[Gremlin]

no, don't go to the south island. There's tons of traffic, roads are awful, scenery is more lacking than the desert road. You'll hate it :whistle:

[dangerous]

I think I'll just take the plane down there. Not too sure about the weather as water on the road can turn to ice at 4 degrees already..

thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

harden up... you a biker or just own one? like I already said... piece a piss


They need a huge smiley :taking the PISS: that flashes and turns cartwheels.

I thought it witty myselfas did I, If the reper dident understand or couldent read between the lines they shouldent be allowed to ride a bike. name the reper SD ;)


I live in part of the South... jezzz ya make me sound like a Balcluthian pussy


Meh ain't thought about putting the bike away and would happily do the trip from Picton to Christchurch and back again, frozen seals and penguins aside there is little else to worry about except truck drivers loaded on 'P'.
bang on there...

[Grubber]

I think I'll just take the plane down there. Not too sure about the weather as water on the road can turn to ice at 4 degrees already..

thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

Mate! Don't be a blouse, there won't be any ice down that coast road. It's only inland you would have a problem. Go for it i say.
It will be cold but it will be safe.

[Genie]

On ya bike...you'll love it.

Take the Kaikoura road, it's gorgeous. The 250 will love.

Hell stop ya jabbering and get packing!!!!

[Neshi]

really thinking hard about just going on my bike anyway. Will be cheaper than the plane anyway... and a lot more fun

[Genie]

really thinking hard about just going on my bike anyway. Will be cheaper than the plane anyway... and a lot more fun

as nike say....just do it. Remember to wrap up warm though....fingers don't like being cold.

[sleemanj]

If you catch a plane, you have no transport when you get here, you don't get to see the nice places along the way, Picton and the whole Kaikoura coast are quite photogenic, you don't get to have lunch at the Kekerengu tearooms, or toot your horn going through the two short tunnels - it's a right of passage you know.

Take the bike. Have an adventure. When you're old and grey you won't remember "that time I flew to Christchurch and back", but I bet you'll remember when you rode your 250 in the middle of winter and the places you stopped on the way and took photos, especially since you've never gone down that road before.

[jeremysprite]

Mmm I second the opinion of Just Do It. I rode Queenstown to Auckland on a 250, you'll love the ride from Christchurch - Wellington, it's fantastic. Helluva lot better than Wellington - Auckland ride (SH1), that's for sure.
I might be doing that ride again soon as well oh yeah...

[triple-bee]

It,s a nice ride i did it the other way it was summer tho, pop in for a hot coffee and a defrost