Homer tunnel advice

[mr-burger]

This summer will be the first time through on my bike and if I remember rightly when i was in the car I remember the state of the road though was pretty shocking. My concern is not wanting my girlfriend on her GSX freaking out halfway through!!!! Hahaha. Any advice on going through????

[jim.cox]

Any advice on going through????

Remember to take your sunnies off before entering the tunnel - DAMHIK :)

[Quasievil]

I went through about two years ago on a KLR, wasnt to bad I though, biggest issue is you can see much of the surface (I found) and tend to focus on the light at the end etc.
Get her to follow you and relax take your time, even have a quick word with the driver behind you, if there is one and explain you will be going slow because ......
Im sure that wont be an issue.
Really tho, its not that much of a challenge, so Im sure it will be sweet.

[Taz]

It's just a road with a roof. Just don't think about those tonnes and tonnes of rock above you :)

[jim.cox]

It's just a road with a roof.

and waterfalls

and huge potholes you can't see

[Taz]

and waterfalls

and huge potholes you can't see

Most of the roads I ride are like that and all the better for it I reckon.

[magicfairy]

Dont discover your low beam bulb has blown as you enter it :shit:... we went through a few years ago like that, high beam no good, could not see road in front, blinding other vehicles.
Was interesting to say the least (I was pillion)

[kit]

Remember to take your sunnies off before entering the tunnel - DAMHIK :)

Yep thats what I was told too...

[Grasshopperus]

practise riding with your eyes closed

[grusomhat]

Clutch in, WOT.

[Flip]

practise riding with your eyes closed

I shut one eye while waiting so I had some night vision.

[Virago]

My wife and I did it about three months ago - it's a piece of cake.

From the Te Anau side is the most daunting, sloping downhill quite steeply. Coming back is sweet as. The road surface is fine - no serious pot-holes (not that we found anyway).

The suggest about removing sunglasses is very important. I've got shocking night vision - I got the wife to take the lead. If you're worried about seeing where you're going, simply jump on behind one of the ubiquitous camper-vans, and follow them through - their brake-lights will light up the wet road surface, showing up any irregularities.

Don't be put off doing it - in good weather it is quite literally the best ride in New Zealand.

[Maha]

212914212915
Heres a couple of pictures of the Homer Tunnel.

[davereid]

Any advice on going through????

Its a great ride, beautiful scenery, just one of the worlds treasures.

My advice ?

Take a camera. Take your time. Enjoy the most beautiful roads in the world.

[Cynic]

The tunnel should be fine, just make sure you have enough fuel :)

[Virago]

Ooh, almost forgot - there's no petrol available at Milford Sound any more. Gas up at Te Anau before starting (242km return trip).

Edit - beaten by Cynic by a few seconds...

[RiderInBlack]

If Ya have to choose between Glasses or Contacts, ALWAYS choose ya CONTACTS. Found that out the hard way the first time I rode Homer Tunnel, it was fine on the Te Anau side, so didn't change ta my Contacts. Bad mistake (or I should say "Mist-take"), Mountain mist was blowing up the tunnel from the Milford side and the tunnel was greasy. I was so badly misted-up coming out of the Milford side, I nearly missed to left hand corner as I exited, even though I was down ta crawl pace.
Coming back up was piss easy, and since then I use contacts every time. Makes it so much easier.

PS: The Kea are really friendly on Te Anau side as ya wait for the Tunnel Lights ta change. Just don't leave ya bike unattended:shifty:

[cheshirecat]

Did it a couple of years ago and a couple of pointers.

First it descends in two stages, the second appearing steeper than it is and it's only when entering this second stage the end is visible. Taking it as slow as you feel comfortable and explaining to the car behind a good idea. The surface is or was intermittent gravel /tar seal with potholes - just like the average grade A state highway . There are bays you can let cars overtake if they are tailgating. The return is fine.

Transport NZ had kindly resurfaced the hairpins exiting the tunnel with ball bearing chippings causing the car ahead to roll. I got down keeping to 20kph/less

[Gremlin]

go to the light

[DIN PELENDA]

Did it with my girl just before New-year , even that I post for some advice about trip no one worn me about Homer tunnel , I jump the Que so we were first one in and I didn't like to hold up anyone, so I let it roll down and changing gears up , going down on fully loaded bike pick up speed weary quick I think I gone over 60 km/h, even slowly applying brakes on wet I hit pot hole and just manage to keep bike up from there was just slow ride to end of it , so what last post say abut keeping speed to 20 km , apply brakes with ease and most of the time, keep it in low gear. Going back up it is ease , enjoy your ride.
This girl did it.

[mr-burger]

Thanks for your replies people, some good stuff. Head towards the light still has me chuckling!! Can't remember the passing places but feel more confident now. Ta

[SMOKEU]

Remember to take your sunnies off before entering the tunnel - DAMHIK :)

I always ride through tunnels with my sunnies on. I have to look at the centre line to see where I'm going. It's all part of the fun.

[scumdog]

and waterfalls

and huge potholes you can't see

And water falling from the roof in places at times.

[Jantar]

I always ride through tunnels with my sunnies on. I have to look at the centre line to see where I'm going. It's all part of the fun.
When did they put a centerline in the Homer? Last time I did it it was still one way and controlled by lights.

[SMOKEU]

When did they put a centerline in the Homer? Last time I did it it was still one way and controlled by lights.

That's what I do through the Lyttelton tunnel anyway.

[oldrider]

Just be wary of the buses, some drivers can be arrogant bolshy bastards and care less about any other road users around them. :nono:

Otherwise just enjoy one of the best rides in the world! :yes:

[_Shrek_]

was through there today lots of black ice & grit will head back in the summer & make a it a 2 dayer covered 800ks aprox today so heading for bed :zzzz:
some real :tugger: on that road but most were good to deal with & moved over when you came up behind them

NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS, it's two way now & there is passing bays, there are some dull lights in the tunnel it self, & reflectors on the sides, so you can see where you're going a little but you still need lights on, we had no probs, but do watch it when going down hill as those coming up don't always stay to the left (bloody tourists) so just kick back & enjoy the :ride: or drive

(ps we took the 4X4 coz 4 of us wouldn't fit on bike) :whistle:

[TimeOut]

The first time I did it on a bike the lights were off due to avalanche danger on the east end, so no stopping.

If the lights aren't working and it's two way it pays to tuck in behind a bus or camper van so they can clear the way

[Frodo]

This is a fair question. When I went through a couple of years ago I hit a pot hole that was about the size of a small bath and I guess about a foot deep. Luckily my 19inch front wheel went through and I stayed upright. When I exited the downhill end, I met a guy on a BMW road bike who had cracked his rim on the same pothole. If there are no potholes, the ride through is easy. The trouble is that the glare and reflections make it difficult to see the pot holes. My only suggestion is to clean your visor (there was water dripping from above so I kept mine down), ride at a moderate pace and keep a lookout. The tunnel is not very long and I would trust (expect) following drivers to be considerate - other than bus drivers, so let them go ahead.

[_Shrek_]

And water falling from the roof in places at times.

there has been iron or some sort of sheet placed up & over the sides & top now the water runs down the edge of the road


This is a fair question. When I went through a couple of years ago I hit a pot hole that was about the size of a small bath and I guess about a foot deep. .

we found no pot holes a bit damp & uneven in places but other wise road in good order

[miSTa]

Went through in Feb 2008 - I remember it being very dark with no road markings for guidance. Easy enough though.

Te Anau side:
213118

Milford side:
213119

Need to do it again soon.