Advice needed from Christchurch area bikers

[BladeBrit]

Hi Guys,
I am currently on a 3 week tour of the South Island and need some help at the end of my trip.
When I hired the bike I transferred all of my gear from my 2 suitcases to the panniers on the bike and left for a good time.
However the suitcases are now trapped at Casbolts in the CBD and it is unlikely that I will be able to get access to recover them before the end of my trip in 10 days.
Therefore when I hand the bike back i will have a load of gear and nowhere to put it.
Can anyone suggest somewhere near Christchurch where i could go and buy some new suitcases so i can take my stuff home?
I am only familiar with the CBD area of Christchurch as I was on foot when last there.
Any help gratefully received.

Phill

[cromagnon]

Westfield Riccarton mall (on riccarton rd) has a few of shops that sell luggage and is slowly opening up. Otherwise The Warehouse should sell cheap luggage too.

[neels]

Where are you dropping the bike off? Obviously not Casbolts, so an area of town might narrow down where you can go shopping.

[Gareth123]

Stop by bunnings and pick up some 20L water buckets for $18. I'm sure you could fit all your luggage in a couple of those. Cheaper than suitcases too.

[BladeBrit]

Thanks for the replies guys I am unsure yet where I will be dropping the bike off but it will be near to Christchurch. I return the bike a week on Saturday (12th) but do not fly out of Christchurch until the Monday. So I should have a free day to look for something.
I am assuming the Malls etc are open on Sunday? we are so used to it back home that we just assume it is the same everywhere else.
I was planning on finding some places like Riccarton Mall and then getting a taxi there and back.
Cromagnon : Is the warehouse you mention in the mall?
Gareth123 : Where is bunnings is that in Riccarton mall as well? if I have some way to keep the lid on the buckets then that could be an option although a bit tricky to carry.
I have to get my helmet, gloves bike gear back as well so I have quite a lot of stuff.

Thanks for the assistance guys.

[cromagnon]

The warehouse isnt in riccarton mall and neither is bunnings. The mall does have kmart (similar to the warehouse). Bunnings is at Tower Junction, a 15min walk from the mall. Google will show you where they are.

[neels]

There are several The Warehouse shops still open around town, some in malls and some not, a good bet near the city would be the one in Blenheim Rd. You could also hunt out a Briscoes shop, they sell luggage as well. South west of the city riccarton and hornby would be your best bet, out north probably papanui or northwood (belfast).

Once you know where you're dropping off I'd suggest some googling of those two, or if you post here someone may be able to give you a lift.

[Swoop]

There is also Briscoes. They sell suitcases.

Briscoes Homeware - Place page
www.briscoes.co.nz - 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton - (03) 348 2941

Briscoes Homeware - 2 reviews - Place page
www.briscoes.co.nz - 195 Salisbury Street, Christchurch - (03) 379 3540

Briscoes Homeware - 2 reviews - Place page
www.briscoes.co.nz - 11 Langdons Road, Papanui - (03) 352 0429

[AxN]

I might be able to give you a hand... just flick me a message.

[shafty]

If you decide to do the bucket thing, just use cable ties (zip ties) and a pocket knife to pierce the lids/rims - has worked well for me in the past .....I actually bought a large plastic storage bin and used the cable ties, hope that helps....

[BladeBrit]

Thanks all for the info. Sorry for the delay but I have had a lack of internet access of late.
Shafty - good idea on the buckets and cable ties thanks.
AXN - Thanks for the offer I will take you up on it if I need help :yes:
Swoop ,Neels, Cromagnon - Thanks for the names and addresses they will be useful.

I was hoping to hear that they had got into Cassbolts today but looking at the map shown on the TV last night I think Manchester street is still in the red zone so no access. :angry:

[BladeBrit]

A big thank you goes out to BEAMER89 (Graham) for donating a suitcase and for picking me up after the bike drop off and ferrying me to and from Riccarton mall to get a second case at kmart.
I succesfully made it back to the UK with the new case which was still in good condition so it looks like it may do a few more trip as well.
Qnce again thanks to all for the advice it just goes to show how generous and helpfull kiwi's are. :yes:
Dispite the case situation I had a great trip and met some great people.
If anyone is coming to the UK or Europe for a biking trip drop me a note as I would love to help ut and return the favour.
:drinknsin

Phill

[BEAMER89]

Hi Phill
lt was great meeting you on the Saturday before you left NZ and lm glad you enjoyed your time here and also glad you made it home OK:cool:
Cheers Graham

[BladeBrit]

As a final post on this thread I just wanted you guys to know that I was reunited with my baggage this week. The owners of Casbolts finally got access to their building and recovered my bag. The guy who runs the rental company then managed to convince Emirates airlines that it would be very charitable to ship my bag back free of charge.
And here it is safe and sound.:woohoo:
Once again thanks all for the help and advice I am already planning how to get out to New Zealand for a return trip.
:yes:

[Blackbird]

As a final post on this thread I just wanted you guys to know that I was reunited with my baggage this week. The owners of Casbolts finally got access to their building and recovered my bag. The guy who runs the rental company then managed to convince Emirates airlines that it would be very charitable to ship my bag back free of charge.
And here it is safe and sound.:woohoo:
Once again thanks all for the help and advice I am already planning how to get out to New Zealand for a return trip.
:yes:

Great news Phill - that's an excellent outcome! Always a bed and good food in Coromandel if/when you come back.

[DrunkenMistake]

Would be just as cheap to courier your stuff home than it would be to buy new luggage?