Winter touring, what do people think? [Archive]

GTRMAN

12th July 2012, 09:29

So it would seem that lots of riders round here park up their bikes for the winter, I'm thinking of getting out for a few days. What do people think if winter touring? any experiences to share? Thoughts on the subject?

Paul in NZ

12th July 2012, 10:25

As long as the weathers good - its brilliant. You just leave a little later to let the ice disappear off the road and don't go as long into the late afternoon. Its best if you have time to sit out the really shitty days though, that's no fun at all, especially if your gear doesn't dry overnight. Good thermals and gear help.

You also get wonderful scenery, snowy mountains etc.

I mean its been great the last few days, fabulous riding weather.

unstuck

12th July 2012, 15:56

Dress warm, ride sencibley and have heaps of fun. :headbang:

Gremlin

12th July 2012, 16:44

Keep warm, watch out for ice, that's the big issues for me.

george formby

12th July 2012, 16:49

Just had a guy in the shop on tour with his missus. Having a ball in the Northland sunshine. They went to Cape Reinga yesterday. He is from near Tokaroa I believe.

Do eet!!

Jantar

12th July 2012, 17:50

... any experiences to share? Thoughts on the subject?
Winter is no different to summer except for having to dress a little warmer, starting the day a little later and keeping options open. Have a look at http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/150997-Alexandra-to-Hamilton-with-something-different-on-the-way

caspernz

12th July 2012, 21:17

Akzle

13th July 2012, 10:31

So it would seem that lots of riders round here park up their bikes for the winter,

. ...who?
:nono:

banditrider

13th July 2012, 20:32

Nothing wrong with winter touring, personally I confine my winter riding to daytime only. Black ice is kinda dodgy...

Layer up with thermals and windproof gear, hot grips, balaclava and you're good to go. No 1000 kms a day missions in winter for me though.

Ice & fog are no fun but 1,000km in a day can be done: http://banditrider.blogspot.co.nz/2008/06/winter-waioeka-wanderings.html

It's been a while since we did that run and we wanted to repeat it this year but have probably missed our chance this winter. I love a beautiful, crisp, clear winter's day! It is nice to get home to the fire though...

CRM

14th July 2012, 19:48

I rode from Whangarei to Russell on Thursday then yesterday the weather was so nice again I rode to Auckland and back to visit clients. Riding on a nice clear winters day is hard to beat :cool:.

FJRider

14th July 2012, 20:00

I rode from Whangarei to Russell on Thursday then yesterday the weather was so nice again I rode to Auckland and back to visit clients. Riding on a nice clear winters day is hard to beat :cool:.

I just love to hear Northlanders talk about riding in "Winter" .... :killingme

I doubt if many from Whangarei will see tree's looking like this in the north ...

banditrider

14th July 2012, 20:07

A couple of years ago:

csaFtD3amK4

tigertim20

14th July 2012, 20:28

nothing wrong with winter riding as mentioned. fuck if I can doo 800km in a day comfortable on an R1 in the middle of winter, you can do it on just about anything,
take your time, dress warm, and take it extra easy through sections of road that dont see sunshine during the day - a few sections of the road to nelson for example, used to be icy 24/7 through winter.

caspernz

15th July 2012, 19:01

Ice & fog are no fun but 1,000km in a day can be done: http://banditrider.blogspot.co.nz/2008/06/winter-waioeka-wanderings.html

It's been a while since we did that run and we wanted to repeat it this year but have probably missed our chance this winter. I love a beautiful, crisp, clear winter's day! It is nice to get home to the fire though...

Ah yep, 1000 km a day is still easily possible, but nowhere near as much fun as during a nice long warm summer day...:2thumbsup

But yeah, crisp clear winter days are magic, as long as I don't encounter black ice :eek5:

CookMySock

15th July 2012, 21:23

I really like riding in the rain - even open faced with safety glasses. Gotta be warm and dry though - get a set of yellows to go over your full bike gear plus polypro and just go for it! Heated gear is a real bonus, and can be a safety issue if you're caught out at night or at high altitude.

If you get too cold, get off the bike, leave all your gear on and run up and down a hill until you have a good sweat up! ;)

idb

15th July 2012, 22:02

Listen to your mum...put a jacket on!

scumdog

15th July 2012, 22:17

Keep warm, watch out for ice, that's the big issues for me.

And low sun.

Don't forget the low sun. (assuming it's out...)

scumdog

15th July 2012, 22:19

I just love to hear Northlanders talk about riding in "Winter" .... :killingme

I doubt if many from Whangarei will see tree's looking like this in the north ...

And that folks is why I don't ride as much during the winters...

FJRider

15th July 2012, 22:33

And that folks is why I don't ride as much during the winters...

On days like that shown in the photo ... I don't either ...

But there are a few winter days well suitable ... for a cruise.

Gremlin

16th July 2012, 03:29

And low sun.

Don't forget the low sun. (assuming it's out...)
:psst: You get that in summer too. I know, a relevation, but you do. Just happens later in the day... :whistle:

YellowDog

16th July 2012, 05:28

Maha

16th July 2012, 07:34

:psst: You get that in summer too. I know, a relevation, but you do. Just happens later in the day... :whistle:

You mean, when its setting?....:eek5:
As others have said, with the right gear its fine. Nothing worse than riding in wet gear...hang on, yes there is, trying to put wet gear on!
Only once have I had to empty water from my boots due the amount of rain we had been riding in.
Leathers tucked into the boots is no longer an issue.

scumdog

16th July 2012, 09:15

:psst: You get that in summer too. I know, a relevation, but you do. Just happens later in the day... :whistle:

At least in summer there's a longer gap betwixt sunrise & sunset - and (this was what I was alluding to) it gets a whole lot higher.

Some hilly area around here are notorious for 'sun-strike' risk for all but four hours or so in winter

CRM

16th July 2012, 14:02

I just love to hear Northlanders talk about riding in "Winter" .... :killingme

I doubt if many from Whangarei will see tree's looking like this in the north ...

Don't believe the hype about the Winterless North - we actually had three frosts last week and had to light our fire :cold:

Anyway I'm thinking about doing the South Island in August - should I bring some gloves do you think?

GTRMAN

16th July 2012, 14:18

Don't believe the hype about the Winterless North - we actually had three frosts last week and had to light our fire :cold:

Anyway I'm thinking about doing the South Island in August - should I bring some gloves do you think?

Maybe just come light summer ones ;)

And this......

http://www.kiwidisposals.co.nz/overalls/315-refrigiwear-coverall-used

banditrider

16th July 2012, 17:26

Hopefully it won't be this bad in 2 weeks on our BRR ride starting in National Park...

FJRider

16th July 2012, 17:51

Don't believe the hype about the Winterless North - we actually had three frosts last week and had to light our fire :cold:

Anyway I'm thinking about doing the South Island in August - should I bring some gloves do you think?

Naaaah ... Mid day temperature should be above zero by then. :lol:

On the day of that photo ... the day's high temp' was minus 4 C :eek5:

GTRMAN

17th July 2012, 07:35

Naaaah ... Mid day temperature should be above zero by then. :lol:

On the day of that photo ... the day's high temp' was minus 4 C :eek5:

On the upside, a least your icecream won't melt in your tank bag :niceone: