South Island bikers just a rumour?

[pritch]

G'day y'all

Yesterday I rode from Picton to Christchurch. (And you do still need your own tie-downs on the ferry.) Wonderfull stuff. All those winding unfamiliar roads and bugger-all traffic, the scenery was a bonus. I had a great big grin inside the helmet. It occurred to me that this was the sort of thing that we have in mind when perusing the new bike brochures but that we all too seldom actually get around to doing.

One thing I did notice though. I did not see one single solitary motorcycle (or scooter) from the time I left Picton until I arrived in Christchurch. Then I saw two scooters and a one bike in what was probably rush hour traffic.
The thought is starting to occur to me that the other biker, (a blue Suzuki Papanui, 4:30PM ish) was probably another North Islander. :devil2:

I have been walking around today and have so far not seen one single solitary biker.

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?

Guess I had better go for a ride in the intrerests of research...

[Sniper]

We heard you were coming to town, and we know how bad North Island bikers are that we stay off the road :devil2:

[TonyB]

Damn- the secrets out! Oh well, we might as well come clean. There are no bikers in the South Island, we're all just pretending. There I said it! Ahhh, I feel so much better, like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders....

[Sniper]

Damn- the secrets out! Oh well, we might as well come clean. There are no bikers in the South Island, we're all just pretending. There I said it! Ahhh, I feel so much better, like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders....

Lier, where are you, what do you look like, I'll beat some sense into you

[Aaron]

Of late, I've see just as many, (or more), Police bikes on my commute through town than civi bikes, (and there's only two Partol bikes in Christchurch!).

They're good chaps though and always give or acknowledge the 'ol head nod.

I ride a blue Suzuki and live in Papanui, but was at work so t'was not I.

If Saturday is like today you'll see a heap more bikes on the road.

[T.I.E]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.

[Wolf]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.
If the ferry crossing is like other ferries I've experienced, best plan is to take the rubber off your wheels and weld the rims to the desk...

Edit: DECK! Deck, not desk... Need more caffeine! :devil2:

[Sniper]

If the ferry crossing is like other ferries I've experienced, best plan is to take the rubber off your wheels and weld the rims to the desk...

Amen to that

[Flyingpony]

:psst:
There's Bikerless days in the South Island.
We're trying to save fuel...

[Big Dave]

>>so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? <<

If you have good relations with your bike shop - just ask them for some - most have some in the bike packaging - they are light weight but good for touring.

There are anchor points on the floor of the ship. Put it on the stand - One tiedown around each footpeg and one over the lower triple clamp and all you have to worry about is someone elses falling on it.

Alternately Motomail sell some heavier duty units.

[Beemer]

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?

Nah, they're all hard men (and women) and you'll only find them if you are heading off road to places like Molesworth Station, Black Forest Station, etc. They breed 'em tough in the South Island!

[SpeedyGirl]

Just been out for a drive for work (ok, was shopping :devil2: )....saw heaps of bikes, including a really cute Duke!!! Open ze eyes!!! :sherlock:

[bungbung]

I went over Lewis Pass last week and saw 20 bikes over a couple of hours. Of course no-one rides on the Canterbury plains due to the boredom factor.

[Wolf]

I went over Lewis Pass last week and saw 20 bikes over a couple of hours. Of course no-one rides on the Canterbury plains due to the boredom factor.
I've heard the "twisties" involve off-road suspension and damaging the locals' fences... :devil2:

[Sniper]

I've heard the "twisties" involve off-road suspension and damaging the locals' fences... :devil2:

Really, wghere can I find this?

[Wolf]

Really, wghere can I find this?
When you get sick of travelling straight, pick a direction and start leaning

[Sniper]

Yes I have heard of this unique way of riding. Usually reserved for morons or those with short life spans right?

[vifferman]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry?
They do provide them on the ferry, but more often than not, they're manky old ropes, covered in salt, greasy, ferry spooge, etc.
Best bet is to see what you can find that is cheapish and most portable. I've got some I bought at Placemakers or somewhere for some ridiculous price (less than $20 for four?). Then practise at home.
You may find the plastic fairing bits on your bike get in the way; if so, what you need is something looped over the bars that can hang down a bit, for the tiedowns to go through. A couple of loops of rope or summat might do it. Either that, or as Big Dave said, tie it down by the lower triple clamp.

Oh - here's another tip. Take summat you can clean your hands with after untieing your bike before you ride off the ferry. Otherwise, if the deck has had seawater sploshing around it, you may have salty, sticky dirty hands to stick your gloves on when you've finished....

[Wolf]

Yes I have heard of this unique way of riding. Usually reserved for morons or those with short life spans right?
Yep. Seems more popular with drivers than with riders, in my observation. (Put in my time fixing my uncle's fence after the umphty-umpth twit drove through it)

[Rashika]

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?

Guess I had better go for a ride in the intrerests of research...


we're all at flippin' work, trying save up enough money to get another bike...cant go hooning round the country like SOME people... :Pokey:

lucky bugger...I'm just jealous is all :Punk:

[Pixie]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.
The cheapest are perfectly adequate ($9.00 / pair on special at5 Mitre 10 etc.) get two pairs

[Pixie]

>>so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? <<

If you have good relations with your bike shop - just ask them for some - most have some in the bike packaging - they are light weight but good for touring.

There are anchor points on the floor of the ship. Put it on the stand - One tiedown around each footpeg and one over the lower triple clamp and all you have to worry about is someone elses falling on it.

Alternately Motomail sell some heavier duty units.
On the side stand, in gear and bungy the front brake on -if you can

[Riff Raff]

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?
They're all round at Dangerous' place, playing in the closet!

[scumdog]

They're all round at Dangerous' place, playing in the closet!

He has a closet??? He told me he had no room at his place when I said I wanted to stay. :motu:

[White trash]

He has a closet??? He told me he had no room at his place when I said I wanted to stay. :motu:

You must be a bit grungier than us mate.

He wouldn't stop pestering the youthfull Welly crew to stay when we came down.

Some thing about "having something to show us, one at a time" if we stayed. I dunno.

[Lou Girardin]

T
You may find the plastic fairing bits on your bike get in the way; if so, what you need is something looped over the bars that can hang down a bit, for the tiedowns to go through. A couple of loops of rope or summat might do it. Either that, or as Big Dave said, tie it down by the lower triple clamp.
...

You can buy bar end ties that allow you to secure the bike, but hold the tiedowns clear of the pretty plastic stuff.

[shadow]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.

use the rubber blocks provided as well front and back and tie back to them. a pain to carry but rachet tie downs are way better than there stinky bits of rope

[NodMan]

there's only two Partol bikes in Christchurch!).

They're good chaps though and always give or acknowledge the 'ol head nod.


Im sure there good chaps but could you ask them to STOP acknowledging ME and to send my HEAD back to Auckland

Im having a bugger/Toyota of a job riding the ST1100 round without my head

Also only take head from chappesses
Ok just thought I'd make that CLEAR ...cheers Nod... you can call me Nodman

[Skyryder]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.

I use three. One forward and two on the side. Main thing to remember is to stop the bike from falling either side and moving front or back.

Front tie down to stop bike moving 'back.' Two side tie downs, angled so as to prevent bike from moving 'forward.'


Skyryder

[Oakie]

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?



Awwww dude! You were just out at the wrong time of day and in the wrong weather. We Christchurch bikers don't go out in the sun and nice weather like nancy-boys (and girls). We wait until its dark, raining, frosty, windy or just generally miserable. Come back on a shitty day and you won't be able to move for bikes.

Know what you mean though. I commute 22 km every day and am lucky to see a 'real' bike. (No disrespect to the scooter brigade of which I do see quite a few).

[idb]

One thing I did notice though. I did not see one single solitary motorcycle (or scooter) from the time I left Picton until I arrived in Christchurch. Then I saw two scooters and a one bike in what was probably rush hour traffic.
The thought is starting to occur to me that the other biker, (a blue Suzuki Papanui, 4:30PM ish) was probably another North Islander. :devil2:

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?

Yesterday you say?
That were Wennsday.
Wennsday be bath-day in the South Island.
We all be bathin'.

[scumdog]

Yesterday you say?
That were Wennsday.
Wennsday be bath-day in the South Island.
We all be bathin'.

Arghh, bath day? nay wunder this poor North Island byker didnay see any uther bikes on the road. Bath day and he expected to see South Island bike??

[thehollowmen]

We exist. Plenty up the narrow twisty seaside roads on Sunday, did you just stick to the highways?

[Jantar]

Yesterday you say?
That were Wennsday.
Wennsday be bath-day in the South Island.
We all be bathin'.

Bath-day? By Gum you're right. I hadn't realized it was already August. Isn't it amazing how quickly the year goes by. :devil2:

[dangerous]

They're all round at Dangerous' place, playing in the closet!

He has a closet??? He told me he had no room at his place when I said I wanted to stay. :motu:

You must be a bit grungier than us mate.

He wouldn't stop pestering the youthfull Welly crew to stay when we came down.

Some thing about "having something to show us, one at a time" if we stayed. I dunno.
Ya know...... I have to check out every single thread these days, cos you lot keep saying bad things about me behind my back...... you bastards love it dont ya.... pick on the Ginga :psst:

RR... theres just enuff room left in the closet for you :spudflip:



Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?
Well you rode right past the Chch bikes on ya way into town (Belfast) they are all in my garage. (dont worry there is more than 3 in there)

[NC]

Ya know...... I have to check out every single thread these days, cos you lot keep saying bad things about me behind my back...... you bastards love it dont ya.... pick on the Ginga :psst:

RR... theres just enuff room left in the closet for you :spudflip:



Well you rode right past the Chch bikes on ya way into town (Belfast) they are all in my garage.
Rogernomics

[cowpoos]

tieing down a bike is easy with or without proper tie downs....put your bike on the side stand....tie a rope or a tie-down through the rear wheel to a anchoring point behind your bike on both sides....and tie it firm...

tie another from your handle bar [same side as the side stand] and anchor it forward and away from your bike...tie it firm...but not so firm that the bike will pull toward you to much....

next tie another from the oposite handle bar....anchored forward and away from your bike...and pull this one up really tight....your bike should sit up by its self....

Brillent....bike cant go forward....cant go backwards...can't fall over....

It pays to practise before you go on the ferry.

[pritch]

Yesterday I went into Christchurch City never saw a bike either on the way in, or the way out, or while I was there. I was getting worried.

This morning while I was walking back from buying breakfast an Aprillia RSV went past. Things were looking up. I rode around town for a while, nothing. Then I headed out to Akaroa. What a great road. At the Hilltop (?) I stopped to take a photo and chatted to a guy with a big Kawasaki cruiser. While we were talking another cruiser comes up the hill, "Sounds like a Harley, says my new friend. Scraaaaape it goes as it rounds the bend. "Yep that's a Harley alright."

When I got in to Akaroa itself there were half a dozen bikes parked there mostly sprot bikes but here was a KTM Adventurer 900. Never set eyes on the riders though.

Had truly superlative fish n chips sitting in the sun on the waterfront. Great!
Then the ride back over the hill. Somebody may have whispered in a lawman's ear because two Police cars on that stretch of road seems a tad excessive. Maybe the Police are totally on top of crime in Christchurch and there are no burglaries down here.
And no, they both missed me (I hope).

Passed a VFR, I think, (he waved) and a guy on a trail bike who didn't. Mind you people do need to concentrate there.

My finely honed navigational skills (?) stuffed up and I missed the Geddes Pass turnoff. Never mind I have that to look froward to next time.

While lost (just temporarily misplaced?) trying to find Papanui a bike passed and waved as he did so. My faith is much restored.

Away North tomorrow morning, here's hoping there isn't a frost.

[TonyB]

*Eeeexcellent, our urgent call to Dial-a-biker seems to have done the trick. He now believes there ARE bikes in Chch. Now we just need to load them all back onto a transporter and take them back to storage*

[kiwi cowboy]

Yesterday you say?
That were Wennsday.
Wennsday be bath-day in the South Island.
We all be bathin'.

Bath?????? Bath??????? Hmmmmm wats that

[idleidolidyll]

Most of the South Islanders I used to ride with down there now live up here.............and so do i

[Korumba]

I hear you there Cuz….

[NighthawkNZ]

I have no idea why this thread has resurfaced...

However most of the riders depending on the day and time were at work... or riding our secret bike only roads that we don't tell any one about...

[Korumba]

cause its Bath Day... Silly!

[AllanB]

I had a bath once when I visited the North Island.

The magic-wand floats. Good to know if I fall overboard one day as I suspect if I try really hard I could breath through it.

Pictures later.............

[T.I.E]

is it 3 years old allready?

[skidMark]

They aint on SH1, usually opting for the inland route up to kaikoura, / blatting through the back country, i wa rarely on SH1.

some wanker on a gixxer passed me at 300 clicks within about a foot of me once on SH1 down there, hes lucky i didnt pull into the pub i knew he had gone to and rip him a new asshole.

[AllanB]

some wanker on a gixxer passed me at 300 clicks within about a foot of me once on SH1 down there

Probably on his way back to the North Island and late for the Picton Ferry :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Ever notice that in the South it is always the Picton Ferry - no matter which way you are travelling on it.

[NighthawkNZ]

They aint on SH1, usually opting for the inland route up to kaikoura, / blatting through the back country, i wa rarely on SH1..

What is this SH1 you talk of...???? :scratch:

[Skyryder]

G'day y'all

Yesterday I rode from Picton to Christchurch. (And you do still need your own tie-downs on the ferry.) Wonderfull stuff. All those winding unfamiliar roads and bugger-all traffic, the scenery was a bonus. I had a great big grin inside the helmet. It occurred to me that this was the sort of thing that we have in mind when perusing the new bike brochures but that we all too seldom actually get around to doing.

One thing I did notice though. I did not see one single solitary motorcycle (or scooter) from the time I left Picton until I arrived in Christchurch. Then I saw two scooters and a one bike in what was probably rush hour traffic.
The thought is starting to occur to me that the other biker, (a blue Suzuki Papanui, 4:30PM ish) was probably another North Islander. :devil2:

I have been walking around today and have so far not seen one single solitary biker.

Am I missing something? Do South Islanders only ride on Sunny Sundays or what? Or do they actually exist at all?

Guess I had better go for a ride in the intrerests of research...

It's just that we ride so fast you don't see us.:jerry:

Skyryder

[McJim]

Meh, anything North of Balclutha and you're virtually in the North Island:rofl:. Come to the South Island... there are a few bikers down here.

[Griffin]

ummm... theres a SOUTH island??? :eek5:

[McJim]

ummm... theres a SOUTH island??? :eek5:

Where's Stokes Valley anyway? Is that near Stoke on Trent in England or summat?

[imdying]

Ever notice that in the South it is always the Picton Ferry - no matter which way you are travelling on it.No, never noticed that, always just The Ferry... it's possible that it's only old people that refer to it as that, that remember when The Ferry left from Christchurch also.

[Griffin]

Where's Stokes Valley anyway? Is that near Stoke on Trent in England or summat?

Stokes Valley is nestled between Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt in the Wellington region of the North Island (We kiwis are so original with our names for places).
It was part of a bundle of land that was purchased from Wellington Maori in September 1839, the deal being finalised on the decks of the 'Tory' anchored in Wgtn harbour. The bundle of land purchased was the areas we now know as Wellington and the Hutt Valley so Stokes Valley was still to be defined at that stage.
Stokes Valley itself is named after Robert Stokes (b1810 - d1880) a surveyor working for the New Zealand Company, who arrived in NZ aboard the 'Cuba' in January 1840. Through the following months he surveyed several parts of Wgtn and the Hutt Valley, and during this time he gave his name to a small Valley in the Hutt... Stokes Valley.
Interestingly Robert Stokes was one of a group of the first ever 'white men' to cross the Rimutakas into the Wairarapa (a renowned route for us bikers) and was a staunch advocate for the construction of the Rimutaka railway line.

Now you know :)
Where is Invercargill?????

[Griffin]

Just in case your wondering what the 'cost' of purchasing Wellington and the Hutt Valley was to the Crown back in 1839... it was:

100 red blankets, 100 muskets, 2 tierces of tobacco, 48 iron pots, 2 cases of soap, 15 fowling pieces, 21 kegs of gunpowder, 1 case of ball cartridges, 1 keg of lead slabs, 100 cartouche boxes, 100 tomahawks, 40 pipe tomahawks, 1 case of pipes, 2 dozen spades, 12 bullet moulds, 12 dozen shirts, 20 jackets, 20 pairs of trousers, 60 red nightcaps, 300 yards of cotton duck, 200 yards of calico, 100 yards of check, 2 dozen pocket handkerchiefs, 2 dozen slates, 200 pencils, 10 dozen looking glasses, 10 dozen pocket knives, 10 dozen pairs of scissors, 1 dozen pairs of shoes, 1 dozen umbrellas, 1 dozen hats, 2 pounds of beads, 100 yards of ribbon, 1 gross of jews' harps, 1 dozen razors, 10 dozen combs, 6 dozen hoes, 2 suits of superfine clothes, 1 dozen shaving boxes and brushes, 2 dozen adzes and 1 dozen sticks of sealing wax.

[Jantar]

.....Now you know :)
Where is Invercargill?????

I too have heard rumours of a place called Invercargill. So the Strom is fuelled up and straight after lunch I'm going to head south looking for it. I have been warned not to blink or I may end up at Bluff (Eagle Tavern of course) and not actually see this place Called Invercargill. :laugh:

[chrisso]

We heard you were coming to town, and we know how bad North Island bikers are that we stay off the road :devil2:

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Aye tis a great part of the world...I used to love riding from Blenheim to ChCh back in the 80s---even less traffic back then...Kaikoura coast is stunning eh!
Used to red-line bike thru the Tunnels..yeeehaaaaaaaaa:Punk:

[chrisso]

No, never noticed that, always just The Ferry... it's possible that it's only old people that refer to it as that, that remember when The Ferry left from Christchurch also.

Pedantic Alert!!! you mean Lyttleton:done:lol

[NighthawkNZ]

I too have heard rumours of a place called Invercargill. So the Strom is fuelled up and straight after lunch I'm going to head south looking for it. I have been warned not to blink or I may end up at Bluff (Eagle Tavern of course) and not actually see this place Called Invercargill. :laugh:

In ver car gill wheres that in relation to where I am now??? :mellow:

[MIXONE]

Are you sure it wasn't the day when their parents were getting married?Probably all at the wedding.

[McJim]

Now you know :)
Where is Invercargill?????

Centre of the Universe mate. You're all just satellites. :rofl:

[NordieBoy]

Where is Invercargill?????

When the Scots first arrived in NZ they landed in Auckland.
They thought it was OK until one stuck up his hand and said "I know somewhere it's colder!"...

[scumdog]

When the Scots first arrived in NZ they landed in Auckland.
They thought it was OK until one stuck up his hand and said "I know somewhere it's colder!"...

And that single phrase is all that is keeping all the Auckland negatives away from this end of the country.:done:

[McJim]

When the Scots first arrived in NZ they landed in Auckland.
They thought it was OK until one stuck up his hand and said "I know somewhere it's colder!"...

Compared to Scotland Invercargill is tropical.

Invercargill Summer 30 degrees and 4 months long
Glasgow Summer 20 degrees and 2 days long
Invercargill Winter 5 degrees and 3 months long
Glasgow Winter -10 degrees and 8 months long

I enjoyed the North Island seasons though Spring, Summer, Autumn, Spring, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Spring, Spring etc. And yet STILL the kiwis complain about the weather! :rofl: and you have the cheek to talk about whinging poms!

[MarkH]

I enjoyed the North Island seasons though Spring, Summer, Autumn, Spring, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Spring, Spring etc. And yet STILL the kiwis complain about the weather! :rofl: and you have the cheek to talk about whinging poms!

I love the weather (most of the time anyway). I grew up in the Waikato then moved to Auckland 11 years ago - it is so warm here I haven't used a heater in 11 years.

[Jantar]

OK, I found this place called Invercargill. The trick is that when riding south as you hit the rain at Kennington, you must ride straight ahead into the rain on the wide sealed road with all the trucks and cages, rather than taking the narrow sealed road to the left that is open and empty (and bypasses the rain) on the way to Bluff.

Underneath that rain cloud is a town with pubs, cops, petrol stations and traffic lights. This is Invercargill. :whistle:

[idleidolidyll]

I hear you there Cuz….

and you don't even live in the southern hemisphere do ya cuz?

had a chance to ride anywhere? Does Brendan have a bike?

[Korumba]

Just clicked over 10,000 miles since I been here on a Golwing!, been a blast so far... talk to Chris he has all the photos.

[pritch]

is it 3 years old allready?

It's OK none of the places mentioned have moved much.

McJim should fit in down there. Up here he talks funny, down there in Inverrrrcarrrgill he almost sounds like a homeboy... :whistle:

[Sniper]

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Aye tis a great part of the world...I used to love riding from Blenheim to ChCh back in the 80s---even less traffic back then...Kaikoura coast is stunning eh!
Used to red-line bike thru the Tunnels..yeeehaaaaaaaaa:Punk:

Ahh, the tunnels, was always a good excuse to take the long way home. Even if it was a long way, and technically not on the way home, but hey....

[idleidolidyll]

Just clicked over 10,000 miles since I been here on a Golwing!, been a blast so far... talk to Chris he has all the photos.

a goldwing!

you sick puppy.

that must be a real let down after the R1

[Korumba]

a goldwing!

you sick puppy.

that must be a real let down after the R1



A Bike is a Bike , the R1 was not quite made for the riding and the roads I am travelling on here. Having said that I just did the Pacific Coast Highway 1 from LA to Oregon and that was a blast the Leadwing even handles well on the windy roads.
And the R1 is still waiting for me in NZ for when I return…..

[idleidolidyll]

A Bike is a Bike , the R1 was not quite made for the riding and the roads I am travelling on here. Having said that I just did the Pacific Coast Highway 1 from LA to Oregon and that was a blast the Leadwing even handles well on the windy roads.
And the R1 is still waiting for me in NZ for when I return…..

that's the spirit!

have you found some loving on the trip mate?

[Korumba]

that's the spirit!

have you found some loving on the trip mate?

Lots!!! even the Harley riders wave here..................

[idb]

Stokes Valley is nestled between Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt in the Wellington region of the North Island (We kiwis are so original with our names for places).
It was part of a bundle of land that was purchased from Wellington Maori in September 1839, the deal being finalised on the decks of the 'Tory' anchored in Wgtn harbour. The bundle of land purchased was the areas we now know as Wellington and the Hutt Valley so Stokes Valley was still to be defined at that stage.
Stokes Valley itself is named after Robert Stokes (b1810 - d1880) a surveyor working for the New Zealand Company, who arrived in NZ aboard the 'Cuba' in January 1840. Through the following months he surveyed several parts of Wgtn and the Hutt Valley, and during this time he gave his name to a small Valley in the Hutt... Stokes Valley.
Interestingly Robert Stokes was one of a group of the first ever 'white men' to cross the Rimutakas into the Wairarapa (a renowned route for us bikers) and was a staunch advocate for the construction of the Rimutaka railway line.

Now you know :)
Where is Invercargill?????
That all sounds way to hard to remember, why wasn't it called Middle Hutt?

[GTRMAN]

so what the hell kind tie downs do you need for the ferry? anyone got any good ides how too tie a bike down to a ferry? have not done it yet will soon and want some good pointers from those whom have done it. riding a 94cbr1000f fully faired.

i don't think the old bungy cord tie downs will cutt it.
allthought the warehouse have them on special.

go down to super cheap autos and get yourself a pack ratchet tie downs, should only cost you $20