Riding up from Christchurch to Auckland (12-18 Sep 13)

[EJK]

Hey guys I'll be riding from Christchurch to Auckland starting from 12th September (next week). I'm looking forward to catch up with some of you Auckland KBers! :sunny: There may be a ride on Saturday 14th, more detail will follow.

The days I'll be riding are:
12th Christchurch -> Wellington
13th Wellington -> Auckland
14th & 15th Auckland
16th Auckland -> Tauranga -> Taupo
17th Taupo -> Picton
18th Picton -> Christchurch

So if you see a blue ZX10R with whole lotta gear, gizza wave! If you see him stranded/ out of gas, gizza hand!

[Maha]

If you're going to be out and about on the 14th let me know, I could possibly meet you somewhere.

[EJK]

If you're going to be out and about on the 14th let me know, I could possibly meet you somewhere.

Will do :sunny: I'll let you know as time draws near.

[EJK]

Woo! One more night! :sunny:

[Laava]

Best you bring some decent friggen weather with you! We have been rained in for weeks!

[EJK]

Not a bad start! Safe and sound in Wellington at a mate's place. The east coast road north of Kaikoura is BY FAR the best road I've ever ridden.

In Picton whilst trying to take a photo my bike fell out of it's sidestand and the oggy knob hit my calf pretty good (I'll definitely feel it tomorrow!) Apart from slight bruised ego everything's okay! Can't wait to head out to Auckland tomorrow :sunny:

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287423&stc=1&d=1378976701" width="600" />

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287422&stc=1&d=1378976701" width="600" />

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287420&stc=1&d=1378976701" width="600" />

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287421&stc=1&d=1378976701" width="600" />

[Laava]

Cool, just out of interest did you book the ferry or just turn up? Asking cos am doing a ride over cook strait in early dec.

[EJK]

I had booked it online. Lucky I did that cause surprisingly there were quite of vehicles for quiet season.

[mulletman]

Not a bad start! Safe and sound in Wellington at a mate's place. The east coast road north of Kaikoura is BY FAR the best road I've ever ridden.
>

You gotta be be kidding right ?
Ya must've been down the coast thru Haast before ? if not get over there !!

[mulletman]

Cool bike trip all the same :niceone:

[russd7]

Cool, just out of interest did you book the ferry or just turn up? Asking cos am doing a ride over cook strait in early dec.

dont think i have ever prebooked for the ferry for the bike and never had issues getting on, tho its been about six years since i last crossed the ditch with the bike

[insomnia01]

You gotta be be kidding right ?
Ya must've been down the coast thru Haast before ? if not get over there !!

West is best by far :Punk: east coast inland routes for me :msn-wink:

[Laava]

Wha sappaneen?

[EJK]

Wha sappaneen?

Safe and sound in Auckland! Time for a little update!

I left Wellington just past 9am after visiting dick smith to buy myself a new earphones (because of yesterday's little mishap). Weather was absolutely great with cool breeze to start with. However as I was nearing Tongariro temperature dropped quite a bit! Regardless I very much enjoyed SH4 all the way to Otorohanga! It was a good time to carve and "reshape" my tyres from squaring off.

After meeting an ol friend Justin we headed out for dinner to night market. Now this is Auckland lifestyle I've always wanted. Makes me think of moving here! After all, Auckland is my second home.

There will be a ride tomorrow to Kaiaua around 11:30am. Anybody in Auckland who's got a bike wanna catch up with me (no pun intended) let me know!

Hey Al, keen to join us tomorrow at Maha's in the evening?

<img width="600" src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287451&stc=1&d=1379063489" />

<img width="500" src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287452&stc=1&d=1379063489" />

[mossy1200]

Is that all the gear you have tied on the back?
Did you post clothes ahead?

[EJK]

Is that all the gear you have tied on the back?
Did you post clothes ahead?

The tail bag was for tools, tie downs and maintenance stuffs for the bike. My clothing and equipments were packed in my handy Alpinestars backpack.

[Laava]

Well I tried! I got to Kaiwaka then had a buellstop. It,s like a fuel stop in that you stop, piss and spend money but you don,t get to continue! Lucky I have a wife and ute and trailer!

[Mom]

Well I tried! I got to Kaiwaka then had a buellstop. It,s like a fuel stop in that you stop, piss and spend money but you don,t get to continue! Lucky I have a wife and ute and trailer!

Bummer Al! Hope it isn't an expensive Buell stop.

[wynw]

Well I tried! I got to Kaiwaka then had a buellstop. It,s like a fuel stop in that you stop, piss and spend money but you don,t get to continue! Lucky I have a wife and ute and trailer!

Bugger!..going again? Still need that axle stand?

[Laava]

No not going. Not sure what it is but suspect it is one of the major relays.
Oh and yes to axle stand, may as well pull the bastard right apart eh if it is going to play games!
Oh and EJ go to bed! Heh.

[Laava]

Hope your ride home is going good fella!
Did you find the chicken nibbles I stuffed under the fairing for you?

[EJK]

Time for some update!

Now I am on my way down to Wellington to catch a ferry at 6:30pm.

My stay in Auckland has been awesome thanks to all my friends (I can't name them all! Too many!). I've had a great time catching up with the old friends and meeting some new. Apart from meeting friends, all I can remember is eating food Christchurch don't have :sweatdrop

On Saturday morning, Toto, Gremlin, Gijoe1313 and myself went out on a ride to Kaiaua for fish and chips (Laava couldn't make it!). The weather stayed quiet untill we left for home. It was a blast of nostalgia going back to places where I had my early days of motorcycle riding.

On Saturday night I caught up with Mom, Maha and Laava for laughs and nibbles. Once again thanks for the warm hospitality.

Just before I left Auckland I had the time to finally meet Kiwifruit. What a good guy he is!

Now my trip is nearing it's end, it's time to slowly enjoy the road to I get home :sunny: I couldn't have done this trip without all my friends in Auckland really. Might have to think about moving to Auckland! I'll start looking for a job maybe :msn-wink:

<img width="600" src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287558&stc=1&d=1379360527" />

<img width="600" src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287559&stc=1&d=1379360527" />

[EJK]

Auckland trip complete!

Total estimated distance: 2489kms
Total fuel cost: $403.94
Total food cost: >$100
Best moment: Meeting friends old and new.
Worst moment: Dropping bike in Picton.
Favourite road: Wanganui to Otorohanga via SH4 and SH3.
Least favourite road: Desert road, Turangi to Taihape due to cold weather.

It's been such an amazing week, riding across the country meeting great friends along the way. Once again thank you to everyone who has supported me :-)

Bike is now in need of a good full service, tyre is still decent (I think I can squeeze out 4,000 more kms) and I need a hot bath and a nap.

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287612&stc=1&d=1379472727" />

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287611&stc=1&d=1379472713" width="600" />

<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287610&stc=1&d=1379472713" width="600" />

Taupo lookout.
<img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=287609&stc=1&d=1379472713" width="600" />

[Mom]

Come Norf young man! You know you want to.

It was so lovely to see you, thanks for making us a stop point.

[Grashopper]

Awesome that you had a good trip. Great photos. Think the one in front of Ruapehu is my favorite.

[Maha]

Good to see ya EJ.. I might have a look at one of those 'throttle keepers' :cool: