South Island in summer?

[johnsf1980]

Ive been thinking about this for a while... Id like to ride around the mainland in summer, sometime in Dec/Jan (if I managed to get enough time off work).

Just wondering if anyone else is interested in doing the same?

[scumdog]

Me too - but then I live here!! :motu:

Rallies at Glenorchy (I hope) Woodstock (near Hokitika) in January and one at Vincent (near Alexandra) in February.
All worth attending.
P.M. me if you want a place to stay in the lower south east Otago.

[Paul in NZ]

If you can arrange it, I'd definately go for Feb/March. The weather is generally more settled and the roads quieter, accomodation easier to get after the school holidays.

Vicki and I are headed south for the Guzzi rally in October and were considering another SI trip in March. We were born in ChCh and there are a lot of SI KB'rs so ask questions etc... ;-)

Cheers

[Lou Girardin]

As we found out some places do need to be booked ahead, Haast, Q/Town for two.
You'll love it, bike heaven.

[duckman]

I normally do two weeks at the end of March. The roads are quiet, and the normal folk are back at work.

It's paradise for bikes.... Man I can't wait. :woohoo:

[oldrider]

Hi Lou, if you are looking for a place to stay with good accommodation low cost but with the ability to reach out to all the tourist spots on day rides, this is the place. Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club. Check it out Paul and report back. I read in a mag that the Ducatis were going to be here this year so I made inquiries. I believe you are booked into the local Pub. There are other places besides that. I will look you up. I would like to meet KBers that come South and happy to be of any assistance if I can. Cheers John.

[Paul in NZ]

Hi Lou, if you are looking for a place to stay with good accommodation low cost but with the ability to reach out to all the tourist spots on day rides, this is the place. Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club. Check it out Paul and report back. I read in a mag that the Ducatis were going to be here this year so I made inquiries. I believe you are booked into the local Pub. There are other places besides that. I will look you up. I would like to meet KBers that come South and happy to be of any assistance if I can. Cheers John.

Spluttler gurgle froth gasp!!! 'Ducati club'?

um no.... The NZ Moto Guzzi riders annual rally old bean.... Different thing entirely John!

We are currently reviewing travel plans as the trusted companions on the trip have been higjacked by a domestic emergency but the intention is to still go to the Rally... (be rude not too really)

We will need to spend some time in Christchurch as both our families are there and intend to catch up with local KB types if we can.

Cheers

[zadok]

I was only mentioning this to a work mate yesterday. I'm not sure when it will happen at this stage, but it will happen. When hiring a bike, do the lenders hire riding gear as well?

[skelstar]

Yeah Im pretty keen for a ride in the South. Even if its hopping between groups of riders each day. Trouble is im on a 250 and may not be able to keep up with others on bigger machines. Will be my first super-long ride too but im sure ill be fine. Cant wait. :)

[Paul in NZ]

One of the mistakes people make is thinking that they have to do the whole south island in one trip. Thats daft as you spend the whole time on your bike and really see bugger all.

There is nothing wrong with a quick 'top of the south' trip of 4 or 5 days to get a bit of a feel for what it's all about.

If vicki and I can manage to tour on our Guzzi 2 up and CSL can do an extended trip on betty then there is no reason on gods earth why you could not manage it.

Cheers

[Waylander]

... Thats daft as you spend the whole time on your bike ....
What's wrong with that? Yea you don't get to see alot of the towns and stuff but I don't see why peaple care about that anyway. Countryside is where the real beauty is.

[James Deuce]

What's wrong with that? Yea you don't get to see alot of the towns and stuff but I don't see why peaple care about that anyway. Countryside is where the real beauty is.

Yeah, but you need to stop and look. Really look. A fleeting 100km/hr+ glimpse does NO justice to the Sth Island. He isn't just talking about stopping in towns you literal minded, Lone Star State refugee.

[Waylander]

Yeah, but you need to stop and look. Really look. A fleeting 100km/hr+ glimpse does NO justice to the Sth Island. He isn't just talking about stopping in towns you literal minded, Lone Star State refugee.Meh, if I see nice view I stop for a few and snap a few pics. But I enjoy the actuall ride more than any destination. Horses for courses.

[James Deuce]

Meh, if I see nice view I stop for a few and snap a few pics. But I enjoy the actuall ride more than any destination. Horses for courses.

You'd probably eat the horse and turn the course into an oil well.

Fries with that?

[sels1]

I was only mentioning this to a work mate yesterday. I'm not sure when it will happen at this stage, but it will happen. When hiring a bike, do the lenders hire riding gear as well?

Normally yes, at varying different rates. I used Te Waipounamu rentals in ChCh recently, sevice was good and prices resonable. There are a couple of other companies there as well - google search will bring them up, they have good websites.

[oldrider]

Paul in NZ, all I seem to be doing lately is saying bloody "sorry". :dodge:

Bad blue that one, getting the bike wrong. Sheesh. :nono:

All Kiwi Bikers welcome here. Send me a PM if I can help, I will. Cheers John.

[zadok]

Normally yes, at varying different rates. I used Te Waipounamu rentals in ChCh recently, sevice was good and prices resonable. There are a couple of other companies there as well - google search will bring them up, they have good websites.
O.K Thanx. I will be looking at getting something in Picton I guess, or Wellington, before crossing the ditch.

[Paul in NZ]

Paul in NZ, all I seem to be doing lately is saying bloody "sorry". :dodge:

Bad blue that one, getting the bike wrong. Sheesh. :nono:

All Kiwi Bikers welcome here. Send me a PM if I can help, I will. Cheers John.

Why be sorry? I thought it was funny!.... Besides, we couldn't keep up with the Ducati boys for long.... Probably just jeaslous..

Cheers

[scumdog]

Probably just jeaslous..
Cheers

Is jeaslous a new KB word, sort of up there with sprotboke, gargre, prak etc??

[Lou Girardin]

Hi Lou, if you are looking for a place to stay with good accommodation low cost but with the ability to reach out to all the tourist spots on day rides, this is the place. Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club. Check it out Paul and report back. I read in a mag that the Ducatis were going to be here this year so I made inquiries. I believe you are booked into the local Pub. There are other places besides that. I will look you up. I would like to meet KBers that come South and happy to be of any assistance if I can. Cheers John.

Thanks John, we're not sure if we're heading that far south next year. I'll let you know.

[Lou Girardin]

I was only mentioning this to a work mate yesterday. I'm not sure when it will happen at this stage, but it will happen. When hiring a bike, do the lenders hire riding gear as well?

AMPS do, usually no cost.

[Paul in NZ]

What's wrong with that? Yea you don't get to see alot of the towns and stuff but I don't see why peaple care about that anyway. Countryside is where the real beauty is.

Sorry, should have explained a little better...

To 'do' the whole south island you would need between 10 and 14 days. Sure, you can ride 500 to 700kms on the first day BUT after that it gets harder and harder. (at least it does on my old boneshaker) and eventually it just becomes a chore and very non enjoyable.

Thrashing along shw1 is not what it's all about.

Earlier we went with stoney and co for 3 days. The first day we got to the hotel in time for us to dump the luggage and still go for a fang in the twisties before dinner. Thats fun.

If you want to ride and ride go do one of the endurance rides. I'm not built for that, I like to do around 350 to 450km a day MAX with time to explore a few backroads etc.

And you could not be more wrong about the towns. Some of the little places in the south island are amazingly interesting once you stop and find out about the history. Examples.

Blackball - birthplace of the Labour Party
Denniston - the incline was one of the wonders of the engineering world
St Bathans - The Vulcan Pub
Arrowtown - Beautiful
Reefton - erm well ok but you can get a good coffee there now!
Takaka - New years Eve

I really like to take my time and learn a little about the what / why.

Cheers

[Lou Girardin]

I'd be a bit ticked off if I had jeaslouses.

[Paul in NZ]

Is jeaslous a new KB word, sort of up there with sprotboke, gargre, prak etc??

No - It's what happens when KB spelling vultures swoop on poor dumb Guzzi riders before they can edit their posts... :ride:

[scumdog]

I'd be a bit ticked off if I had jeaslouses.


Maybe it was actually a bastardised contraction of 'jeeze-louise' and nothing to do with lice??

[Jonty]

I will be doing my inaugural tour on the Cibber in dec/january. I am heading home to West Otago on the 23 of Dec then will probabaly tour a bit of central in early Jan. Anyone is most welcome to join me, will post a little closer to the time. :ride:

[Waylander]

Sorry, should have explained a little better...

To 'do' the whole south island you would need between 10 and 14 days. Sure, you can ride 500 to 700kms on the first day BUT after that it gets harder and harder. (at least it does on my old boneshaker) and eventually it just becomes a chore and very non enjoyable.

Thrashing along shw1 is not what it's all about.

Earlier we went with stoney and co for 3 days. The first day we got to the hotel in time for us to dump the luggage and still go for a fang in the twisties before dinner. Thats fun.

If you want to ride and ride go do one of the endurance rides. I'm not built for that, I like to do around 350 to 450km a day MAX with time to explore a few backroads etc.

And you could not be more wrong about the towns. Some of the little places in the south island are amazingly interesting once you stop and find out about the history. Examples.

Blackball - birthplace of the Labour Party
Denniston - the incline was one of the wonders of the engineering world
St Bathans - The Vulcan Pub
Arrowtown - Beautiful
Reefton - erm well ok but you can get a good coffee there now!
Takaka - New years Eve

I really like to take my time and learn a little about the what / why.

Cheers
History is not my thing mate, give me adrenaline pumping excitement in the now or near future.

You can enjoy the history. Too much like school for me.:hitcher:

[Paul in NZ]

History is not my thing mate, give me adrenaline pumping excitement in the now or near future.

You can enjoy the history. Too much like school for me.:hitcher:

Well I guess you have the right bike for it then..... :devil2:

History you see and feel is very different from history you learn. If you even want to really get a feel for what makes this place special I'd suggest parking the bike and going for a bit of a stroll into the West Coast bush. You can 'feel' the land breathing there. It connects you.

Paul N

[Waylander]

Well I guess you have the right bike for it then..... :devil2:

History you see and feel is very different from history you learn. If you even want to really get a feel for what makes this place special I'd suggest parking the bike and going for a bit of a stroll into the West Coast bush. You can 'feel' the land breathing there. It connects you.

Paul N
Ok you got me there. I love camping, exspecially in places where there are no trails and you either hunt your food or carry it all with you. Certainly does connect you. Like hiking in the Rockies back in Utah. (No I've never been to Salt lake city)

[scumdog]

Me too - but then I live here!! :motu:

Rallies at Glenorchy (I hope) Woodstock (near Hokitika) in January and one at Vincent (near Alexandra) in February.
All worth attending.
P.M. me if you want a place to stay in the lower south east Otago.

In two hours or less ride from my place you could be in Alexandra, Middlemarch, Dunedin, Invercargill, the Catlins Coast Route, Gore, Lumsden, Cromwell etc, all places well worth a stop.

An extra hour would have you in Queenstown, Wanaka, Oamaru etc. :ride:

[idb]

In two hours or less ride from my place you could be in Alexandra, Middlemarch, Dunedin, Invercargill, the Catlins Coast Route, Gore, Lumsden, Cromwell etc, all places well worth a stop.

An extra hour would have you in Queenstown, Wanaka, Oamaru etc. :ride:
It's only 40mins extra to Arrowtown...call in some time and save some petrol.

[skelstar]

It's only 40mins extra to Arrowtown...call in some time and save some petrol.
Ill come and drop in this Xmas/Jan if you dont mind. Had rellies in Arrowtown not so long ago. Into their gliding and parapente-ing (sp).

[johnsf1980]

Ive setup a poll to see during which month the majority of those who want to ride across to the mainland are able to do so :ride:

[oldrider]

I just did a quick calculation and I will have to give scumdog a citizens arrest type ticket for speeding. You can pay by credit-card and a PM.

johnsf1980. your poll is aimed at North Islanders and their convenience but usually the weather is better after Christmas. Mind you the last few years have been a bit erratic. I will be keeping an eye out for KiwiBiker stickers this summer and I intend putting a couple on my bike so I can meet others in the South Island too.

By the way I use spell check on my posts otherwise you wouldn't be able to read them. Cheers John.

[scumdog]

I just did a quick calculation and I will have to give scumdog a citizens arrest type ticket for speeding. You can pay by credit-card and a PM.

johnsf1980. your poll is aimed at North Islanders and their convenience but usually the weather is better after Christmas. Mind you the last few years have been a bit erratic. I will be keeping an eye out for KiwiBiker stickers this summer and I intend putting a couple on my bike so I can meet others in the South Island too.

By the way I use spell check on my posts otherwise you wouldn't be able to read them. Cheers John.

Hey, hey! No fair, all my times were well within legal speed limits times, where did you think I went wrong?? (and I ride like a nana).

[Warr]

Ive been thinking about this for a while... Id like to ride around the mainland in summer, sometime in Dec/Jan (if I managed to get enough time off work).

Just wondering if anyone else is interested in doing the same?
This is what I'm doing. Good accommodation and going to lotsa places I want to get to. Also getting to Westport for the wild food festival!!


This is an orginised ride limited to ~35 riders.

March 2006 9th - 20th
Farewell Spitt to Bluff. Completely Organized, all you do is ride.
Cost $70 per day + food & fuel
$40 per passenger per day
(prices as at 1st May - prices will be confirmed closer to the dates)
Includes all accommodation, returning ferry crossing, day maps & back-up van.

[scumdog]

In two hours or less ride from my place you could be in Alexandra, Middlemarch, Dunedin, Invercargill, the Catlins Coast Route, Gore, Lumsden, Cromwell etc, all places well worth a stop.

An extra hour would have you in Queenstown, Wanaka, Oamaru etc. :ride:

Forgot to add that I have accomadation and gargre space for three or four people and bikes, - more at a pinch..

And tools etc (but not that many metric ones though!)

[Nutter34]

Lets see how many people get the touring bug after they watch 'The Long Way Round' with Ewan McGregor and Charlie over the next few weeks....
A handfull of us here Nelson folk are planning one for summer......

[SPman]

AMPS do, usually no cost.
Lou - do AMPS hire bikes?

[LB]

Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club.
.
.
Paul!! Paul!!!! Is there something I should know????!!!!

Oh shit, I've just read the next post......John, you got me going there!!

Reefton was the first town in NZ (or is it the world?) to get electricity.

The South Island is absolutely wonderful. Doesn't matter if you ride 50km or 500km a day, whatever you want to, it's absolutely magic for bikes.
.
.

[johnsf1980]

I just did a quick calculation and I will have to give scumdog a citizens arrest type ticket for speeding. You can pay by credit-card and a PM.

johnsf1980. your poll is aimed at North Islanders and their convenience but usually the weather is better after Christmas. Mind you the last few years have been a bit erratic. I will be keeping an eye out for KiwiBiker stickers this summer and I intend putting a couple on my bike so I can meet others in the South Island too.

By the way I use spell check on my posts otherwise you wouldn't be able to read them. Cheers John.
Yep sorry it is aimed at North Islanders who want to go for a ride down South :-) But thats not to say we cant meet up with South Islanders

[Lou Girardin]

Reefton - erm well ok but you can get a good coffee there now!

Cheers

Reefton does have that little demonstration miners hovel run by the two ZZTop lookalikes. I was warned not to accept their billy tea though. Something about genuine miners hygiene.

[Lou Girardin]

Lou - do AMPS hire bikes?

Is the Pope a catholic? You're talking to the Rentals Manager here. (and sole employee) :violin:

[Paul in NZ]

.
.
Paul!! Paul!!!! Is there something I should know????!!!!

.
.

Yes there is LB - Moto Guzzi's are way cooler than Ducatis - sorry, had to be said... Mind you, I don't own anything made of either titanium or carbon fibre - could be an issue for some people....

[johnsf1980]

The dates Im thinking of are Saturday 4th Feb to Sunday 12th Feb 2006. That way Ill only have to take 4 days off work as the 6th is Waitangi day :ride:

I guess I will not do all of the South Island in that time.... But I should be able to get to Queenstown and back comfortably aye?

[oldrider]

I know I'm hi jacking your thread but I want to go up north before Christmas and do a ride focused on the area between New Plymouth, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Kawhia and Raglan. (West Coast area). It's the only area in NZ that I have not frequented at all. I am determined to get there but Her on the back seems to be digging in a bit, don't know why! We had a fantastic trip last year, covered 5000km, took in Coromandel, East Cape and visited as many Rellies and old friends all over the place. Fantastic trip. Hope the fuel situation doesn't get any worse by then. I can't wait. Cheers John.

[Macktheknife]

Actually taking a group around in January 06, 5-6 on mixed bunch of bikes for 2 weeks. should be a hoot, or possibly the wettest nastiest ride of my life! lol.

[Warr]

I know I'm hi jacking your thread but I want to go up north before Christmas and do a ride focused on the area between New Plymouth, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, Kawhia and Raglan. (West Coast area). It's the only area in NZ that I have not frequented at all. I am determined to get there but Her on the back seems to be digging in a bit, don't know why! We had a fantastic trip last year, covered 5000km, took in Coromandel, East Cape and visited as many Rellies and old friends all over the place. Fantastic trip. Hope the fuel situation doesn't get any worse by then. I can't wait. Cheers John.
Yep you are hijacking a thread!!
But that aside :whistle: ... what dates are you up this way. Could provide a bed or 2. Send me a PM :)

[scumdog]

The dates Im thinking of are Saturday 4th Feb to Sunday 12th Feb 2006. That way Ill only have to take 4 days off work as the 6th is Waitangi day :ride:

I guess I will not do all of the South Island in that time.... But I should be able to get to Queenstown and back comfortably aye?

Hmm, shame you are not already down here for Waitangi weekend as it is the BRONZ Otago rally at Vincent County, a top notch affair. :Punk: