Northern Odyssey

[STJim]

The Northern Odyssey is running again. Entrants will be given a route of approximately 1000 km of North island roads selected for good riding, great scenery and points of interest along the way. Every hour so you will need to stop and find the answer to a question. Questions can be completed anytime between Boxing Day(26 December 2015) and Anzac Day(25 April 2016) the route can be completed as one continuous Ride orl several short rides. It commences with the complementary tea, coffee(or other drink close to the start and a beer(or other drink at the finish).

Registration: $30 (includes badge and complimentary drink at start and finish).
Entries: to qualify for complimentary drinks at start and finish please submit entries by 13 December 2015; otherwise entries accepted until 31 March 2016. Entries are open to all.

Send: your name and contact details(address, email, phone) either by email to:dcoy@gmail.com or by post to Northern Odyssey, PO Box 5232, Frankton, Hamilton 3242. There is no official entry form for this event.

Either enclose a cheque for $30 with postal entry or make a bank transfer to Ulysses club, Waikato branch, Westpac account no: 031555 0013109 00 - make sure the money sender's name is clear.

Organisers: the organisers of this event are Jim Galt (STJim) and David coy of the Waikato branch of the Ulysses club. Neither Jim or David take any responsibility for any injuries or damage that may arise from participating in this event.

[eldog]

The Northern Odyssey is running again. email to:dcoy41@gmail.com

Its well worth it. :banana:

Email address updated.

[SilverDuc]

Anyone looking to do this ride in total over Easter? Planning to do it solo over the four days solo. Be nice to run with some others for some or all of it.
:drinknsin

[veldthui]

Anyone looking to do this ride in total over Easter? Planning to do it solo over the four days solo. Be nice to run with some others for some or all of it.
:drinknsin

I already did part of it (Taupo/Napier parts). I intend to do the second part in a week or three after I get my bike serviced. Plan to do the second part in one ride and will take about 18 hours all up to get there, ride the second part, and get home. Was going to split it further but 400km each way just to get to the area buts a limit on how many trips over.

Will have to see if the rear tire has enough km left in it for 1600km as well. It still has a repair in it from the TT2000:yes:

[eldog]

Northern Odyssey

at least correct the Northern spelling

[eldog]

:scooter:Just checked and I have received my instructions

1200km

looks like a couple of easy days ride, careful planning .......

and quite a few places I haven’t been to as well.

[veldthui]

:scooter:Just checked and I have received my instructions

1200km

looks like a couple of easy days ride, careful planning .......

and quite a few places I haven’t been to as well.

Me too. 3 ferry crossing as well or a lot more travel if you don't take them. Have all the GPS points marked but have two that are maybe not quite right.
Planning to go up to Auckland this coming Wednesday so may knock off the first 5 checkpoints and then do the rest over two days in January.

[Dobbin]

I've done the last two Northern Odysseys and thoroughly enjoyed them. I plan to do the current one in March next year.

[Moi]

Off again in February with a mate, we've done three Northern Odysseys, he does it on a Vespa PX200... :scooter:


Just read Instruction 3 which states: At Exit 16, turn Left onto Lincoln Rd, follow for 1km then take Left turn onto Universal Drive, then Swanson Rd.

This should read: Right turn onto Universal Drive

[eldog]

I have looked at the ride on a map.
Going to do it in several goes.

80 % will be new roads for me.

Got dizzy just looking at the map.

Not sure about ferry crossings 3x
Might take road option sure it's a few more kilometres

Even a visit to Azkle abode might be on the cards:eek:

If i get a chance may give the local Auckland ones a go tomorrow.

Should really change thread title to either Northern Odyssey or start a new one for each year?

[eldog]

Best laid plans SNARFU.

will have to plan for another day.

somehow going to try and link it with some work site visits......:mellow:

then an I might be able to do it during the week


thanks for the title change:rockon:

[eldog]

6 done tonight
muriwai bloody hard at 1130 at night in the dark, gates closed.:devil2:
got 4 motorway closures tonight FFS.

6 done tonight
muriwai bloody hard at 1130 at night in the dark, gates closed.:devil2:
got 4 motorway closures tonight on the way back FFS.

[eldog]

Let’s hope the weather improves Monday.
the bikes not ready but I am.

[caseye]

You be careful out there all by your lonesome.
You on the Bandy? Should be.
See you on Thursday.
:bleh:

[eldog]

You be careful out there all by your lonesome.
You on the Bandy? Should be.
See you on Thursday.
:bleh:
Yeah, v careful after last weeks experience.
nah, on the old girl, she’s setup for extra power, gps, lights etc and much better on gravel tooooo
and I am much more confident about fuel etc
nearly 10k of gravel today.

there is a loose sheep approx 10 km South before Port Albert, attacks motorcycles. Hides in the shadow and darts out.
lots of tar bleed and dips mainly on the outer edge of the road in some places.

Not much traffic, and I let everyone through when I could. Avoided a head on, by doing this in one instance.:drool: Quite a few impatient drivers esp in the more $$$ areas.

brillant sunshine almost all the way round. Aparantly it was raining in Sud Auckland lol.

bike did well, rider not bad. Took my time, saw the video upstairs in the Marsden Point visitors centre. Someone else commented on here about this, yes it’s well worth it. The nice lady reset the video just for me :headbang: runs for 20 min every 1/2 hr.



1/2 done now. Just north of dargaville whangarei section to go.
looks like an overnight trip.
thurs :headbang:

[eldog]

Got the instructions :)
had almost forgotten about it, so busy the last few months.... barely time for any rides

anyway got a route sorted, sort off. A few places will have to sus out on the ride itself.

was planning on using it as part of a longer ride down south, but the iffy weather doesn’t really excite me.

current plan is to break it into 2 parts, stop in Hastings the weather and roads are usually good there and I maybe able to catch up with an old mate if he can get off the couch:bash:

the ride as usual looks interesting as it covers things I would have normally passed.:2thumbsup

going soouth but not by bike:violin: I had planned to but it hasn’t worked out.

just as well I did SATNR last week.

[eldog]

Finally completed half of this years event, places I have been past and never really stopped to look

i really have to work out the fuel range, it can be strange to see it drop more than a few bars and no fuel stations nearby

Enjoyed every minute and the weather was beaut.:2thumbsup

Looking forward to the rest, will either do it in 2 rides or another big one..... in the next couple of weeks hopefully.

[eldog]

Finally completed half of this years event, places I have been past and never really stopped to look

i really have to work out the fuel range, it can be strange to see it drop more than a few bars and no fuel stations nearby

Enjoyed every minute and the weather was beaut.:2thumbsup

Looking forward to the rest, will either do it in 2 rides or another big one..... in the next couple of weeks hopefully.


Its not for everyone, Its open to everyone, any age, not necessarily a Ulysses member. A small donation sees directions, questions and a answer sheet emailed to you.
Time and directions approx. 20 Dec till Anzac/30 April to do the ride - Check actual details with Waikato Ulysses website Northern Odyssey
its usually one area of the North Island, till it takes off in the South Island(or do they already have one similar) each year.
Doesn't have to be done in one go (although you can do it in one day-if you want)

A great way of exploring NZ and its history.

Met a fellow biker in Napier on the way round this time, seemed quite interested, so maybe a starter next year. Amazing the people you met on a ride, sheltering from the rain.

Update, 2 more rides, both great days for weather and riding.

So good riding with another rider :headbang:

Great ride route, destination and questions

Can't wait till next year :wait:

[eldog]

This years NO is top of South Island.

So they called it 2020 SO.

Planning underway.
Looks like a lot of twists and turns.

So I'd you see a slightly puzzled rider over the new year, it's probably me!

[release_the_bees]

I might see you out there. My father, brother and I are doing a quick tour of the South Island, and we'll be doing the top of the South Island around the time that you mentioned.

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[eldog]

I might see you out there. My father, brother and I are doing a quick tour of the South Island, and we'll be doing the top of the South Island around the time that you mentioned.

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If you see a rider in an bright orange rain straight jacket. That will be me. Probably lost or out of fuel. The southern odyssey instructions can be a little sparse.

I usually give a wave or a nod. C u out there. The weather may be rainy so wearing the orange vest.

[eldog]

So far done 1/4 of the ride.
Ditched the raincoat.

Weather perfect sunny
Roads have been just resealed in a lot of places
A little bit of loose stones but not much.

Other road users very polite and accommodating

Noticeably less of the dick measurement brigade.

Would I do this years loop again - YES so far.

Takaka hill has 5 slips being repaired traffic lights 15 minute wait. Be prepared to stop and wait sometimes twice - I did. There are a few very nice photo opportunities along the way as well.

Did a little excursion while I was on the other side today. Well worth it.

[release_the_bees]

Thanks for the update. I'm on my way there right now. Currently in Havelock.

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[eldog]

Yesterday all down the coast from Westport to Greymouth .
Threw in about 60 odd k as I checked out a side road. Just for the hell of it.

Great roads, scenery and conditions-low traffic and not in a hurry.

Passed through Hurunui area to Kaikoura today.
Hurunui was hot and scenery isnt like the previous days.
Occasional dumb overtaking started today.
Then as they were in a convoy more mad overtaking techniques employed.
Road condition not as good as previous days. Lots of small dips and uneven tarsal.

Hope tomorrow's ride north to Picton isnt another tourist overtaking fiesta.

Overall it's a great ride. I would do it again tomorrow no question.

The answer for one question you have to ask at the trailer coffee shoppe as it's their problem to clean up. I had thought of it as an answer they just confirmed it. They open up again about 11 if they are closed. The coffees not bad either.

Wasn't sure if it was a fellow KB Jatz or Tazz have a coffee and a snack at the same time. Little blue creature tied to the back of the bike. Anyone with an answer.

Found one of the answers lying face down behind a concrete fence. Propped it up some the next person could find it. Hanmer Springs.

Also the sign for the gravesite had been knocked off the post. I have stood it up and used a couple of rocks to fix it in place. Hope it's still there when you get there.

Met some interesting people.

Generally only a small number of road works around the place.

[eldog]

Back at the ferry
Took in the Omaka museums as well.
WW1 is separate to WW2 separate to classic cars 60,70,80s cars. Payment for each.

Great ride overall. Would do it again at the drop of a hat.

Had I realised it I would have done the Molesworth ride as well. Not sure if rider and bike would suit such a mission.

So let's see some more people do it.:wari:

[release_the_bees]

I did the Molesworth and the Rainbow Road (albeit in the 4x4 rather than the bike). I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. It is a great road with some fantastic scenery.

I spent New Years Eve at Lake Tennyson. We climbed up a bloody great mountain and watched the stars. It was a fantastic place to see in the new year.

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