What's the riding season?

[nerve2]

Does anyone ride 365?

What's the typical riding season on the south island? How about the north?

[miSTa]

Last year I rode all year but one day - there was snow on the road and lots of it. Same for the year before that. Sure it can get cold but not cold enough to stop me.

[skelstar]

I travelled for weekends all year. If the weather was good I'd head. I couldn't imagine putting the bike away just because it was a bit chilly.

[Drum]

Living in Wellington, if you don't ride in the wind, wet and cold then you're not going to be riding much. I like to gain experience with all types of conditions, but of course prefer windless days with the sun on my back.

[Jantar]

I'm right in the middle of the coldest part of the South Island in winter. There were 5 days last year that i took the car rather than the bike to work. 2 of those was because I was carrying gear that wouldn't fit on the bike. :scooter:

[Ixion]

Riding season? Riding season?

Starts 1st January, ends 31st December.

What an odd question. Do they do things differently in California?

[Steam]

Hmm, maybe it's a weekend biker kind of question.
I ride every day and I'm just a noob. I have only ridden on icy roads twice though, I don't know what riders in Central Otago do in winter. Go slower I guess?

[Edbear]

NZ is a year-round ride! Heard on the news last night that it's probably going to be warm and dry until at least May!!!:rockon:

[SlashWylde]

*voice of grizzled bandito* "Riding season? We don't need no stinking riding season!"

365 days a year brother. Just depends on whether you mind getting wet.

[thehollowmen]

I got my current job by riding through the snow to an interview the interviewer (and the day's workers) didn't make it to. They asked if I could sit down and work over the phone and I did.

[apteryx_haasti]

Yep - I've had a bike since last May and started riding it to work every day rain or shine in June. Almost no exceptions. There was a day in October that I took the bus because it was exceptionally rainy and windy (and I live on a coastal road that likes to get hit by waves in a strong southerly) but hey - it took the Cook Strait ferry 10 hours to do a three hour trip that day too....oh, and half a hill fell down blocking the road (thankfully after I had got back home on the bus)!

Other than that, what's a little rain and wind - like Drum says, you wouldn't be riding much in Welly if you minded things like that!

[NighthawkNZ]

Theres a riding season????

My riding season depends on whether the bike is regerstered or not... :scratch:

[James Deuce]

If there's a riding "season" in California, then you aren't going to like NZ much. I ride all year and I enjoy heading to the South Island in Winter to experience grit, snow, and the odd bit of ice, just to keep the skills up.

[Nasty]

I ride most days to work .. it has to be excessively windy to stop me .. I actually enjoy riding in the rain ... :)

[Pwalo]

Living in Wellington, if you don't ride in the wind, wet and cold then you're not going to be riding much. I like to gain experience with all types of conditions, but of course prefer windless days with the sun on my back.

Too true, although we've had a whole month's worth of dry, warm weather!

I ride to work every day, and sometimes if I'm let off the leash, in the weekends.

I don't think there's a riding season as such in NZ. Just dress for the day, and always carry a rain suit.

[Squeak the Rat]

Just been to one of the sunniest places in NZ, at the tail end of summer. Weather forecast was good. I got wet, very wet.

If you can't ride in weather, don't ride in NZ. (though i draw the line at ice because i'm not as hard as most).....

[Ixion]

So, in short, NZ riders ride year round (Harley riders excepted I guess). But you will get wet . And cold. And need to deal with riding in ice. And snow. And high winds. And deal with waves coming across the roads.

Has anyone mentioned yet that NZ roads are mostly gravel? Like US firetrails, I think.

Still coming?

[James Deuce]

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.

[Paulus]

Down here in Chch there is a risk of ice on the roads from about mid May through to mid September. It can linger most of the day in well sheltered and shady spots too. It won't happen every day though and you can get some beautiful warm winter days but there'll be a lot more cold ones. Doesn't rain a heck of a lot usually even in winter but you don't have to travel very far to strike lots of rain (head west).

[davereid]

Down here in Chch there is a risk of ice on the roads from about mid May through to mid September. It can linger most of the day in well sheltered and shady spots too.

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form, so for a year or so I rode my bike to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Still it was better than the alternative, which was walking to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

[Macktheknife]

The riding season here is usually about 360 days per year. Knock off a couple for extreme winds (70mph+) and a couple for ice/snow/spills/slips and one more for the wife.

[Steam]

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.


Aha! I KNEW he was a monster.

[skelstar]

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form
Ah good times good times. Friggin shocking frosts and wee shorts :shutup:...Ilam Primary school in the 70's anyone?

[Paulus]

Ah good times good times. Friggin shocking frosts and wee shorts :shutup:...Ilam Primary school in the 70's anyone?

Beckenham Primary 73-80. It was an old brick school back then too - like a miniature Boys High.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[sels1]

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form, so for a year or so I rode my bike to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Still it was better than the alternative, which was walking to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Ha, exactly the same experiance, except it was the hill suburbs of Wellington. Not so much ice, but a lot more wind and rain!

[Mr Merde]

As I do not have a car licence ,or never have, and if I care to travel, then I must use the bike.

maybe not 365 but pretty much close to it

[Ixion]

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.




I haven't mentioned the Snakes , either . Long and short of it is, if you're not coming down with hypothermia, you're coming down with sunstroke. And we luves it :love:

[Paul in NZ]

Key thing to remember is NZ has an island climate and our weather is dominated by the sea and the wind associated with it. The USA has a continental climate across many zones and you will find our 'seasons' a little less predictable.

Best scenery time is spring (lots of green) but thats the most changable weather due to the equinoxial winds. Best weather for riding is generally late Feb through to April where the morning may be a bit chilly but the weather is more stable with little wind. Scenery is getting a bit 'brown' by then though!

The 'out clause' for this is that once the first southerly blow comes through the temperature ratchets down a notch and never comes back up. Then it drops down to ridable weather BUT you can get some very very unpleasant weather.

If you are renting a bike you will notice that most of the rental outfits shut down over the winter anyway.

If you do make it out here, remember to keep left, particularly after passing one of the tourist camper vans that infest our pretty roads. Unfortunately more than one of your countrymen have gone home in a pine box from forgetting where they were and we would rather that NOT happen. Also - please let the KB folks know when you are coming as I'm sure a few of us can hook up with you and take you on a few of the more interesting roads, get you drunk and maybe even put you up for a night! (very friendly folks here in NZ)

One final warning - this is not New york BUT we do have our share of drop kicks and scumbags. If you leave your cash and valuables on your bike (in plain view) in a popular tourist car park, unfortunately it may be gone when you get back. Use the same common sense approach you would use anywhere else in the world and you will be fine!

I recommend these books

http://www.mcycle.co.nz/books.htm

I think you can purchase them in the USA through Amazon.

Best Regards

Paul N

[F5 Dave]

I haven't mentioned the Snakes , either . Long and short of it is, if you're not coming down with hypothermia, you're coming down with sunstroke. And we luves it :love:
& the Swarms of rabid Pterodactyls :shit:

Sorry no one’s biting Ixion, hope you are busy forming a more sensible response to my thread in legal section.

[James Deuce]

Watch out for the Lawyers

[idleidolidyll]

The riding season?

In Auckland it's today, maybe tomorrow, probably not next Tuesday but most certainly on a Friday afternoon in March.

Who the hell knows? This is NZ mate.

[nerve2]

You guys are a riot! Not _all_ Californian's are surfer dudes used to 70f temps year round. In fact, it's already snowed here 3-4 times this year; and we've been having an unusually _warm_ winter.

Anyhow, sounds all well and good and definitely going to be bringing my bike. I land March 20th, the bike will hopefully land mid-April. Have waterproof jacket, just got water-resistant boots (Sidi Vertigo Tepor), pants are on the way... Am I forgetting anything?

Look forward to meeting some of you guys!

[Paul in NZ]

Look forward to meeting some of you guys!

Crazy optimistic Yanks.....

[Paul in NZ]

Anyhow, sounds all well and good and definitely going to be bringing my bike. I land March 20th, the bike will hopefully land mid-April. Have waterproof jacket, just got water-resistant boots (Sidi Vertigo Tepor), pants are on the way... Am I forgetting anything?!

APRIL? Are you mad? NO ONE rides in April - It's outside the riding season... :dodge:

[nerve2]

On yanks, California surfer dudes are probably the most optimistic of them all. Tubular, dude.

[imdying]

Make sure you do the south island... less cops and better roads :yes:

[Gremlin]

hehe, Americans are sooo funny. A riding season...

Go read their forums to understand. Outside the "riding season" they park the bikes up, and often spend the time modding them, tweaking, taking apart and cleaning etc etc. Then spend the rest of the off season moaning about wanting to experience the difference.

Sounds like a way to give the cops a holiday to me :dodge:

[Paul in NZ]

On yanks, California surfer dudes are probably the most optimistic of them all. Tubular, dude.

Given your choice of bike.... Youre not a nija turtle are you? 'Cos weve seen the doccumentaries...

[F5 Dave]

hehe, Americans are sooo funny. A riding season...

Go read their forums to understand. Outside the "riding season" they park the bikes up, and often spend the time modding them, tweaking, taking apart and cleaning etc etc. Then spend the rest of the off season moaning about wanting to experience the difference.

Sounds like a way to give the cops a holiday to me :dodge:

Dude in some parts of the states it gets ridiculously cold. If you want to buy good quality heated riding gear or Hot Grips that work then US is where to shop. Don't buy anything designed or tested in Australia (as anyone who has ridden in the rain in Dryrider gear will attest).

[imdying]

'Cos weve seen the doccumentaries...dude.... that was a cartoon :p

[Smokin]

I ride to work 6 days a week (20 km), Rain Hail or Snow.

I hate Snow.

[avgas]

i feel like a ride now - why do i have to wait for people to drink with......frustration!!!!

[Chaosmage]

Yeh I ride everyday all year round(unless drinking). As someone said make sure you always have some wet weather gear stowed somewhere. Or have good gear that's fairly waterproof.

on a good day or night .............of RAIN that is I find the leather soaks through. But everything dries eventually. So a wdin/rain jacket to go over jacket can be cool(helps to stop the soaking effect of heavy rain), except when some bastard steals it out of your pack rack.

[Toaster]

Ridden in all but snow. Ridden in shit too.

[Toaster]

Ridden in all but snow. Ridden in shit too.

... there I was leaning into a corner and a stock truck came the other way spreadin' the love.....

[PuppetMaster]

Anyhow, sounds all well and good and definitely going to be bringing my bike. I land March 20th, the bike will hopefully land mid-April. Have waterproof jacket, just got water-resistant boots (Sidi Vertigo Tepor), pants are on the way... Am I forgetting anything?



Helmet and gloves.

[Ixion]

Waterproof ones. Nothing like facing into a southerly buster in open face beanie and fingerless mittens.

[Shadows]

There was a day in October that I took the bus because it was exceptionally rainy and windy (and I live on a coastal road that likes to get hit by waves in a strong southerly) but hey - it took the Cook Strait ferry 10 hours to do a three hour trip that day too....oh, and half a hill fell down blocking the road (thankfully after I had got back home on the bus)!


Yep, that hill came down right in front of me as I was leaving Eastbourne. It was amazing to watch a hillside complete with forest slop across the road and beach and into the harbour.

[nerve2]

Got the helmet and gloves as well- that goes without saying as far as I'm concerned; wouldn't ride without them.

Did 1200 miles this weekend, cintered (sp?) roads suck. (The shit they put down when it snows) Bicycle shorts saved my ass, I think it would've fallen off after about 400 miles.

[XP@]

I try and avoid setting off in when the rain is falling up.
Unless there is excessive flooding in which case I make a special effort to find some puddles.