Dunedin to Picton.. How long does it take?

[FFS]

Hi all

I may be picking up a bike (all going to plan) this Saturday.
Heres the issue. I am in Welly, the bike is in Dunedin. Im gonna fly down and ride back.
How long does it take to ride from Dunedn to Picton?... (at ahem... legal speeds:msn-wink:)
Can I do it in a day comfortably or is it an overnight job? (I can stay in Christchurch if needed)

Any better routes to take thean SH1?

Cheers all

[JMemonic]

Early start on a nice day very comfortably, how ever if you want to take in a bit of scenery along the way plan a stop in Christchurch.

[Usarka]

10hrs and 698kms

according to

http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/td-calculator.php

so no wuckens....

[Jantar]

The same question was asked in: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=55577

Here is the response I gave then.


Dunedin to Christurch is around 4.5 hours straight riding if you stick to SH1. But that is boring.

Take the Mt Cargill road out of Dunedin to Waitati, 3 kms north turn right into the Karitane road and rejoin SH1 at Cherry Farm. Turn left at the northern end of Palmerston and take the Trotters Gorge route to rejoin SH1 near Moeraki. Turn Right at Wainakarua and follow the coast all the way north until you can't follow it any further, and you'll enter Oamaru through the historic precinct.

Then its SH1 to Winchester where you turn left and take the Inland Scenic Route to Christchurch.

Allow 6.5 hours but most of the extra time is to allow stops for photos.

Christchurch to Picton is around 4 hours. Watch for those long 80 kmh areas south of Kaikoura.

I might add that those riders who stick to SH1 only have themselves to blame for making it boring.

Note, you can stick to the inland scenic route to Amberly and miss out Christchurch completely.
Enjoy your ride. :yes:

[Angusdog]

10 characters

[Swoop]

Take a sensible amount of time to get used to the new bike and tyres.:ride:

[cruza]

dun to chch 4-41/2 hrs chch to picton 4 --41/2 hrs . this allows a few stops ,and your on a new bike! . Suppose would be a long day if your riding back and flying down the same day!. A break in the middle may be the way.

[AllanB]

If you get to Christchurch and your bum is still alive and you want to carry on a bit, head up North to Hanmer Springs (about 140kms from CHCH 1.5 hours).

Its a trip inland but if you stay the night there you can spend the evening in a thermal hot-pool under the alpine stars. The trip to Picton the next morning would be via the inland route to Kaikoura which is worth the diversion.

Or once in Christchurch - try that new ride out on the twisty road to Akaroa and stay overnight there.

But most importantly - what have you purchased?

[GaZBur]

What kind of bike makes a difference too! I would find Dunedin to Picton very tireing on my bike but ok on a reasonable tourer.
So you have to travel down - sort out the bike purchase - set up your gear - check out the tyres oil chain etc before even starting. Ambitious to try the trip in one day if you have a place to crash (i mean sleep:zzzz:) in ChCh. Take an extra day and turn it into an enjoyable ride rather than a exhausting slog!
I always choose enjoyable over hard work every time!

[Skyryder]

It's along ride. Go the short way...........that's long enough. Some of the coastal scenery is worth it. You'll want to be taking it easy by the time you get to Kaikoura.


Skyryder

[Taz]

You're going to the expense of going down there so take a week!!

[Dave_G]

Its a really cruisy day trip. I've done Invercargill- Picton in a day more times than I care to remember and what you are looking at is approx 150 miles less than that. Although Oamaru to about Amberly has got to be the most boring road in the country. That would be a good thread - whats the most boring road inthe country??

[FFS]

Thanks for all the good advice all, much appreciated


But most importantly - what have you purchased?
2007 VTR1000 Woo efin Hoo!
Not purchased yet... finance all approved tho, just need to make sure I can get down there this weekend. Looks like I may have to go down as far as CHC on Friday for work.
I wanna get it ASAP as mine is in the shop waiting for parts that arent gonna arrive till after new years and I just CANT and WONT put up with not having a bike over the holiday break!! Thats just not cricket is it? (Well thats one of the arguements I'm using to get a new bike.)

[sAsLEX]

2007 VTR1000 Woo efin Hoo!


Now does it have non standard pipes? and if not how long till you get them :Punk:

[Skyryder]

That would be a good thread - whats the most boring road inthe country??

There aren't any. It's the person who gets bored not the road.:woohoo:


Skyryder

[FFS]

Now does it have non standard pipes? and if not how long till you get them :Punk:

Already nonstandard, dont wanna say any more than that ...just yet!

If I do get it over the weekend, and I get tired, anyone wanna put me up for a night? I dont drink....much:clap: And only Vodka.. and I'll be buying:drool:

[AllanB]

Although Oamaru to about Amberly has got to be the most boring road in the country

Yeah I hear you, Timaru To CHCH is basically one long 160 km straight.

2007 VTR 1000 - nice. Are you getting it from the boys at Otago Honda in Dunedin? Great crowd there, I've purchased my last two bikes from them and they delivered free to Christchurch.

Is it brand spanking new? If so I'd be inclined to split the trip as that's a lot of constant open road running on a new motor with limited varied speed or revs. Also its good to run through a few heat cycles (cool down). Just a thought.

So are you asking Santa for a pair of Neptune cans to go under the tree then :niceone:

[Bullitt]

Looks like Ill be passing you along the way as Im doing the same trip in the opposite direction on Friday and Saturday. Just to see family though, no new bike for me.

[Jantar]

Yeah I hear you, Timaru To CHCH is basically one long 160 km straight.


No, No, No!!!!! Turn left at Winchester and go through Geraldine and the Inland Scenic Route. Its only 40 km longer and 1000km more fun. :ride: :ride: :ride: :2thumbsup

[jafar]

No, No, No!!!!! Turn left at Winchester and go through Geraldine and the Inland Scenic Route. Its only 40 km longer and 1000km more fun. :ride: :ride: :ride: :2thumbsup

I did that & ended up in westport :laugh:

[FFS]

Is it brand spanking new? If so I'd be inclined to split the trip as that's a lot of constant open road running on a new motor with limited varied speed or revs. Also its good to run through a few heat cycles (cool down). Just a thought.

So are you asking Santa for a pair of Neptune cans to go under the tree then :niceone:

Not brand new, about 6 months old and has cans already :)

[NighthawkNZ]

Not brand new, about 6 months old and has cans already :)

I know the bike and have a ride on it... its ok,... Okay ;)