Two days of West Coast bliss!

[Southern man]

The decision was made to o an overnighter from Waimate and do the loop from home to Harihari and then back via Arthurs pass and the inland road via Geraldine,Fairlie and home. A quick ring around a couple of friends and juggling work and the deal was done. 10.30 Wednesday we meet up and headed off into grey sky and heavy cloud. It was fairly cold and we were very please when we hit kurow to see blue sky towards the hills and the Lindas pass. A quick fuel top up at Omarama and it was off and over the lindas pass into clear blue and not a cloud in sight.
Onto Tarras and a deightful lunch was has at the cafe there. Sitting in about 30 degree heat and all was well with the world. Departed Tarras and it was on towards Wanaka and then along the shores of Lake Hawea to Makarora. Another fuel stop and it was onto those wounderful west coast roads. Down the bush lined highway to Haast. What an incredible day perfect weather and light traffic. A quick refresment stop at the Haast pub and the decision was made to head onto Harihari for the night. It certainly is a spectacular past of the country and no matter how many time I go through it it seem to get better and better. Wounderful flowing winding roads through native bush lined avenues. Everywhere you look there seems to be hidden gems, Lakes around every corner. A quick photo stop at one of the lookouts over the tasman and it was on to Fox Glacier for the next fuel top up. Time was getting on and we rung ahead from Haast to book a couple of rooms at the Harihari pub. Fox to Harihari was another spetacular portion of the trip and the last few hills and twisties just prior to Harihari topped off a perfect day. Bikes parked up for the night and it was time for a good feed and an ale or two. The accomodation was great and very reasonabily prices. Three tired and happy campers took very little rocking to sleep.

[u4ea]

Wow! Looks gorgeous..

[Southern man]

Up at 7.30 for breakfast at the pub and packed up ready for day two. Plan is to depart Harihari and head to Arthurs Pass for lunch. With all the usual photo and drink stops along the way. Yet another perfect day with clear blue skies and warm winds. Paid the account at the pub and hit the road. Great ride from Harihari to Hokitika with a breif stop at Lake Mahinipua. There is some spetacular tree formations along the coast road and fronm the lean on the treetops is is easy to tell the direction of the prevailing wind. Thankfully for us there was none of that and it was hot and calm. Passed a few bikes heading south. Arrived in Hokitika and fuel up then carried on through Kumara and on towards Arthurs Pass. We had spoken with the publican at Harihari and was told to be on the lookout for the law north of Hoki. Apparently one of their favourite spots. Not to be disapointed passed a sationary highway patrol sitting in the 50k area in Kumara. Being the good people we are there were no problems and we passed by. The whole trip was travelled at not much over the legal limit. There was just to much to take in and see. Great strech of road between kumara and the top of the Arthurs Pass. Although there has been some road repairs in places and a bit of loose shingle on some patches. Worst thing was some of the stones coming off the cages going the oposite direction. Quick photo stop at the top of the pass and onto Arthurs for lunch. Got talking to a couple at the cafe and they were heading to the coast on their bikes. Could very easily have turned around with them and gone home the same way. Especially when he said that the weather further towards Christchurch was cloudy and grey. Another great meal and it was on the road again heading towards springfield and out next gas top up. By the time we reached the top of Porters pass the wind was increasing and the temperature dropping. Breif stop at the top for a photo or two and time to zip the liner back into the jacket. Onto Springfield and when we stopped for gas thought I had better check my back tyre. It was getting down before the trip but I was confident that it would get me home. Not to be it seemed and a line was becoming visable through the centre. All well, time to take it easy and cruise home. We stopped at the trun off to the Rakia gorge and I had a look again at the tyre and the decision was made that my two friends would travel on home and I would divert into Christchurch and see the guys at Pit lane and hopefully they would have a couple of tyres that they would be able to fit. Thought if worse comes to worse I could stay the night if I had to. Well can't say enough for those guys, rolled in there and in an hour I was back out the door with two brand new pilot power 2 tyres. Fitted balanced and $100.00 cheaper that the ones I had priced locally the previous week. Left Christchurch and rode that dam boring road back to home. Called round at my friends place on arrival and all went well and all safe at home. It still astounds me what an area we live in that enables such an fantastic trip right at my backdoor. Never know might go th other way next time?

[MaxB]

Great report. Great photos. The West Coast and the Alps are just the best. You are truly blessed living down there.

[banditrider]

Looks like the weather was perfect. Totally jealous - I can't wait for the Mini's Return in March when I'll get to hit some of those roads again...

The South Island rocks!

[Southern man]

Give us a yell the next time you are down this way and we will jack up a ride. Lots of options. So many choices!!!!!!!!!!!!!:drool: