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timk
16th March 2008, 06:39
It has taken me a year since I first posted here that I was working on getting myself down there, but I finally have plans in place to visit New Zealand for the first time. So now of course I have questions. :)

Here's the outline of my plan so far:

Arrive in Christchurch on 4th of April.
Spend a few days exploring the city and getting my bearings.
Pick up my rental bike on 9th of April.
Quick blip to the north island to visit an e-penpal in Upper Hutt (or was it Lower Hutt? :scratch: )
Back to the south island for a couple more weeks of riding (working in a visit to a foaf in Winton somehow).
Return rental bike on 24th of April.
Spend a couple days chillin' in Christchurch again.
Fly out on 27th of April.

I'm open to suggestions on places to stay (low-to-mid budget preferred, or a friendly couch :cool: ), good places to eat (would rather spend more money on food & drink and less on rooms), and of course great roads to ride.

When I'm not on a bike I'm also interested in live music, art, architecture, and design. So any suggestions of how to work any of those into my trip would be great too.

Of course if anybody is interested in getting together for drinks and/or food and/or riding, I would love to meet up!

This trip is both a vacation and a scouting trip for a possible move. It might sound a bit silly to say that I'm considering moving to a place I've not yet even visited, but I've been reading about New Zealand for years and the draw has gone from strong to stronger. So I'll also be curious to learn as much as I can about the informal side of the immigration process. (I have read and reread the official immigration stuff but I know there's always more to it than the official line.)

I think that's about it! Thanks for any replies.

Getting really excited about this trip,
-tim

kave
17th March 2008, 14:12
If you are interested in architecture, you could always check out the public toilets in Kawakawa, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

MIXONE
17th March 2008, 14:22
If you want to ride over an amazing engineering feat make sure you ride over Arthurs Pass.Just make sure it isn't snowing or raining hard.
Also take a bike out for a 'test ride' from one of the bikeshops in Christchurch before you pick up the rental and do a quick blast to Akaroa and back.Approx 3 hours round trip allowing for a coffee stop in Akaroa.
Just pick a direction and ride.You'll love it.

Coldrider
17th March 2008, 14:29
Please ride on the correct side of the road, and watch for tourists that don't.

timk
18th March 2008, 04:48
Thanks for the replies, guys.

Arthur's Pass is definitely on my list now (subject to weather conditions allowing it of course).

I'll have to see if any bike shops will let an international visitor take a bike for a "test ride" (when it should be pretty obvious that I won't be buying). If it works out, great.

Those Hundertwasser-designed toilets do look quite interesting (did some net searching and found some info), but I don't think I'll be getting as far north as Kawakawa. Can't be too sure though, so I'll keep them in mind.

Thanks for the reminder about riding on the correct side of the road, and especially watching out for other tourists who aren't. I have spent some time in other countries which ride/drive on the left, and I have found that I adapt to the riding and driving pretty quickly. What causes me more problems is that I have trouble adapting as a pedestrian. I can't count the number of times I've nearly stepped out in front of a car after looking the wrong way to make sure it was clear. (I guess that's why mom always said to look both ways. ;) )

Cheers,
-tim

ValkRider
18th March 2008, 08:58
Tim,

Perhaps our paths may cross. My wife and I are visiting NZ from April 3 to the 20th. The 10th - the 20th will be on motorcycle in the south island. See my post "From OZ to NZ... We ain't in Kansas anymore.
BTW, I visited Coeur d'Alene on a bike tour a couple years ago... beautiful country... especially compared to Kansas!

Darren

Strider
18th March 2008, 13:54
They all crazy down that part of the country.:Pokey:
Check out all them hill and old stone buildings in Dunedin.

timk
21st March 2008, 04:20
Perhaps our paths may cross. My wife and I are visiting NZ from April 3 to the 20th. The 10th - the 20th will be on motorcycle in the south island. See my post "From OZ to NZ... We ain't in Kansas anymore.

Cool. I had read your initial post and a couple replies on that thread but hadn't checked back in there to see that you now have more firm plans. Sounds like you'll have a pretty good idea of when you'll be where as soon as Ian gives you his preplanned tour info. Maybe you could share that with me via pm or something when you have it? I won't be planning anything to that level of detail so I should be able to find a place for our paths to intersect once I know where your path is. :)

Kind of strange flying to the opposite side of the planet and then meeting up with somebody from so close to home, but it would be interesting for sure to share notes on what we've seen up to that point.


BTW, I visited Coeur d'Alene on a bike tour a couple years ago... beautiful country... especially compared to Kansas!

Yes it is beautiful here. I just drove all the way through Kansas twice this month, on my way to Daytona to race and then on my way home again, and all I can say is that I hope there's something more interesting there than what can be seen from I-70. ;)

-tim

karla
31st March 2008, 22:13
Hi Tim

So ... you're arriving here on Friday .. there is a rally at Greta Valley happening on Saturday - it's about 90km from here (see map). (http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Heathcote+Valley,+Canterbury+8022,+New+Zeala nd&daddr=Greta+Valley,+Canterbury&sll=-43.267206,172.803955&sspn=0.957998,2.570801&ie=UTF8&ll=-43.273206,172.803955&spn=0.957903,2.570801&z=9) Seems to me that would be as good a place as any to start getting to know the country and it's people. :clap: See how the jet lag goes.

I'm sure it won't take long to put together an itinerary for you - there is only one arterial route running down the West Coast of the South Island, and plenty of backpackers etc along the way.

enjoy your flight ~

MyGSXF
31st March 2008, 22:30
Heya.. If you need a place to stay in :sunny: Nelson.. flick me a pm :Punk:

also.. my club runs the mentioned rally on this weekend.. here's the thread with details..

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=65709&page=2

Jen :rockon:

timk
1st April 2008, 04:46
Right on. More people to meet and more stuff to see.

I'll see what I can do about making it to that rally -- definitely the best way to dive into foreign culture, cutting through the touristy bs and getting straight to the local bike nutters. :2thumbsup Might be tough though since I'll have just landed and won't yet have my hired wheels. But never say never, right? :yeah:

Jen -- thanks for the offer of crashspace in Nelson. Keep an eye out for a pm. I don't know exactly which day(s) I'll be in that area yet but I definitely will be. When I figure it out I'll give ya at least a couple days warning.

Back to packing and tying up loose ends. Less than 48 hours 'til I'm on a plane...

-tim

YellowDog
1st April 2008, 05:10
Hi Tim,
I have only been here for a year myself however I'm sure you will love NZ. We have had almost 5 months of glorious sunshine and the farmers are really quite pissed off by this. Just a small warning that we are now entering your eqivelent of October and overdue loads of rain. I hope it holds out for you.

To find out more about the emmigration process, try http://www.move2nz.com where you will find posters and archives compiled by posters from all over the English speaking world looking to or whom have already migrated to NZ. Tammy & Steve run it from Christchurch and I am sure they will offer you a bed or point you in the right direction of you get stuck.

Good luck to you for your exciting voyage.

MyGSXF
1st April 2008, 08:09
Sweet as, Tim! :Punk: Make sure ya keep a day or 2 up ya sleeve to do the Takaka Hill here!!! Trust me.. the road over & out to Farewell spit is worth it!!! :first:

here's some pics... :drool:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969705&postcount=14

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969692&postcount=13

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=969684&postcount=12

got the idea...??!!! :rolleyes:

what time do you fly in Fri??

Jen :rockon:

timk
1st April 2008, 10:23
Jen,

Nice pics! Now that's what I'm talking bout. :Punk: Definitely got a day or two up my sleeve for roads like that. :ride:

If all goes to plan I'll be landing at Christchurch airport 10:20am Friday, but flights are always subject to delay and then of course there's the question of how long it will take me to get through customs etc. So I really don't know when I'll be let loose on the unsuspecting locals. :devil2:

Cheers,
-tim

MyGSXF
1st April 2008, 13:56
Tim, if you want to go to our rally, it looks like I possibly have a friends bike jacked up for you to use for the weekend... we would just have to sort out time management details.... :rolleyes: (rally site is only about 90ks from ChCh :ride:)

If not, & ya just wanna chill & hang out in ChCh.. will see ya when ya get up this way! :Punk:

Jen :rockon:

karla
1st April 2008, 14:10
Tim, if you want to go to our rally, it looks like I possibly have a friends bike jacked up for you to use for the weekend... we would just have to sort out time management details.... :rolleyes: (rally site is only about 90ks from ChCh :ride:)

If not, & ya just wanna chill & hang out in ChCh.. will see ya when ya get up this way! :Punk:

Jen :rockon:

Atta girl (I'd give bling but it won't let me) - makes me proud to be a kiwi. I've offered Tim one of my bikes so looks like he will be there one way or the other. Now, which bike am I going to ride? :rolleyes: Whoever would have dreamed I'd have that kind of dilemma going on in my life ~

MyGSXF
1st April 2008, 15:21
I've offered Tim one of my bikes so looks like he will be there one way or the other

Awesome stuff Karla!!! :Punk: Great minds think alike aye chick!! :first:

Jus thinkin then.. :rolleyes: due to the time Tim gets in & gets through customs, it might be easier if he can use your bike.. coz our crew, being the rally organisers, (including owner of said bike) have to get to the site early Fri to get set up.. so knowing there is another option now, it might be easier on us (time management wise :eek5:) if he can use yours m'dear.. how is that for you?? ;)

Jen :rockon:

karla
1st April 2008, 16:52
It's all good here, cruising into the idea and looking forward to the rally. Just started raining here, hope it's over before the weekend. We will probably arrive Sat morning, and will keep our eyes open for you ... will you be meeting us all at the gate - all 500 rally goers that is? :clap:.





Awesome stuff Karla!!! :Punk: Great minds think alike aye chick!! :first:

Jus thinkin then.. :rolleyes: due to the time Tim gets in & gets through customs, it might be easier if he can use your bike.. coz our crew, being the rally organisers, (including owner of said bike) have to get to the site early Fri to get set up.. so knowing there is another option now, it might be easier on us (time management wise :eek5:) if he can use yours m'dear.. how is that for you?? ;)

Jen :rockon:

Radar
2nd April 2008, 08:24
I'm open to suggestions on places to stay (low-to-mid budget preferred, or a friendly couch :cool: ), good places to eat (would rather spend more money on food & drink and less on rooms), and of course great roads to ride.

Of course if anybody is interested in getting together for drinks and/or food and/or riding, I would love to meet up!

-tim

Tim, join Couchsurfing ! http://www.couchsurfing.com

It is an international organization, with an official charitable status, costs nothing (unless you want to donate $), and you will meet some of the nicest most interesting people while traveling - AND you can stay at their house for free! Safe and legit. Highly recommended.

Before you get to Upper/Lower Hutt, make a post and some of us KB'ers will meet up with you.

Have a great flight and don't forget to bring some warm weather gear as our current warm weather will not last.

Cheers - Radar

MyGSXF
4th April 2008, 07:28
It's all good here, cruising into the idea and looking forward to the rally. We will probably arrive Sat morning, and will keep our eyes open for you ... will you be meeting us all at the gate - all 500 rally goers that is? :clap:.

Awesome, Karla!!!! :2thumbsup Have you heard back from Tim re: going to rally? Yep, I'll be floating round the gate most of the time! See you there!!! :wari:

Jen :rockon:

Kazza
4th April 2008, 07:36
Have a fantatic weekend Jen, wish I was there to come too but alas the North Island has to take precidence this time :-( Say Hi to Mike if you happen to run into him and watch out for the idiots on the road

karla
4th April 2008, 19:34
Tim is sleeping safely on my couch, will be riding my bike tomorrow to the rally ... life is good, i think he will agree :) See you soon :niceone:


Awesome, Karla!!!! :2thumbsup Have you heard back from Tim re: going to rally? Yep, I'll be floating round the gate most of the time! See you there!!! :wari:

Jen :rockon:

karla
9th April 2008, 17:28
Tim is sleeping safely on my couch, will be riding my bike tomorrow to the rally ... life is good, i think he will agree :) See you soon :niceone:

Well, Tim left today for his solo around the islands on his V-Strom. What an awesome, interesting guy, feel totally privileged to have had him staying with us, and looking forward to his return on 24/25th April already.

As well as fitting in the Sundown Rally we had a couple of cruises around the bays, once out to Diamond Harbour and another out to Akaroa over Dyers Pass and along the summit road to Gebbies Pass, returning in the crisp cool evening escorted by red and blue lights.

He looks comfortable riding on the wrong (right?) side of the road, deals masterfully with Sunday drivers, can assume a position of sustained interest when confronted with having to listen to me blah blah on, and hasn't grown out of tree climbing yet. He hasn't quite earned the reputation of best horizontal bungier, but gets points for his excellent rally attempt. He is also eating Marmite without grimacing.

What can I say?! Jen - I know you will take good care of him. Lucky girl. :niceone:

MyGSXF
9th April 2008, 18:03
Well, Tim left today for his solo around the islands on his V-Strom.
He hasn't quite earned the reputation of best horizontal bungier, but gets points for his excellent rally attempt. He is also eating Marmite without grimacing.
What can I say?! Jen - I know you will take good care of him. Lucky girl. :niceone:

Awesome stuff Karla!!! :hug: Sounds like you've had a FAB time!!! :wari:

But what's this bout red & blue flashing lights hmmm??!! :wait:

Tim's effort at the bungy was truly impressive.. :first: he did bloody well all round over the weekend really.. considering the jet lag he musta been feeling!! :eek:

As for marmite.. I just sat down to read your post.. eating a marmite sandwich!!!! SPOOOOOKY! :eek5:

Yep.. looking forward to his return visit.. & hitting the mighty Takaka Hill.. & Nelson Lakes.. which is gorgeous this time of year.. with the colour of the trees up that way.. hence the name "Golden Downs" :rolleyes:

I promise to send him back in one piece Karla!! :niceone:

Jen :rockon:

karla
13th April 2008, 18:12
I promise to send him back in one piece Karla!! :niceone:

Jen :rockon:

:wait:


:wait:


:wait:


Has he arrived yet, Jen?

MyGSXF
13th April 2008, 18:15
Has he arrived yet, Jen?

nope.. haven't heard from him yet... :confused:

karla
13th April 2008, 22:04
nope.. haven't heard from him yet... :confused:

He was going to Wellington first (I think), so maybe it will be a few more days before he gets back to the South Island....

MyGSXF
13th April 2008, 22:08
He was going to Wellington first (I think), so maybe it will be a few more days before he gets back to the South Island....

Yeah.. he was going riding with friends in Stokes Valley for the weekend.. then heading back down this way.. :ride:

karla
27th April 2008, 21:21
Yeah.. he was going riding with friends in Stokes Valley for the weekend.. then heading back down this way.. :ride:

Update:

Dropped Tim at the airport this afternoon, and he is currently in the air and heading back home to an election and a summer of motorbike racing. His trip turned out well, he covered a respectable part of the South Island with no mishaps and met some interesting kiwis along the way. And - what a bonus - Jen turned up at the airport to see him off as well!! Well done girl! ~ :Punk:

To anyone who is thinking about putting up a visitor - I highly recommend it!

Tim was an interesting and inspiring visitor, and I think it was us rather than him who benefited most from the experience. :)

Having him here just for a few days was enough to bump me out of my rut and get me thinking again. It has helped me to see to some degree just how narrow my focus (world view?) had become.Being a working mother I generally tend to leave the world to look after itself while I care for those in my immediate circle of influence and think of ways that I can get out of mowing lawns and escape on my motorbike.

However I am now inspired to watch the US election more closely, listen to more eclectic music, watch more movies, refine my views on genetically modified foods and our world footprint, and think about progressing from instant coffee to filter coffee. I'm also aware of my need to get out and learn more about my own home, and to climb more hills. :woohoo:

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is a real gift to have a visitor! "Every person we meet is a cupful of delight" (Rumi).

Thank you Tim - hope you come back one day, our door will always be open to you and your friends ~

MyGSXF
27th April 2008, 21:39
And - what a bonus - Jen turned up at the airport to see him off as well!! Well done girl! ~

Lols.. how funny the way things work out aye chick!! :laugh: was a real bonus to be able to get to the airport today & just in time to say see ya to Tim!!! :2thumbsup

Tim arrived at home a couple of weeks ago.. in the dark & pouring rain, after a quick visit up North. Had a hot roast & cold beer waiting for him.. & the little fella made himself quickly at home on Tim's lap.. who took it all in his stride!! ;) A couple of Amarulas & a few more yellow lines on his map, he headed off for a good sleep. :zzzz:

We were supposed to ride the Takaka Hill the following day.. alas it was still bucketing down in the morning.. :argh: & after realising that there was more to see & further to go.. but with the number of days running out, Tim made the call to carry on & head towards the West Coast. So rugged up again & with vastly drier gloves :shutup: Tim headed off.. once again.. in the rain..

At the airport tonight it sounded like he has had a fantastic trip :first: & I feel really priviledged to have been able to be a part of it!! :hug:


Thank you Tim - hope you come back one day, our door will always be open to you and your friends ~

Ditto!!!!! :Punk:

ps: see ya tomorrow chick! :niceone:

timk
1st May 2008, 09:06
Back home now and basking in the afterglow of the best vacation ever, I just wanted to say thanks to the entire kb crowd who helped make this trip even better than my most optimistic hopes. :2thumbsup And especially to Karla, who took me in as family and loaned me her motorbikes (yes, both of them! no, not at the same time :p ) even though she had no idea who the heck I was when I was just some traveller sending messages across the internet. :hug: Also Jen, Wayne, Phil, Rick, Sally, and all the others I met and rode with and talked with but whose names I didn't retain. There were also several more who offered couch space & visiting, but riding without a plan made it harder to hook up with people so I didn't contact nearly as many as I probably should have. Basically I didn't know where I was going to be until I got there, so I had very little opportunity to warn people ahead of my arrival. :spanking:

I know it's a bit of a long shot, but if any of you kiwibikers (whether I met you or not) find yourselves near Coeur d'Alene Idaho USA, I will do my best to return the hospitality. I don't know if I can succeed, considering how high the bar has been set, but I'll give it a go. Send me a pm any time.:cool:

I've attached a map showing where I rode on the south island. I rode so little of the north island I won't bother with a map, but what I did ride there was very good: across the Rimutakas and back again on hwy 2, Akatarawa Road, Paekakariki Hill Road, and maybe a couple others around there I didn't note (I was basically lost the whole time, just following where I was led). I obviously have to get back there to ride more.

I came home with a digital camera full of pictures, but I'm definitely not a photographer or even a photo hobbiest so 90% of them are just crappy versions of the beautiful pictures on all the scenic postcards and calendars of NZ. So I won't waste the server space to put them up here -- you can go look at some postcards and calendars instead. ;) But I will include a couple shots more specific to my own trip -- you definitely won't find these two on postcards. The first one is me reaching the pitcher (and therefore setting the temporary high mark, which lasted not very long at all) in the horizontal bungee at the Sundown Retreat on my first day in NZ. Rally games which don't involve the bike were a new concept to me. Weird fun on the other side of the world. :niceone: The last pic is my hired Vstrom 650 stuck in the mud on the side of the road near Blackmount where I stopped to take a picture of it in the snow (the snow was deeper at the top of the hill but there was nowhere to pull off for the pic). I eventually got it unstuck after removing the givi cases to lighten it up a bit, but I guess maybe I should have checked the conditions to avoid getting stuck in the first place, eh? :doh:

Until next time,
-tim
:ride:

sincity
18th August 2008, 11:53
I am looking at coming over next year for skiing in Queenstown as I heard its great up there. Does anyone know of any other great ski fields and roads to travel on for sight seeing and places to go? Looking at doing all of New Zealand or at least the points of interest. Oh and when is it your winter over there?

chanceyy
18th August 2008, 12:37
I am looking at coming over next year for skiing in Queenstown as I heard its great up there. Does anyone know of any other great ski fields and roads to travel on for sight seeing and places to go? Looking at doing all of New Zealand or at least the points of interest. Oh and when is it your winter over there?

winter here is june july & aug .. generally the ski season goes to about oct (although the skiers can correct me on that) however it may pay to talk to Dan he is over here touring at the mo & is doing the ski thing .. his thread is here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=77960) as for great roads I will leave that to the locals with the knowledge to give you the best advice

karla
18th August 2008, 21:11
Haven't been skiing for a while now, but there is a great skifield (off the beaten track and less commercial) at Lake Ohio, and the rode up there is pretty spectacular. If you're going to do a bit of site-seeing on your trip you can do that on the way from Queenstown to Chch, past Mt Cook and the Lakes, which are also breathtaking. Milford Sound is well worth a trip to as well, a day away from Queenstown. There are two good skifields in Wanaka - one is more learner-oriented, the other is more challenging. Lake Ohio is steep and has a magnificent view over the lake, but isn't really a good learners skifield (although I learned to ski there many years ago).

I have a reasonably comfortable couch if you're in Christchurch (Tim would probably verify that). But only one bike now. Keep in touch ~



I am looking at coming over next year for skiing in Queenstown as I heard its great up there. Does anyone know of any other great ski fields and roads to travel on for sight seeing and places to go? Looking at doing all of New Zealand or at least the points of interest. Oh and when is it your winter over there?

sincity
19th August 2008, 07:55
winter here is june july & aug .. generally the ski season goes to about oct (although the skiers can correct me on that) however it may pay to talk to Dan he is over here touring at the mo & is doing the ski thing .. his thread is here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=77960) as for great roads I will leave that to the locals with the knowledge to give you the best advice


Haven't been skiing for a while now, but there is a great skifield (off the beaten track and less commercial) at Lake Ohio, and the rode up there is pretty spectacular. If you're going to do a bit of site-seeing on your trip you can do that on the way from Queenstown to Chch, past Mt Cook and the Lakes, which are also breathtaking. Milford Sound is well worth a trip to as well, a day away from Queenstown. There are two good skifields in Wanaka - one is more learner-oriented, the other is more challenging. Lake Ohio is steep and has a magnificent view over the lake, but isn't really a good learners skifield (although I learned to ski there many years ago).

I have a reasonably comfortable couch if you're in Christchurch (Tim would probably verify that). But only one bike now. Keep in touch ~

Cool many thanks for you helps there people. I will keep in touch when the time gets closer. Whats the fuel prices like over there at the moment? Its getting high here, so places charge between $4 and $4.50 a gallon. Glad I have a good paying job and a company fuel card. lol

sincity
21st August 2008, 23:29
Back home now and basking in the afterglow of the best vacation ever, I just wanted to say thanks to the entire kb crowd who helped make this trip even better than my most optimistic hopes. :2thumbsup And especially to Karla, who took me in as family and loaned me her motorbikes (yes, both of them! no, not at the same time :p ) even though she had no idea who the heck I was when I was just some traveller sending messages across the internet. :hug: Also Jen, Wayne, Phil, Rick, Sally, and all the others I met and rode with and talked with but whose names I didn't retain. There were also several more who offered couch space & visiting, but riding without a plan made it harder to hook up with people so I didn't contact nearly as many as I probably should have. Basically I didn't know where I was going to be until I got there, so I had very little opportunity to warn people ahead of my arrival. :spanking:

I know it's a bit of a long shot, but if any of you kiwibikers (whether I met you or not) find yourselves near Coeur d'Alene Idaho USA, I will do my best to return the hospitality. I don't know if I can succeed, considering how high the bar has been set, but I'll give it a go. Send me a pm any time.:cool:

I've attached a map showing where I rode on the south island. I rode so little of the north island I won't bother with a map, but what I did ride there was very good: across the Rimutakas and back again on hwy 2, Akatarawa Road, Paekakariki Hill Road, and maybe a couple others around there I didn't note (I was basically lost the whole time, just following where I was led). I obviously have to get back there to ride more.

I came home with a digital camera full of pictures, but I'm definitely not a photographer or even a photo hobbiest so 90% of them are just crappy versions of the beautiful pictures on all the scenic postcards and calendars of NZ. So I won't waste the server space to put them up here -- you can go look at some postcards and calendars instead. ;) But I will include a couple shots more specific to my own trip -- you definitely won't find these two on postcards. The first one is me reaching the pitcher (and therefore setting the temporary high mark, which lasted not very long at all) in the horizontal bungee at the Sundown Retreat on my first day in NZ. Rally games which don't involve the bike were a new concept to me. Weird fun on the other side of the world. :niceone: The last pic is my hired Vstrom 650 stuck in the mud on the side of the road near Blackmount where I stopped to take a picture of it in the snow (the snow was deeper at the top of the hill but there was nowhere to pull off for the pic). I eventually got it unstuck after removing the givi cases to lighten it up a bit, but I guess maybe I should have checked the conditions to avoid getting stuck in the first place, eh? :doh:

Until next time,
-tim
:ride:

Umm, I was looking at the photos, thanks for the map as I have a rough outline of where I want to go in the south, anyone got a good one for the north? I hope I don't run into much of that snow on the roads when I come over. lol

CookMySock
22nd August 2008, 09:30
anyone got a good one for the north? I hope I don't run into much of that snow on the roads when I come over. lolAs locals, we go hunting for great roads, but I think you will discover, that compared to what you are used to, EVERY road here will be an adventure - the whole place is just one twisty race track.

So do put your itinerary together, but talk to the biker locals about this when you are able, as they will show you, or take you, on their favourite backroads. I know I have a bunch of alternate ways to travel any direction - all of them are grrreat entertainment - all vastly superior to the state highway for grin factor,

There are VERY few roads that will be closed by snow. Don't worry about this.

Hint: the more pictures and cool stories visitors post on KB, the more KB members will invite you along on their antics. :yes:

Do look us up when you are in the Bay of Plenty, and have a great trip.

Steve