Get me the f**ck out of Franz Josef!

[Colapop]

Shirley - BloodyMadWoman (BMW) is "stuck" in Franz Josef and needs a place to stay!! Apparently it's "fucken pissing down!!" there and she is asking nicely for a bed for tomorrow night... She aint gonna pay $70 for a dirty shitty cabin! (her words)

Please call or text her if you can help - 0274 524 977

[Jantar]

The weather forecast for Franz is for extremely heavy rain over the next 24 - 48 hours. There are a couple of very good backpackers in Franz that have accomodation for under $30 per night. I would advise BMW to find one.

Might I recommend Glow Worm Cottages, 27 Cron Street. A share with en-suite for around $26.

[Disco Dan]

Who is Franz Josef and how did she get stuck in him?

[Conquiztador]

Who is Franz Josef and how did she get stuck in him?

Bloody Frenshmen!

[Oakie]

Who is Franz Josef and how did she get stuck in him?

Franz Josef was the eldest son of Archduke Franz Karl, who was brother and heir of Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I. Because his father renounced his right to the throne, Franz Josef became emperor when Ferdinand abdicated near the end of the revolution of 1848.

No idea how BMW got stuck in him.

(You did ask).

[Colapop]

Shirls is touring the sourf... She's likely to turn up at all sorts of places. Those that know her know she wouldn't ask for no good reason...

She's not a bad old duck...

[Mom]

She's not a bad old duck...

I am going to text her right now and tell her you said that. She wont be on a PC for ages, and will miss it otherwise. Old duck indeed! :laugh:

Yeah guys, if anyone can help her out please do. BMW is the singularly most independant woman I have ever met, she would not ask unless she really had to.

[Conquiztador]

I am going to text her right now and tell her you said that. She wont be on a PC for ages, and will miss it otherwise. Old duck indeed! :laugh:

Yeah guys, if anyone can help her out please do. BMW is the singularly most independant woman I have ever met, she would not ask unless she really had to.

I fully second that! When she has had enuf of SI and NI is where she rides round I am expecting a stop over here from her, so if you have not been nice to her I will find out...:Oi:

[Elysium]

When I was down there in Feb, I didn't see any cheap Accomodation. She got tent with her?

[stig]

I stopped there on my christmas SI tour, was the worst town by far (only bad one actually). room i booked turned out to be a cupboard with a bed, heater was knaf so two days in soaked gear, all the food was over priced and rubbish. Fox down the road was nicer though. All just my humble opinion though. Hope she gets sorted out well and good.

[Squiggles]

Not a very bike friendly place... Ended up staying in a half finished room a couple of years back, still expensive. Fined up the next day tho so the glacier was mint

[dangerous]

Shirley - BloodyMadWoman (BMW) is "stuck" in Franz Josef and needs a place to stay!! Apparently it's "fucken pissing down!!" there and she is asking nicely for a bed for tomorrow night... She aint gonna pay $70 for a dirty shitty cabin! (her words)

Please call or text her if you can help - 0274 524 977
txt has gone out, if she can pretend to hold a paint brush she will get free bed at the old motel however cell reception dont always work so well over there, why is she stuck weather or bike?

[Colapop]

Bike is good, weather is not. She has her tent but the available space round those parts has been taken up by water right now...

[gijoe1313]

Hmmm when Gremlin and I did the FJ, we had a mint stay there! Food was good too (Nachos with heaps of beef, cheese and beans ... delicious it was).

BMW must be having a bunkum time of it if'n she has to ask! There is a nice layby I do recall which has well covered bush area for a quick sleep out ... but not exactly ideal is it! :scratch:

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Be lucky if the sun ever shone here. I am stuck here cos of the pissing down torrential rain. Have to go tomorrow cos I've run out of money - will have to go back to Greymouth and go to chch rather than carry down the west WET coast. It just never stops raining!

Will have to camp on side of ride I think - the fn campsite here wanted 70 buks for a cabin - I promptly told them where they could stick that - among a few other things. Suggested cos they were charging like a wounded bull they at least tarseal their entrance so I didn't have to ride through fkn ponds. Then promptly squeezed my fist and shit loads of water came out of my gloves as I stood standing dripping wet in their fkn poncy foyer - and it's only a holiday park!! Needless to say I am staying there but am at Chateau Franz - a backpackers - and I'm in a caravan - they call it the Love Shack - fk me it is so kitsch - put anyone off sex. Haven't sussed out any talent anyway - alot of couples travel - not many single people travelling on their own tho.

They do have a free spa here - clothes are optional - thank god everyone has worn swim clothing. Also at 6pm every night they have free vegetable soup - I'm not really a soup person but when ya cold and wet it suddenly tastes good.

I do have a heater in my caravan - it has taken over 24 hours to dry out my wet weather gear - it was totally saturated at the hems and pockets - gloves were sopping but I have a couple of pairs with me.

Anyway my first nite was spent in Westport at a motorcamp there - my brother is also working there so we had dinner together. I then left the next day and visited a lovely old lady in Granity. I grew up with her family. Then I went to Karamea - it has got to be the most windiest road I've ever come across - lots of 25s and 35s - would have been great if I did not have so much weight on my bike. Beaut scenery tho.

Day 3 I rode to Hokitika - I always imagined that to be a big place - but it isn't. It was raining when I got there so I got a cabin.

Day 4 dawned quite clear so I took off to Franz Josef - half way thru it started to rain - thank god for rainex on my visor but in the end nothing was helping. So the rain hasn't stopped yet. At times is just gets heavier (if that is possible - it is here). Of course I don't have a raincoat or an umbrella do I, but kiwi ingenuity - I had bought a big plastic black tablecloth at the $2 shop for my crafts at home - but I'm glad I packed it - as it is a great rain cape.

Day 5 = stranded in Franz Josef

Day 6 - I will have to travel to Kumara (lol) and take the Arthurs Pass road to ChCh I guess. No point continuing down the Wet Coast.

Best go as time is running out on this internet machine.

Cheers Shirley

[P38]

Sounds like Franz Joseph on a good day.

I feel for ya BMW.

Two years ago we spent 10 days on the West Coast over Christmas.... Rained every day except the day we left.

Not on my list of places to revisit in a hurry.

[Virago]

It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who go to a rainforest, and then complain about the rain...:blink:

The secret of enjoying the West Coast is planning.

We did four days straight on the Coast a couple of weeks ago, didn't even get damp. Planning..:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=96143

The wet weather (which is set to continue for another day or two) was forecast. Did you check?

At the same time, I can understand your misery. Last year I spent a whole week in Greymouth one night...:crazy:

[dangerous]

Bike is good, weather is not. She has her tent but the available space round those parts has been taken up by water right now...

shes all good dosnt want any help and off to invers today. tell ya what tho sure as hell looks shity as from here looking over them there hills

[Colapop]

shes all good dosnt want any help and off to invers today.

tell ya what tho sure as hell looks shity as from here looking over them there hills
Her tits aint that big??!!?? :dodge: hehe

I spoke to her earlier and she told me to "f*ck off" as per usual... it's a sign she's feeling better/warmer/more human...

[Patch]

she told me to "f*ck off"
not the first time you've heard that is it big fulla :baby:

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

The weather was checked - I'm not a complete male. Sun all down the west coast - saw it with me own eyes on one of those things called a tv (something I've never owned ).

Ya seen one forest ya seen em all. Come to think of it - in all the brochures I don't ever remember the west coast as being referred to as the rain forests. Never saw the glacier either.

Anyway I escaped Franz Josef and decided to head for ChCh, I am now stuck in Arthur's pass. Rained most of the way, freezing cold - its almost snowing apparently - I really didn't need to know that. It was too cold and wet to continue to ChCh. I had 3 thermals on plus lined jacket, lined trousers and thermal leggings and socks and I was still cold - the wet weather gear can take only so much rain - like the owner.

So on this leg of the journey I thought Fk the rest of the south island - I couldn't give a shit if I don't see it. So I have decided to visit friends in ChCh and Asburton then ride back to Nelson. I don't see any point continuing down south when I am so not enjoying it and I have never been a person to enjoy cold, wet and windy weather all at once 70% capacity I might, just might be more tolerant, but I doubt it lol.

Anyway I am in a YHA hostel - which is brand new, good showers, so far I have the bunk room to myself - thank god. I had a lovely meal of bangers and mash - definitely the perfect meal for a nite as cold and wet as we have here.

I'm two hours away from civilisation - I can't wait. lol

[Conquiztador]

The weather was checked - I'm not a complete male. Sun all down the west coast - saw it with me own eyes on one of those things called a tv (something I've never owned ).

Ya seen one forest ya seen em all. Come to think of it - in all the brochures I don't ever remember the west coast as being referred to as the rain forests. Never saw the glacier either.

Anyway I escaped Franz Josef and decided to head for ChCh, I am now stuck in Arthur's pass. Rained most of the way, freezing cold - its almost snowing apparently - I really didn't need to know that. It was too cold and wet to continue to ChCh. I had 3 thermals on plus lined jacket, lined trousers and thermal leggings and socks and I was still cold - the wet weather gear can take only so much rain - like the owner.

So on this leg of the journey I thought Fk the rest of the south island - I couldn't give a shit if I don't see it. So I have decided to visit friends in ChCh and Asburton then ride back to Nelson. I don't see any point continuing down south when I am so not enjoying it and I have never been a person to enjoy cold, wet and windy weather all at once 70% capacity I might, just might be more tolerant, but I doubt it lol.

Anyway I am in a YHA hostel - which is brand new, good showers, so far I have the bunk room to myself - thank god. I had a lovely meal of bangers and mash - definitely the perfect meal for a nite as cold and wet as we have here.

I'm two hours away from civilisation - I can't wait. lol

U be OK. Just imagine the stories you will be able to tell!!

[munterk6]

Hey!! Arthurs aint so bad....come to think of it, aint so good either!
You are either very brave or very foolish touring the S.I at this point in time.
Good luck and enjoy :eek::niceone:

[gijoe1313]

Well gosh, sounds like good weather for frogs and ducks! :pinch: Anyhow, sounds like you stayed in the caravan right across from the room where Gremlin and I stayed at JF! But fortunately for us the weather was minters! :sweatdrop

We never got soup, nor used the jacuzzi ... but we did get to ride around a bit! :yes:

Sorry to hear you got the draw of the biker gods to drench some poor biker with the liquid stuff! :doh:

[dangerous]

So on this leg of the journey I thought Fk the rest of the south island - I couldn't give a shit if I don't see it.
Thats a pitty, it realy is worth the ride... just a pitty for you that you struck the wrong weather.

[pritch]

She aint gonna pay $70 for a dirty shitty cabin! (her words)

She must be bloody fussy, that's the flashest motor camp I've ever stayed in.

Still, hope she got sorted...

[Jantar]

.... Rained most of the way, freezing cold - its almost snowing apparently - I really didn't need to know that. ....l Almost? The weather map shows that you can expect snow down to road level in the Pass around 3:00 to 6:00 am tomorrow.

We can't let you go home without experiencing ALL the South Island's weather. :cold:

I do feel sorry for you though, that you have arrived during the worst April storm for 6 years. So much beautiful scenery, and imediately after the rain those West Coast waterfalls are spectacular. I sometimes choose to ride the western route in this weather for just that very reason.

[Colapop]

Babe says "Mum, you should try the Bay - it's sunny here..." she made me send that pic of her...

[dangerous]

Anyway I escaped Franz Josef and decided to head for ChCh,
I am now stuck in Arthur's pass.

LOL... stuck is when you are snowed in and the bikes frozen solid and wont start :yes: I think some ones a bit soft ;)

Ummmmmm... sorry to say but you should have done as you told me and headed south, the coast will be fine today and chch is quickly flooding out, sorry bout the shitty news BMW :scooter:

[Okey Dokey]

Yep, snow all around my house this morning, but it is melting quickly.

EDIT: Not that quickly; 3 hours later most of it is still here.

[Colapop]

It's snowing quite nicely in Arthurs pass apparently...

[dangerous]

It's snowing quite nicely in Arthurs pass apparently...

well the old dame is in Ashburton having riden through snow, spose she will be hardening the fark... up by now LOL

*Col... shit I hope BMW has a sence of humour cos if we ever meet Im a dead burger.

[Colapop]

I assume she's still going strong...?

[dangerous]

I assume she's still going strong...? last heard she had traded the bike in for a canoe and paddles

[Conquiztador]

last heard she had traded the bike in for a canoe and paddles

Not quite. She is in Ashburton on the way to Chch where she is swapping the bike for a ride in a friends cage to Invers and Queenstown. I suppose the drying out of the gear is taking longer then expected... ;)

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I AM BACK IN CIVILISATION - almost - In Halswell, Christchurch - and my friends have broadband - oh bliss.

Yes well I hardened the fuck up alright - I was determined not to stay another day or nite in Arthurs Pass - I got up, went outside to have my morning smoke and holy shit it was snowing - 8am walked across the road looked up and mountains were covered in the stuff - snow that is.

I went over to my bike - parked across the road so the keas couldn't get at it, brought it closer and realised the back tyre was bloody flat - I could push the tyre in with my fingers - I'm blond but I'm not totally stupid - thank god I had packed my mini air compressor - I also knew it should have 42 psi in the tyre - took a bloody long time to pump up but it did the job. It had almost stopped snowing so I packed up the bike and left around 11am. 4 thermals on top, thermal gloves under winter leather gloves - 2 pairs of thermal socks, thermals under the thermal lined trousers. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the bloody cold (and torrential rain) - oh and snow lol.

I had been told that it would be snowing "up the hill" - I just wanted to get out of the West Coast and thaw out. Anyway apart from some bloody major road works - it wasn't too bad. I had to stop once cos I was so cold - had my flask of coffee in this shelter along the way and took some pics - of snow ON THE GROUND. I will try and upload some.

Anyway I got to ChCh - had a pie and rest for an hour and then spent the next flamin half hour trying to find my way out of ChCh to get to Ashburton - stopped twice to ask for directions. One thing the South Island really lacks is proper road signs and information about where you are etc - you go for miles not knowing whether you are on the ride road or not - particularly hard when you are running out of petrol and you desperately need to know how many kms to the next township. My girlfriend, who is a sales rep and does the south island agrees with me - she said she was in Wellington last month - and loved the fact there were heaps of road signs - etc.

After the above trauma lol I dried and thawed out in Fairton near Ashburton until today.

I am now staying in ChCh and my above girlfriend is taking me to Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown in her cage - so that is a bonus.

Now last week I had inquired about new tyres - thinking when I get back to Wellington I will certainly need them.

Looked at my back tyre tonite - it is down to canvas - Fk. I need a 180/55 17 tyre - if anyone has a second hand one - I would like to buy it from you. My mate's partner is going to ring around on Tuesday. I had kept my eye on that tyre - seemed to happen very fast in the end lol.

I look forward to getting back to the North Island lol - warmer weather.

[98tls]

Ive a 190/50 in ok nick,not sure of the rim on your Bandit,the TL rim will take a 190 or 180 not sure about the Bandit,be handy if it did as you could pick it up on the way through.Its hardly 1/2 worn,yours for $40 if it fits.

[RentaTriumph]

I AM BACK IN CIVILISATION - almost - In Halswell, Christchurch - and my friends have broadband - oh bliss.


Looked at my back tyre tonite - it is down to canvas - Fk. I need a 180/55 17 tyre - if anyone has a second hand one - I would like to buy it from you. My mate's partner is going to ring around on Tuesday. I had kept my eye on that tyre - seemed to happen very fast in the end lol.

I look forward to getting back to the North Island lol - warmer weather.

Hi BMW

I have a spare 180/55 17 tyre off one of my rentals with a couple of thousand km of tread left on it. Give me a ring on 027-687-5600 and I will give it to you for being such a hardarse and keeping yer chin up over the last week or so.

[gijoe1313]

Cor lumme me ol'china! Good to hear ya doing the hard yards and keeping on with keeping on! :niceone:

Tis' awesome to read all the generous offers coming your way ... and yep, know all about the part of running out of tread in the mainland! :pinch:

Good on ya girl!

[Meanie]

Shit looks like youve stuck all the crap weather in one trip. Been down there twice now and done east and west coast both times, first time was over christmas when the wife and i went wandering and the second was just recently when i did the southern cross, although a little damp both times around Haast pass we had great weather and the roads and scenery were awesome. I would recomend you have another go when the sun is shining and go with some company, always seems to make the bad times easier when you have a friend to vent with
Enjoy the rest of your trip

[Elysium]

Anyway I got to ChCh - had a pie and rest for an hour and then spent the next flamin half hour trying to find my way out of ChCh to get to Ashburton - stopped twice to ask for directions. One thing the South Island really lacks is proper road signs and information about where you are etc - you go for miles not knowing whether you are on the ride road or not - particularly hard when you are running out of petrol and you desperately need to know how many kms to the next township. My girlfriend, who is a sales rep and does the south island agrees with me - she said she was in Wellington last month - and loved the fact there were heaps of road signs - etc.


Too bloody right. Must have gone around three times in a circle trying to find my way out of Christchurch when I was down there.

[Meanie]

Too bloody right. Must have gone around three times in a circle trying to find my way out of Christchurch when I was down there.

Never been there before christmas but had no problem navagating my way around thanks to dorris and Garmin Zumo

[elle-f]

Bloody hell, you've done well!

[shafty]

Where are those pics Shirl?

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Where are those pics Shirl?

I have to wait until I get back to Nelson to load pics. I'm staying at a girlfriend's place and her fiance does not like me being on the internet much. I hope to get out of here tomorrow - bloody domestics here - a good reminder to remain single lol.

Anyway I picked up the tyre from Renta Triumph and dropped it off at Pit lane - where I will take my bike in on Monday and have it fitted. I am eternally grateful to Renta Triumph for gifting me the tyre -

I will write about my cage journey later.

[SDU]

Anyway I picked up the tyre from Renta Triumph and dropped it off at Pit lane - where I will take my bike in on Monday and have it fitted. I am eternally grateful to Renta Triumph for gifting me the tyre -

I will write about my cage journey later.

Glad you got your tyre sorted. Only just seen this, if known you were here in the weekend we would've tried to meet you for a few drinks. Next time!
Hope the rest off your trip gets better but feels like the weather is about to turn to shite so wrap up warm

[Colapop]

Apparently it's cold again down there... :cold: but she's in Hamner Springs so I can't see her being cold for long. The cold plays havoc with them old bones I'm told - the flexibility starts to go... :shutup:

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Apparently it's cold again down there... :cold: but she's in Hamner Springs so I can't see her being cold for long. The cold plays havoc with them old bones I'm told - the flexibility starts to go... :shutup:

You can do what you do best F/O. I am now back in Nelson thank God. Sorry Dangerous I didn't catch up with you - the arsewipe that my gfriend is engaged to and where i was staying broke his collarbone at trail riding on Sunday - pity it wasn't his neck. I was all set to take my gfriend to the lawyers on the Monday too. He is so god-damned anal I had great difficulty shutting my mouth and not telling him his pedigree.

Anyway weather wasn't too shit hot in ChCh yesterday - I rode to Hamner Springs - thru rain and cold = went to this Forest Motorcamp - real cheap cabin for $17.50 - couldn't believe my good luck. It was to snow to 600m - woke this morning and yep I could see the snow on the hills.

I had 3 thermals on Plus liner in bike jacket, merino wool gloves and thick padded leather gloves, merino wool balaclava and longjohns plus liner in trousers, wool socks - and i was still bloody cold on the bike - had to stop after 40 mins and have my flask of coffee. I did enjoy riding the Lewis Pass - stopped for a pie at Springs Junction. Had 2 clicks left on petrol gauge - and shop assistant said it was 45 mins to Murchison so I thought I'll have enuf petrol - cos there were no fkn signs as usual - get further down the road - and it says 96k to Murchison - holy shit - my gauge had gone down to one click then - oh well there was a place Maruia that was 30 k away - well bloody Maruia didn't have a gas station. I JUST made it to MURCH.

Pulled into gas station - one other bike there - the guy came out of the shop and came over to me - I said You are Demnted ay - he looked surprised and - on occasion I have been known to be. I had met Dmnted 2.5 years ago at Busapete's and Wendys nEW Years Eve party. He had enjoyed the road to Murchison so I told him he would love the next part of the journey - he was off to ChCh. Advised him to put another layer of clothing on. Small world.

I am going to rest up in Nelson for the next week and then I return to Welly - have a brain scan and then head for Hawkes Bay. Hopefully below i CAN load some photos.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

In Franz Josef all that was left accommodation wise - was a caravan - which they had named the lOVESHACK it was the most hideous looking thing - i turned it into a chinese laundry.

aS You can see - lots of snow - I was not joking when I said it was snowing lol.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

More photos

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Cadrona, Hanmer Springs and Spooners Range

[Conquiztador]

In Franz Josef all that was left accommodation wise - was a caravan - which they had named the lOVESHACK it was the most hideous looking thing - i turned it into a chinese laundry.


That thing is da bomb! And I am sure that the suspension is noisy too... I get this urge to travel there just to try it out!

[Trumpess]

Pulled into gas station - one other bike there - the guy came out of the shop and came over to me - I said You are Demnted ay - he looked surprised and - on occasion I have been known to be. I had met Dmnted 2.5 years ago at Busapete's and Wendys nEW Years Eve party. He had enjoyed the road to Murchison so I told him he would love the next part of the journey - he was off to ChCh. Advised him to put another layer of clothing on. Small world.

I am going to rest up in Nelson for the next week and then I return to Welly - have a brain scan and then head for Hawkes Bay. Hopefully below i CAN load some photos.



Oh man .... what a trip to remember!!
I hope you get better weather.

And how uncanny was that to bumped into Dmnted, with him not long starting his trek round the south!

[GMcC]

Way to go BMW !
Its a great part of the world down below the strait
The Lewis is biker made - even in the winter
Must remember those cabins in Hanmer for next time

[shafty]

Sheeees lookin Bloooooody Cold Mate - well done for 'being out there doin it'. I've been considering another lap of the South, the only thing putting me off is the temps!!