Snow, sleet and icy roads... must be time for my annual 250cc tour of NZ

[Steam]

For some bizarre reason, for the past three years in the depths of winter I have found myself riding a 250cc bike from Dunedin to Auckland and back.
I have no idea why it always happens that way, WHY a fucking 250? WHY in winter?
Why not a nice touring bike in summer goddamit!?
But no, a heavily loaded 250 in sleet, snow, and rain. Joy!

On the way up I'm delivering my brother's GN250 to him in Auckland.
Then a month in a Buddhist retreat centre, then I'm returning to Dunedin on a mate's KLR250. Convenient timing!

But winter, small bikes... I don't know why it always happens this way.

[Mikkel]

Sounds like an adventure... a cold one at that. As a buddist I guess you aren't even supposed to drink whisky to help keeping the temperature up too.

[DunerzNick]

love it, im coming the other way back tomorrow (Timaru - Dunedin). It was cold enough coming up on Friday!
But Im more or less a newbie... any tips for riding in such conditions?

[klingon]

Woohoo Steam! Let us know when you're in Auckland (and not retreating) and we'll arrange a catch-up. I'll invite all the greenie hippie veggo buddhist bikers I know. (Surprisingly, there are quite a few of them around here. Who woulda thought?! )

[Oakie]

Once did Oamaru to Balclutha and back two up on an XL175 in early winter. Kinda fun.

[Steam]

Woohoo Steam! Let us know when you're in Auckland (and not retreating) and we'll arrange a catch-up. I'll invite all the greenie hippie veggo buddhist bikers I know. (Surprisingly, there are quite a few of them around here. Who woulda thought?! )

Will do!

[tri boy]

But winter, small bikes... I don't know why it always happens this way.

it's the path you must travel grasshopper, the universe is watching your every move, and prepping you for your glorious transformation into the next life, on a higher level.
Or Budha is just fucken wit ya
Ride safe dude.

[Karl08]

Having just riden back from New Plymouth to Welly this arvo in the wind,rain, hail, and in the balmy 5 degree heat astride the Mighty GN, I can imagine the various sensations you will feel as you travel.

Travel well and safely mate.