14-26/03/05 RIB heading South for Britten Mem Race

**RiderInBlack** · 9th December 2004, 20:57

Well it’s time for me to start planning me next SI trip (it will be my 3rd on a bike). I want to time it so that I will be at Ruapuna for the John Britten Memorial Race 19-20/03/05. If anyone can help with Accommodation or route plans please let me know.

So far my plan is roughly as follows (I will edit this as my plans adjust): -

Mon 14/03/05: Leave home (Parakao, 40km Northwest of Whangarei) between 8 & 9am, and ride Wellington (over 830Km). This will be done Grand Challenge stile (I can see NI anytime I like). I should arrive in Wellington well before 9pm. If anyone can put-up with me for the night close to Well, that would be really cool.

Tue 15/03/05: Get up early enough to be at the Ferry terminal by 7am. Cross on the 8am Lynx, arriving at Picton around 10:15am. Ride from Picton to Alexandra via (791Km). Have seen most of this part of SI so I want to get as far South as I can that day. There is a great little Backpackers in Ophir I am keen to stay in again down there. I should be there by 10pm if all goes to plan.

Wed 16/03/05: Alexandra – Invercargill – Bluff – Invercargill – Te Anau. Around 414Km. Should take me around 6hrs. Depending on how I feel (and the weather), I might see how close I can get to Milford Sounds (another 119Km). I will have the tent, so it’s just a matter of finding the right spot to hide the bike and tent.

Thur 17/03/05: Now for the big trick. I will need to end this day as close as possible to Dunedin as practical (see Fri 18/03/05 for the reason), so anyone close to Dunedin willing to put-up with me would be a big help. If by some luck, I have made it to Milford Sounds (or very close) Wed, then I will have plenty of time to enjoy it and still make Dunedin (approx 409Km). If on the other hand, I stopped at Te Anau, I might not (Te Anau - Milford Sounds - Te Anau – Dunedin is approx 528Km). What I would like to know is what is the road to Milford Sounds like?

Fri 18/03/05: From here I will hook-up with the Honda Riders Club NZ (HRCNZ) for a few days. 9am They are meeting up @ Honda Otago to ride to Christchurch. There is a HRCNZ member only night at the Russley Hotel. Here I will get to meet other members and also the Castrol Red Rider Race Team.

Sat-Sun 19-20/03/05: John Britten Memorial Race @ Ruapuna (hope it see some of my fellow KB’ers there).

Mon 21/03/05: HRCNZ are doing an all-is-welcome ride (no cost, anyone can join, so if you have time and are in the area, join in) from Christchurch via Lewis to West Coast and then return via Arthurs Pass.

Tue 22/03/05: HRCNZ are doing an all-is-welcome ride from Christchurch to Mt Cook for lunch and return. This ride will take in Tekapo and McKenzie Country.

Wed 23/03/05: HRCNZ are holding a Rider Development and Training Day @ Ruapuna. Anyone can join, but it is limited to 50 riders (so if you wish to join this you will need to book).

Thur 24/03/05: High tailing it back to Picton. The HRCNZ are planning to make the 1:30pm Arahura crossing (so they will need to be there by 12:30pm). I have not decided yet as to whether I will take this crossing or the 7pm Lynx. Ether way I will be back in Well that night looking for a bed.

Fri-Sat 25-26/03/05: Plan to take my time to get back home. As long as I am back by Saturday night.

This is just a rough plan at this stage, so as I said before anyone who can help with Accommodation or route plans please let me know.

Thanks RIB.

**hondav2** · 9th December 2004, 22:13

Call in and see me Roxy, There is some nice camping places up the Eglington Valley , A group of us will be riding up to Chch on Friday for races, we go via Mckenzie country.

**RiderInBlack** · 10th December 2004, 18:18

Originally Posted by hondav2

Call in and see me Roxy, There is some nice camping places up the Eglington Valley , A group of us will be riding up to Chch on Friday for races, we go via Mckenzie country.

Sounds good. How long does it normal take you (on the bike) to get from Te Anau to Christchurch?

**Kickaha** · 14th December 2004, 11:45

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

this is just a rough plan at this stage, so as I said before anyone who can help with accomodation

I can give you a place to stay 30min from the track just north of Chch,pm me if you're interested

**RiderInBlack** · 14th December 2004, 20:06

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I can give you a place to stay 30min from the track just north of Chch,pm me if you're interested

Sounds good. Is you that has the sidecar? If it is, I keen to try swinging for a round or two

**sels1** · 14th December 2004, 20:21

What I would like to know is what is the road to Milford Sounds like

One of the most scenic/beautiful/enjoyable roads in the country (in the world?)
So long as you dodge the tourist coaches that drive up to Milford in the morning and out in droves in the afternoon.
And it can really rain there (makes for spectacular waterfalls along the road

**RiderInBlack** · 14th December 2004, 20:32

Originally Posted by sels1

One of the most scenic/beautiful/enjoyable roads in the country (in the world?)
So long as you dodge the tourist coaches that drive up to Milford in the morning and out in droves in the afternoon.
And it can really rain there (makes for spectacular waterfalls along the road

I've heard that, which is why I didn't try it last time I was down that way (Torrential Rain on the only day I had left do do it on), but aam dead keen to take it on this time.

**RiderInBlack** · 16th December 2004, 07:21

Originally Posted by hondav2

A group of us will be riding up to Chch on Friday for races, we go via Mckenzie country.

Where will you be starting from and which main places will you be passing through (so that I don't double up on too may roads)? About how far and how long does it take?

**Kickaha** · 16th December 2004, 07:27

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Sounds good. Is you that has the sidecar? If it is, I keen to try swinging for a round or two

I can't promise anything as the one I'm riding doesn't belong to me,but I will try and organise something so you can have a try

**RiderInBlack** · 16th December 2004, 07:35

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I can give you a place to stay 30min from the track just north of Chch,pm me if you're interested

I would be keen to stay on any of the following days: Sat 19/03, Sun, Mon, Tue and/or Wed as the HRCNZ are starting and finnishing these days in Chch. Fri 18/03 I'll probably stay at the Russley Hotel as I will probably sink

a few will the other HRCNZ members

(so a bed handy would be advisiable

).

**RiderInBlack** · 16th December 2004, 07:49

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I can't promise anything as the one I'm riding doesn't belong to me,but I will try and organise something so you can have a try

Sweet. I have not be on a real one before. I have played driver/swinger on a mini sidecar (powered by a trimmer motor) made by a Tuaranga dude (ask Cajun). It was alot of fun

Like whatching the Lawence Brothers racing on the track (they really make that 600 work). Will see you down there in March, Kickaha

**dangerous** · 17th December 2004, 21:17

Anymore questions then ask away, Feel free to drop in at any stage of ya stay in Chch ya have to pass my joint its on the Main North rd just at the end of the m/w in belfast.

Was thinking about doing some of the HRCNZ rides, will see closer to the time. The Milford rd is wicked I did it in 2000 it was the drieset it had been down there so sweet on the bike, but it dosent look as great with out all the water falls.

**dangerous** · 17th December 2004, 21:41

RIB heres a few pic's to let ya know what Milford is like....... just the other side of the Homer tunnel, thats Mita peak in the other 2 pic's on the left.

**RiderInBlack** · 18th December 2004, 06:23

Originally Posted by dangerous

RIB heres a few pic's to let ya know what Milford is like....... just the other side of the Homer tunnel, thats Mita peak in the other 2 pic's on the left.

Thanks D. I have always want to see the Sounds ever since being a diver back in the early 80's. I will get there on the bike, but it would be cool one day to dive it. My snorkeling gear is too much extra weight to take with me on a bike tour, and I have not scubaed since the late 80's (can free dive to 60 feet but

due to playing Underwater Hockey) . Someone would higher gear down there, wouldn't they?

**Kickaha** · 18th December 2004, 09:30

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Sweet. I have not be on a real one before. I have played driver/swinger on a mini sidecar (powered by a trimmer motor) made by a Tuaranga dude (ask Cajun). It was alot of fun

Like whatching the Lawence Brothers racing on the track (they really make that 600 work). Will see you down there in March, Kickaha

Lawrence brothers were just down for the Nationals,spent a bit of time talking to them,they're top blokes,if I can't get you a ride the NZSRA is having a have a go day at Taupo April next year,where you can go out a whole lot of different outfits

You can stay whatever nights you want,I'll just give you a key and you can come and go as you please.