I'm new to Nelson

[MyGSXF:Me]

what is the queens charlotte road like to Picton? Looks ok on a map....

It'll be chaos this time of year!!! bloody tourists!

When I do ride it.. I generally find that going from Havelock to Picton direction the better way to go.. coz there are more lay bys for cars to pull over into & let a bike past.. whereas not so good the other direction! The surface in general is very uneven also.. eg: edges of the road slumping, tree roots, bumps etcetc...

Stunning scenery though...

[Harry the Barstard]

secret road.

It'll be chaos this time of year!!! bloody tourists!

Good to know, thanks for the local wisdom.

Maybe ill save the charlotte road for a cruisy two up when the time comes. I am off to Mot again tomorrow for a few jumps so i will have a lil explore and see what I can find.

Looking forward to the races too, might see ya there.

[duckonin]

Queen Charlotte road is good either way (it is a road) tourists or other wise !! Go for it and form your own opinion.

[JATZ]

Queen Charlotte road is good either way (it is a road) tourists or other wise !! Go for it and form your own opinion.

Yebut.... It's more beterer from the Havelock end
Like Subike said, head west from Mot, Golden bay is that way I recomend the Wholemeal cafe or Mussel Inn.
Going down to Murchison and back is another good way to kill a couple of hours, Rivers cafe or the one by the Murch campground for caffeine, the Buller gorge is just around the corner too

[Harry the Barstard]

Ok, so i have only done the roads to Lake Rotoiti, Moutere through to the top of the Takaka Hill (I think the top, where the caves and Moa bones are) and the queens Charlotte road so far. Been busy with visiting families and unpacking the house etc. I still have heaps of roads I want to do so I am slowly ticking them off the list.

I can see what everyone was saying about the Queen Charlotte road. Still, I am glad I did it as I think you should do it at least once. She is post card NZ through there and although it seemed that every second Jucy and Wicked rental was trying to kill me due to them cutting the blind corners, it was still a bit of boot scraping fun.

On my list still to do is the full golden bay run, Buller Gorge to west port and St Arnaud. Anyone have any suggestions?

I must say though, the condition and calibre of the roads here are amazing. Also other motorists are pretty good/have less murderous intent than the Auckland drivers. Bikers still wave here too....crazy!!!

[Berg]

Good loop from Nelson is up to St Arnard then down the Wairau Valley to Blenheim, quick coffee then over the Whangomoa back to Nelson. Got family in Blenheim and mates in Nelson (being an ex-Nelsonite myself) so usually do this quick fang when I'm down that way. Another great spot is the Totally Roasted Cafe at Pohara (over the Takikia Hill) for lunch.

[Woodman]

If you are doing the Buller gorge then you really should turn left at the Westport intersection and do the Coast road to Greymouth. Awesome road.

[Berg]

I miss the South Island roads. Way too many of those straight bits between corners up here

[Harry the Barstard]

Good points,

I will be definitely be giving those roots a hoon. So many good rides, I really want to make the most of summer and get out as much as I can. I also went down to Filco Farm & Sport and got my email addy put on the list. Will be good to meet some other riders and learn some more roads.

Also, just on another note. What are the roads like here in winter? Do most people ride throughout the year or are you better off to de-reg? I don't mind the rain, but i'm a lil anti ice

Thanks for all the good tips. Appreciate it.