Riding from Wellington to Auckland this weekend (Maybe)

**Stromble** · 13th July 2009, 17:36

Hey all,

Just bought a bike in Wellington, and planning to fly down this weekend and ride back.. looking at the weather, it keeps changing from Wet to dry and back again..

As Ive not ridden nor ever driver south of Taupo before, am I:

A) Mad for doing this at this time of year with the unpredictable weather?

B) Better to go down the biketranz route to get it shipped?

Only reason I dont really want to get it shipped is that I like to inspect the bike before I part with the cash..

Also, any tips/advice on the journey (Should I choose this option) would be useful..

Cheers..

***UPDATE***
Thanks all for the great advice, but in the end, I figured it was the wrong time of year for this trip.. and it was cheaper to use biketranz than to get kitted out properly and cost of flight/fuel/motel etc..

I will do this journey when the weather is better though, sounds like a great run!

**davereid** · 13th July 2009, 17:38

Desert Road has been closed on and off with ice and snow. Pretty unsuitable environment to be riding a new bike.

but then again...

**EJK** · 13th July 2009, 17:38

You will do A O K

Just incase, plan an accomodation on your way up.

**Stromble** · 13th July 2009, 17:39

Originally Posted by davereid

Desert Road has been closed on and off with ice and snow. Pretty unsuitable environment to be riding a new bike.

but then again...

Ahhh, thats not good.!

**Pussy** · 13th July 2009, 17:40

You could always go via New Plymouth if the Desert Rd is dodgy....

**PirateJafa** · 13th July 2009, 17:40

Ride it.

Also, don't bother with the AA. Get Honda Rider's Club cover instead.

The AA will happily leave you in the cold, wet, darkness, miles from anywhere in the middle of Bumfuck Idaho with a no functioning lights, on the merest of technicalities.

**PirateJafa** · 13th July 2009, 17:42

Originally Posted by davereid

Desert Road has been closed on and off with ice and snow. Pretty unsuitable environment to be riding a new bike.

but then again...

Take a better route then.

**shafty** · 13th July 2009, 17:56

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

- take your time and have the price of a motel in your back pocket - have fun!

Whatcha buy?

**Stromble** · 13th July 2009, 18:01

Originally Posted by shafty

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

- take your time and have the price of a motel in your back pocket - have fun!

Whatcha buy?

Good idea.! I bought a DL1000 (V-Strom)

**shafty** · 13th July 2009, 18:04

Well done, noice choice!

**Mom** · 13th July 2009, 18:09

Originally Posted by tsmj

Hey all,

Just bought a bike in Wellington, and planning to fly down this weekend and ride back.. looking at the weather, it keeps changing from Wet to dry and back again..

As Ive not ridden nor ever driver south of Taupo before, am I:

A) Mad for doing this at this time of year with the unpredictable weather?

B) Better to go down the biketranz route to get it shipped?

Only reason I dont really want to get it shipped is that I like to inspect the bike before I part with the cash..

Also, any tips/advice on the journey (Should I choose this option) would be useful..

Cheers..

Interesting time of the year to be making that trip on 2 wheels. If you can ride in the wet and wind, and you take a bit of time to get used to your bike there is no reason not to make the trip. Do you have really warm gear? I am not talking about norfland styles warm gear, I am talking proper, waterproof, warm as toast gear. Cold will be your biggest obstacle. The roads can be marginal at this time of the year. Have a look at

http://www.transit.govt.nz/road/highwayinfo-north.jsp

It is regularly updated, and will let you know what the road conditions are like.

Dont forget too there are members along your route you can ask for road closure updates as you go. Good warm gear, a reliable bike, and a good attitude you should be fine. Make it an epic journey, take pics and crow about it later

**Elysium** · 13th July 2009, 18:10

When I sold my bike to a guy in Aorkyland clos to a month ago I took SH4 from Wanganui through to Hamilton. There was a bit of road works going on after Wanganui so the bike got a lot of dirt and mud plus some parts of the road were not up to standards. Surprisingly on the way back by bus the Desert road was in good nick but most defintely all snow by now.

[edit] Like Mom said have the proper gear. I had a one peice rain suit I wore, sure in the end it leaked but the extra layer kept me real warm. Also simple thermals can work wonders. If there is one peice of equipment I can highly recommend, it's anti-fog tech for your helmet for when it rains.

**junkmanjoe** · 13th July 2009, 20:46

Originally Posted by tsmj

Hey all,

Just bought a bike in Wellington, and planning to fly down this weekend and ride back.. looking at the weather, it keeps changing from Wet to dry and back again..

As Ive not ridden nor ever driver south of Taupo before, am I:

A) Mad for doing this at this time of year with the unpredictable weather?

B) Better to go down the biketranz route to get it shipped?

Only reason I dont really want to get it shipped is that I like to inspect the bike before I part with the cash..

Also, any tips/advice on the journey (Should I choose this option) would be useful..

Cheers..

Hi there.
if you left it till 23 / 24th this month, welly riders will be heading north in a group, to taupo.
have a look on the calander for MMMMM Adventure Ride 2009.
you be more than wellcome to join in on the way up.
my self ill be rideing seal only, and if desert road is looking a little sad, ill go round national park, and cut back in to taupo, vira national park.
ill be camping in taupo the night.
cheers.

**Jizah** · 13th July 2009, 20:57

I'll ride it up if you get me a ticket back.

**denefoster** · 13th July 2009, 21:07

Be a pretty rough ride.. pack warm gear and definitely consider a motel along the way. If you do need anything around Wellytown feel free to give me a pm. Am available to go have a look at a bike if you need it, or just a coffee/directions