Sarf Oilind autumn touring

[jrandom]

Righto you lot, them wot done it and them wot are permanently stuck down there (may Bob have mercy on your soils) I'm going to pop down for a week or so. Not quite sure when, but within the next several weeks, before things become too icy and unpleasant.

I suppose I'll get me some heated grips. Possibly even a 12V electric vest, if such things can be boughted here. And a tankbag, and throw-over luggage.

There's been a lot posted on the SI touring subject, and it's all a bit overwhelming - I'm quite sure I couldn't fit it all into 5 or 6 days.

So, let's have some advice on what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what I should take down with me. I'm sure plenty of you will have plenty to say, or plenty of links to previous posts you've made on the subject that you'd like to bring to general attention.

Fire away, and thanks in advance.

[Hitcher]

1. Get a tankbag and throw-over panniers. The latter keep weight nice and low on the bike. Make sure that they have waterproof liners.

2. Get a warrant of fitness, a new brake lever and a new front disc. There are Highway Patrol officers in the South Island who know about that statutory compliance stuff; and stopping is nice to be able to do when required.

3. The South Island is bigger than the North. Aim for 300km days so you get opportunities to meet and mingle (the locals are generally well fed, but no sudden movements is a good policy). This means a 1500km loop of some sorts or a quick down-and-back to Dunedin.

4. If I had five days to ride the South Island, I would go to Nelson on day 1 via the Queen Charlotte Sound road. Day 2 (depending on the weather) I'd ride from Nelson to Greymouth via the Buller Gorge. Day 3, to Christchurch via Arthurs Pass. Day 4 I'd have a kick around Christchurch and ride out to Akaroa and back. Day 5 I'd ride back to Picton via the Waiau inland route.

5. I'm sure the local KBers can recommend accommodation, etc.

[White trash]

Go directly to Ruapuna, pitch a tent, spend the next three days doing laps, ride home.

My perfect 5 day SI tour and should be yours too.

[James Deuce]

Would you like a tour partner?

[jrandom]

a warrant of fitness, a new brake lever and a new front disc...

*That* is a given.

If I had five days to ride the South Island...

Excellent suggestions. Thank you.

Go directly to Ruapuna, pitch a tent, spend the next three days doing laps, ride home.

Sure. If I had your bike.

[vifferman]

Don't be a dick!

You can't go down the Sarf Oilund (you spelted it rong) because I don't think I could convince my boss to let me go too.

If you really have to go (in which case you'll be summarily removed from my non-existent Christmas Card List), then make sure you go over your motovelocipede with a fine-toothed spanner, to ensure you don't leave bits of it scattered HD-style around the countryside. You can come and see me, if you like, so's I can give it a KB WOF, and administer suitable chastisement.:eyepoke:
Seeing you're a self-confessed Mechanical Numpty, I suggest you revisit your apparent ambivalence towards cellular telephenones, as this would be a suitable roadside toolkit for one of your Numptiness.

(BTW - Did I see you this morning about to traverse The Coathanger?)

[jrandom]

If you really have to go (in which case you'll be summarily removed from my non-existent Christmas Card List), then make sure you go over your motovelocipede with a fine-toothed spanner, to ensure you don't leave bits of it scattered HD-style around the countryside. You can come and see me, if you like, so's I can give it a KB WOF, and administer suitable chastisement.:eyepoke:

OK, I probably will, then.

It's going up to Mt Eden MC next week for a day of general TLC and tut-tutting, too.

Seeing you're a self-confessed Mechanical Numpty, I suggest you revisit your apparent ambivalence towards cellular telephenones, as this would be a suitable roadside toolkit for one of your Numptiness.

Sigh. Yes, I'd better not go without one.

(BTW - Did I see you this morning about to traverse The Coathanger?)

Quite possibly. The fat bastard in black gear on a little red naked bike is usually me.

[Sniper]

Look forward to seeing you and meeting you. Ill be happy to join you on a wee bit of a ride and Im sure Stevo will come along too.

See ya soon

[Sniper]

5. I'm sure the local KBers can recommend accommodation, etc.

Always a great idea to get the locals knowledge as like you say, sudden movements excite us

[JohnBoy]

i have ben known to ride from hams to welly in the cooler months a few times and the key to survival is just to focus on being water proof, like 100% water proof. there is nothing worse than realising that you have 200km to go and you re completely soaked!!

my specail trick is to put plastic bags over my feet inside my boots. (most excellent upon removal! )

also wear water proof gear all the time (if not too hot) cause if it dosen't rain they will act as a wind breaker.

lastly, look into ear plugs. you should be sweet on you Fizzer but remember, that low level noises for a long period are gonna make you feel just a crook as loud ones.

Hope all goes well and remeber to post you trip as you are certian to have a story to tell.

[jrandom]

Always a great idea to get the locals knowledge as like you say, sudden movements excite us

And your avatar reminds me - I'll bring the 10/22 down if I can find a good way to carry it. There's gotta be some good bunny-hunting to be done.

[jrandom]

Right. Oxford heated grips and tank bag duly purchased on my lunch break.

Now I *have* to go down...

[Riff Raff]

Just watch out for some of the locals down there - that Dangerous fella's a bit dodgy - unless you like that kind of thing of course!

[jrandom]

Just watch out for some of the locals down there - that Dangerous fella's a bit dodgy - unless you like that kind of thing of course!

I plan on satisfying my appetite for dodginess in the back of a van with Jimmy before I get on the ferry.

[Edit: See Cathy's vandalism thread.]

[Biff]

Twood indeed be a preesure to meat you. As for the one they call Dangerous, he's pretty harmless, until his tablets wear off, then he's a bit of an aminal.

If you do get to ChCh please let us yokals know. It'd be good to meet you.