Surprise Spring South Sojourn starts Sunday

[sarahtvet]

OK so I am lissssping

Off to ride some Southern roads and play with some Triumphs as a start to the spring riding fest

Down to Wellie to catch the 1930 ferry on Sunday and scoot through to Kaikoura for the night. Cruise at gentle pace to Dunedin Monday morning arrive Dunedin by dusk (yeah right).

Stay Dunedin overnight and look at Daytona on Tuesday morning. Not for me I have one I already(but everybody knows that Blue is the colour and Triumph is the name ).

Head through Wanaka etc to West Coast. Stay Haast Tuesday night. Wednesday leisurely ride up West Coast to Nelson. Then onto Picton Thursday morning to arrive at noon.

Ferry departs Picton Thursday 1:10pm, we arrive by midday for check-in. Arrives Wellington 4:20pm.

So keep a look out for a pair of Triumphs on the east coast, one ridden by me in a Triumph Retro jacket with a Shoei Patriot on top. Not sure if I am taking the Blue beast or another so don't be fooled if the faithful steed isn't beneath me.

Once we are over to the west I will be the pillion on an RS going like a mad thing through the twisites. Give us a wave, join in or stop for a chat. Would be cool to catch up with some southern KBers whislt we are down there.

[sarahtvet]

Day 1 was a day of three distinct parts
It started at 630am with the mist settled low in the valley so that nothing could be seen but the trees stark and dripping, giving an ethereal feel of isolation. By the time the girls had set of for the dressage forum at Manfield and I had put the final touches to me and the packing the mist had burnt off and the promise of a gorgeous day was in the air. It was drizzling as I left 5 minutes ahead of deadline (I know unusual for me ).
By the time I was passing through Sansom the sun was shining and the roads were dry. Licence losing conditions for sure. There were few cages out and about although I exchanged waves with numerous bikers heading south. Once I got past Whanganui it was all I could do to restrain the blue beast and the new BKS leathers were proving comfortable and warm.

1205 in Opunake and the two 01 trip Triumphs were waiting and gleaming in the sunshine. A quick cuppa whilst we swapped over my pack and Kerry explained the minimal idiosyncrasies of the RS and we were back on the road by 1220. I felt a pang of guilt at leaving the beast behind but knew it was going to get lots of TLC and I was very keen to try the RS and the TT.
The RS felt slightly strange for the first couple of k’s but what an awesome bike to ride and it certainly wasn’t long before I had a cheesy grin. The bars are set slightly wider than the Daytona and the handling was light as a feather, you could almost think it around corners. I could easily reach the floor and the seat is only 12mm lower with an upright body and leg position. It is much quieter and at first I missed the growl but it certainly doesn’t indicate a lack of power. The bar end mirrors took a bit of getting used to but I am hooked and they are now added to the ever-growing wish list.

I tailed Kerry and got some good lessons on cornering, particularly as we approached Whanganui and we decided to go for a refreshing blast, the CBR 1000 we had picked up seemed to think it was a good idea too. The three of us stayed together for a while short time then I watched the TT disappear and enjoyed the next few k’s with the CBR on my tail before we parted company at Whanganui. I guess the leathers looked good so he resisted the urge to chase Kerry n chaperoned me instead, what a gentleman.

A brief stop at ANZA to drop off a part for Pete and for a quick chat with Andrew. Just missed Horse who was out ‘Sprinting’ and due to a ferry calling we couldn’t stick around to see how it went. Typical that I managed to stall the RS infront of its owner and Andrew as we left

We made great time despite the horrendous Sunday ‘back to Wellie for work’ traffic. I was so relieved to turn off for Paecock hill and the twisties. Apparently my riding had taken on a cross attitude in the traffic but was significantly better than February (Flattered to be complimented by such an accomplished rider). Apparently the track days had made a big improvement as if I needed an excuse to do more!!!!

We had time for tea and nibbles before onto the ferry and getting a lesson in strapping down bikes with and without heated grips, useful with the amount of bike trailering I have been doing recently but those are different stories.

Part two was the entertaining ferry trip. We met a group of army vets on a group trip. They had all served together and become fast friends and got together every year with their spouses for an outing. One of them Ken had been and MP and ridden an Indian in NZ and a Harley in China. He seemed to prefer the Harley. They were a lively lot full of stories and the ladies were ‘twinset and pearls’ with perfect hair and makeup even after a trip to the new Mall in Palmie and a late ferry ride. We exchanged details and promised to wave as we passed their coach in the morning (now have a new crash pad in the Hawkes Bay).

Part three was the humourous 12K search for the Picton top ten holiday park. Maybe the mechanics eye for detail is too subtle for 2m high signs I learnt to make sure I had the hotel name and details in future but I can’t complain about the lovely moonlit ride around the bay. We had both hit our second wind and had decided to go through to Dunedin that night if the last look idn’t prove successful. Anyway it also gave me something to tease Kerry about whenever he was getting above himself. We then found it and enjoyed a cuppa on the verandah after the 620K day and planned for the Dunedin dash in the morning.

[sarahtvet]

Day 2
Up bright-eyed n bushy-tailed and off to VTNZ to get the WOF and Reg on the TT and then I got to try the yellow peril . The RS was dry and clean thanks to the Pirelli cover, very tempted to get one myself to save the beast from getting wet at work. Packs really small but strong nylon and plenty of room.

So how did the TT measure up...narrower bars, upright upper body position with a sports leg position. Lots of guts for a 600 and that was with the slightly coarse gearbox and my trepidation about riding the ‘clients’ bike. Soon got to see how nimble it was as we headed on to Kaikora. This is not a quiet bike...

The snow capped peaks inland and the sun on the water were a pleasant visual distraction and I struggled to resist stopping for pics ,after all this was a working trip. Late brekkie in Kaikoura and then onto Christchurch. Passed the City Centre Hotel and gave the girls and toot and a wave. No time to stop this trip but I can highly recommend the accommodation and Scottish welcome you get there. Very bike friendly and top customer service bar none.

We then made the mistake of all time. Neither of us had been down the coast road across the Canterbury plains. Neither of us ever will again..... If you have been there I have said enough, if you haven’t then take it from me you don’t want to. 150KM felt like 1000. Straight roads surrounded by flat paddocks and too often to risk speeding, it seemed to go on forever.

We stopped just outside Rangitata and lay on the grass looking at the sky and contemplating how much more of it we could handle. I told Kerry if he turned left out of layby he was on his own but he turned right and I found a couple of corners, we were cheering and exaggerating the bends in sheer exhilaration. The weather had started to get muggy and the wind was picking up as we headed on to Dunedin as we got close the fast guts were on us and I managed to lose my sunnies

We had a good strong coffee in town whilst our host ‘tidied up’ for our arrival, he needn’t have rushed as the mechanic navigating gremlin took over again and we circumnavigated the hill and investigated a few extra roads on the way to St Clare!!!

I was warned about the driveway but good job I hadn’t a clue how steep it was!!!!! About a 1in 3 incline with some gravel on the seal and a 90 degree turn at the top to climb onto the small patch of flat parking. Fortunately I was able to hand the TT over to Jack all intact and we celebrated with beer and curry. It would have been awful to ride it unscathed for 700k then drop it on the drive.

We all enjoyed the view of the lights on the shoreline beneath us from the deck and talked Triumphs, of course. Jack is after a 955i Daytona so is in my good books already. The fact that Jack can out ride Kerry on the twisties also put me slightly in awe of a lad that has only been riding 3 years. I obviously offered him a return pootle on the Blue beast when he is next in town and that made his eyes light up, will have to get him to take me on the back and see how good he really is

The guys talked gears, short-shifting, high speed cornering and braking etc so I had another day of practical instruction topped off with an evening of theory, like being at bike school. The 700km had flown past and I really enjoyed the comparison of the two 01 Triumphs.

I wouldn’t rush to buy a TT, mainly because of the riding position which I found less comfortable than the RS or the Daytona and of course I love my bike. The TT is fast and fun though and a lot of bike for a 600 even with the Tuneboy turned down a little.

The RS was a dream even after 130,000K. Another bike I would happily have in my garage, no chance of ever wrestling this particular one from its owner though, I felt privileged to have been allowed to ride it. I am the only person who has been allowed to ride it that far and considering my relative inexperience I was humbled by his generosity.

[sarahtvet]

Day 3
The start of my no responsibility, all fun half of the excursion. We didn’t have a second bike to take back with us so I got to experience the RS from the back seat with its long time partner in control.

We watched the sun rise over the water before loading all the gear onto the RS and biding Dunedin farewell (secretly glad I didn’t have to ride down the drive).

A relatively slow run over to Arrowtown via Roxborough where spring was in the bright morning air. We took a minor detour on the way and had a look at the hydro dam there.

A spirited sprint up to Cardrona, from the turning to my first photo when off the bike in 16m, what a buzz, still smiling now!!! Lunch in the garden and on through the hills and into glorious Wanaka. More twisties and then over the west Haast.

We stopped at a bridge to allow a wide load to cross and this guy had about an inch either side of his steel snow tunnels, we applauded his skill and stopped beyond the bridge to enjoy the scenery and birdsong and I got some off road experience.

The Glaciers were shrouded in mist and as always the western roads had a few sneaky gravel patches. That didn’t totally explain how the campervan had ended up in the ditch with its back wheels off the ground. I think the driver (looked somewhat sheepish when we stopped to chat) thought he was in a 4-wheel drive when he did a 3 rather than a safer 33 point turn on a narrow road. Tractor was on its way so we continued North to Hokitika for the night.

The west offers such stunning scenery combined with great roads, sure the gravel on the bends add a bit of adrenaline but all part of the charm. I probably wouldn’t want to live in the west but I love to visit. Other bonus is the extreme lack of traffic olice:

Special deal at the Hokitika hotel and that included the scrounging Labrador that ambushed us on the way to and from the chippy and did a very effective begging job at the unit door. I succumbed to a cuddle and Kerry gave her chips. It was hard to resist such an accomplished bludger and she was so cute rolling on her back and looking mournful when we ignored her. Made me feel a bit homesick thinking of my gorgeous manipulative little kelpie x bitch and the cuddly rottie there.

[sarahtvet]

Day 4
A slower start and off to Greymouth where I literally saw mist rolling down the mountains and into the sea, what an amazing sight. It was dark grey inland so we opted for the coast road, another one I hadn’t experienced but I will definitely do this one again.

Good job the bike is easy to pillion as I spent 90% of the time hanging off the side to take photos of the dramatic scenery. It was hard to decide whether to go with the flow of the run and get totally immersed in the bike and the moment or to gel the thrill of the pounding waves and the power of the bike. I was laughing out loud lots of the time and didn’t get told off by the rider so all was good.

I love riding my own bike but I also really love being a pillion on a well ridden sports bike, what a thrill and you get to truly share it. When it is a really good rider you get to feel how it should be done and can aim to recreate that when you ride. I am also unlikely to ever want to ride as fast as I have been when pillioned. It is all about trust and an under-rated aspect of riding.

So all you pillions out there enjoy and don’t feel less because you don’t ride. I think riding and pillioning can be complimentary as I have lots of pillion experience and yet now I am much more aware of changes in engine revs and tone so can respond quickly if I need to even if I am busy looking through the viewfinder.

Westport has a great little bakery opposite the garage, a huge selection and it was lucky the pack was full to bursting otherwise we would have been filling it with pies and pasties. Always a good place if the local builders come in, they seemed to enjoy admiring the Triumph too, of course.

Through the top of the Buller Gorge and onto Murchison for brunch at the hotel which comfortingly looks unchanged since the last trip. I plan to do a circuit including the coast road and Buller gorge next time I am in town, both such wonderful roads. It was apparent to us both by now that we were not going to manage to do justice to Takaka hill in daylight so binned the plans to stay in Motueka and took the njbh road through some huge country.

Noticeable that most of the vines were new, I guessed that I missed some news on that front last year. RS with lots of add-ons was spotted at a garage in jsdfg. Would have been nice to stop but we had decided to see if we could get a late sailing so were on a mission to Picton.

Changed tickets and that left us with just enough time for a cuppa and a pootle along Queen Charlotte Drive. I can’t believe I haven’t been out there. Lots of photos and fun and looking at a few properties for sale. Some nice real estate within easy reach of Picton, with fishing, diving and riding into the west all at your finger tips. Retirement after the PhD is looking promising.

We had out-ridden the forecast rain and boarded the ferry dry and in good spirits. The crossing was calm apart from the sea rescue scenario involving helicopters and dummies overboard. All good fun.

I had time to reflect on how much I loved spontaneous trips, the scenery and roads of the south island, riding all day and chilling with a cuppa or a beer and talking sxxt in the evening. I was pleasantly surprised that neither riding nor pillioning had made me particularly tired (hope that bodes well for the Grand Challenge)and I had learnt loads on and off the bikes about riding, mechanics and the places we visited.

I would highly recommend going on a trip with a mechanic with a passion for your type of bike and the ability to ride like demon, receipe for a hugely successful trip. It was threatening rain when we docked in Wellie but it hadn’t started so we quickly headed north. A stop to break out the wets at Paraparumu was amusing as it involved a rider who will remain nameless stripping to his underwear on the railway platform to put his wets on. I only took one photo as I didn’t fancy walking. Palmie by about midnight after 2800k in 4 fun working days. I could get used to a job like that. Luckily I love riding different bikes and being pillioned by a good rider so I have volunteered for more deliveries in the future. Shame work gets in the way of riding sometimes.

Waved at many bikes en-route but didn’t manage to chat to any apart from the customer this time. I am already looking at a run to Invercargill somewhere around the festive season so I am sure I will catch up with some of you then. The blue beast needs a southern trip and I need a proper bite not just a nibble.

To those of you that haven’t been south ever or recently my advice is ‘Just do it’ to the rest of you I hope it has wetted your appetite for a southern sojourn.

pics later need a beer

[Highlander]

Awesome.
Some nice roads covered there. Nothing like it really is there.

[sarahtvet]

Awesome.
Some nice roads covered there. Nothing like it really is there.

That is for damn sure
Just uploading pics from Picasa so will add the link but be warned there are loads to see.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/saraht...DCiaznoayXgQE#

378 to troll through if you like Triumphs and the SI. I shall put video and my faves on a KB album

[buell]

That is for damn sure
Just uploading pics from Picasa so will add the link but be warned there are loads to see.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/saraht...DCiaznoayXgQE#

378 to troll through if you like Triumphs and the SI. I shall put video and my faves on a KB album

Great read! wish I were there

[doc]

It's awesome alright. First time I went down there on a bike I sort of did the same thing, 1000km days . I now only do 350 ish max . You have to stop and smell the flowers. You can't see everything each time so try to do something different each time. Next time we are after large nuggets , none of this "Finding colour" that they talk off.

[sarahtvet]

Great read! wish I were there

Best you get a sprint and take Carol for a looksee

It's awesome alright. First time I went down there on a bike I sort of did the same thing, 1000km days . I now only do 350 ish max . You have to stop and smell the flowers. You can't see everything each time so try to do something different each time. Next time we are after large nuggets , none of this "Finding colour" that they talk off.

I have done some pootling and pic taking too. This time was sort of work and I was spolit because I had to pay for very little.

Nuggest sounds cool to me, bring me a couple back