Wellington to Auckland

**pzkpfw** · 10th August 2010, 20:18

Hi,

I'm thinking of taking the bike to TechEd in a few weeks, instead of flying.

(Have to see if boss will chip in a little for petrol in lieu of the flights he'd have to pay for anyway.)

Looking for advice.

Longest I've ever ridden in "one go" was Wellington to Rotorua. Managed fine. Would going to Auckland in one day be much more? Would an over-nighter be recommended?

Given the time of year - what's the "best" route?

Thanks,

**liljegren** · 10th August 2010, 20:22

Capt Joshua Slocum, first guy to sail around the world single-handed- " Almost any boat can go almost anywhere, but not with anybody"....

**Lurch** · 10th August 2010, 21:30

Welly to Auckland is a pretty straightforward run, allow 10 hours if you want to stop for a break every now and then.

I would recommend going via National Park unless the weather is particularly inclement and make sure that you watch for ice in the shadows in the central plateau at this time of year.

**breakaway** · 10th August 2010, 21:46

Did that once, via SH3/4. Nice ride, no pigs. Got tired as shit though, eyes were closing by the time I was in Hamilton. Try not to over-exert yourself (don't thrash it too much)

**FatHead** · 10th August 2010, 21:54

Originally Posted by Lurch

Welly to Auckland is a pretty straightforward run, allow 10 hours if you want to stop for a break every now and then.

I would recommend going via National Park unless the weather is particularly inclement and make sure that you watch for ice in the shadows in the central plateau at this time of year.

I would agree nice stop in Ohakune is Mountain Kebab. I did the trip in March this year in about 9 hours to the southern motorway then had a bit of a break to wait for peak traffic to clear before continuing. Did 300 k first stretch then did a couple of hours at a time.

Have a great trip.

**Suntoucher** · 10th August 2010, 22:10

Done the return trip thrice this year on my little 250. It's a breeze, although if you do an overnighter make sure you're VERY well wrapped up and take SH1 so there's open Petrol Stations.

Did the 8pm-4am trip four weeks ago up SH1 and with a low of -1 and cruising at about 120km/h gave a Windchill of about -14'C + heat lost through riding through fog.

The metric formula for windchill is:

Twc = 13.112 + 0.6215 Ta -11.37 V^0.16 + 0.3965 Ta V^0.16

where Twc is the windchill, V is in the wind speed in kilometres per hour, and Ta is the ambient air temperature in degrees Celsius.

So it can get very cold in Winter. During the day, and with the weather lately, a day trip would be lovely, and easily done in about 6 hours if you only stop for petrol.

**Lurch** · 10th August 2010, 22:27

Originally Posted by Suntoucher

a day trip would be lovely, and easily done in about 6 hours if you only stop for petrol.

I love the kiwi culture of under estimating the real time it takes to ride/drive anywhere.

In 6 hours from the Auck Harbour Bridge you would get to about Levin if you're lucky and only stopped for gas and a piss.

**Lurch** · 10th August 2010, 22:32

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Would an over-nighter be recommended?

Oh and as others have hinted riding this distance (at night) and over these roads wouldn't be fast or fun at this time of year. Middle of summer it's a fucking blast, right now with pea-soup fog, ice, snow and grit it's a slow and risky business.

**Mogwa** · 10th August 2010, 23:49

6 Hrs mmm, distance 650-700ks, average required 115ks. No stops. Possible but very risky.
I just do gas stops and a nice beverage break, 8 to 9 hrs, have fun

**Gremlin** · 11th August 2010, 00:21

about 624km. 6.5 to 7 hrs, stopping twice, once for gas, once for gas and food, not speeding, but it sounds like I am more used to long distance than you...

**Lurch** · 11th August 2010, 06:54

Originally Posted by Gremlin

about 624km. 6.5 to 7 hrs, stopping twice, once for gas, once for gas and food, not speeding, but it sounds like I am more used to long distance than you...

Too early in the morning for math.

**pzkpfw** · 11th August 2010, 08:14

Thanks everyone.

[Apology too: by "over nighter" I meant crash (er... "sleep") in some cheap Motel half-way there - that is, make it a two day trip, staying over night somewhere.]

...but I think (reading the above) I'll go for the one-day trip.

I guess the next question might be: which Hotel in Auckland has the best (securest) bike parking?

**spajohn** · 11th August 2010, 09:55

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Thanks everyone.

[Apology too: by "over nighter" I meant crash (er... "sleep") in some cheap Motel half-way there - that is, make it a two day trip, staying over night somewhere.]

...but I think (reading the above) I'll go for the one-day trip.

I guess the next question might be: which Hotel in Auckland has the best (securest) bike parking?

Make sure you take it easy at Tech Fest...riding back in one go with a hang over won't be a good look, especially at this time of year.

**raftn** · 11th August 2010, 10:11

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

Thanks everyone.

[Apology too: by "over nighter" I meant crash (er... "sleep") in some cheap Motel half-way there - that is, make it a two day trip, staying over night somewhere.]

...but I think (reading the above) I'll go for the one-day trip.

I guess the next question might be: which Hotel in Auckland has the best (securest) bike parking?

HOW long you in Aucks for?