Touring NI SI Jan/Feb 2011

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

In that case I'd recommend Queenstown - Cromwell - Clyde - Omakau - Ranfurly - Middlemarch - Dunedin if its fine.

Whats wrong going that way in the rain???

tis only water I keep saying...

[BritBiker]

Thanks for the routes, are there any good side routes/anything good to see on the way?

[Jantar]

Whats wrong going that way in the rain???

tis only water I keep saying...

There is nothing wrong with it. Just 20 minutes longer.

[BritBiker]

Is the George King Memorial Drive worth doing? it's just outside Dunedin.

[Jantar]

Thanks for the routes, are there any good side routes/anything good to see on the way?

Well lets see:

Queenstown to Cromwell there is the bungy bridge. A great stop to watch people throwing themselves off the bridge. Plenty of wineries along the way. Then stop for a photo of the fruit in Cromwell.
Cromwell to Clyde is alonside Lake Dunstan. Observe the land stabilisation works to avoid a tsunami causing landslide into the lake. Stop at the Clyde lookout and take in the Clyde dam and power station.
Clyde to Omakau. Have a look at the unique bike fence. Stop to soak up the atmosphere (and a speights) at the Chatto Creek Tavern.
Omakau to Ranfurly. Just lovely roads and desert like scenery. Observe the difference where land can get water (from irrigation). Oh watch for the car that might travel this road in the late morning.
Ranfurly to Middlemarch. Twists and turns like you wouldn't believe. Stop for lunch at Hyde, you won't be disappointed. Possibly 2 cars on this road.
Middlemarch to Dunedin. More great roads and the land gets progressively greener. Take the George King Memorial Drive if you have time. Not a great road on Harleys, but doable if you take it easy. Great views as you come down the hill towards the Taieri Plains. Cross the Taieri River at Outram (or call into the glen for a swim). Take 3 Mile Hill into Dunedin.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Is the George King Memorial Drive worth doing? it's just outside Dunedin.

Yes... its not a bad road, if you like that type of road... it has some tight twisties, but where as staying on the Middlemarch/Dunedin road it is more of the open sweepers and a lot faster... Depends what you are after...

George King Memorial Drive does have some good spots for photos though, as you go down into the gully and you see the road going up the other side... :-)

[Jantar]

Is the George King Memorial Drive worth doing? it's just outside Dunedin.

See my previous post. It is a narrow winding road with a few tricky tight corners. Great on a sports or adventure bike, but hard work on a cruiser.

[MaxB]

One thing no one may have told you is that at this time of year the UV burn time is less than 10 minutes. So if you are going to the beach or riding with exposed flesh you will need a good sunblock.

I would reconsider the Milford Sound road, it really is one of the worlds best rides. Or maybe do it another time.

[BritBiker]

How long is the Milford sound ride from Queenstown and back? We might reconsider if it's really that good, but surely plane/boat/heli is a good day off the bikes!

Point taken about the sun, I don't usually ride with bare skin ever. I think it would be uncomfortable for 2 weeks with the wind and sun blasting my skin, also 1 mistake and the shock from skin loss can kill you.

[Highlander]

You know me Sir Jym. Why ride only 20 km when you can get a whole half day out of it?

I live about 2.5km from work... but have been known to take 4 hours and 400km's later to get home...

Would be rude not to.

Was talking to someone who just realised I was a motorcyclist the other day and they asked how far I'd ridden in a day, 3-400km? They just about fell over when I said "more than once I have done that before Breakfast."

How long is the Milford sound ride from Queenstown and back? We might reconsider if it's really that good, but surely plane/boat/heli is a good day off the bikes!

Google Maps makes it just under 600km return.
The Tourist busses make it a FULL day (from memory in the order of 14 hrs including a boat trip on Milford Sound).
Very scenic road well worth the effort to travel it but wouldn't imagine it being a fast trip on cruisers.

Would reccomend dropping Mr Jantar a line, he is one of the good guys, and would make a good tour guide.

[BritBiker]

@ jantar

Thanks for the run down of that ride, it's exactly what I've been hoping to get sorted for the rides we are doing.



We decided to organize and guide ourselves this time as we had done the guided thing and found it a bit restricting, of course it's part of the fun freewheeling, and part of the excitement planning.

[Jantar]

I've just checked my roster, and 3rd Feb I'm working day shift at Clyde power station. So when I see a couple of motorcyclists looking down at me from the lookout I'll pop out and give a wave.

[BritBiker]

You'll probably hear us first!

I'll be sure to stop and wave.

[geoffm]

The Millford road is most good in the dry - not so common on the Wet Coast - I have only ever had it fine once. Last time I was there, I went in the afternoon on brilliant day and stayed the night at the backpackers. I recommend it - all the buses and traffic were going the other way. Allow plenty of time to enjoy the view.
I also shared a sightseeing trip with some Yank biker tourists in a Cessna flying budgie- highly recommended - much better view than the boats. The trip down to Invercargill from Te Anau was good as well via Riverton. The Riverton pub was a good overnight stop

[BMWST?]

re security of jackets i have heard that one way of securing jackets is to thread a cable lock through the sleeves then lock to bike...Hope you have nice trip.It will be sure to rain and or be windy at some pint of your trip