Any long distance tips? Riding from Wellington to Auckland and back this week

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 11:38

Riding up to Auckland for a conference and to visit a friend before riding all the way to Dunedin :O

I don't really think I'm good enough for the trip (just a bloody newbie)

My bike is really comfortable, and I plan to stop every 200km ~ or so

I bought a 720 HD action motorbike camera and 32gb sd card, so I can record the whole trip and upload on youtube for you guys to review my riding skills

-

Any tips??? Ahhh

Just gonna ride along state highway 1, from wellington, over rimutakas, straight through.

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 11:40

These are dates if anyone can join me???

24th February: Wellington to Auckland
27th February: Auckland to Wellington
29th February: Wellington to Christchurch/Dunedin (most probably stay night in Christchurch)(this date is unsure, still haven't booked interislander)

**baffa** · 20th February 2012, 11:44

I can just imagine it now. A 9+ hour video of you riding straight roads. Sounds tempting.

Check ur tyres and chain etc before each leg, and give yourself plenty of breaks. There is nothing to long distance riding, but it is very tiring.

**oneofsix** · 20th February 2012, 11:50

Originally Posted by Rajol

Riding up to Auckland for a conference and to visit a friend before riding all the way to Dunedin :O

I don't really think I'm good enough for the trip (just a bloody newbie)

My bike is really comfortable, and I plan to stop every 200km ~ or so

I bought a 720 HD action motorbike camera and 32gb sd card, so I can record the whole trip and upload on youtube for you guys to review my riding skills

-

Any tips??? Ahhh

Just gonna ride along state highway 1, from wellington, over rimutakas, straight through.

Me thinks you are lost if you think you are going up SH1 by going over the Rimutakas. That be SH2. Try up the gorge and via the coastal parking lot, don't forget to turn right in Bulls for SH1.

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 11:50

Originally Posted by baffa

I can just imagine it now. A 9+ hour video of you riding straight roads. Sounds tempting.

.

Gonna speed it up of course, for the boring bits, slow it down for rimutakas and anything else that may be interesting and not just normal riding

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 11:51

Originally Posted by baffa

Check ur tyres and chain etc before each leg, and give yourself plenty of breaks. There is nothing to long distance riding, but it is very tiring.

Need to get my chain checked

Checked my tyres yesterday -.- 10 lbs of pressure in front tire
pumped it up to 40

lol

**FJRider** · 20th February 2012, 12:05

Originally Posted by Rajol

Riding up to Auckland for a conference and to visit a friend before riding all the way to Dunedin :O

Any tips??? Ahhh

Just gonna ride along state highway 1, from wellington, over rimutakas, straight through.

Tip (1) The Rimutaka's is NOT on highway one.
Tip (2) Leave the camera at home. Get riding skills and experience FIRST.
Tip (3) You do know Dunedin is on the "other" island.
Tip (4) Avoid highway one. Not really learner friendly.

**Jay GTI** · 20th February 2012, 12:07

Padded cycle shorts under your riding gear helps with numb-bum-itis on the longer rides. Even the most comfy seat gets painful if you've been in the saddle for a few straight hours.

**oneofsix** · 20th February 2012, 12:11

Originally Posted by FJRider

Tip (4) Avoid highway one. Not really learner friendly.

North Island +1 except I would drop the word 'learner'. Sh2 would be more enjoyable, less traffic, more to focus on.

Picton to Dunedin a learner might be safer on SH1 or at least the East coast but by the time he has done Akld and back he might be ready for the Buller Gorge and Coast road. time would be a factor in the South Island leg.

**FJRider** · 20th February 2012, 12:18

Originally Posted by Rajol

Need to get my chain checked

Checked my tyres yesterday -.- 10 lbs of pressure in front tire
pumped it up to 40

lol

Check it after a ride when the tyre is warm. It will have increased in pressure by then.

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 12:24

Originally Posted by FJRider

Check it after a ride when the tyre is warm. It will have increased in pressure by then.

Damn, didn't think of that,

does the temperature make a significant difference in pressure? on the order of 10lbs?

make I should deflate it to 35 or something

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 12:25

Originally Posted by oneofsix

North Island +1 except I would drop the word 'learner'. Sh2 would be more enjoyable, less traffic, more to focus on.

Picton to Dunedin a learner might be safer on SH1 or at least the East coast but by the time he has done Akld and back he might be ready for the Buller Gorge and Coast road. time would be a factor in the South Island leg.

May consider SH2

**FJRider** · 20th February 2012, 12:26

Originally Posted by Rajol

Damn, didn't think of that,

does the temperature make a significant difference in pressure? on the order of 10lbs?

make I should deflate it to 35 or something

Just check it after a ride. Adjust to suit.

**release_the_bees** · 20th February 2012, 12:30

Originally Posted by FJRider

Tip (4) Avoid highway one. Not really learner friendly.

Same as above. If you are feeling confident on your way back, and feel like a different route, I would highly recommend the following:

http://g.co/maps/d6fxm

It is my preferred way of getting between Auckland and Masterton, which I do 3-4 times per year.

**Rajol** · 20th February 2012, 12:34

Originally Posted by release_the_bees

Same as above. If you are feeling confident on your way back, and feel like a different route, I would highly recommend the following:

http://g.co/maps/vfm7v

It is my preferred way of getting between Auckland and Masterton, which I do 3-4 times per year.

Yeah that's probably going to be the route i'll take

I've driven that way before, it was nice