Please help me plan a 1-2 week holiday for May/June 2013?

[ducatilover]

Pop in for a cuppa if you go through the Wairarapa I can fit a huge motor to your GN while you're admiring my bikes, or possibly go for a ride? (my bike might get dirty though!)

You don't need a jump starter, just roll start it, GNs are easy to push. Had to do it to mine a few times

[haydes55]

Solved several issues for you. Sell your bike and buy THIS ONE. Check out those sexy hand warmers! The windshield off a van and XL gear to put over top of all your current gear.

[Zapf]

* Can I get a charger for my phone to attach to my bike?
* Should I take some kind of jump start battery/charger/thingy whatsit?
* Also any idea on snacks/food/beverages and how to carry these things i.e. water?

Charge your phone at where you are staying.

Water etc get a camelpak

** Do you have a small screen for your GN? reduces sore necks

[kiwi cowboy]

Hi All, I have never had any more than a few days off in a row since I started working with the company I'm with now (3 years) and once my asst. is trained up, I will be strongly encouraged (read, forced) to take at least 1-2 weeks annual leave. And to be honest, I don't forsee the opportunity for such a long break reappearing for at least another year, maybe more SO I would like to make the very most of what I can get.

I am in my mid 20's and ashamedly have seen very little of NZ. I think the furthest north I've been is Mangawhai (maybe?) and the furthest south of the country I've been is Wellington, once, a couple years ago. I've never even been to the South Island... Therefore I thought I am getting a rare break from work, I have a new found hobby/love, I really want to see more of our country (it's embarrassing that I've spent bugger all time outside of Auckland!) and if I don't plan something I know that I will just stay home and watch day time tv the WHOLE time.

I was wondering if any body could offer any (helpful, constructive) advice on anything from routes, sightseeing/attractions, accommodation, eateries, bike gear i.e. clothing, equipment i.e. gps???, anything I should do to/add to my bike or even any consumables or comforts I should/could take with me. I really want to plan this as well as I can so as to have as little (inconvenient, stressful, annoying) mishaps or surprises as possible. I also want to have a blast and meet new people if I can and the other reason for planning so far in advance of course is I need to save! I know May/June isn't exactly summer, but I will have to take what I can get...

Just to throw in here quickly - I want to make sure I visit some family I haven't seen for quite a few years (and hey, not going to lie I'll prob stay with them a night or two as well to save on accom!). I have family in Hastings, Waipawa and Palmerston North so stops there are a must. I also have an Aunt that I think is still in Christchurch and a girlfriend there I'd like to visit too. Also clearly I will be travelling on my own... unless anyone wants to come with but I doubt it, lol.

Please help!




So here's what I have so far in the way of suggestions/tips/advice...

POSSIBLE ROUTES/ATTRACTIONS:
* http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=...ra=ls&t=m&z=11
*
*
*
* Need to use my motorcycle atlas and write down a list of things/sights I want to see/visit


ACCOMMODATION
* Get a copy of Jasons.co.nz so that I can look at some places to stay
* Grease up to some KBr's so that I can bunk at theirs, must still aquire said list!
* Friend in Taupo if needed (thanks Grashopper, haha)
* Family in Hastings
* Family in Waipawa
* Famly in Palmerston


GEAR I MAY NEED
* Textile waterproof jacket with a liner TICK
* Textile waterproof pants with a liner TICK Although I am considering if perhaps I should go up a size in pants because I struggle as it is with mine, fit well but my legs are long so they don't go down as far as I'd like. and I'd like to get some more layers under there
* Get some waterproof gloves Tried these on at Cyclespot Honda http://www.revzilla.com/product/alpi...ore-tex-gloves think I might get them when I have the $$
* Get some waterproof boots Still not 100% sure about this
* Tent?
* Thermals (merino perhaps?) (How many different sets of thermals though I wonder?)
* Get some waterproof/touring socks (how many pairs????)
* Do up an itinerary
* Locator beacon? Going with someone possibly now so not entirely sure this is necessary?
* High Visibility Vest just in case.. TICK
* Pocket warmers?
* Balaclava
* Rain Jacket/Pants
* Topbox
* Can I get a charger for my phone to attach to my bike?
* Should I take some kind of jump start battery?
* New Tyres

OTHER STUFF

* I definitely don't want to travel any more than 300-400km MAX so I don't spend my whole tripe riding
* Possibly stay 2 nights at each stop (in the SI anyway) so I can do some proper looking around and such?
* I want at least two thirds of my trip in the SI
* Cut off time for riding each day is 4pm(ish). I can't ride between 10pm and 5pm because of my license restrictions - but I don't want to ride in the dark any way....
* I have roadside assistance but just checked and it's SUPER basic. I emailed last week and asked how much it would cost to upgrade to the extensive or whatever package
* Do up an itinerary
* Need to read the ferry thread re: tying down my bike
* Look into Google Latitude App for my smartphone

Hi bosslady,

Havent read the rest of the thread but if your in the alexandra area on queens birthday weekend there is the brass monkey rally on on the saterday the first of june and would probably be a good place to meet a few KB crew.
I will be there working but if it suited you could stay here and come down with us and you could mingle for the night untill we finish around 12pm'ish and you could then come home to a warm bed at our house.
Let us know anyway>
Cheers KC

[bosslady]

Thanks - I will keep that in mind!

Definitely need to do this on the cheap, as much as possible, lol. Haven't started saving yet but better get on to it!

[bosslady]

An update, I am probably going to do this next summer now I.e. end of the year. Don't know if I have the finances and today my aunty said shed shout me a trip to Tasmania so I definitely want to take her up on that! This info will still mostly be relevant though so I'll just have to push it out some months!

[Maha]

An update, I am probably going to do this next summer now I.e. end of the year. Don't know if I have the finances and today my aunty said shed shout me a trip to Tasmania so I definitely want to take her up on that! This info will still mostly be relevant though so I'll just have to push it out some months!

You aunty said shed?...is that a swear word within your family or a place to keep garden tools like the rest of us?

[bosslady]

You aunty said shed?...is that a swear word within your family or a place to keep garden tools like the rest of us?

predictive text don't always get it right

[thehovel]

Thanks - I will keep that in mind!

Definitely need to do this on the cheap, as much as possible, lol. Haven't started saving yet but better get on to it!

Cost to tour is about $100 -$110 a DAY. This includes gas,food&campsites. Word of warning most of the camp grounds charge double for a tent site. The way to beat this is go with a friend,two tents fit on one site..The site is the same for one as two,after that you are charged singly for extra people. If you go alone it is as cheep to backpack but you will have to book before you leave and this will nail you to a schedule. At peek holiday time it is all booked up. The advantage of tenting is you can plan day by day. I have never not got a tent site even at the top of the rush. Costs rise suddenly if you have to use a motel.

[Maha]

predictive text don't always get it right

predictive text doesn't always get it right...

[bosslady]

predictive text doesn't always get it right...

that was on purpose but thanks for the grammar check

[FJRider]

An update, I am probably going to do this next summer now I.e. end of the year.

In summer ... less clothes need to be worn/carried. In the south island in summer ... the temperature is often above 10 degrees even ...

(it got to 15 deg once)

[bluninja]

An update, I am probably going to do this next summer now I.e. end of the year. Don't know if I have the finances !

By then you'll have your restricted...then you'll need finances to buy a LAMS bike, and will put it off another year......then something else unexpected could come along....perhaps create your dream bike holiday and then start saving for it. I had things planned....but I become a grandad (all being well) later this year so my finances may be diverted.....to hiring a hitman

[kiwi cowboy]

In summer ... less clothes need to be worn/carried. In the south island in summer ... the temperature is often above 10 degrees even ...

(it got to 15 deg once)

Your bloody temp guage is broke mate only 15????????????????????? take it out of the fridge.

[kiwi cowboy]

[QUOTE=bluninja;1130520424]By then you'll have your restricted...then you'll need finances to buy a LAMS bike, and will put it off another year......then something else unexpected could come along


Took me and my brother 26 years to finaly do our trip around the south island but wont be able to let it be 26 more till the norf island or i will be rideing it on a zimmer frame