Queenstown and Cromwell Highlands Motorsport Park tour

[EJK]

No need to say anything but I will anyway, take it easy on those new tyres ok?

Thanks. Will do

[merv]

Just had a look at Highlands website http://www.highlands.co.nz/ and there is some interesting stuff there.

[EJK]

Morning was better than expected. I was expecting heavy frost and ice on the road but due to decent sunlight and wind the roads were clear and safe. Thanks to overnight snow I woke up to an amazing view of snow covered mountains. After having a delicious lunch from Fergburger I headed south. I was meant to go home via North but since I've come this far, I thought I'd alter my plan just a bit. I headed far south, reminding myself of what I'd been back in 2008. Back in 2008 when I was living in Auckland I once traveled up to the top end of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Since I've come this far I might aswell finish my "saga" and complete my journey. So I headed for Invercargill.

I took SH6 Kingston Road down south outside of Queenstown. There I truly realised the awesomeness of the new tyres! I don't know what I was riding on before. These new tyres made the characteristic of the bike totally different. The bike was more responsive, easier to steer, and sensitive. A slight pressure on the handlebar was all it needed to tip the bike over. In this way the bike was now easier to ride fast. Being new tyres I took it easy through gentle twists and turns of SH6. It was a good piece of road to run-in a new set of tyres.

Far down south the weather was decent with easing showers, cool breeze and sky decorated with a giant rainbow.

After some decent 180kms or riding I arrived at the Bluff. What a feeling!

Then I started heading back home. Sunlight was dimming and "It's going to be a long ride" I said to myself but I've always wanted to ride in the dark to see how it feels. At sometime past 10pm I left from Dunedin. Due to pitch blackness of the night I had to be extra careful. Some blind corners and hills which headlights don't cover seemed to be a blind "void". Those were always scary. Suffice to say, while riding in the dark I noticed ZX10's headlight was actually pretty good. But still, for increase in visibility I used the cars in front of me to my advantage. Well, what do I know, everyday is a school day.

By the time I left Dunedin I had FORGOTTEN to fuel up. "Oh $4!T" I also had forgotten when I last topped up. "There should be a gas satation just outside of Dunedin... I'll just fuel up there". Could have I been any more wrong? All the petrol station I've come across north of Dunedin were closed! There were 24 hour stations but they did not accept my card. Feeling nervous as $4!t I crawled to Oamaru HOPING the fuel light don't come on. Eventually I reached a Z station OPEN in Oamaru (The most nervous 100 kms in my life). After filling it up I was now on the final straight home.

By the time I reached Canterbury plains SH1 was now a game of "Chasing trucks" and "Dodging rabbits and hedgehogs". Just why would rabbits run towards light? I can never understand... From Timaru to Christchurch I had not seen any police. Canterbury SH1 with no traffic and cops was an ideal heaven for a 160hp+ bike but the rabbits and hedgehogs were keeping me under speed control instead Now that's an idea for NZ Highway patrols.

Did I mention it was cold? Temperature was dropping below 7 degrees and I was wearing summer gloves and jacket with just a hoodie inside. Regardless cold roads were good to save new tyres from squaring off too fast. Another lesson learnt: Proper gear would be preferable for this kind of adventure. By the time I got home I was showing mild signs of hypothermia and dehydration. Shivering, eyes swollen, slight numbness on limbs and blurry eyes. I went to bath before bed.

After estimated 1400kms in total, 800kms+ on the final ride, I arrived home just after 2:30am (GPS estimation was past 3am )

What a journey it had been. Kawasaki ZX-10R proves to be an awesome tourer. Now it's in need of a decent wash and a service. The bike's done so well I'm surprised. More and more I'm glad I bought this bike. I was also considering RF900 or XJR1300 for long distance trips but I'll be happy with the ten.

I'd like to thank everybody whos been part of my journey (both on and offline) giving me encouragement so I can go on. Thanks for reading and allowing me to share my experience.

1. Snow covered mountain range just outside of Queenstown (Frankton).
2. Somewhere over the rainbow.
3. At the world's end (Bluff). Different bike but same spirit.
4. To the ends of the Earth. Cape Reinga in 2008 and Bluff in 2013.
5. View of the snow covered mountain range.

[blackdog]

Awesome photos too dude.

[BMWST?]

1. Snow covered mountain range just outside of Queenstown (Frankton).

Remarkable!

[FJRider]

Remarkable!

Not at this time of year ...

[Valkyrie]

EJK what a fantastic trip. Really enjoyed your write up and fabulous pictures. Awesome

[EJK]

EJK what a fantastic trip. Really enjoyed your write up and fabulous pictures. Awesome

Thank you! I had a such good time

[Kornholio]

Thank you! I had a such good time

We did all that last Winter in the car and it was a mission to stop thinking about if you were on the bike on these roads... Nice one man

[Grubber]

Heading down to Highlands next March.
Playday on the track have organised 4 tracks in a week in March.
Highlands being one of them.
So looking forward to that!

[unstuck]

And why may I ask are you parked outside a well know drug dealers house in post 18?

[EJK]

Heading down to Highlands next March.
Playday on the track have organised 4 tracks in a week in March.
Highlands being one of them.
So looking forward to that!

No way... Where do I sign up?

[Grashopper]

Great trip and great write up. Was really interesting and fun to read. And you took some really beautiful pics.

[EJK]

Great trip and great write up. Was really interesting and fun to read. And you took some really beautiful pics.

Thank you! Throughout this writing I was hoping maybe I could contribute to some blogs or magazines.