South Island in summer?

**johnsf1980** · 29th August 2005, 07:13

Ive been thinking about this for a while... Id like to ride around the mainland in summer, sometime in Dec/Jan (if I managed to get enough time off work).

Just wondering if anyone else is interested in doing the same?

**scumdog** · 29th August 2005, 08:54

Me too - but then I live here!!

Rallies at Glenorchy (I hope) Woodstock (near Hokitika) in January and one at Vincent (near Alexandra) in February.
All worth attending.
P.M. me if you want a place to stay in the lower south east Otago.

**Paul in NZ** · 29th August 2005, 09:08

If you can arrange it, I'd definately go for Feb/March. The weather is generally more settled and the roads quieter, accomodation easier to get after the school holidays.

Vicki and I are headed south for the Guzzi rally in October and were considering another SI trip in March. We were born in ChCh and there are a lot of SI KB'rs so ask questions etc... ;-)

Cheers

**Lou Girardin** · 29th August 2005, 09:56

As we found out some places do need to be booked ahead, Haast, Q/Town for two.
You'll love it, bike heaven.

**duckman** · 29th August 2005, 10:08

I normally do two weeks at the end of March. The roads are quiet, and the normal folk are back at work.

It's paradise for bikes.... Man I can't wait.

**oldrider** · 29th August 2005, 10:14

Hi Lou, if you are looking for a place to stay with good accommodation low cost but with the ability to reach out to all the tourist spots on day rides, this is the place. Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club. Check it out Paul and report back. I read in a mag that the Ducatis were going to be here this year so I made inquiries. I believe you are booked into the local Pub. There are other places besides that. I will look you up. I would like to meet KBers that come South and happy to be of any assistance if I can. Cheers John.

**Paul in NZ** · 29th August 2005, 10:42

Originally Posted by oldrider

Hi Lou, if you are looking for a place to stay with good accommodation low cost but with the ability to reach out to all the tourist spots on day rides, this is the place. Paul in NZ is coming here on Labour weekend with the Ducati club. Check it out Paul and report back. I read in a mag that the Ducatis were going to be here this year so I made inquiries. I believe you are booked into the local Pub. There are other places besides that. I will look you up. I would like to meet KBers that come South and happy to be of any assistance if I can. Cheers John.

Spluttler gurgle froth gasp!!! 'Ducati club'?

um no.... The NZ Moto Guzzi riders annual rally old bean.... Different thing entirely John!

We are currently reviewing travel plans as the trusted companions on the trip have been higjacked by a domestic emergency but the intention is to still go to the Rally... (be rude not too really)

We will need to spend some time in Christchurch as both our families are there and intend to catch up with local KB types if we can.

Cheers

**zadok** · 29th August 2005, 10:54

I was only mentioning this to a work mate yesterday. I'm not sure when it will happen at this stage, but it will happen. When hiring a bike, do the lenders hire riding gear as well?

**skelstar** · 29th August 2005, 11:13

Yeah Im pretty keen for a ride in the South. Even if its hopping between groups of riders each day. Trouble is im on a 250 and may not be able to keep up with others on bigger machines. Will be my first super-long ride too but im sure ill be fine. Cant wait.

**Paul in NZ** · 29th August 2005, 11:28

One of the mistakes people make is thinking that they have to do the whole south island in one trip. Thats daft as you spend the whole time on your bike and really see bugger all.

There is nothing wrong with a quick 'top of the south' trip of 4 or 5 days to get a bit of a feel for what it's all about.

If vicki and I can manage to tour on our Guzzi 2 up and CSL can do an extended trip on betty then there is no reason on gods earth why you could not manage it.

Cheers

**Waylander** · 29th August 2005, 12:11

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

... Thats daft as you spend the whole time on your bike ....

What's wrong with that? Yea you don't get to see alot of the towns and stuff but I don't see why peaple care about that anyway. Countryside is where the real beauty is.

**James Deuce** · 29th August 2005, 12:13

Originally Posted by Waylander

What's wrong with that? Yea you don't get to see alot of the towns and stuff but I don't see why peaple care about that anyway. Countryside is where the real beauty is.

Yeah, but you need to stop and look. Really look. A fleeting 100km/hr+ glimpse does NO justice to the Sth Island. He isn't just talking about stopping in towns you literal minded, Lone Star State refugee.

**Waylander** · 29th August 2005, 12:16

Originally Posted by Jim2

Yeah, but you need to stop and look. Really look. A fleeting 100km/hr+ glimpse does NO justice to the Sth Island. He isn't just talking about stopping in towns you literal minded, Lone Star State refugee.

Meh, if I see nice view I stop for a few and snap a few pics. But I enjoy the actuall ride more than any destination. Horses for courses.

**James Deuce** · 29th August 2005, 12:24

Originally Posted by Waylander

Meh, if I see nice view I stop for a few and snap a few pics. But I enjoy the actuall ride more than any destination. Horses for courses.

You'd probably eat the horse and turn the course into an oil well.

Fries with that?

**sels1** · 29th August 2005, 13:30

Originally Posted by zadok

I was only mentioning this to a work mate yesterday. I'm not sure when it will happen at this stage, but it will happen. When hiring a bike, do the lenders hire riding gear as well?

Normally yes, at varying different rates. I used Te Waipounamu rentals in ChCh recently, sevice was good and prices resonable. There are a couple of other companies there as well - google search will bring them up, they have good websites.