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Thread: Fifty shades of grey (or One wet week around the South Island)

  1. #31
    Join Date
    27th December 2006 - 07:46
    Bike
    2015 Aprilia Shiver
    Location
    Kapiti
    Posts
    286
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    The Church of the Good Shepherd at Tekapo.

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    Reflection of Lake Tekapo in the windows of the church.

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    Rainbow patches on the road warned me that a truck had spilled diesel – I almost wished for more rain to wash the diesel off the road. Dark clouds threatened real rain as I crossed Burkes Pass and I stopped in at the township of the same name to put on the rainpants and to get a coffee. Coffee was only takeaway, and with no warm café, I pressed on to the next town in the rain.

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    After lunch in Geraldine, the sky brightened and the temperature rose to a balmy 12 degrees. I was presented with a choice of Highway 72, the Inland Scenic Route, with dark clouds skirting the hills, or to turn right towards blue sky and Highway 1. I chose Highway 72, was soon pleased with the choice.

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    Rural scene in inland Canterbury.

  2. #32
    Join Date
    27th December 2006 - 07:46
    Bike
    2015 Aprilia Shiver
    Location
    Kapiti
    Posts
    286
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    Great roads near Rakaia Gorge.

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    Rakaia River valley

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    Towering thunderclouds loomed in the distance and I wondered if the road that held me captive would lead me into them. Eventually it did and just before Amberley, the heavens opened. I then joined Highway 1, having avoided it for as long as possible, and was drenched in wafts of roadspray from one truck after another. Just as well I was staying in Waipara as 10 km of those conditions were enough.
    I stayed in a backpackers in Waipara in a cottage with just enough room for the bike to be out of the rain.

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    The skies cleared in the evening and the setting sun cast long shadows and bathed the landscape in warm light. I rode out to Weka Pass to make some photos.

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    Weka Pass.

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    The toilet block at Waipara at sunset - an iconic rural building style.

  3. #33
    Join Date
    27th December 2006 - 07:46
    Bike
    2015 Aprilia Shiver
    Location
    Kapiti
    Posts
    286
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    Day 7: Waipara to Wellington


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    I woke early to a gorgeous crisp morning, had breakfast and was on the road at seven. Beautiful weather, little traffic and probably the best section of Highway 1 from a motorcyclist’s perspective.

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    The Hundalee hills provide lots of 35km/h corners, but the surface was patched with many temporary repairs, taking a bit of the edge of the ride. This was close to riding perfection and it was great to treat the Aprilia to a few more revs than she had received through the last week.

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    I reached the coast and some cloud. In the middle distance, the foothills of the Kaikoura Range had been dusted with snow. I bumped into an old friend by chance in a café in Kaikoura, refuelled and rode north. The pervasive stench indicated the fur seals that haul out along this coast.

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    A stiff southerly developed, but this was now a tailwind (for the first time on this ride) and so this meant relaxed riding. I arrived in Picton in plenty of time for the ferry.

  4. #34
    Join Date
    27th December 2006 - 07:46
    Bike
    2015 Aprilia Shiver
    Location
    Kapiti
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    286
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    I tied the bike down in the ferry, next to a Ducati Multistrada of the same year and colour as my eariier bike. The guy had just bought it and was rapt. The bike attracted a lot of attention (like mine used to), but I doubt whether the Ducati would have performed so flawlessly in the rain my Aprilia encountered during the previous week.

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    Also on the ferry was Martin Jarvis who was riding around the world. Great guy and he enthralled me with his stories during the voyage back to Wellington.
    Martin's blog is here:
    http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ke/1/tpod.html

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    Martin's journey continues.
    I look forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight and dream of the next ride.

  5. #35
    Join Date
    15th October 2009 - 17:33
    Bike
    2014 Honda NC750X
    Location
    Auckland
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    918
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    Some stunning shots in that lot too - at least the inclement weather added some drama!

    Very envious of your flexible trip-planning and photographic talents.
    Moe: Well, I'm better than dirt. Well, most kinds of dirt. I mean not that fancy store bought dirt. That stuffs loaded with nutrients. I...I can't compete with that stuff.
    - The Simpsons

  6. #36
    Join Date
    29th May 2008 - 20:42
    Bike
    '01 Yamaha YZFR6
    Location
    West Auckland
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    795
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    1
    Sounds a tad cold and a TAD wet! Great read Frodo, and awesome pics.


    THE FOUR RULES OF EXPLORING THIS AMAZING COUNTRY OF NZ
    RIDE SAFE, RIDE HARD, RIDE FREE

    and try not sound so route 51 american brudda


  7. #37
    Join Date
    10th September 2008 - 21:23
    Bike
    Yamaha XV250
    Location
    te awamutu
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    2,214
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    9
    Frodo, I have sent you a copy of a PM that I had sent another member about being able to post pictures instead of attachments. Most of the message shows how I downsize the photos in Paint, then upload those pics to my photobucket acc. From there I download to my ride reports. It may or may not help you.
    " Rule books are for the Guidance of the Wise, and the Obedience of Fools"

  8. #38
    Join Date
    8th February 2014 - 15:37
    Bike
    xtx660
    Location
    the naki
    Posts
    1
    Great pics an journey story very inspiring for us newbies ,thanks,


    Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

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