Ride - AKL - Queenstown - AKL

**duckman** · 20th February 2004, 15:07

Well my mate just pulled out of the ride to QT

. His boss declined his leave!!!

So it looks like I'm flying solo

**Suzi Q** · 27th February 2004, 19:54

Queenstown to Hanmer Springs is a pretty long ride - I would stop at one of the Glaciers, then go through Arthurs Pass - the Viaduct is cool - on to CHCH then back to Picton via the beautifull Kaikoura Coast.

Originally Posted by duckman

O.k I've put together a very loose itinerary for my journey south.

Leaving Auckland on the 6th March heading for Wanganui.

Leave Wanganui on the 7th, cross the ferry at 2pm and continue on to Nelson for the night.

Nelson to Westland national park on the 8th. (don't know about acccom around there?? - Anyone??)

WNP to Queenstown on the 9th for a couple of days drinking and catching up with an old friend.

Queenstown to Hanmer springs on the 12th (hope this isn't too long a leg)

Hanmer to Picton for a 1:30pm ferry crossing and then who knows

it's north island .. so :spudwhat:

**dangerous** · 27th February 2004, 20:29

Duckman, Sounds like you'r doing it right down the west coast and back through the center to ChCh/Hamner.
The west coast is a long ride cos it is very tight at times ride with caution on that leage, but dont worry to much about the cops.
Through central watch out lots of cops and its a pity cos the roads are fast down there. And likwise from ChCh to Picton lots of cops but one of the best roads and secenery ever.

**Lord Pac** · 28th February 2004, 08:25

Mate if only it was an April episode! Would have definitely joined you. Off for the whole of April!

**duckman** · 2nd March 2004, 11:12

Originally Posted by paco27zim

Mate if only it was an April episode! Would have definitely joined you. Off for the whole of April!

Arrrggghh Crap!! bad timing brother!! Still there always next year.

**duckman** · 2nd March 2004, 11:14

Can any of the "locals" give me an update of the road conditions around Wanganui... I was plannig on riding to Wanga from Auck on Saturday sooooo...... hopefully theres a road for me to ride!!

**dangerous** · 2nd March 2004, 18:05

Duckman, If ya arse is getting a bit saw or ya feel like a coffee, whisky ;-) when you get to ChCh (cos QT-Hamner is a big day) then drop in Im in belfast just before you hit the motor way on the way north.

**duckman** · 3rd March 2004, 07:50

Originally Posted by dangerous

Duckman, If ya arse is getting a bit saw or ya feel like a coffee, whisky ;-) when you get to ChCh (cos QT-Hamner is a big day) then drop in Im in belfast just before you hit the motor way on the way north.

Awww cheers. I was hoping to avoid ChCh altogether, as the roads in and out are a speeding ticket waiting to happen.

**Ms Piggy** · 3rd March 2004, 10:25

Have a blast Duckamn! I do hope those weather Gods are as merciful on you as they were on me

Wish I could join ya! I have family down South - alas Uni has started back

Give us regular updates on how it's all going too

**duckman** · 3rd March 2004, 10:30

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

Have a blast Duckamn! I do hope those weather Gods are as merciful on you as they were on me

Wish I could join ya! I have family down South - alas Uni has started back

Give us regular updates on how it's all going too

Gosh thanks Celtic sea lily, I gettin excited now. I can't wait to get going. It's always the last few days under fluoresent light that drives me mad with anticipation.

I'll take lots of photos and get them scanned in, then write up a story when I get back. I wish there were some others from the site coming too, it would be great to share the experience, but alas...

I will get sorted for next year and let everyone know waaaaay in advance.

**Lord Pac** · 3rd March 2004, 15:52

Originally Posted by duckman

Arrrggghh Crap!! bad timing brother!! Still there always next year.

definitely next year!

you have a safe one my friend! take lotsa pics...

**dangerous** · 3rd March 2004, 18:43

Originally Posted by duckman

Awww cheers. I was hoping to avoid ChCh altogether, as the roads in and out are a speeding ticket waiting to happen.

Holly crap man, if you were going to avoid ChCh between Queenstown and Hamner then that only leaves one other route, back up the west coast through Reften and across to Hamner.......thats a massive ride that I'd pass on.
Whilest I havent ridden a TLR I did have a TL in Oz for a short time and it was hard on the boby and the TLR is way worse a riding postion isent it?

**merv** · 3rd March 2004, 18:49

Originally Posted by dangerous

Holly crap man, if you were going to avoid ChCh between Queenstown and Hamner then that only leaves one other route, back up the west coast through Reften and across to Hamner.......thats a massive ride that I'd pass on

There's always the inland route from Geraldine to Rakaia Gorge, then Oxford and on to Rangiora, Sefton and Amberley before joing SH1 again - still misses Belfast though. I have taken that route a few times particularly on 4 wheels when I was visiting the in-laws at Ashburton and would turn off to go down through Methven.

**dangerous** · 3rd March 2004, 19:07

Originally Posted by merv

There's always the inland route from Geraldine to Rakaia Gorge, then Oxford and on to Rangiora, Sefton and Amberley before joing SH1 again - still misses Belfast though

Arrrrr yes very good, and that way you'd get to ride the Mckenzie country aswell.