Is the SI safe in July?

[phil_elvey]

Hey I was wondering if I could get some advice from all you veteran bikers out there. I have two mates from Aussie flying into Queenstown to do some skiing in the first week of July. I'd love to take the bike down and do some skiing myself, and as I have been dying to do a ride down in the south island I would love to go down the west coast of the SI (as a change from the super-boring SH1). My concern is, are these roads safe in early july [from ice etc.]?

The route I would like to take is from Picton:
through Nelson and down SH6 to Inangahua junction
from here either down H69 to Reefton then SH7, or stay on SH6 and go
around the coast (what way do you think is the best/most senic?) to
end up in Greymouth.
from here down to queenstown.

On the way back I would go via Christchurch:
up SH8 to Timaru, then if I am not warned off,
the senic route 72 round past Mt Hutt to Christchurch
from Christchurch take the inland kaikoura route (SH7 then H70)
then up to picton.

Are any of these roads ones I should be particularly wary of in early July?

Any help would be appreciated.

[LB]

A lot depends on the weather. (very profound statement there Lynda!!) Seriously, it may well be no problem. But then again if they get severe frosts, which are quite common in July, it could be a bit dodgy.

Some of the passes are quite high (eg I think Lindis Pass is over 900m ASL?)

Perhaps Dangerous, Kickaha and some of the other SI guys may be better qualified to answer this thread?

[merv]

I lived in the South Island for 5 years and sometimes the snow came in July, sometimes it waited until August. Sometimes it landed on Arthurs Pass and sometimes it landed on Lindis Pass. Like Lynda says it depends on the weather and we can't control it (unless Zed can speak to his boss about holding off until after your trip - but the skiers wouldn't thank you for that unless the snow makers work well). Really you have to be wary anywhere down there at that time of the year.

The coast route is a nice ride - more scenic than going back inland and you are proposing doing that on your return journey anyway. Its not often I saw ice or snow on the route from Geraldine to Rangiora via Rakaia Gorge (near Mt Hutt) and Oxford.

It can get fairly icy between Franz and Fox in the trees as well as over Haast Pass.

Give it a go but avoid riding early in the morning or late afternoon when it gets really cool and watch out for the black ice - the stuff that just looks like water on the road but isn't, especially in shaded corners and on bridges - the timber bridges are the worst they freeze quicker.

[Ghost Lemur]

As merv said. Sometimes you'll be sweet sometime it'll get hairy.

Best bet if it's a real concern, is to wait closer to the time and decide. Dunno about further south but went over Lewis about 2 weeks ago and besides cold the road was sweet.

[hondav2]

Start the w coast at west port. Nice ride from there to Punakiki. Stick to the coast roads as they have less frosts, Dont ride b4 9am and callit a day at 4.30pm. Good warm gloves and boots a must. I wear a $99 oilskin lined vest over jacket ,keeps chest warm. Keep it upright. Cheers

[dangerous]

Perhaps Dangerous, Kickaha and some of the other SI guys may be better qualified to answer this thread?

Yeh, sure thing Lynda............ Phil, YA BLOODY MAD

there how was that? .......... but then I am knowen to be bit of a wossie at times winter being one of those times.
Phil, the other guys here have realy said it all, so just be damn cearfull

[laRIKin]

Keep your eyes open for git on the roads if there has been ice or frost.

Keep a eye out for ice (if there has been some) on the shady parts of the roads (they would still be wet looking).

When you go though the passes.
Wait untill about 9am and be out of them by about 4pm,and the ice won't be
a problem.

[phil_elvey]

Ok thanks for that help. I'm pretty keen to tackle it, just with much caution. However as you say, if the weather closer to the time is particularly bad, i will change my route.

[Ms Piggy]

Keep your eyes open for git on the roads if there has been ice or frost.

I assume you're meaning grit? But I guess you do need to watch out for gits too.

Another thing that I know they used to do (and aren't supposed to now) around the Lindis pass area is put salt in with the grit. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't amymore, we didn't when I used to do grit runs up there but I heard the other guys I worked on the road gangs with talking about it.

Have fun, the Lindis Pass is beautiful. Well all of it is really.

[laRIKin]

I assume you're meaning grit? But I guess you do need to watch out for gits too.