Touring the South Island, Nov 24th-29th

[The Big J]

Hope you have a good time mate. Let us know your favourite roads. I'm going over 4th Dec and going well all over really.

[jumma]

Got back Wednesday night after 6 days on the road and a total of 2,300 kms travelled. Had a blast down south, so many magic bits of road I could have done it all again in reverse.

Favourite roads from each day were as follows:

DAY ONE - Picton to Christchurch

The 80 kp/h section on the southern side of Kaikoura was awesome, although the locals made us nervous by informing us cops were always staking it out so I was hesitant to really let loose.

DAY TWO - Christchurch

Was stuck in Christchurch while my mate was at a wedding, so took off over Summit Road from Sumner to Dyers Pass. Enjoyed the views but as I had been warned there were too many cyclists to have too much fun.
So I headed out to Akaroa as well, an absolute abundance of corners. Favourite part was the climb from Barry's Bay to the Hilltop Tavern on the way back to Christchurch.

DAY THREE - Christchurch to Queenstown

Got absolutely soaked leaving Christchurch, and didn't dry up till Omarama, just in time to enjoy the Lindis Pass through to Tarras. Had a fantastic rythym going on through here, very predictable turns and no traffic. Don't remember too many times I was travelling below 100 either, great fifth gear riding.
Also tested the top ends of our bikes through the MacKenzie Country, between Fairlie and Omarama - holy shit straights, hate to think what a bigger bike would have been capable of.

DAY FOUR - Queenstown to Franz Josef

Nursing terrible hangovers we set off to Wanaka through the Crown Ranges. Stopped for the obligatory photo outside the Cadrona Hotel (Pic. 1), then knuckled down into some more fantastic riding.
On par with the Crown Ranges was the pass through to Haast (Pic. 2) from Wanaka, absolutely majestic scenery to accompany a thrilling ride. Started raining on the West Coast so didn't enjoy that too much.

DAY FIVE - Franz Josef to Kaiteriteri

Sore heads again as we caught up with a mate in Franz Josef, but after a decent brekky we were off, into the rain which didn't stop till Greymouth. Was very relieved to find only the fist 15kms of the Buller Gorge wet, would have lost my rag otherwise. The rest of it was dry all the way to Murchison and this is one hell of a road. Excellent condition and you can see it winding above the river for kilometres at a time, so you know how many cars/trucks you should encounter coming the other way. Got to Motueka in great time, so decided to head to Kaiteriteri for the night instead.

BUGGER

Unfortunately, this became the black point in the trip. Taking a right hander at about 50k's the 4-1 join on my exhaust bottomed out on a large bump right on the apex of the corner. This sent me and the bike sliding about 15 metres toward the gutter. I got up immediately, and in my adrenaline fuelled rage picked the bike up and wheeled her to a safer place.
Was stoked to find only a few scratches on the muffler and the rear brake pedal snapped the only side effects of the slide (Pic. 3) My gear saved my ass, pants are torn right on the knee pad, and again where the shin guard of my boots was. Also ripped the cellphone pocket off the front of my jacket as I slid on my front. Didn't hit my head at all so my helmet didn't get tested.

So, wasn't the best way to end a days riding, we were only a kilometre from Kaiteriteri so that pissed me off immensely.

DAY SIX - Kaiteriteri to Picton, via Takaka

Had quite a sore shoulder as a result of my bin, so as we headed over the Takaka Hill my riding wasn't quite the same, also due to a reluctance to lean the bike as much as I usually would. Still managed to appreciate this highly acclaimed piece of road, and can't wait to attack it again feeling 100 percent.

Travelled back to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive, and despite the amazing variety of corners I never really got into it that much. The road in some places was absolutely shit, ruts everywhere and patches of gravel mid corner. Very un-nerving for someone who'd just come off the day before.

So we hit Picton at about 4pm, to find the six o'clock ferry was two hours late. There were about 20 bikes in town all waiting to cross (Pic. 4), so had a quick yarn, a bite and then we were away.

So all in all, a thoroughly enjoyable trip, some amazing roads, and I guess I can count myself lucky to get away with only a few scratches on the bike.

[The Big J]

thanks for the write-up, sorry to hear about the bin

[jumma]

thanks for the write-up, sorry to hear about the bin

Cheers mate, just watch out for 'that corner' if you plan on going to Kaiteriteri.

[bell]

Hey, good on you for sharing that - had been wondering how you fared on that trip with the weather that was thrown about last week.
Your get-off sounds like it could've ended a lot worse than it did - glad to hear you pulled up ok-ish.
I'm keen to ride that section between Christchurch and the Kaikouras again soon too. This time it will be on much more enjoyable with 500ccs extra under the bonnet. I was battling a head wind the last time and doubt that I saw 85 on the speedo many times! Did you head inland south of Kaikoura down the scenic/made for 2 wheels route? There's some sublime riding and scenery through to Waiau before the maindrag rejoins at Waipara. Always next time....
Queen Charlotte can be a let down I must agree. Came back from Picton along there today and it was less enjoyable than I'd remembered from the previous time about 5 months ago - lots of slips that have left gravel mid corner and just a sub-standard surface in too many places as you mention. The Whangamoas made up for it though.
Rest up and cheers for the report.