South Island Tour

**Warr** · 24th December 2006, 15:53

Made it to Taihape without too much rain. Off to 2 pm ferry tomorrow. Light traffic on Tmn route.

**Warr** · 24th December 2006, 18:59

Great to get your PM s. Just replying on my phone so bit of a mish! Cell is ....

**Warr** · 25th December 2006, 10:53

All good. Made it to Wellington early quick bit at Oriental Bay then more food at Wild Bean as most places are closed! .... if you are in t area

**Warr** · 27th December 2006, 19:21

Made it to Akaroa today. Lovely hills. They just go on and on. Lots of bikes out too. Will have a day of rest tomorrow as we are here for 2 nights. The road is like the steeper parts of coro and tight. So not like 22 which is flater and faster.

**oldrider** · 29th December 2006, 19:31

Well Warr's itinerary said they would be in Tekapo today so I got on my bike and went to Tekapo for a ride to say hello.
Why? Just because I could.
Beautiful sunny day at Otematata, set off for leisurely (slow) ride over the saddle to Omarama and looked up the Mackenzie plains and rain clouds everywhere!
Around about the Ohau turnoff down she came in bucket-loads so I stopped and donned my rain suit.
When back on the road again I was passed by a couple of Suzukis? and you guessed it, I tacked in behind them and got to Tekapo way too early!
So much for the leisurely ride!
Had a nice time wandering around talking to the tourists (fellow motorcyclists from USA)
The weather had cleared and was hot and sunny until Warr and Co arrived, complete with police escort! (unplanned by either party)
Then the weather started to deteriorate.
Met Warren, Mrs Warren and friends, had a cup of coffee and set off for home via the Hakataramea Pass just as the weather started to change for the worse.
At least it held off until I was over the Pass but then it fair bucketed down but I had the most fantastic ride home.(water, water, everywhere.)
I am a little strange it seems because I really love riding in heavy rain, it adds greater dimension to the ride.

Nice to meet you Warr and put a face to yet another Kiwi Biker.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Southern ride.

Cheers John.

PS: It's still pissing down outside, hope it clears for you guys tomorrow!

Pics:
1 & 2 Tekapo as I waited.
3 Warr and friends.
4 Approaching the Haka Pass and the lovely rain.

**Warr** · 29th December 2006, 20:41

Hey John thats a pretty good report. And jolly nice to meet you too. Too short even as never got a chance to see your bike. We arent sure what sort of weather we are in for tomorrow but am guessing it will be cool. Tis a nice spot we are stopped in at Tekapo too.

**Jantar** · 29th December 2006, 20:45

Originally Posted by Warr

We arent sure what sort of weather we are in for tomorrow but am guessing it will be cool.

This shit weather going through at the moment should clear tomorrow morning. It'll be a cool ride coming over the Lindis, but the roads will be good condition after the rain. Long range looks good for the rest of your trip.

**Warr** · 10th January 2007, 11:58

Can report that have made it back to hams in one piece.
4557 k's all up. No bike problems other than those man-made!!
May concentrate on some shorter rides for a bit

**terbang** · 10th January 2007, 12:33

Good one Warren welcome back to New Zealand. We are doing the same in Feb. Any pointers..?

**kickingzebra** · 10th January 2007, 13:11

Well done that man!!! Nice to finally have clean cloths then huh??

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 10th January 2007, 13:14

well done.. great that you enjoyed it

**TerminalAddict** · 10th January 2007, 21:30

welcome back (plus I caught with this therad

)

**Warr** · 10th January 2007, 22:25

Originally Posted by terbang

Good one Warren welcome back to New Zealand. We are doing the same in Feb. Any pointers..?

Pointers. ... Travel light, there is always a Warehouse around for a change of dacks!
Hope the weather picks up for you. My grip warmers were well used! Hadnt used them all winter but SI summer's are something else