Heading down to roll with you kiwis

**Keytickler** · 28th February 2007, 15:00

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

The above rules don't apply if you are riding a Harley. Then you are only allowed to go at 20km/h MAX everywhere so your tassels don't wave around too intensely and spook the sheep.

We're hiring beemers.

Keytickler

**Keytickler** · 28th February 2007, 15:02

Originally Posted by Macktheknife

You guys are in for a treat! I recently hosted a guy from Seattle, who assured me that the Coromandel loop is much better than the 'Tail of the Dragon', something to look forward to. I also recommend the Maungamuka Gorge in Northland, one of the best roads in the country.
My suggestion for what it is worth, is head north from Auckland to Waipoua forest and up to the gorge, fantastic scenery and awesome roads. Then down through the Bay of Islands, past Auckland and on to Coromandel. Then East Cape to Napier, then on to Wellington for the ferry.
South Island, turn right at Picton and take Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson and then on to Takaka Hill. Continue down West Coast to Greymouth and take Arthurs Pass to Christchurch and Akaroa. Down the East coast to the Caitlins, then across to Milford Sound. Back up the west coast and do the Glaciers.
This misses out a lot of cool stuff but should give you a great taste of the country, most people will return for another tour after this as they just can't get enough of NZ on a bike.
Best of luck and remember to keep us all informed so we can catch up for a beer and a ride on the way.
Mack

Thanks for the suggestions, Mack. I'll share them with my mates. I think we're heading first for Tauranga out of Auckland, as one of my mates has a good friend with whom we're staying the first night. But . . . all plans are subject to change.

Keytickler

**crashe** · 28th February 2007, 15:06

Originally Posted by Keytickler

Thanks for the tips, crashe. I'm not so worried about the keep left thing. Roundabouts, however, are rare where I live. They will be a bit unnerving at first, I'm sure.

Keytickler

Just dont speed up to them or speed going around them.

Some roundabouts over here are different sizes......
Some are real smallish/tight, while others are quite big.

Some roundabouts are very low in height....... while others are quite high...

If you get in the wrong lane...... just find your way out safely and keep going up that road til you find a safe place to turn back around and get into the correct lane to go throu the roundabout to head in the correct direction you are wanting to go to.

Better to be safe than cut someone off and be hit or abused.

**Meanie** · 28th February 2007, 17:47

Originally Posted by crashe

Just dont speed up to them or speed going around them.

Some roundabouts over here are different sizes......
Some are real smallish/tight, while others are quite big.

Some roundabouts are very low in height....... while others are quite high...

If you get in the wrong lane...... just find your way out safely and keep going up that road til you find a safe place to turn back around and get into the correct lane to go throu the roundabout to head in the correct direction you are wanting to go to.

Better to be safe than cut someone off and be hit or abused.

Above all make sure you enter them on the left side or youll have some pretty fancy manouvering to do

**SDU** · 9th March 2007, 13:19

Looming close to your adventure. Hope you enjoy your time over here & if you can let people know where you are heading as you go, maybe some will be able to meet up with you for a drink or show you some places to ride.
If in ChCh you have to do the ride to Akaroa & around the peninsula but beware the roads are being hit hard by the police, so keep an eye on the speed, I think they are trying to gather extra revenue. There is a cycle race on the last Saturday of March, from CHCH to Akaroa so avoid going then as traffic will be hardly moving.
Cheers

**DMNTD:Me** · 9th March 2007, 13:33

Originally Posted by Keytickler

Thanks for the suggestions, Mack. I'll share them with my mates. I think we're heading first for Tauranga out of Auckland, as one of my mates has a good friend with whom we're staying the first night. But . . . all plans are subject to change.

Keytickler

We're down 'ere in Tauranga so call out if you need/want a guide.
You NEED to ride the Coromandel Loop if coming down this way....essential!
Oh yeah...spare beds etc

**5cotty** · 11th March 2007, 08:51

HiYa and Welcome, If you get down to Christchurch take a tour along the summit road to Akaroa, Its an Awesome ride with great views.... Just take your time tho guys as there are no barriers and it's a long way down!!

Drop me an e-mail if you want some company and the wife and I will show you where the good Bars Are !!!!

Stay upright and watch out for the wettas

**scumdog** · 11th March 2007, 16:40

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

The above rules don't apply if you are riding a Harley. Then you are only allowed to go at 20km/h MAX everywhere so your tassels don't wave around too intensely and spook the sheep.

Oi, you trying to dis me or something???

My tassles are my version of sliders - I don't get my knees down, I just watch for my tassles on my elbows scraping on the ground on the tight bends to know if I'm getting to the lean-limit of my bike.

**doc** · 11th March 2007, 17:01

All the KB'r on this thread who have offered accomodation to these tourist should be ashamed. I went to the South Island once and no one offered me this sort of support. So have hatched a "cunning plan" for my next trip to the Monkey. I will register under an assumed name mention I'm from a foreign land and await the accommodation offers. Just note that I don't drink Speights. Reckon it will work too. Us Jaffa's sound different than those Southlanders.

**doc** · 11th March 2007, 17:06

Originally Posted by crashe

.
Some roundabouts are very low in height....... while others are quite high...
Better to be safe than cut someone off and be hit or abused.

Does this happen to you a lot, I mean are you speaking from experience here ?

**crashe** · 11th March 2007, 17:20

Originally Posted by doc

Does this happen to you a lot, I mean are you speaking from experience here ?

hahahaha...... good one.....

Actually, thou, I do see it a lot....... and watching and waiting for a accident to happen..... at roundabouts....... as people cut others off right in the middle going round the roundabout..... as they decide to change lanes...

**Keytickler** · 12th March 2007, 14:49

OK, I've been traveling for a few days, and now I'm home again. Our departure approaches!!! Needless to say, we are getting very excited to visit you and your beautiful country. This week's after work mental activity will be dedicated to planning and packing. Don't worry, two of us will have our laptops so we can stay in touch!

I spent part of this weekend highlighting my large map of both islands with the 4 and 5 smiley face rides from the Great Escapes motorcycle guide book. So much to see and places to ride--so little time.

Thanks again. Stay tuned! I'll be posting up before we depart.

Keytickler

**Keytickler** · 16th March 2007, 04:03

This is difficult, but I've had to cancel my trip to NZ. My father-in-law has suddenly taken quite sick. It will be better for me to stay nearby rather than vacation during the next few weeks.

I'm disappointed on many levels. Firstly, that my FIL's mortality is now so imminent. Secondly, that I'll not have the opportunity to tour through your beautiful country during the next few weeks. However, NZ will be around for a long time. My FIL will not.

My two mates are still traveling, though. I have pointed them to this site and this thread. I'm betting that they will post up en route so as to meet up with many of you as they tour the North and South Islands. Both of them will be traveling with their laptop computers, so it should be easy for them to post up. I hope they will. You all have been so incredibly hospitable and generous in your postings to me.

Another time for me, fellow riders. I look forward to that day.

Keytickler

**Mrs Busa Pete** · 16th March 2007, 05:48

Sorry to hear that mate hope your father in law gets better soon. As you said New Zealdand isn't going anywhere so hopfully you will get here some time in the future take care.

**crashe** · 16th March 2007, 07:50

Originally Posted by Mrs busa pete

Sorry to hear that mate hope your father in law gets better soon. As you said New Zealdand isn't going anywhere so hopfully you will get here some time in the future take care.

ditto .......... to what Mrs busa pete said....

Take care mate.