Southern Cross road rally, April 07

[Jantar]

I'm booked on 8am Thursday Bluebridge as 8.25am interislander is full as far as motorcycle bookings go

I'm also booked on the 8:00 am Bluebridge crossing. Now to find some accomadation within 30 - 45 minutes of the ferry terminal. Paekakariki perhaps?

[NiggleC]

I'm hoping my mate Fred from Hutt Valley is on the ride so hopefully will be able to fudge a bed at his place. I have stayed at the motels at Paekakariki before. No sleep. Trucks and trains all night but they did put me in the front unit! If i end up going that way i have caught the early ferry starting from Levin on SX'03 so anywhere from there south is ok. I always try to get some sleep on the ferry as i'm not the best sailor

[ducatijim]

Well, I have booked a bluebridge crossing for 0800 thurs, so it would seem like I just might have to do this!! Just fitted my new Corbin seat to my DR so plan to use her!( Miss reliable; roads,weather,darkness; handles everything with ease...and frugal too!) My overnighter plans are: Kaitaia, Pukehina(ish), Woodville( I'm a morning person being a dairy farmer!!) and Oamaru.Am looking forward to seeing if my planning will work and pushing the 'envelope' just a little!!

[DesmoJohnny]

I'm also booked on the 8:00 am Bluebridge crossing. Now to find some accomadation within 30 - 45 minutes of the ferry terminal. Paekakariki perhaps?

I'm on this one too, was thinking about riding in one hit and going for the 3 am ferry ?! maybe too optimistic
Its going to be a blast - will be good to meet a few of you guys too.
I'm stuck in the UK at the minute, get home a week before, so my planning is pretty sparse :slap:

[shafty]

I'm on this one too, was thinking about riding in one hit and going for the 3 am ferry ?! maybe too optimistic
Its going to be a blast - will be good to meet a few of you guys too.
I'm stuck in the UK at the minute, get home a week before, so my planning is pretty sparse :slap:

I'm on Bluebridge 0800 also - quite a few bikes on that crossing by the looks!

I was amazed that a Ferry crossing would be booked out so far in advance (6 weeks).

I looked at the 3am type crossing, but other than maybe saving a nights rent in lieu of 4 hours pavement kip, and 3 hours Ferry snooze, I reckoned there was no advantage.

I looking forward to some quality sleep then riding (comparatively) fresh the next day, into South Island sunshine (fingers crossed!)

[kawaman]

I'm all set up for this too, just got to register for the run iself. Actually I am counting down the days until I can go. Goin out to test headlights on current bike this weekend and will change bulbs if needed.

Overnights and ferries as follows:

Opunake Sun
Ahiapara Mon
Paeroa Tues
Otaki Wed
8am Bluebridge thurs and see how far we get.
Bluff Fri for a few beers.

Sounds like the 8m bluebridge is gonna have penty of us on it. Lookin forward to it!

[DesmoJohnny]

Can any of you guys that have done the Southern Cross before let me know if there are any legs that have more than 200kms between fuel (obviously depends which way I go )
The monster only has 15 litres and hits 'reserve' at about 160 kms with about 2 litres to spare.
I think carrying a couple of litres 'spare' may be necessary option ?

Cheers for any advice

[NiggleC]

Opotiki out to Te Araroa is about 160km but not exactly a high speed section. The nearest comparison in the South Island i can think of is Westport to Greymouth. there are a couple of pumps in the 1st 50km or so east of Opotiki so perhaps look at a splash and dash at one of the those. Te Araroa has one pump and when the Southern Cross circus is in town a long queue. South of East Cape there are plenty of small towns. to be honest i can do 350km+ on a tank so i haven't made a special study of this but i think you will be fine without the extra can. don't forget to practise your dirt riding skills for the last 25km to Cape Reinga and out to East Cape.

[DesmoJohnny]

Cheers for that NiggleC,
Dirt riding skills eh ! slow and both feet down !
Those are the only sections I don't look forward to.
I've only got a week from when I get back home to the start of the trip - so had better get my act together.

[shafty]

Opotiki out to Te Araroa is about 160km but not exactly a high speed section. The nearest comparison in the South Island i can think of is Westport to Greymouth. there are a couple of pumps in the 1st 50km or so east of Opotiki so perhaps look at a splash and dash at one of the those. Te Araroa has one pump and when the Southern Cross circus is in town a long queue. South of East Cape there are plenty of small towns. to be honest i can do 350km+ on a tank so i haven't made a special study of this but i think you will be fine without the extra can. don't forget to practise your dirt riding skills for the last 25km to Cape Reinga and out to East Cape.

How bad is the dirt there Niggle? I've done the Cape Reinga metal a few months back, and that was OK with care....

[NiggleC]

it can be fairly rough early on especially if the grader has been through but just go easy and there should be no dramas. plenty will be on sports bikes and most seem to manage ok.

[Jantar]

Last Southern cross, the Cape Reinga gravel section was very easy with good hard packed dirt and correct camber on most of the road. The east Cape gravel section was very difficult for many of the sports bike riders. The road had been graded with an overall slope, and with a very high crown. Also the gravel was quite coarse and not packed down. A couple of riders dropped their bikes on this section.

Its really just a matter of riding smoothely, keeping your weight on your feet rather than on your bum, slowing down early for corners, and let the bike move under you while you guide and don't fight it.

[shafty]

Thanks Guys. How long is the metal part of the East Cape road ?

[Jantar]

Its not too long at all. Only about 15kms each way. Quite a lot of the road has been sealed.

[kawaman]

Can any of you guys that have done the Southern Cross before let me know if there are any legs that have more than 200kms between fuel (obviously depends which way I go )
The monster only has 15 litres and hits 'reserve' at about 160 kms with about 2 litres to spare.

I have emailed RNMC about the east cape leg. It falls on ANZAC day so queried whether they have checked to see if the gas stations around there will be open. Not worried about main centres but you never know whether the more remote stations will close up and go fishing instead.

I need gas at either Te araroa or Waihau Bay&Ruatoria to get around and would imagine lots of others would need the same.

The added 40km out to the light house and back doesnt help, but as long as stations are open then no probs.