Best route from Picton to Christchurch

[SpankMe]

I'd go Picton to Nelson,through Queen Charlotte drive,leaving Nelson I'd go up to Motueka and over the Takaka hill (no exit) and on the way back I'd turn off at Motueka and take the road that comes out at Motupiko

Down to Murchison,Inangahua Junction and across to Westport, down the coast to Greymouth, and across to Christchurch through Arthurs pass.

How long does that route take at a quick pace?

Would be happy to have anyone join me on this ride. Most likely will be on the 15^th March if the weather is good.

[Flyingpony]

How long does that route take at a quick pace?

Would be happy to have anyone join me on this ride. Most likely will be on the 15^th March if the weather is good.

You could do it in one day, a long day, but there really won't be any pit stops other than for pies and fuel. Best split it over two days by sleeping in Murchison (30-45min before Inangahua Junction) or Westport.

Approx distances (off top of my head) and rough times riding sub 100km/hr.
Nelson - Inangahua Junction: 180km (2.5hrs)
Inangahua Junction (not a fuel stop! pumps removed) - Westport: 50km (40min-1hr) - Very nice & twisty with over hanging rock underpass
Westport - Greymouth: 80-100km (coast road rocks, must stop at the pan cake rocks at high tide!) (1-1.5hr)
Greymouth - Christchurch through Arthurs pass: 250-300km (guesstimate, I normally go over Lewis) (3.5-4.5hr)

If a steam train ride & gold panning are your thing/interest, stop at Shanty Town just south of Greymouth.

At the turn off south of Greymouth into Arthurs pass, you'll encounter a road/rail bridge and a round about with rail going straight through the middle!

[crazybigal]

all day!
just been through there. arthurs pass has some nasty roadworks at the moment. lewis pass was all good last week, some new seal but only a few loose stones left, was a better ride than the arthurs pass with all the stopping for roadworks and gravel.

How long does that route take at a quick pace?

Would be happy to have anyone join me on this ride. Most likely will be on the 15^th March if the weather is good.

[crazybigal]

id go from Picton down to Spring creek on state highway 1 then over to Rapaura then up to Havlock or you could go via Queen charlotte.then over to Nelson and down to Richmond taking state highway 6 down to Murchison (watch out for cops) but a good road non the less.
Then out of Murchison take highway 65 down the Maruia forest to Springs junction. Then its up over the Lewis pass past Hamner Springs and south to Culverden and keep going south Christchurch

or If you want to go the Kaikoura way make sure you go over highway 70 past mt Lyford, wicked back road real twisty and scenic. but after that its boring run down to chch.
Ive coverd all of these roads in the last few week, some wicked roads and no cops!

[onearmedbandit]

Shit I've done ChCh via Springs to Nelson via Coast Rd to ChCh in one day before, 'tis easy!

[Madness]

Hey SpankMe

Don't forget the Gladstone Hillclimb, it's around that time too.

[Kickaha]

How long does that route take at a quick pace?

Would be happy to have anyone join me on this ride. Most likely will be on the 15^th March if the weather is good.

A real man would do it in a day, a latte day drinking Jaffa might take a bit longer

depends what time you come off the boat, but I'd be inclined to stop over the night at either Westport or Greymouth for the night

[SpankMe]

What's the best ferry to take? Should I book, or just turn up on the day? How long does the ferry take to cross?

[Kickaha]

What's the best ferry to take? Should I book, or just turn up on the day? How long does the ferry take to cross?

I've always used Interislander mainly because their crossing times have been more convenient and if it's not peak time you dont need to book, crossing time is 3 hours and take your own tiedowns

[crazybigal]

yeah some of them have tie downs on board, and some have shitty ropes, so take at least 2 with you. if you book in advance you save a few bucks but if its not important what crossing you catch just turn up an hour b4 it sails.

I've always used Interislander mainly because their crossing times have been more convenient and if it's not peak time you dont need to book, crossing time is 3 hours and take your own tiedowns

[desmo dave]

all day!
just been through there. arthurs pass has some nasty roadworks at the moment. lewis pass was all good last week, some new seal but only a few loose stones left, was a better ride than the arthurs pass with all the stopping for roadworks and gravel.

fuck that road surface crap.. must get a steering damper. a super motard stye bike would be the 1 for there. those thick shingle road works at night and pissing down with rain arnt alot of fun. back to topic.the inland road from kaikoura to waiau is a nice we blast but keep a good eye out for campervans and stock.

[pritch]

Whats the best route from Picton to Christchurch. I see lots of long straight roads, so need to know which is the least boring. Quite happy for it to take all day.

The ride down to Christchurch along SH1 is fine. It ain't all twisties but there are some and the countryside changes every so often so it isn't all that boring. That ride has its own texture, I like it a lot. There's the Plains but hey you're almost there by then.

While you're in Christchurch check out the roads to Akaroa, if you're still hungry try the passes to the West Coast. It ain't SH43 but it ain't half bad either...

There are alternate routes, but either going down or coming back, just try the main road.

I'll be down there at the end of March too but only briefly :-)

Drop in on Inline4 I'm sure he'd be pleased to see you.

[Lorax]

How long does that route take at a quick pace?

Would be happy to have anyone join me on this ride. Most likely will be on the 15^th March if the weather is good.

Would take a long day. Pretty much what Flyingpony said.

But this'd be my choice. That's the best possible route scenery wise. Lewis pass is nice and all but nothing to write home about. Arthurs however is pretty sweet. And some nice long straits once you're on the east side of the pass to chch.

I took Bluebridge, they were great. And there's a front viewing deck unlike interislander. Take your own tie downs, and practice before. There are a few threads in here, do a search.

And enjoy! Jealous!

[SpankMe]

Looks like the ferry will have me in Picton just before midday and I want to get to Christchurch on the same day, so looks like 6, 65 or 69 to 7 could be the route.

[Deviant Esq]

You'll love the Lewis Pass (SH7) long time if you haven't ridden it before. If you were riding it in winter not as much fun, but I suppose that goes without saying. Clear sky on a summer's day = beaut. Oh, and I'd be quite surprised if you saw a friendly man in blue. As for time taken: Depends how much you're hurrying and how often you stop. Non stop (in a car, bike petrol tank is too small) it's almost exactly 5 hours from Motueka to Christchurch town centre. Riding it, with comfort stops added in... it's further since you're coming from Picton... should take 6 to 7 hours, it'll still be light. Unless you smoke, then more stops are added... Oh, and if you've got time while in Chch, definitely check out the Chch - Akaroa run. We love it. Sublime mix of straights, sweepers and twisties. Takes under an hour if you're not mucking around, a little over if you're taking your time.

I'd happily join you for the ride as I'd like to meet you... but I'd only hold you up even if I was in New Zealand at the time and actually able to attend. Hope the trip goes well mate.