What's the riding season?

**Squeak the Rat** · 7th March 2007, 07:21

Just been to one of the sunniest places in NZ, at the tail end of summer. Weather forecast was good. I got wet, very wet.

If you can't ride in weather, don't ride in NZ. (though i draw the line at ice because i'm not as hard as most).....

**Ixion** · 7th March 2007, 07:33

So, in short, NZ riders ride year round (Harley riders excepted I guess). But you will get wet . And cold. And need to deal with riding in ice. And snow. And high winds. And deal with waves coming across the roads.

Has anyone mentioned yet that NZ roads are mostly gravel? Like US firetrails, I think.

Still coming?

**James Deuce** · 7th March 2007, 07:37

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.

**Paulus** · 7th March 2007, 07:45

Down here in Chch there is a risk of ice on the roads from about mid May through to mid September. It can linger most of the day in well sheltered and shady spots too. It won't happen every day though and you can get some beautiful warm winter days but there'll be a lot more cold ones. Doesn't rain a heck of a lot usually even in winter but you don't have to travel very far to strike lots of rain (head west).

**davereid** · 7th March 2007, 08:46

Originally Posted by Paulus

Down here in Chch there is a risk of ice on the roads from about mid May through to mid September. It can linger most of the day in well sheltered and shady spots too.

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form, so for a year or so I rode my bike to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Still it was better than the alternative, which was walking to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

**Macktheknife** · 7th March 2007, 09:05

The riding season here is usually about 360 days per year. Knock off a couple for extreme winds (70mph+) and a couple for ice/snow/spills/slips and one more for the wife.

**Steam** · 7th March 2007, 09:08

Originally Posted by Jim2

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.

Aha! I KNEW he was a monster.

**skelstar** · 7th March 2007, 09:12

Originally Posted by davereid

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form

Ah good times good times. Friggin shocking frosts and wee shorts

...Ilam Primary school in the 70's anyone?

**Paulus** · 7th March 2007, 09:38

Originally Posted by skelstar

Ah good times good times. Friggin shocking frosts and wee shorts

...Ilam Primary school in the 70's anyone?

Beckenham Primary 73-80. It was an old brick school back then too - like a miniature Boys High.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

**sels1** · 7th March 2007, 09:57

Originally Posted by davereid

Ahh, Christchurch in winter. I was a school boy in CHCH, the uniform had short pants until you were in the 6th form, so for a year or so I rode my bike to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Still it was better than the alternative, which was walking to school in the middle of winter in shorts.

Ha, exactly the same experiance, except it was the hill suburbs of Wellington. Not so much ice, but a lot more wind and rain!

**Mr Merde** · 7th March 2007, 10:06

As I do not have a car licence ,or never have, and if I care to travel, then I must use the bike.

maybe not 365 but pretty much close to it

**Ixion** · 7th March 2007, 10:47

Originally Posted by Jim2

Don't forget the Taniwha Ixion.

I haven't mentioned the Snakes , either . Long and short of it is, if you're not coming down with hypothermia, you're coming down with sunstroke. And we luves it

**Paul in NZ** · 7th March 2007, 11:27

Key thing to remember is NZ has an island climate and our weather is dominated by the sea and the wind associated with it. The USA has a continental climate across many zones and you will find our 'seasons' a little less predictable.

Best scenery time is spring (lots of green) but thats the most changable weather due to the equinoxial winds. Best weather for riding is generally late Feb through to April where the morning may be a bit chilly but the weather is more stable with little wind. Scenery is getting a bit 'brown' by then though!

The 'out clause' for this is that once the first southerly blow comes through the temperature ratchets down a notch and never comes back up. Then it drops down to ridable weather BUT you can get some very very unpleasant weather.

If you are renting a bike you will notice that most of the rental outfits shut down over the winter anyway.

If you do make it out here, remember to keep left, particularly after passing one of the tourist camper vans that infest our pretty roads. Unfortunately more than one of your countrymen have gone home in a pine box from forgetting where they were and we would rather that NOT happen. Also - please let the KB folks know when you are coming as I'm sure a few of us can hook up with you and take you on a few of the more interesting roads, get you drunk and maybe even put you up for a night! (very friendly folks here in NZ)

One final warning - this is not New york BUT we do have our share of drop kicks and scumbags. If you leave your cash and valuables on your bike (in plain view) in a popular tourist car park, unfortunately it may be gone when you get back. Use the same common sense approach you would use anywhere else in the world and you will be fine!

I recommend these books

http://www.mcycle.co.nz/books.htm

I think you can purchase them in the USA through Amazon.

Best Regards

Paul N

**F5 Dave** · 7th March 2007, 15:17

Originally Posted by Ixion

I haven't mentioned the Snakes , either . Long and short of it is, if you're not coming down with hypothermia, you're coming down with sunstroke. And we luves it

& the Swarms of rabid Pterodactyls

Sorry no one’s biting Ixion, hope you are busy forming a more sensible response to my thread in legal section.