South Island in the winter?

[mattimeo]

Hi all - a few questions about winter riding in the South Island:

My friend and I are taking our bikes south for a week this winter, late June/early July. Our original plan was to circumnavigate the island but we're starting to think it'll be too risky (road condition wise).

I'd love to hear from anyone who has ridden/toured in the south island, in the winter. Would it be silly attempting any of the passes? Any recommendations or tips would be greatfully accepted.

We're a bit concerned about blackice and damp, slipery corners. I'm also told that south island roads are quite different to those in the north.

[JimO]

different as in better..black ice is a problem but its not like the ice age here you know

[Colapop]

Riding in the south during the winter is cold. Hope that helps.

[mattimeo]

The cold won't bother us in the slightest, we have good gear and are fit enough to handle that aspect of the trip - it's safety I'm refering to!

[Colapop]

O

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

The cold won't bother us in the slightest, we have good gear and are fit enough to handle that aspect of the trip - it's safety I'm refering to!

well if you get snowed in, yah won't need to think about safety... just keep an eye on the weather reports and adjust your route to suite.

Ride to the conditions, don't leave to early in the morning let most of the frost melt away... just watch out for the frosty spots during the day ie in gullys & gorges etc...

[oldrider]

Riding down here through the winter is OK, if you have good gear, that includes your bike.

You do have to be a bit more careful because there are places and times that if the ice doesn't get you then the grit might.

We (Mrs O/r) and I ride through the local passes all through the year and have only had to turn back once (Lindis Pass) because of snow but we could have made it home if we had really wanted too.

If you do get caught, there is usually a grit truck through by about 2pm and you can follow that through most times OK.

Ice has no favourites and doesn't care how good a rider you are and will show you if you don't treat it with respect!

The biggest worry you will have is getting rear ended by fast "expert" 4x4 drivers, while you are picking the grit tracks through the frozen bits!

Enjoy your ride. Cheers John.

[Ghost_Bullet]

Ride to the Conditions, If they Change reduce you Speed!!! Dont ya just love that jingle( Iget that song in my head, and I begin thinking of rope around the neck stuff!!!!), that is about it really, the South can be a fantastic place in the cold months.
Dress warm, pack a few bandaids that'll see ya right.

Just take it easy. And have a great time

[T.W.R]

Expect the unexpected

Pic: SH1 between ChCh & Ashburton 20km from the east coast a few years ago from a southerly blast that wasn't expected.

[mattimeo]

Thanks for the replys guys. Useful to get someone elses perspective...!

[Tim 39]

Expect the unexpected

Pic: SH1 between ChCh & Ashburton 20km from the east coast a few years ago from a southerly blast that wasn't expected.

yea thatd stuff your trip on a bike!

[scumdog]

Down here it was worse - we have the snow but we throw in the grit just to make it interesting.
The cold causes carb/induction icing up, 'plastic' tyres, sticky steering dampers, instant-ice visors.

Oh, and there's also some negative aspects to consider.!!

[NordieBoy]

Oh, and there's also some negative aspects to consider.!!

It dosn't freeze the beer does it?

[T.W.R]

yea thatd stuff your trip on a bike!

Just a bit lols.
Coming back from a trip up to the Nth Island I struck a couple inches worth of snow over the top of the Hundalees at night which wasn't pleasant, sort of like trying to negotiate corners around an ice skating rink
What made things worse was not having my winter gloves at the time and I kept wondering why I was loosing speed all the time My right hand was so cold I'd lost feeling in it and couldn't feel the throttle closing

[mattimeo]

I have returned. Certainly gained some respect for black ice, I managed to drop my bike coming into Murcherson :< Apart from that it was a cool trip, a few days of fine weather helped.