Weird weather rides.

**Gasman** · 21st September 2004, 21:08

So who's had a the most bizarre day riding, weather wise? I know, who wants to talk about the weather....BUT it can be interesting. For example, one day a couple of years back I was riding from Blenheim to Christchurch, via Lewis Pass. It started out sunny

and warm, but by the time I got home that night I'd ridden through heavy rain, hail, sleet, and snow (going over the pass), then just to finish things off a nor' wester hit and just about blew me into the grass. Every time I tried to turn a right hander I'd just get leaned over and I'd end up perpendicular again. Very disconcerting!

My hands were frozen to the grips (no heated grip, and no wind guards). I learned!! That was a 'great' day, but I don't want to repeat it too quickly!

So, what's your experience?

**FROSTY:Me** · 21st September 2004, 21:21

I guess the weirdest weather ride I've had was in the middle of the north island in mid summer.
I was getting totallly drenched yet not a cloud in sight and 100m in front of me thick fog like steam was rising.
so i was blinded by the fog wet and sunburned all at the same time.
Seriously weird stuff-- Some weather guru explaibned wot happened once
The only other time was picking up a set of race leathers in mid winter from Abrahams leathers. -Really stupid visiting the far side of taupo on a bike mid winter.
Riding home I had to look at my hand to make it work the throttle.
Once I grabbed the brake and ice spikes stood up off of the knuckles of my gloves.

**riffer** · 21st September 2004, 21:27

Riding in the latest storms in Welly has been kind of weird but I don't know if 180km/hr wind, sideways rain and flooding counts as weird weather.

Just a downright unpleasant experience.

**Gasman** · 21st September 2004, 21:31

Originally Posted by celticno6

Riding in the latest storms in Welly has been kind of weird but I don't know if 180km/hr wind, sideways rain and flooding counts as weird weather.

Just a downright unpleasant experience.

Yup, I reckon that definitely counts. Can't say I've ever struck that kinda wind!

**Mongoose** · 21st September 2004, 21:54

Originally Posted by Gasman

Yup, I reckon that definitely counts. Can't say I've ever struck that kinda wind!

Worste weather, Jiminy Cricketts, it would be hard to p[ick down this way, a lot of it is so bad

But one time coming over the Rumataka's i was blown off the road, only in second gear at that, the front end was just swept across the road. That was coming back from a Guzzi Rally, and no, I aint got a windscreen for the wind to grip onto.
Other time was heading back home from work, about 9pm and EVERYTHING was white, the road was white, the road markers were white, even the raim was white.

**kerryg** · 22nd September 2004, 15:34

Originally Posted by celticno6

Riding in the latest storms in Welly has been kind of weird but I don't know if 180km/hr wind, sideways rain and flooding counts as weird weather.

Just a downright unpleasant experience.

Ummmm no...that only counts as another typical day in Wellington.....

**Dodgyiti** · 22nd September 2004, 15:51

Left Auckland at 4am after rebuilding the engine all night, because I blew it up the day before the big South Island tour.
Road solidly until Bulls for some petrol [ big tank] and 'er indoors was blue lipped and fingered, of course we were riding through a cyclone

And made the ferry, only to find the soft c**ks had cancelled it because of the weather, all that for nought

9 solid hours of pelting 45 degree angled rain,hailstones and a touch of snow in the central north island, madness...

**ben444** · 22nd September 2004, 15:57

Racing at Teretonga in snow...

**Gasman** · 22nd September 2004, 21:25

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

9 solid hours of pelting 45 degree angled rain,hailstones and a touch of snow in the central north island, madness...

I reckon that's hard to beat! I'm just imagining riding through Waiouru and the Desert Rd in a winter storm......and believe me I CAN imagine it, having had to live and work there, back in the days when my skin was a funny baggy army green colour!

**scumdog** · 22nd September 2004, 22:05

On the way to a Brass Monkey, when the snow built up so much on my visor that I had to look to one side to get the wind to blow the snow off so I could see, and then later going over the Lindis in snow was that thick on the ground that I couldn't see any road markings - and after riding in the ruts left by a truck for 300-400metres

I discovered I was on the wrong side of the road and the truck was not on front of me but had been going the other way

**Mongoose** · 22nd September 2004, 22:11

Originally Posted by Gasman

I reckon that's hard to beat! I'm just imagining riding through Waiouru and the Desert Rd in a winter storm......and believe me I CAN imagine it, having had to live and work there, back in the days when my skin was a funny baggy army green colour!

Had a mate bought a Buel in Dorkland and had to ride nack to the West Coast, time was craped and they sort of closed the Desert Raod as he went past.
Up shot was, when he stopped for gas at the southern end of it, the chicky babe in the gas station had to hold his coffee for him so he could have a sip.

**Uncle B** · 23rd September 2004, 00:26

The last coast to coast ride comming over the Pahiatua Track rode thrrough some of the heaviest rain for a long time....couldnt see a dam thing....crawling along at about 20kph.

**Mongoose** · 23rd September 2004, 00:31

Originally Posted by VTWIN

The last coast to coast ride comming over the Pahiatua Track rode thrrough some of the heaviest rain for a long time....couldnt see a dam thing....crawling along at about 20kph.

Pffffft, average ride on the Coast

**Motu** · 23rd September 2004, 07:50

I've ridden several trials and an enduro in raging storms - we stop for nothing in trials,the weather is just another obstical to overcome.The enduro was cancelled and turned into a 4 lap MX on a short loop for those that still wanted a ride,but still only a couple of us could do 2 laps - we had to haul the bikes out with guys on ropes from the top of a gully.I love going off road in conditions like that,it's just so extreme...you get totaly knackered,but end up laughing with the absolute stupidity.

**clint640** · 23rd September 2004, 09:16

I was working in Wanganui a while back, was going back to vegas for the weekend, got up on Saturday to a lovely fine warm day - methinks I'll take the bike - I had the ute option as well - so I set off over the Paraparas on the old RZ

I'd only been going 15 minutes when it started raining, hard, I got to Raetihi & it started sleeting, at National park it started snowing

The snow was just starting to settle on the road as I got out of it approaching Turangi. Character Building ride.

Cheers
Clint