Cruisy Night Rides

[laRIKin]

I don't drink the guff.. so bring ya blaady own!!!

anyways.. I've seen the effect that Bourbon has on you!!

I did say "a" Bourbon. and I will have to then won't I.

[MyGSXF:Me]

I did say "a" Bourbon. and I will have to then won't I.

yep..

I had better get onto organising this years "Great New Years Eve Parteeeee.." too!!

[dangerous]

Nelson and I want something stronger than a milkshake.

And when do we leave?

And where are those pic's of the new bike mate.

We leave on the Friday 2nd Nov... its the Nelson Rally dont ya know

[laRIKin]

We leave on the Friday 2nd Nov... its the Nelson Rally dont ya know

We are trying to make it. finger's crossed.
We have promised other people we would be there as well.

[Dave-]

im keen to do the gorges this wednesday...

rashika can you name the 3 gorges you have in mind? I'll try whipping up a map on google earth.

[Transalper]

When people refer to the 3 gorges run as far as I know they are usually referring to the Ashley Gorge, Waimakariri Gorge, Rakaia Gorge loop (home via Highbank, Barrhill, Rakaia, and SHW1).

The Great Escapes book also mentions this route as the 3 gorges loop. It says it's 246km an to allow 3 to 4 hours return.

As a point of interest or comparison the book mentions the Christchurch to Akaroa loop as well, making it a loop by going one way via Taitapu and the other way via Gebbies and the Bays or Summit Rd. From the Gebbies turn off to Akaroa is of course the same each way.
Book lists that as 170km return and 3 to 4 hours also.

[Machiavelli]

"the Ashley Gorge, Waimakariri Gorge, Rakaia Gorge loop ... [is] 246km"

"the Christchurch to Akaroa loop ... [is] 170km return and 3 to 4 hours also"

What am I supposed to do on my GN? I've been filling up at <200km and my calculations put the range on my main tank as less than the route you first suggested.
I wouldn't like to run afoul of a tiny tank after hour 4 of a gorge run as the sun has truly set and I realise all of the rural petrol stations have shut.

[Transalper]

You could always pack a can of gas like some of us do on our duel sport adventures in to places where there are plain and simple no petrol stations, open or closed.

Personally I'd still prefer to go Akaroa direction, like even if only to Hill Top (about 1 hour/68km from center of town) or Little River (about 52km/50minutes from Burger King). I still tend to think these are better for a shortish mid week ride with smaller bikes in tow. I know other people don't want to ride the same road every week, but to me the penisula beats flat n straight every time.

How about stuff like Sumner, Evans Pass to the Summit Rd to Gebbies Pass to Little River and then the Bays back through to the Tunnel sometime too.


(Times quoted this post from google maps.)

[Rashika]

Yep transalper has it right with the 3 gorges. But I was talking just about either Ashley only or Ashley/Waimak and back, its a bit shorter and you get the nice windy stuff out the back of Loburn to start with and straight back via tram (boring but direct) road.

I'd much rather do akaroa, or the Hilltop for a shorter trip, but for variety the gorge(s) would be nice. Or to Greta valley. Over the port hills is always fun, altho whats the road like at the moment? And the traffic light situation at the top? Haven't been over for a couple of months, trying to avoid the road works up there.

Altho its feeling ferking cold out there at the moment, must be snow about... yes I am up normally at this time... to go to work

[phoenixgtr]

Try to remember that this is a newbie friendly ride. We don't want to be riding for 3-4 hours. By the way, who takes 3-4 hours to ride to Akaroa and back?? Maybe that includes the time it takes you to eat your lunch while you're there.

Anyway, Little River is definately an option and maybe 1 of the gorges. Around Sumner side of the Port Hills and out to Diamond Harbour could be nice. Some mid summer rides to Akaroa later in the year would be lovely

[Rashika]

soooooo this wed nite ride is to?

[imdying]

Could consider a 'garage raid' on the nights that are shitty? Some interesting things lurking about this city...

[Transalper]

....newbie friendly ride. We don't want to be riding for 3-4 hours.....By the way, who takes 3-4 hours to ride to Akaroa and back??...

That's why I felt compelled to mention how long it might take to do 3 gorges etc.

I'd tend to think any newbee who hasn't learned to corner yet especially on a low powered bike, especially on a cruisy ride, especially when timed coming all the way from the middle of town could easily take 3 hours round trip... especially when the bays are included.
heaven forbid they should get stuck in traffic going up hill where it's difficult to overtake.

Probably does include 10 minutes for a rest too.

[Deviant Esq]

Could consider a 'garage raid' on the nights that are shitty? Some interesting things lurking about this city...

Mate, that's a ripper of an idea, I'd be game for that. I bet there'd be a few others who'd be keen as well!

[Deviant Esq]

Try to remember that this is a newbie friendly ride.

That's the point I keep trying to make. I felt that it wasn't that cruisy the first week, but that could well be just me.

Around Sumner side of the Port Hills and out to Diamond Harbour could be nice. Some mid summer rides to Akaroa later in the year would be lovely

+1. Should we do out through Sumner and over the hill, and around to Diamond Harbour? Make your own way back and meet up at Speights Ale House (optional)? Can't pick people up from the Halswell Tavern car park though, if we're going that way...

Please be good weather...