Riding from Palmerston North to Auckland... Should I?

[Stella]

Ok, I have a dilemma. I have a week off, in 1.5 weeks time. I was supposed to be riding to Auckland with a friend to see some people. He can no longer come and I can't cancel the time off.

I have a GN250, have been riding since February last year, done 5000km. I have done most of that on the open road. So far my longest rides have been to Hastings and Wellington, and I did the Rimutakas (badly, but upright). I do NOT have a car license therefore this is the only driving/riding experience I really have.

I would do the trip in two bursts, staying the night halfway and finishing the trip the next day. I would then have five nights in Auckland and come back the same way.

The thing is I don't know the roads and if anything goes wrong I am totally stranded on my own.

Every so often I get keen to do it but then I have a biker friend say I am nuts, mostly about doing it on a 250 but I have never ridden anything bigger so I don't know the difference (you know, once you upgrade you can't go backwards). Also the being alone if something goes wrong thing concerns them. But then I get keen again.

I *DON'T* WANT LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!! I need some sound advice please I have no idea what to do.

[Mom]

Go to my user note. My cell phone number is on there. If you get in the shit txt me. I am camping then and have no PC. I can however txt someone, who will put a thread up on here and there will be a member that can come to your aid! Easy!

As far as riding up to Auckland goes....GO FOR IT!

[Str8 Jacket]

Just do it! But take lots of oil and check it reguarly! Trust me, once you've actually done it you'll be both stoked and proud with yourself! Trust me, Ive had the same dilemna and just done it. Will NEVER regret it, ever!

[Usarka]

Do you want to do it?

[Trudes]

Bugger, if I was still on holiday then i'd offer to come along for the ride. Mom's got the idea though, tons of kbers along the way that'll probably ride with you for a bit if you want some company, and if you don't then help is only a text msg away. Good luck, oh, and go for it chick!

[C_A]

do it. jsut take a few breaks on the way, have a decent feed before you set off, and a mean sleep. will only take you like 6 hours of riding if that, if you're at 100kph as much as possible. long distance motoring's a piece of piss.. 'tis only a shade over 500km from palmy, too.

plus, go through feilding and up through rewa/vinegar hill on the way. the first part of the palmy-auckland trip is insanely boring. rewa mixes it up a bit.
also not sur eon condition of the desert road at the moment, so national park might be better, plus if you stay on that western access to ngaruawahia or perhaps futher north if possible, you save a buttload of time and see alot less traffic

[jtzzr]

GO FOR IT!there are heaps of guys/girls who would redily help you on your quest should you need help ,and there are alot of people who would ride with ya along the way or parts of the way.Have fun

[chanceyy]

Hi Stella

deep breath ... you will be fine .. make sure you stop if you feel weary, and drink plenty of water take food on board regularly but nothing to heavy .. am sure someone can offer you a bed if you want to do the trip over two days ..

I rode to chch by myself several months ago (just after i got restricted) and loved it ..(once i was on the road no prob)

If you want my cellie number pm me .. I have a master list of ppl up north that we can call if you get stuck, break down or so forth .. & you may find others could accompany you part of the way if your passing through their town

after watching you ride on the newbie ride the other week you will not have any probs you ride extremely well just take your time & have fun

[99TLS]

is there any palmy riders on here that you know who can ride part way with you ?? would that make you more comfy?

[Mumbles]

Don't worry about the 250 thing, I've done Auckland to cold kiwi fully loaded on a 250 and back

The main issue is to believe that you are capable of the ride, keep to the main highway do the speed limit and stop to rest your butt often, great idea splitting the trip up and do it in 2 half's.

If your worried about if the bike can do the distance then ask a local mechanic to take a look at it. (check your tire pressure and fluid levels before you head off)

Do a few more rides before you go, esp if your going to load you or your bike up, everything acts a little differently when your carrying extra weight.

Fully charge ya phone and enjoy the ride , its nice and boring for a bike, but after this trip you can find all the other cool ways to go .

Stay safe

[Swoop]

I would do the trip in two bursts, staying the night halfway and finishing the trip the next day. I would then have five nights in Auckland and come back the same way.

Sounds good. You already have a rough idea where you are staying for the overnight bit, so it makes "finding" a route a little easier.

The thing is I don't know the roads and if anything goes wrong I am totally stranded on my own.

This is normal for all bikers. If something happens you have a cellphone and you also have a bike on the side of the road - the international brotherhood of bikers will see this!

Every so often I get keen to do it but then I have a biker friend say I am nuts, mostly about doing it on a 250 but I have never ridden anything bigger so I don't know the difference (you know, once you upgrade you can't go backwards). Also the being alone if something goes wrong thing concerns them.

Doing it on a 250? Pah! It has been done on lots smaller than that. Ride what you have. What's this "once you upgrade you can't go back" crap? Plenty of bikers out there who have purchased a "smaller" bike after owning or still owning a larger one.

No encouragement needed. You have the pieces of the puzzle, so put them together.

[smoky]

How confident a rider are you on the main roads?
What condition is your bike in?

A GN250 should handle a small trip like that.

But take lots of oil

Why?

[Lucy]

Yes do it, you will love it. If you want you can stop in here for a break on your way (Raetihi - pm me for phone number etc), and you will only be two hours away from home so if you have changed your mind or anything, you can head home, or phone someone. If I am free, not sure of the dates, I'll ride on with you for a bit, would be good to ride with another GN!

As far as advice goes? Hmmm. Check all your oil, tyres, CHAIN, etc before you leave, don't forget your wallet and licence, and list of phone numbers. Join the AA. Take a water bottle, you'll get thirsty. Take an Auckland map.

[chanceyy]

This is normal for all bikers. If something happens you have a cellphone and you also have a bike on the side of the road - the international brotherhood of bikers will see this!

Doing it on a 250? Pah! It has been done on lots smaller than that. Ride what you have. What's this "once you upgrade you can't go back" crap? Plenty of bikers out there who have purchased a "smaller" bike after owning or still owning a larger one.

No encouragement needed. You have the pieces of the puzzle, so put them together.

you are so right swoop .. I managed to run outta gas twice & both times within minutes a biker in a cage stopped to ask if i was ok .. gotta love bikers

I did my first tour on the RZ350 .. everyone was suprised I was doing it on a two stroke ..

where are you planning to stay overnite stella ?? if its around taupo there are a few generous kbers who will look after you

[99TLS]

where in akld are you heading? if you want a escort from hamilton and its the weekend give me a txt if im free i will escort you, send me a pm and i will give you my cell #