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

[Squiggles]

Why?

Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world

[NZsarge]

you will be fine. Auckland is not as far away as you might think and doign it over 2 days you will be fine. A little common sense and not being afriad to ask for help will get you 99% of the way there. If I didnt have so much work on I would escort you up there. Have fun and dont stick too much to any timetable. Just enjoy the ride.

+1......................

[NZsarge]

Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world

Not bad advice at all, but the most important item of all, yourcell phone

[Switch]

My partner and I + Warr and TerminalAddict done Palmy and back to hamilton, was a sweet ride and the road from hamilton to auckland is very basic. Im sure you will be all good, but if not, i sent you a PM just incase. Good luck

[Stella]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

[chanceyy]

My partner and I + Warr and TerminalAddict done Palmy and back to hamilton, was a sweet ride and the road from hamilton to auckland is very basic. Im sure you will be all good, but if not, i sent you a PM just incase. Good luck

and the palmy crew will see you & lauren on some regular rides soon

[chanceyy]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

I am working the 19th .. but we could arrange a ride to met you on the way home

If you decide to do the ride, as posted here you will have riders who will come met you & escort you back into aucks to your destination .. as long as you have a cellie girl you will be fine..

when I travelled I took a tool kit as well (that now sits on bike permanently along with first aid kit) I may not know how to fix the bike, but i have the tools to do it

[imdying]

Should you? Well, beats walking

Seriously though, you aren't going to get lost... it's all highway riding, they've sign posts every now and then, and the sun is always keeping your internal sense of direction pointed in sorta the right direction

Check your tyre pressures before you go and go do it!!

[Reckless]

I agree with the others too. The bike should do it fine. As long as its in good nick mechanically a puncture is small possibility. So get yourself a tyre pando and make sure your bike has a tool kit. Even if you cannot use it a passer by might be able to check a plug for you or tighten something coming loose. But lets not get carried away with "what if". As long as the bike is ok you should be fine.

The offers from KB'ers are great but if you want to be guaranteed of being able to get someone if you are in trouble in the middle of nowhere. Join the AA, they are pretty good at roadside assistance and you know they will always be available anywhere in the country. Just an idea!

Good luck!

[Colapop]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.
The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.
Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.
Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

You've got the right idea. Give yourself two days to ride up there. Then you can take it as easy as you like. Once you've done the trip you can decide whether you want to do the return in a day. Travelling at 100kph it takes approx. 6 1/2 hours to get from Wellington to Hamilton (what it took me), then it's a little over an hour to get to Aucks from there. I had a break whenever I felt like it, kept the fluids and food intake up and made sure I was well rested before I left. I ended up doing 1400 miles that trip!

There are plenty of KBers between there and Aucks who'll help if you need anything so as long as you sing out if you need a hand, you'll be fine.
Cheers
CP

[Usarka]

It is just the unknown things: what if I come off etc. of course that is always a risk but I would be far from anyone I (actually) know who could come and save me.

Plan your route and try to remember it (especially if you go off the beaten track). Carry a phone on you or the bike in a place it's not likely to be landed on. Have a map that shows the main roads you'll be taking - doesn't have to be too detailed (get one from the AA Center at 185 Broadway Ave).

That way if something does happen you can give a reasonably accurate location to whoever you phone.

PS - take a phone charger for the return journey....

[Blue Velvet]

Wow, you guys really are incredible. Still undecided but feeling a lot more confident becasue of this.

The dates I would be travelling are to start on Saturday 19th Jan and to be home on Sunday 27th Jan.

Sometimes I feel doing the whole trip in one day would be feasible, but maybe I should definitely cut it in half on the way (don't want to be navigating through a different city at the end of a six hour trip) then see what I think for the way back.

Am late for work, will reply to a few more questions tonight.

I'd ride up to Palmy on the Friday night/Saturday morning (18/19th) to ride up norf with you. PM me if you are interested.

I'm serious.

Always keen for a road trip.

[Bass]

Be aware that the weekend of January 26, 27 & 28 is Auckland anniversary weekend and the traffic in this part of the country could be diabolical - especially Friday evening and Saturday morning.

There are some "how to avoid the worst" back roads that we can show you however, if you feel nervous about that.

If you are also nervous about finding your way around Orks, contact me. We live on the south side, our house is easy to find and about 30 seconds off the motorway. Could go pilot for you or help out with easiest routes.

[Lucy]

Always find myself with a bike that shouldnt have lost any oil in the middle of nowhere, always helps to get a 500ml container and take it with you, as well as a spanner, screwdriver and a few other wee bits to tighten chain/doup/undo/secure something or rather.

Careful though, you'll get addicted and find yourself in some of the most out of the way places in the world

The GN should have it's own onboard tool kit under the right hand cover, under the battery. Saved my ass when my chain came off - it meant the nice bikerman (in a cage) who stopped to help me could do all that needed doing!

[ynot slow]

But wait there's more,on the way back after heaps of confidence,you can travel back via forgotten highway(sh43) and then boring sh3 through wangavegas.