Hi All (BigX)

[BigX]

I'm brand new here but I asked a question in another forum and I was advised you are the people with all the answers.

I've never been to New Zealand but heard it's THE place to ride. I'm going to be in NZ this coming July, dead middle of winter, and I've got five road days to see the place. What is certain is that I will be starting in Auckland. I can end it in Auckland or I can end it in Christchurch.

A proposed route looks like this: Depart Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson, Punakaiki, Christchurch. Main roads. Is this doable on a bike in July?

You can't stop me from coming. I'll be there. It's just a question of whether I rent a bike or a cage.

Thanks for the help!

[skidMark]

I'm brand new here but I asked a question in another forum and I was advised you are the people with all the answers.

I've never been to New Zealand but heard it's THE place to ride. I'm going to be in NZ this coming July, dead middle of winter, and I've got five road days to see the place. What is certain is that I will be starting in Auckland. I can end it in Auckland or I can end it in Christchurch.

A proposed route looks like this: Depart Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson, Punakaiki, Christchurch. Main roads. Is this doable on a bike in July?

You can't stop me from coming. I'll be there. It's just a question of whether I rent a bike or a cage.

Thanks for the help!

It will probably be raining a fair bit. But it doesn't snow in most of the north island...

so if you head out of auckland and go do the "coromandel loop" which is a good day trip where you head out around the whole peninsula and end up back where you started, awesome roads. the south island in just i'm not so sure about where it snows and where it does not. somebody else can help you there.

some of the north island roads may get closed off if the snow is severe.

they are amazing roads on a bike, but in winter i would probably say use a car. if you are going down the south island.

just my opinion.

to give you an idea of scale new zealand maps compared ot the scale of american ones are completely different.

from auckland....to wellington (bottom of north island) is only a 8-9 hour drive/ride

[Subike]

The ride you want to do is doable when you want to do it.
OK the weather will not be the best in July, but you are already aware of that.
Yes the south is land roads will more than likley be wet and wild some parts, but hey,do you want an experiance to remember, or just another cage ride in the rain.
I am sure there are some southerners who will help you out with info,even a few who would ride some of the roads with you
That Corro loup thing, is just the Aucklanders private race track
We have real touring roads here in the south to enjoy....in realitive saftey

[Wannabiker]

It is getting on to our coldest month then, but, it would be unlikely that you would get a whole week of rain at that time of year. The weather systems cross the country west to east, and you are going north to south. The cold wind here is a southerly....(which is something I had trouble grasping when I was in Canada!!!). There are likely to be frosts in the morning, but these generally turn into great days...just don't get up tooo early, stay in bed and let the frost thaw. So...the trip Akl - Christchurch.....

The road that would most be affected at this time of year would be the Desert Road (Snow), heading south of Taupo. There are several alternatives, my favourite being the road from Napier to Taupo. Napier is a popular holiday destination with a good climate...and lots of wineries.

You would need to cross Cook Straight on a Ferry from Wellington (3-1/2 hours) (several opions, Interislander, or Bluebridge. Prices very similar, but sailing times different).

Several options in the south Island. Picton straight down the coast road to CHCH...great road on a bike, sepecially along the coast. Check out whale watch at Kaikoura (not sure if running at that time of year).
Or you could go to Nelson and then weave your way back to CHCH. The Nelson -CHCH road system may be more affected by the cold weather as it passes through higher altitudes.

So...you may get some cold rain, temperatures as low as (a bad frost in NZ would be -5celsius)..cold rain...8celsius. Daytime temp on a good day maybe 15deg celsius. Hope this of some help

Ross

[Wannabiker]

Have just re-read your post. Nelson Punakaiki to Christchurch.... Arthurs pass may possibly be affected by snow at that time of year. You may not be at much advantage in a car in that case either. If you survey the weather reports a day ahead though you will get a good idea. The distances aren't great if you had to back-track (well not compared to what you will be used to in the states anyway)