BIG Block 08

[Ghost_Bullet]

Themed on the Block ride taking in the Lewis and Arthers Pass's and any variety of roads around them. Ole Mr Sinsible drew up some google maps missing out one of the pass's but including the Lindus Pass. The Birth of the now "BIG Block" (over 1350km round trip)
07 never happened, but was lookign very positive for 08. Weather mix was near on perfect through the forcasts. December 27th rolled around.... gotta getan early night to bed... excitement or anxity lead to a broken night and waking not feeling 100%.

Out to the Woodend meeting spot 5.30am, chatter and off down the road at 5.44am. It was cool out and hit some fog around Huranui. The sun burnt that away as it rose to a bright sunny day. A low of 8degrees up over the Lewis, first fill at Springs. next stop Reefton to fill the other two bikes. And on down the mighty Buller, fab road, little traffic.

Breaky at a cafe in Westport, I re fueled again and off down the coast.
The Coast is like a mindblowing roller coaster along some of the most splendid scenery one could wish for. Hokitika loomed, more gas and away again.

Glacier country and more wicked rolling windy roads, this is a dream. lunch at Franz, that took near on an hour due to the cafe being sit down menu like... the body appreciated it though.
Leg back over the saddle and rockin down to Haast, clouds in the sky threatening somthing. (not in the forcast!!!)
Fuel here... body feeling somthing...
Flick on through the drizzly Haast Pass, where the clouds parted at the top of Lake Wanaka, Hawea, and the ass, arms, head were screaming... a much needed break... it was from here the body screamed every 100-130km GIVE ME A F&*KING BREAK!!!!!
Omarama for dinner and people everywhere...busy place stuff happening.

Astride the almighty Griso again Tekapo, and the glorious Mount Cook screaming to have it photo taken... but stop was Kimbil for a visor change/clean.
Sun starting to disapear, and at Farlie it was fairly certain it would be all but gone by Geraldine... Hit the servo just as lights were going out. Fueled for the home run, and detoured down the straight as Thompsons Track to Raikia and Main South Home. Belfast last fill for me at 12.50ish, and home by 12.15am.

A brilliant day. Full of amazing scenery, smells, and the best thing the might Moto Guzzi doing its thing between my legs, one could not ask for more!!!!! the body was calling for a massage that it is still waiting for!!!!

Click on the image below for the pictures...

by GhostBullet

[FJRider]

Add another 300 km's, 6 and a half hours of that stuff in dark, and you might be ready for a 1000 miler. In a 24 hour period... but it is a good ride.

[200BUSA]

Glad you had a good safe ride - I didnt know you were doing it.I had planned to go. Maybe next year.

[98tls]

On ya mate,sounds a great ride,remarkbly Mr Ss duc made it round the whole trip,well done.

[Trumpess]

What a wicked ride and awesome pics to boot!
The best thing, even though you are paying for it now, is that you thoroughly enjoyed it, and thats the main thing.

[Ghost_Bullet]

It twas a funny one... I felt most tired just around Culvedon, only about an hour from home, and had myself thinking, this is bloody stupid... only fools...Then I changed my focus to getting to the next stop, and once getting accross to what I call home... well the body and mind never felt tired again... just a little sore as said.

Yeah Mr 98tls, that duke really pulled it out of the bag. Congrats and big ups to Mr S's performance on the day.

On Monday which I took off work, I never got on my bike, but there was a slight longing to go for another ride. Adictive this stuff is.

[miSTa]

Not a bad wee ride at all. Roads were relatively quiet except for Westport to Greymouth (must have been a hot rod club run on) and Haast Pass.

My trip meter says that I had done 1377km, was away for 19 hours giving an overall average seed of 72km/h. Not too shabby at all.

Feels great to have achieved such a ride.

Some action photos here: http://rides.webshots.com/album/569438886kvVlut (still got some tidying up to do plus post photos of the petrol receipts)

Glad you had a good safe ride - I didnt know you were doing it.I had planned to go. Maybe next year.

Sorry, IIRC you expressed interest last year, never gave you a thought.

On ya mate,sounds a great ride,remarkbly Mr Ss duc made it round the whole trip,well done.

Piece of piss sunshine.

It twas a funny one... I felt most tired just around Culvedon, only about an hour from home, and had myself thinking, this is bloody stupid... only fools...Then I changed my focus to getting to the next stop, and once getting accross to what I call home... well the body and mind never felt tired again... just a little sore as said.

I think that was the key thing - focusing on the next stop and not the destination. Yeah that Culverdon straight got the thought processes going. I think though the bit I felt it was going through Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, didn't help being a hot with the wet weather gear on.

Yeah Mr 98tls, that duke really pulled it out of the bag. Congrats and big ups to Mr S's performance on the day.

Well you didn't do so badly yourself being naked and all. And to Bikemike for his part.


Now to think about the next one....

[Ghost_Bullet]

Could have done again this weekend... lol. A good set of shots from ya dash mounted cam. Captures the spirit of what it was all about.

The naked bike was farily good for comfort, just as nearing the end, and being being slightly taller, the legs get a little cramped after you get over the 700-800km mark. ANd with the warm weather, the oil cooler throws a bit of heat over your right boot. And the wide bars cause the shoulder blades to get a little sore. But up until then the bike rocks. And I forgive all that for the overall ride that it is.

[AllanB]

Thats a mighty spin.

The West Coast is indeed motorcycle heaven (well, when its not pissing down) with campervans the only thing to keep an eye on.

Omarama is weird - always busy for a spot that has little other than a few tourist shops, pub and a petrol station. It is pretty much the correct distance for a stretch from Tekapo so that must help. They get very beautiful skies there and its a top spot for gliders.


A run to Kaikoura and back is enough for my bum

[Mr Triple]

That's one mighty ride, good on ya. Would of gone with you guys but someone had to stay and carry the country. Bloody work Well done to the three of you