1099.3kms, A South Island Odyssey

[StoneChucker]

Great write up Dave. And thank you all for letting me tag along on parts of your journey. I really love being able to ride the CBR as much as and was certainly great to meet you all and get to know you a little.

On the Leader Valley road, I was pulling away nicely from Steve. I thought Choice! I'm a super fast rider I must be getting good in my old age. We stop at the end, and the bugger has been riding with ONE hand, taking pic's and movies Talk about insults!

He got some great pics I think, I've never had an "action" pic from a ride. From the way Steve described the Wairau Valley, that may not be the road I was thinking of. Or, if it was the first section is what I meant. I will agree, the last part into Picton was verrrry straight and long. (Still heaps better than SH1 from Foxton to Wellington, that stretch is enough to cause someone to ride deliberately into a wall!)

Thanks to you too Steve. Was great having you along, and we got a nice detour past Blenheim which I'm sure we wouldn't have taken otherwise!

[PSYCHO]

Sounds like you had a great ride.

Nice route too.

[Paul in NZ]

I most certainly took my own tie downs. The ones they supply are ok, but only for supplementary support, over and above the usual 3 point tie-down. I am overly cautious though, so if you didn't have any, you'd be ok with theirs.

I was very disappointed with the amount of space you are given to tie down your bike (which in alot of cases is worth more than the cars they ferry). We seem to be a low priority to them in that regard. And, did I mention it's unacceptably hot!??!

One guy on a BMW tourer got a little shitty with Paul. I think alot of it had to do with the heat - St. Paul himself would probably end up decking someone in those conditions!

Hey! To be totally fair the guy was an utter knob and a septic to boot riding a rented BMW in loafers and a ski suit. (the warning signs were all there)

He was travelling with a kiwi couple on a maroon honda 4 (older one with twin square head lamps). My beef was that they shagged about for ages after everyone had tied their bike. They un did my tie down (I had gone up stairs by then). Slipped theirs into the deck hook and slipped mine into the loop in the bottom of the hook, and didn't bother to tighten mine back up...

Like Dave said it was a rough crossing and while it worked out OK it's really bloody bad form (how would you like someone fucking with your bike after you left it - It's just not done). I pulled the septic up about it and he got all panicy and started hiding behind his mate who was going to get all aggro about it. Initially claiming he knew nothing about it etc etc... Then "Whats yer problem it didn't fall over eh" sort of shit... Fuck me, a 'Look, sorry about that, I thought I had tightened it up OK - No harm done I'll be more careful next time' was all I was looking for but massive aggro and a 'prove it' attitude... Wankers....

Sorry - ya just don't do shit like that half arsed. I took my own ties and did a good job, I think it's a pretty crap thing to do to another guys bike..

Well thats what i think, your opinion might differ.

Paul N

btw - I should have guessed these folk were trouble. At the queue to get on they were facing the wrong way and didn't notice the people in front of them were waved on board so they keep everyone waiting while they fart about getting their shit together.. Musta been pissed or something..

[Paul in NZ]

We had a super good time.

The company was fantastic and stress free. Weather was better than we hoped for (that wind got old fast), food was great, service was excellent and the roads I could ride forever.

That is an excellent and easy long weekend jaunt. See it now while it still exists folks....

Our 25 year old bike clocked up 1200km, broke 50,000km and Mike, Teresa and Stoney didn't embarrass the old chuffer too much on the road. The new seat was OK, Vickis back stood up OK and all in all I'm as happy as a boy thats just discovered his new girlfriend is a nymphomaniac that owns a brewery

[StoneChucker]

Hey! To be totally fair the guy was an utter knob and a septic to boot riding a rented BMW in loafers and a ski suit. (the warning signs were all there)

I completely agree with you, didn't mean to imply I didn't Sorry about that. I would be seriously upset if someone undid MY tie-downs, whether or not they did them up correctly afterwards. The guy was very arrogant and confrontational, completely unnacceptable by my books. It's really frustrating trying to reason with people like that, since they don't actually listen to what you're saying. I'm glad I wasn't parked next to him, since you were alot more diplomatic than I think I could have been.

[Krusti]

We cross on Ferry 1-30am Thurs morning. Hopefully all the wankers are asleep at that time Not really looking forward to ferry crossing after hearing all sorts of stories

At least we are only taking my bike, saves on discussions as to what trike is classed as, and heaps of gas

Be quite nostalgic meon3 hitting me over the head when ever I do something wrong in her eyes

Cant wait to hit South Island tho even tho trip has been cut down from 3 weeks to 6 days. Seems Gods have been working against us....you know the feeling?

Bloody good pics guys, cant wait

[Paul in NZ]

I completely agree with you, didn't mean to imply I didn't Sorry about that. I would be seriously upset if someone undid MY tie-downs, whether or not they did them up correctly afterwards. The guy was very arrogant and confrontational, completely unnacceptable by my books. It's really frustrating trying to reason with people like that, since they don't actually listen to what you're saying. I'm glad I wasn't parked next to him, since you were alot more diplomatic than I think I could have been.

No offence implied or taken Dave.

Just venting (no not really - I was over it in 5 mins) by way of explanation. Yeah he was a real 'personality' all right. No point in talking to either of them so I gave up. Stupid really - But bad form all the same

Paul N

[Storm]

all in all I'm as happy as a boy thats just discovered his new girlfriend is a nymphomaniac that owns a brewery[/QUOTE]

Mate, you are a bloody classic. I'm still giggling like a fool after reading that and getting the mental picture going.
Glad to hear it all went uneventfully as far as murphy getting on your case. Top pics and a great write up :spudbooge

[Holy Roller]

You guys had a ball... read "envy"
A great weekend trip and a safe one at that. Those tiedowns supplied by the ferry co. leave a lot to be desired good that you took your own. Certainly not cricket having some one else undo ones tiedowns, if the bike was to fall over it should be owner who didn't tie it down properly.
You did well SC to post this last night after the ride

[Blakamin]

glad you guys had fun.... will do something like that myself one-day....one-day...

[sels1]

Well done chaps (he says enviously) when's the next one??

[Paul in NZ]

Well done chaps (he says enviously) when's the next one??

October for us (Moto Guzzi rally)

Looking at an extended repeat for this time next year for KB. Lessons learnt are we have to manage numbers for touring... It gets difficult so we will need to sort summat out

However. All I can say is if you have the opportunity and the $$ do it tomorrow. All it took us was a long weekend and Vicki and I were 2 up on an old shitter. The weather is still good, the colour change is in the trees and you never know what tomorrow will take away from you..... Just go..

People - Dave will agree I'm sure. Just that little circuit we did is worth it. It's paradise. The local car drivers wave at you happily, the Police just tell you to slow down and the beer is cold.... Buy me a beer and I'll pencil in some biking roads and good places to stop (or find your own - they are everywhere)

Paul N

[scumdog]

As Paul says - just do it and stop finding reasons why you can't, maybe plan it for next summer but start saving/planning NOW.

[StoneChucker]

As Paul says - just do it and stop finding reasons why you can't, maybe plan it for next summer but start saving/planning NOW.

I better start doing that for the big KB South Is. trip in March 06, or the time will creep around (as it does), and I'll find myself pennyless!

I am quite glad that I don't live in the South Is. It's such a beautiful place, a place where you should go on holiday. I'd hate to get used to such beauty Besides, I'd miss almost getting taken out by boi racer in his shitty cortina (NC8525) like today

[Fordy]

Great tales and even better pics The Kaikoura lookout is now my favoured wallpaper until I get bored of lookin at it then I've saved the St Arnaud pic for later. That'll have to do me till I get there and can take my own piccies *sigh*

I've just finished reading Kiwis Might Fly about a girls mc tour of NI and SI, and have to say I imagined to former Blackball Hilton as being bigger, lol.