Canterbury roads in winter

**SlashWylde** · 8th July 2009, 19:18

Hi folks, I'm going to be visiting friends in Christchurch between the 23rd and 28th of July and plan to hire a car to see a bit of the country side while I'm there, but I'm not sure how great a threat black ice is at this time of year.

I'm planning to go to as far north as Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura and as far south as Lyttleton.

Is there likely to be ice on certain stretches of road? Do I need to wait till a certain time of the day before travelling to ensure any ice will have melted?

I have no experience of this hazard so any constructive advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

**Winston001** · 8th July 2009, 19:36

??? I'm a lot further south than Christchurch and haven't ever really thought about black ice. But yes it exists, just a matter of being careful.

Be careful in the early morning if there has been a heavy frost. Shaded corners are where black ice lies. The other (happily rare) risk is rain followed by a freeze. Then there is black ice everywhere.

Canterbury is pretty flat, not a lot of shaded corners, plenty of other traffic to find ice first. Just drive carefully when its freezing and you'll be fine.

**dangerous** · 8th July 2009, 19:50

Originally Posted by SlashWylde

, but I'm not sure how great a threat black ice is at this time of year.

I'm planning to go to as far north as Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura and as far south as Lyttleton.

Is there likely to be ice on certain stretches of road? Do I need to wait till a certain time of the day before travelling to ensure any ice will have melted?

I have no experience of this hazard so any constructive advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

LOL... what dribble have you been feed?
OK Lyttleton is 'east' if ya wana head southish, head to Akaroa.
Hamner is nice but its worth the trip to Maruia springs.
Kaikoura is a mint road, I reconmend the inland road on return.

'Black Ice' well ya really only see this on the clear morning after its been pissing down through the night.
Ice in general is ok on the main routes as trucks clear the way... how ever back road country roads ya will see more of it, its easy to spot as if there is a tree line on the north side of the road and the rd is in shade... expect.
It really aint that bad, enjoy ya trip.

**Brownstoo** · 8th July 2009, 19:59

Ehh? I've been here 8 years and I've never seen black ice.
Although if it's been wet recently and there's tall trees on the north side of the road you might wanna take it easy.

**Oakie** · 8th July 2009, 20:41

Originally Posted by Brownstoo

Ehh? I've been here 8 years and I've never seen black ice.

That's why it's dangerous... Sneaky stuff.

**SlashWylde** · 8th July 2009, 22:30

Originally Posted by dangerous

LOL... what dribble have you been feed?
OK Lyttleton is 'east' if ya wana head southish, head to Akaroa.
Hamner is nice but its worth the trip to Maruia springs.
Kaikoura is a mint road, I reconmend the inland road on return.

'Black Ice' well ya really only see this on the clear morning after its been pissing down through the night.
Ice in general is ok on the main routes as trucks clear the way... how ever back road country roads ya will see more of it, its easy to spot as if there is a tree line on the north side of the road and the rd is in shade... expect.
It really aint that bad, enjoy ya trip.

Been eating no dribble. There has been much talk about black ice occurring in various parts of the country. Christchurch being colder and closer to the snow than Auckland I thought it prudent to enquire, that's all.

I've been to Akaroa a few times so I wanted to visit other places I've not yet been to. Thanks for the tip about Maruia Springs and the road to Kaikoura.

**fireliv** · 8th July 2009, 22:37

You'll be fine. Especially in a car.

The roads a better this year than last I reckon. Not been getting the hard frost, just had the crap weather during the day (except today). Though I cant say I have ventured far on my bike for the last few weeks

**rosie631** · 8th July 2009, 23:00

Originally Posted by fireliv

Though I cant say I have ventured far on my bike for the last few weeks

Wish I could say the same, then I might not have had to start my insurance thread. Roads shit for bikes - heaps grit etc. Fine for cars.

**dangerous** · 9th July 2009, 06:27

Originally Posted by rosie631

Wish I could say the same, then I might not have had to start my insurance thread. Roads shit for bikes - heaps grit etc. Fine for cars.

fine for bikes aswell... try blaming a style of bike that has all the wrong geomerty for handling.

Originally Posted by fireliv

The roads a better this year than last I reckon. Not been getting the hard frost, just had the crap weather during the day

I agree, a shitty winter so far hence very few frosts.

Anyone scared of riding on gravel should build there confidance up on fine shallow shingle roads.

**Subike** · 9th July 2009, 06:36

Originally Posted by dangerous

fine for bikes aswell... try blaming a style of bike that has all the wrong geomerty for handling.

Have to agree with D here, the roads are fine for bikes, you just got to ride to the conditions. Never assume in winter that any corner is going to give you the same grip as it would in summer. Black ice can be found around the Rapaki area in lyttelton, Church Bay in the Akaroa basin, The Leader road up north here.
Grit?? A problem?
Well just slow down a bit and expect your tail to get happy.
wheres the problem? Even a hardley devistating is fun to slide on gravel

**SDU** · 13th July 2009, 12:35

Originally Posted by dangerous

fine for bikes aswell... try blaming a style of bike that has all the wrong geomerty for handling.

Try pulling ya foot out off your mouth D.

lots off Oil & diesel on wet roads even when taking it easy can = lost off traction

As for Black ice it is not seen & can also cause serious loss off traction in car /bike =crash. but taking it easy in shaded areas & not travelling too early in the morning will lessen the chances off a resulting crash

**bikemike** · 13th July 2009, 13:31

Saw big slick of diesel across junction of Durham South and Moorhouse last week, just missed it.

Did not miss the black ice in the lee of the hills this morning. More later.

**laRIKin** · 13th July 2009, 17:30

Originally Posted by dangerous

fine for bikes aswell... try blaming a style of bike that has all the wrong geomerty for handling.

Pull your head in mate.

Once again you have far to much to say about something you do not know anything about.
You were not there. (again)

I was and we all had a slide in the same place on the same corner.
Even the Cop had to admit the road was very slippery even to stand on.
All of the people in the cars said the road was slippery.

But what would we all know?
Should have asked you first.