Heading your way

[Thermo King]

Hello again Guys and Gals,
I'd just like to say a big THANK YOU to all that replied to my post, sent PMs and e-mails. I've had several offers of accomodation on route. We've booked a self guided tour so the accomodation is sorted already. However we are looking forward to meeting some of you for a coffee, sticky bun, beer, exchange of tall tales or whatever.


Regards,
Kieran.

[Beemer]

Definitely call in if you're passing our way. Just let us know when you're planning on being in our area (lower North Island) as we've got Americarna and the Beach Hop on in February and March - big American/classic car shows.

We have a spare room but only one double bed, but we do have a fold-up bed too if you need any accommodation. See our thread in this section of the forum - we've hosted heaps of touring motorcyclists but no Irish ones yet. The ones from England were fine though, so you'd be welcome too!

The other half has a BMW R1100RT, among other bikes.

[Voltaire]

I lived in Cork for two years about 5 years ago, I did a lot of driving as part of my job, loved the back roads.
A lot less tractors with pointy bits here, but driving is pretty loose as insurance is optional,rego is not based on engine size, and thanks to Japanese imports power is cheap.
I used to give my BSA lightning a good thrashing around the Kinsale Cork loop. I'm sure you will have a grand time soooo.

[rosie631]

What date are you arriving in Christchurch? Fairly active KB community here. Could probably organise a get together for you.

[pete376403]

You drive on the left in Ireland, same as us, but you'll need to be aware that we get tourists from USA who rent camper vans and when they get confused instinct takes over and they start driving on the right (ie incorrect side) of the road. More than a few riders have died because of this. Just saying.

[Thermo King]

Hi again,
We leave Dublin on Sunday 17th Jan and arrive in Christchurch via London and Los Angeles on Tuesday 19th Jan 2010. (Must be a slow plane). I'm sure our body clocks will be in a state of confusion by then. As far as I know we pick up the bikes, have a short spin and spend the night in Christchurch. I don't have the full itinerary yet but I think we're on The South Island until Sunday 31st Jan.
Thanks for the tip re the marauding camper vans. We'll keep an eye out for them. We do drive on the left in Ireland (mostly). We used to get a lot of forgetful tourists from US and Mainland Europe but the reduced value of the dollar and the tightening of belts in Europe has hit the tourist trade here.
I'm really amazed at the amount of posts on this site and the valuable information available. Really looking forward to this trip more than any that I've done over the last four years.

Regards,
Kieran.

[Laava]

My experience driving in Ireland was made much more enjoyable by the road markings that said as you were coming up to a corner, "slow" and then further into the corner, "slower". Oh, how we laughed!
Might see you up here then in Feb, if you get this far!

[Fatt Max]

Gidday fellas,

PM me if you get time in Auckland. Me mam is from Tipp and she will beat me senseless if I didnt offer a couple of lads from home a cuppa or a beer.

Otherwsie, take care and enjoy this amazing country. Keep logging onto KB cos they are a great bunch who will help you out if you get stuck.

Good luck lads

[Retroqueen]

What date are you arriving in Christchurch? Fairly active KB community here. Could probably organise a get together for you.

I second that!! We is good at getting together down here

[Diavolessa]

Ditto to all the others
I'm in Masterton - Wairarapa. always welcome for coffee, beer etc if you come through this way

[nothingflash]

Sounds like your in for a great trip. Have fun!

[Thermo King]

Hi again,
all packed up and ready to go. Flying Dublin to London this evening. Overnight hotel near Heathrow. Departing London Sunday afternoon, refuel in Los Angeles, arrive Auckland Tuesday morning, another flight to Christchurch. May be a little jet lagged after all that. Collecting bikes Wednesday morning and we're really looking forward to starting the adventure.
Hope the weather is a little better than it is in Ireland at the moment. We've just had the biggest freeze for about thirty years and now we're bracing ourselves for the big thaw as the snow on the mountains starts to melt. Reports of flooding this morning in places that have never flooded before.
Anyway back to our trip. We're on the South Island for about two weeks and one week on the North Island. Keep an eye out for us. I'll be on a 1200RT wearing hi viz Darien jacket and silver helmet. Simon on 1200GS with white lid. Will check in on route if I get internet access.

Regards,
Kieran.

[BirdXX]

Hi Kieran

Have a great holiday, you'll love it here, great place for biking. I moved here last year and brought the Blackbird over from Ireland, love riding it here, way better than back there. The Coromandel loop puts the Gap to shame!

PM me when you're heading into Auckland...

[SDU]

Hope you have a great trip on our islands. always good to meet people on the rd.
If you want to camp out with locals there are a couple off rallies happening in the sth island. These are usually great & easy going rallies with plenty from kb heading to them.
Woodstock Rally
29th -31st Jan 2010
Woodstock Domain Sign posted 9 km from
HOKITIKA, Westland

Vincent County Rally.
5th-6th Feb
Galloway, Alexander
Otago

[Thermo King]

Hi again,
We started in Christchurch and have covered every twisty road in the lower half of the South Island so far. One loop was so good we did it twice each way and it only got better. That was the short cut through Cardrona going from Queenstown to Wanaka and back via Cromwell. Awesome road, fantastic scenery. We thought that was good but the run up to Fox Glacier today was even better. We've another four or five days to finish off the South Island. We're doing a lap off the North Island finishing off in the Auckland area around Feb 6/7. Bikes go back on 7th and we fly home on 8th.
I've speculated a few bob on the New Zealand Lotto. If the Luck of the Irish is any good and my numbers come up I'll stay. This is definetley the best place on the planet to ride a motorcycle.

That's all for now folks. Will check in again when I can.

Kieran.