Advice wanted on heading to Brass Monkey

[Subike]

do they even make pack racks for vtr's.?? lol,

http://www.ventura-bike.com/fitments.aspx?modelid=1043

Not a problem

[Gone Burger]

chch to the brass on a vtr... hahahahaha, really or are you taking the piss..?? ;-p

I did Wellington to Auckland via the forgotten highway 3 times return on my Keeway supershadow 250 on my own. Sure I ran out of gas more than twice and also blew the head gaskit - but it was farking fun! Pissed myself laughing when I ran out of gas on the desert road.

Good on ya girl - good luck with that. I went to the cold kiwi 2 years back on my own. Took my Bully up loaded with a tent, squab to sleep on... but best of all - a hot water bottle. Oh boy did Hinny laugh at me in the catering tent when I was filling it up, but noone was laughing when the snow began to fall for the nice. ACE!

Hope you have a ball.

[Skiwi]

Hey! where the boobs and fanny?

Damn, I've been suckered again.......




Your bike is plenty big enough, just sit at its comfortable cruising speed and it will run forever.
Find an overfreindly biker (or BYO) to shack up with, or bring a tent, your choice, and something to go between you and the ground. Another biker might fill that role too.
Make sure you take something warm and dry to change into after the wet tshirt competition.
Thermals are a good investment. Wooly hat, thick socks, comfy boots.

Bring some cordial as I hear it's a alcohol free zone this year.....

[yoyo 2wheels]

alcohol free....?! NNnnoooooooooooo

[Skiwi]

alcohol free....?! NNnnoooooooooooo

HA! suckered you back..

[FJRider]

Make sure you take something warm and dry to change into after the wet tshirt competition.
Thermals are a good investment. Wooly hat, thick socks, comfy boots.

Bring some cordial as I hear it's a alcohol free zone this year.....

Don't be mean .. the only time she'll risk a wet T-shirt ... will be if she spills her drink (Or if she gets hit by a snowball) .... There's no "Official" Wet T-shirt compitition ...

[FJRider]

she wee, white t shirt and a fella to keep me warm.. think il be able to manage that...

There will no doubt be plenty that will volunteer to assist with warmth if he's not up to the task

[DODO``]

Ive got a question about camping with tents,,, if one goes on a camping trip like this, can they just set up tent anywhere??? hm.. I could see it can be done on country side where theres no one around.. but what about in the city? or would they need to go into camp site?

[skinman]

might I suggest spare gloves & socks that you carry wrapped in a plastic bag.
If it rains your hands & feet will get wet & nothing sucks more than putting wet socks & gloves on.
(thats just from general all weather riding, havent been to the cold kiwi).
get a neck scarf/wind stopper thingy if you dont have one already. that cold air under the helmet onto neck sucks.
A few tools & some insulation tape to fix anything that falls off.
Make sure any bags that are strapped on cant escape & ensure they are closed & will stay shut. (lots of stories on how people have lost bags/gear from things not secure)
Stuff rubbing can be an issue. try & protect your bike from things you are carrying
best to see if there is anyone else going from near you and group up. much nicer that way unless you are a real loner.

[FJRider]

Ive got a question about camping with tents,,, if one goes on a camping trip like this, can they just set up tent anywhere??? hm.. I could see it can be done on country side where theres no one around.. but what about in the city? or would they need to go into camp site?

Aotea square was looking like a popular spot ... not that long ago ... I noticed ...

[madbikeboy]

Don't take the advice of finding a biker, them bikers are all scumbags... LOL!

Okay, haven't ridden to the Brass, but here's some thoughts from a traveller and road trip junky. Warmth is good, take basic and warm sensible stuff that doubles as bike gear and day wear. I've got a thing for polyprop undergarments (but I'm a bit warped); that base layer works in across a range of climates and situations. Dry is also good. Cold and wet = bad decision making and risk; you don't need a befuddled brain when riding and hypothermia is a real risk. A bad day can turn into something much worse if you can't get warm and dry. I always carry my bad day stash - a change of dry clothes from a sealed bag, a packet of high calorie cookies (I'm partial to TimTams or Chips Ahoy double chocolate) - the sugar gives you a mental lift, while being dry takes some of the misery away.

Next thing - get the weight off you, and onto the bike. You don't want to add sore back to numb bum. Things can get overwhelming when you're loaded down. I've seen super staunch old Harley guys on the side of the road literally bawling when cramp and fatigue has hit them when they've carried all their excess gear in a backpack...

The journey is the fun bit, you get to meet all sorts of randoms when you're traveling - you get good and bad, but mostly good is my experience. I make it a rule of thumb to stop for people who are broken down, unless I'm worried for my safety - I've gotten a lot of kindness and hospitality back from people in the strangest places. I got invited to a party in Compton once by a reformed gang banger; in this context it does not mean a girl who likes having intimate relations with several men at once. Point is, don't judge a book by its cover, the roughest looking people can be the best hosts - Mr Gang Banger's new vocation was getting kids out of gangs and off drugs.

Take your Amex and your cell phone. Watch your mileage super carefully and top up at gas stations when you have a chance. I was surprised at the number of dumb asses I met in the outback last year who had gone past a gas station only to run out shortly afterwards. Riding a bike beats pushing a bike...

Take a camera, and a diary to note down stuff that happens. I often read old travel logs when I'm bored, funny how it brings a warm feeling back. Find the most random remote place to buy postcards and send them to your ex's.

[DODO``]

Aotea square was looking like a popular spot ... not that long ago ... I noticed ...

lol

[Subike]

Find the most random remote place to buy postcards and send them to your ex's.

That I think is the most worthy tip I have ever read on this site.

[FJRider]

Take a camera, and a diary to note down stuff that happens. I often read old travel logs when I'm bored, funny how it brings a warm feeling back. Find the most random remote place to buy postcards and send them to your ex's.

Yep take a camera ... get the pic's of all the other idiots doing idiot things ... confident you wont feature IN them ...

Notebooks are good for phone numbers that you wont remember the next day (or half an hour later )

Postcards to ex's must include correct address ... but ... incorrect name ... or spelling of name ... (or his best mates name)

[FJRider]

lol

Actually I do know of a few that "joined the protest" at a few places during the "Occupy" protests ...

City living on tour ...