SI adventure trip 2026

[SaferRides]

Day 5: Wanaka to Bannockburn to Wanaka

I'll skip Day 4 Ross to Wanaka as there's no route options and I expect most of you know that road well. Very pleasant weather and stunning views.

We stayed in Wanaka 2 nights and did a loop to Bannockburn and the start of the Nevis, then back over the Crown Range. I visited the Mt Difficulty winery while the others rode to the Nevis summit and back. One of the more scenic vineyards in the area.

The ride from the Crown Range summit down to Cardrona is one of my favorite SI roads. Despite a shit ton of traffic, I was only held up right at the end. Fortunately only one campervan and the slow cars were easy to overtake going into corners.

Stopped at the Cardrona pub and was very surprised to find Urbanaut Southern Lakes on tap! Perfect end to a very pleasant ride.

View from Mt Difficulty winery.


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[BMWST?]

We appreciate the late night posting going on here!

[SaferRides]

I've aggravated an old neck injury and am avoiding device time while it settles down. So just brief posts and photos.

We're in Christchurch having taken a meandering route through the Maniototo, North Otago, McKenzie district and Canterbury hill country. Generally good weather, apart from high winds and low cloud from Lake Pukaki to Fairlie.

Photos are from near Kakonga and the Rakaia River at Coleridge village.



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[F5 Dave]

Nice.
Just thinking how lucky visual sharing easy.

[roogazza]

Cheers SaferRides, you still on the R1 ? Not good for the neck huh ?
Thats how I came to trade the GSXR1000 in on the 1400. Became too much of a pain to ride.

Hey still out there , turn 77 on the 10th April I've had a better run than most. xxxxxxxx

[BMWST?]

Nice.
Just thinking how lucky visual sharing easy.

Yeah I like how tapatalk just embeds a decent picture ,its a pain to use the attchment tool .

[SaferRides]

Cheers SaferRides, you still on the R1 ? Not good for the neck huh ?
Thats how I came to trade the GSXR1000 in on the 1400. Became too much of a pain to ride.

Hey still out there , turn 77 on the 10th April I've had a better run than most. xxxxxxxx

Yes, I couldn't leave the R1 at home as it loves SI roads. Bit thirsty though, but it's worth it.

Neck didn't happen when riding, that's usually fine. It's been a problem on and off for 50 years now after an accident and it might be time for surgery.

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[SaferRides]

This arrived at our motel. One owner from new, original condition. Either the owner doesn't know what it's worth or just rides it anyway.

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[SaferRides]

Back in the NI. The R1 is not happy and neither am I.

Heard more horror stories about cancelled ferries today. We were on the Livia for both crossings and more or less on time.

One unexpected treat was the road from Nelson to Picton. All of the 60, 80 and 90 limits are gone - 100 km/h all the way to Havelock. Why hasn't this happened on other state highways?

Wellington on a good day. Again!



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[jellywrestler]

Seen in south wairarapa today:

Yer 'avin a larf yeah? I took at 50 waiting for something, but no.

wont be long before we have to reverse through roadworks.

[SaferRides]

wont be long before we have to reverse through roadworks.

Went through the same roadworks today north of Foxton. Still 10 km/h.

Maybe the next stage is a convoy followiing someone with a red flag?

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[SaferRides]

Safely back in Auckland after an overnight in Ohakune. I was going to stop in Turangi, but it was booked out for a mountain bike race. Found another speed camera trailer on SH4 south of National Park, or Waimarino as it is now called. Surprised to see them out in the wild, must only be a matter of time before someone has a go at one.

It was a great trip. Over 5,000 km and the R1 went well as usual. I have a bent rim on the rear wheel to sort out, and the bike needs a serious clean, mainly thanks to road works. But we had a great time - I must not wait another 4 years for the next trip to the SI. If I could find a suitable home, I'd be tempted to leave the R1 in the SI and fly down every few weeks.

We will have a rethink about how to do adventure rides - the others have realised that fully loaded bikes like the GS are not the way to go.

[BMWST?]

We will have a rethink about how to do adventure rides - the others have realised that fully loaded bikes like the GS are not the way to go.

Depends what you want to do. I would prolly do the Molesworth but would not do rainbow alone. And be very careful with weather. I am fine with any NZ gravel road,but as your mates found 250 kg is a lot to handle. I try to plot real back roads and out of the way places. NZ is just so much more than state highways. This is esp true of the north island

[F5 Dave]

I find it's kinda fun on my mildly tuned 450 twin. Power hasn't worried me, but also a factor of the group you are in.
The other advantage is when I hop on my roadbike it feels --Fast-

I do wonder about the 21" Katieboom 390. Undoubtedly it'll be better and easier off road, but the single may be a touch tiresome on road sections.

[SaferRides]

I find it's kinda fun on my mildly tuned 450 twin. Power hasn't worried me, but also a factor of the group you are in.
The other advantage is when I hop on my roadbike it feels --Fast-

I do wonder about the 21" Katieboom 390. Undoubtedly it'll be better and easier off road, but the single may be a touch tiresome on road sections.

Yes, one of the guys that rode with us suggested the 690 Adventure - interesting thought, but it's a KTM...

The issue is getting down to the SI from Auckland, but when you add up all of the costs to do so, it may be worth considering having the bikes shipped down to Christchurch. What I have learnt is it's best not to compromise. I've had a ridiculous amount of fun on the R1, but would like to do some of the adv rides next time - I grew up riding dirt bikes.