Arriving January 8th 2008! (GarminDave)

[GarminDave]

Hi everyone,

My name is Dave and I live in the North East of England.

I'm just starting to plan a three week visit to your country. I've booked the flight and rented a Harley Electra Glide Classic, I've also taken delivery of Garmin Map Source City Navigator New Zealand v3.

It is our 35th wedding anniversary on 20th January and I intend to get some Jade to celebrate, so we picked New Zealand. I visited your country whilst working for Shell Tankers in 1969/70.

When I've got my outline plan sorted I wonder if someone down there would take a look at the route and offer advice?

Later

Dave

PS Heard about you on Motorcycle Tourers Forum.

[BMW]

I think everyone will have a certain place/road they love.

[Usarka]

Mate post it up here and you'll get no end of advice! There are some nice roads in this country just watch the eager beaver coppas.

Where you flying in and out of? getting to the south island? enjoy the prep - half the fun....

[Toaster]

just watch the eager beaver coppas.

You been over there? They are just as "eager" over there, if not more so.

[canarlee]

You been over there? They are just as "eager" over there, if not more so.

mate, monday to friday you rarely see a cop on the road (in england this is).



BUT 2things:


1; the amount of fixed speed and mobile speed cameras there are they will get your money!

2; on a weekend there are so many of them it will seem like there is a police car (marked or mufti) every 5th car you see!



so either way, the cops there are way more anal than here! andthey will take your money which ever way you turn!

[Usarka]

You been over there? They are just as "eager" over there, if not more so.

yep, drove london to mankchester and back at 90mph no problems. seemed every one else was doing the same too.

edit: was about 6 years ago so maybe things changed abit or i was just very lucky each time i was out shrug

[GarminDave]

I will post the route once I have sorted it; not sure how to do that yet though! Just finding my way around this message board at the moment.

The big problem in UK is the switch from Police Patrols to Cameras. There are 1,000's of cameras and they are set at very low tolerances above the posted speed limits. Two mates and I did a SS2000 (IBA Saddle Sore 2000, 2000 miles within 48 hours) and we noticed the normal Motorway speed was 80/85mph (National Limit is 70mph) and some real scary driving because there were no other Policing tactics used besides the cameras and we all have their locations in our GPS! A camera will generate £1,000's of pounds and a Police Patrol will cost £1,000's of pounds therefore many cash strapped forces take the easy option and the UK debate is whether the Cameras are safety or cash generating machines.

Later

Dave

[Roj]

I will post the route once I have sorted it; not sure how to do that yet though! Just finding my way around this message board at the moment.

The big problem in UK is the switch from Police Patrols to Cameras. There are 1,000's of cameras and they are set at very low tolerances above the posted speed limits. Two mates and I did a SS2000 (IBA Saddle Sore 2000, 2000 miles within 48 hours) and we noticed the normal Motorway speed was 80/85mph (National Limit is 70mph) and some real scary driving because there were no other Policing tactics used besides the cameras and we all have their locations in our GPS! A camera will generate £1,000's of pounds and a Police Patrol will cost £1,000's of pounds therefore many cash strapped forces take the easy option and the UK debate is whether the Cameras are safety or cash generating machines.

Later

Dave

You know, we have the same debate here......

Welcome and PM if you need a place to stop along the way, shame about your choice of bike though

[Paul in NZ]

Usual things...

Don't expect this place to be any different from any other place - even paradise has arseholes. If you leave an expensive bike packed with easily sellable tourist stuff parked in a public place theres a damn good chance it will get nicked. Less so than in the UK but why take chances?

Names on maps in NZ may just be exactly that - don't 'expect' there to be fuel especially after 7pm - keep the tanks topped up!

Don't stick to the main roads - there are some glorious back roads - trow the nav system away and buy a paper road map - lots more fun..

Small towns in NZ are wonderful places (most of em) and don't de afraid of stopping at country hotels / pubs - usually great places but don't expect 5 star - check with your missus OK! Vicki loves a night at 'Formerly the Blackball Hilton'

http://www.blackballhilton.co.nz/

A classic bike tour haunt but would kill me if she had to stay 3...

This place is also really nice and if the same people still run it - highly recommended and waaaay cheaper than Hamner.

http://waiaulodge.co.nz/

As a starter you cannot do better that reading these books

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Escape.../dp/1877135453

http://www.mapsworldwide.com/sku_29987.htm

Let us know when you are likely to be here and someone will hook up with you, lure you into the countryside and knick off with your travellers cheques - erm - show you a few nice backroads....

Have fun...

Paul N

ps - you never buy greenstone for yourself - someone has to give it to you. Ie you buy it and give it to your wife.

[vifferman]

ps - you never buy greenstone for yourself - someone has to give it to you.

Otherwise one of the taniwha belonging to those primitive Stone-Age locals will get you and eat your soul.


Or something.
Or maybe not...

[Paul in NZ]

Otherwise one of the taniwha belonging to those primitive Stone-Age locals will get you and eat your soul.


Or something.
Or maybe not...

When buying stone age ornaments - adhere to stone age methods...

Besides - i was trying to ham it up for the tourists man - sheesh - they would easy pay another 100% more for a bit of green gravel with legend attached to the stuff... If this random exposure of my sales pitch keeps up I'll have go back to robbing camper vans..

[Laava]

If you only have 3 weeks, stick to the sth island. Our country is too long and skinny to do in 3 weeks and soak it in. Zig zag back and forth across the passes,Arthurs,Haast etc. Recommend Milford Sound. You could stay at Te Anau, ride in there and do a boat ride + underwater observatory. Also go up the Gondola at Queenstown. Other than that, just cruise it and have a good holiday. Did a 4 week tour of sth Is earlier this year and it was GREAT!

[kerfufflez]

Agree with Laava's suggestion of seeing only the South Island in your time frame.
Also just to note that you're arriving bang in the middle of summer school holidays, you'll be competing with tourists and NZers alike for accommodation etc. Might pay to book ahead sooner rather than later.