South Island Safari - the daily blog (19 February)

**Scouse** · 24th February 2007, 08:20

Nice one guy looks like yoes are having a fantastic time sorry to hear about your woopsie Blair good to see your ok if you are any thing like me its the ego that takes the biggest pounding great pix by the way take it easy I look forward to tomorows instalment

**Blairos** · 24th February 2007, 17:01

We have made it safe and sound and are now enjoying the Balclutha hospitality ScumDog style...

Our planned route tomorrow is to meet up with our 3rd group member Nigel at the Mosgiel Shell Station at noon tomorrow, the plan being to head up SH87 and join up to SH85 and head back to Alexandra - from there we plan to head up Lake Dunstan then over the Lindis and finish up at Kurow for the night

So if there are any Otago KBers that wanna come for a zoom tomorrow, then meet us at 12 noon at the Shell Station in Mosgiel! you can txt me on 021-471-317 if required.

Will put up a separate post later to summarise day 7 - another long one in the saddle, but an awesome day!

Cheers!

**Jantar** · 24th February 2007, 18:18

I'm on night shift, and probably wont get out of bed till around 2:00pm. But as soon as I'm up I'll go cruising and see if I can catch you guys on the road somewhere, then ride part of way with you.

**Blondini** · 24th February 2007, 18:53

Sounds like you are having a great time..Glad blairos ok too

Great pics keep em coming ..The south island is such a beautiful place

**Bytor** · 24th February 2007, 19:15

This is just wetting my appetite to go and do it myself - awesome guys

**Blairos** · 24th February 2007, 19:47

The morning today dawned a beautiful one in Te Anau

We were on the road to Manapouri for Breakfast around 9:30, and once again I was gobsmacked by the sights to be seen en-route - we are so lucky to have what we have in NZ

After a hearty feed at the Cathedral Cafe, it was off to Invercargill via Tuatapere, and Riverton. Some pretty awesome scenery to be witnessed again...

Roadwise, it was pretty much perfect, the South Island has not let us down too badly when it comes to the state of the roads here - the usual summer-time Tar Snakes are about, but overall its a 10 out of 10...

Had a quick stop at Tuatapere due to a bit of rib pain, but I have discovered a unique support system in the form of my "not-in-use" visor - I tried it on the way to Milford yesterday... it just tucks nicely under my jacket, and must be giving some needed support to that area, as the pain pretty much disappeared after that.

Got throught to Invercargill, decided to gas up only, and head out to the Catlins to satisfy the lunch cravings. Stopped at Fortrose for a quick scoff, and then we were off via the coastal route.

As there was a 14K gravel stretch on this route, I thought it might be good to do a quick 4K section out to Waipapa Point - it was then I discovered the nice little surprises that gravel can provide you on a road bike

(no - i didnt bin again LOL)

After making our way thru to Curio Bay, a quick stop to admire the view was had, then it was set course for Balclutha

The Catlins... a must ride for any motorcyclist, thats all I need to say!

A real mix of twisties, and long sweeping bends, with some awesome views designed to distract...

So, we made it to our host's (Scumdog) place, have enjoyed the hospitality offered so far...(anyone eaten Hare before? Its quite delicious!)

So, I am here sucking down a speights on the deck, and contemplating to collection of vehicles (both 4 wheel and two) that are present on the Chez-Scumdog Estate :-), and the 400-odd K completed today...

So its off to Central tomorrow - will post a summary of that tomorrow (beer permitting)

Pic 1 - the mountains around Te Anau this morning
Pic 2 - Lake Manapouri
Pic 3 - A peak we managed to avoid in the Hunter Mountains

Pic 4 - Terbang in front of same peak
Pic 5 - Lighthouse at Waipapa Point
Pic 6 - Curio Bay

**_Gina_** · 25th February 2007, 10:27

Wicked stuff boys!

Just found this thread and read it through. What can I say except I am sooo jealous,

What a hard man you are Blairos, well done keeping on going.

What day are you coming back through to Auckland? Might ride down to accompany you through, so I can pretend I have been on a South Island tour

G

**terbang** · 26th February 2007, 16:35

Well outta Balclutha we went to Taieri where we met up with Nigel (other Busa) and rode to Kurow via Ranfurly Alex and the Lindis pass. Thanks Scumdog & CB for an awesome night of fine company. Another gentleman riding a Veestrom stopped us in Alex and asked if we had seen a couple of blackbirds..? Was that you Jantar as I just looked at your profile and the bike matches? A boozey night in the Kurow pub saw us heading to CHC via Ohau Pukaki, Tekapo, Burkes pass, fairlie, Geraldine and Methven to Christchurch where we stay overnight. I've gotta do something about my tyres as they are both pretty shagged and will (if I ride quietly) only get me to Wellington.

**scumdog** · 26th February 2007, 16:39

Originally Posted by terbang

I've gotta do something about my tyres as they are both pretty shagged and will (if I ride quietly) only get me to Wellington.

Maybe ya might need to look at your riding style then?

**Blairos** · 26th February 2007, 16:59

Pic 1 - Moi at a beach just north of Taieri Mouth
Pic 2 - Pic of some awesome cloud formations at Middlemarch
Pic 3 - Bruce and Nigel at the top of the Lindis
Pic 4 - 2 Busas found lurking at Benmore

Pic 5 - View from the top of the Benmore Dam

**Blairos** · 26th February 2007, 17:04

Pic 1 - the sky out of the Kurow Hotel window this morning
Pic 2 - Terbang at the upper end of Lake Ohau
Pic 3 - Nigel doing the same
Pic 4 - Lake Ohau
Pic 5 - Pukaki end of the Hydro Canal System in the MacKenzie country
Pic 6 - View back over the lovely calm canal to the bikes

**Blairos** · 26th February 2007, 17:06

Originally Posted by scumdog

Maybe ya might need to look at your riding style then?

We never did check out your chicken strips did we?

**Maha** · 26th February 2007, 17:18

Originally Posted by Blairos

We never did check out your chicken strips did we?

Well Blairos i have to say mate that....those are without doubt the the best set of pic's i have seen on here period!. Looks and sounds like guys are having the best time and im envious....