Heading down to roll with you kiwis

[Keytickler]

hi,,if u are heading down to coromandell..i have a sleepout u can use if u wish, lots of parking.i ride a BM. may come up the coast with u 4 a ride,PM me if interested....KEV

Thanks also, Kev. I'll be in touch.

Keytickler

[Keytickler]

You guys didn't use this approach in Iraq did you?
I mean, like, write in to Iraqi Biker, scope out a few "good roads" from afar, then when somebody rocks up to meet you at the airport there's the whole 52nd Airborne Division waiting for a lift.
No? Just checkin'...........

Funny!

I'm a rider, not a fighter.

Keytickler

[slowpoke]

Funny!

I'm a rider, not a fighter.

Keytickler

Good on you Keytickler, 'twas a lousy attempt at humour if I say so myself!

I've been back in the country for nearly a year now (six months really 'cos I spend half my time at work in Australia) after 15years living/working in Australia, and I'm still amazed at this place. You don't have to look too far to find some great roads, great people and great things to see and do.

Rather than blindly suggest what you may like, how's about telling us what you might be interested in? Adventure type stuff, mountain roads, coastal touring, rain forests, rural meanderings etc

[Meanie]

Hi and welcome
If you are traveling through Palmerston North area we have spare beds here if you need them
Keep us informed of your whereabouts and intentions and you will be sure to have many of us tag along for a ride and quite proudly show you our most awesome country, but as someone has already said be carefull cause like everywhere else there is always some tosser that thinks he deserves your stuff more than you
I want to do the same in your country one day

[limbimtimwim]

As already mentioned: MILFORD SOUND ROAD

After that, I would strongly suggest you bias your time towards the South Island, rather than the North.

The North Island has some good scenery and some good roads. But the South has the best scenery and the best roads.

[elle-f]

If you want good food and a place to stay the night just over the Rimutaka Hill out of Wellington on your way back to Auckland - let us know

[Keytickler]

Well, mates, our plans are beginning to gel a bit. We've got reservations for our ferry crossings now.

To refresh, we three arrive all bleary eyed in Auckland on March 18.
Our ferry from Wellington to Picton is on March 22.
Our ferry from Picton to Wellington is on March 30.
We depart NZ from Auckland by plane on April 3.

That's the full extent of our planning thus far. Any suggestions from you all on great itineraries or routes to fill in our time on North and South Islands will be gratefully accepted.

We are getting excited now! Can't wait to visit your beautiful country.

Keytickler

[crashe]

march 18 isnt too far away...........

[SixPackBack]

You guys didn't use this approach in Iraq did you?
I mean, like, write in to Iraqi Biker, scope out a few "good roads" from afar, then when somebody rocks up to meet you at the airport there's the whole 52nd Airborne Division waiting for a lift.
No? Just checkin'...........

Hey slowpoke......kiwi hospitaility...manners

Ignore the negative comments keytickler you are warmly welcome in N.Z. Enjoy your stay.

[Keytickler]

march 18 isnt too far away...........

Nope, it's not! I've just returned from my last business trip before departing for NZ, and it's time to start getting really excited now. We're calling this our Glutton for Mutton NZ '07 tour. WooHoo! I've got to recheck my air travel arrangements to confirm if we arrive on the 18th or 19th. Travel time approaches!

Keytickler

[crashe]

Nope, it's not! I've just returned from my last business trip before departing for NZ, and it's time to start getting really excited now. We're calling this our Glutton for Mutton NZ '07 tour. WooHoo! I've got to recheck my air travel arrangements to confirm if we arrive on the 18th or 19th. Travel time approaches!

Keytickler

Lets us know when and what time you land........

Remember to ride on the left lane of the road.....(not the right)
100kph speed limit on motorway's and open roads, unless otherwise stated.
50kms per hour around the cities.
60 to 70kph in rural country towns - check the sign posts as you are entering the townships, for the speed limit. Some are 60 and some are 70kph.
Roundabouts - indicate just before exiting. If you are going right..... then indicate 'right' and then indicate 'left' as you are to exit off.
School zones - check your speed limit - if signs up - obey that speed sign.

Country road twisties - Stick to your side of the road, as people tend to cut corners.


Thats the basics things to remember..... just enjoy our roads and hospitality.... and have fun in New Zealand.

[limbimtimwim]

The above rules don't apply if you are riding a Harley. Then you are only allowed to go at 20km/h MAX everywhere so your tassels don't wave around too intensely and spook the sheep.

[Macktheknife]

You guys are in for a treat! I recently hosted a guy from Seattle, who assured me that the Coromandel loop is much better than the 'Tail of the Dragon', something to look forward to. I also recommend the Maungamuka Gorge in Northland, one of the best roads in the country.
My suggestion for what it is worth, is head north from Auckland to Waipoua forest and up to the gorge, fantastic scenery and awesome roads. Then down through the Bay of Islands, past Auckland and on to Coromandel. Then East Cape to Napier, then on to Wellington for the ferry.
South Island, turn right at Picton and take Queen Charlotte Drive to Nelson and then on to Takaka Hill. Continue down West Coast to Greymouth and take Arthurs Pass to Christchurch and Akaroa. Down the East coast to the Caitlins, then across to Milford Sound. Back up the west coast and do the Glaciers.
This misses out a lot of cool stuff but should give you a great taste of the country, most people will return for another tour after this as they just can't get enough of NZ on a bike.
Best of luck and remember to keep us all informed so we can catch up for a beer and a ride on the way.
Mack

[Waylander]

Roundabouts - indicate just before exiting. If you are going right..... then indicate 'right' and then indicate 'left' as you are to exit off.

interesting thing about that. Riding through Tauranga and Hamilton last night I kept seeing cars that would indicate right even though they were in the left lane of the roundabout. Then halfway through, turn the indicators off and proceed straight through. Nothing they did made me thing they were going right made me think they were except for the indicator. Alot of people must not understand that rule even now some year after they put it in.

Easier and makes more sense to just indicate right when turning right, left when turning left and nothing when going straight. I havn't been pulled over yet either.

[Keytickler]

Lets us know when and what time you land........

Remember to ride on the left lane of the road.....(not the right)
100kph speed limit on motorway's and open roads, unless otherwise stated.
50kms per hour around the cities.
60 to 70kph in rural country towns - check the sign posts as you are entering the townships, for the speed limit. Some are 60 and some are 70kph.
Roundabouts - indicate just before exiting. If you are going right..... then indicate 'right' and then indicate 'left' as you are to exit off.
School zones - check your speed limit - if signs up - obey that speed sign.

Country road twisties - Stick to your side of the road, as people tend to cut corners.


Thats the basics things to remember..... just enjoy our roads and hospitality.... and have fun in New Zealand.

Thanks for the tips, crashe. I'm not so worried about the keep left thing. Roundabouts, however, are rare where I live. They will be a bit unnerving at first, I'm sure.

Keytickler