Triumphrat

Rik · 11-14-2007, 03:01 PM

Hello all from someone up top

I'm passing through NZ on my honeymoon from 9/12 to 20/12 and have arranged to hire one or Corky's runabouts for a 10 day tour.
Thought I would post a note here to see who's around and get the low down on what's hot and what's not.
Things to do, Places to stay (hostels/motels double room with ensuite), Sights to see and so on.

I visited NZ for a few weeks back in 2003 (before I met my lady) and drove around both islands in a big camper. This time we're going to stick to the South Island as we've only got 10 days but we're gonna have a fab bike instead of that dumb truck

So please fire away with some ideas and not to miss things and I'll add them to my list.

Cheers all!

P.S. Anywhere around Christchurch where I can get some bargain merino wool clothing/icebreaker stuff? Costs a mint other here so would like to bag some kit

lovecuba · 11-14-2007, 04:35 PM

Hi Rik

firstly, no matter where you purchase Merino or Icebreaker gear were over here it is expensive. What will make it good for you is the exchange rate when changing your pounds to dollars. Several well respected outlets here in Christchurch and throughout the Island.

If you are a member of the AA go to your local office and they may be able to furnish you with a copy of our AA South Island Accommodation Guide. If not go to www.aatravel.co.nz.

As for the route, well, just go for it! So much to see and do in our South Island. But for whats it worth the Catlins, Haast Pass and Inland Road between Waipara and Kaikoura are built for riding.

welshrob · 11-14-2007, 06:02 PM

The wife and I did a 10 day tour in January this year. We bought a book called 'The New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas' by Peter Mitchell, I `m sure Corky sells them but they`re available online too. It has 100 top rides but also has suggested 5 or 10 day tours of the South Island. We followed the 10 day tour itinerary with one deviation which was to visit the Burt Munro exhibition in Invercargill. The suggested tour means you don`t miss out on any of the major tourist attractions and you get to stay for 2 nights in Nelson and 2 nights in Queenstown, where there`s plenty to do, and great restaurants,so we got to do all the touristy stuff and had some great motorcycling, too. Most hotels or tourist information offices will give you a free AA accomodation guide mentioned previously, for the South Island. We were there in peak holiday season, so each night we rang and booked a hotel at the following days destination. We didn`t want to book any further ahead than that, in case we decided to change our plans.

It pissed down for 5 of the 10 days we were there but we still had a good time.

Corky · 11-15-2007, 03:06 AM

Yeah that's the trouble here in the mainland, we are terribly spoilt for choice. I took my wife over to Hokitika last Saturday and decided to go down to Ross for a look around. 5hrs later we were sitting at the Speights bar in Wanaka having a couple of cold ones and a steak. All I can say is we felt the urge with such magnificent scenery and such a lovely day. The trip through Haast was great and on the Sunday we decided to cut inland from Omarama and take the trip home through Otematata and Waimate. One place definitely on my map to check out in more depth is Takaka, Collingwood etc having only been through there once previously.

Corky · 11-15-2007, 03:37 AM

OK for what it is worth here is where I would go over a 10 day period. I believe the ride from Christchurch through Springfield and Arthurs Pass is unbelievable but have forsaken this to head Nth up to Kaikoura and then through to Hanmer Springs for a thermal hot bath. You do have the option of heading into Arthurs Pass from Greymouth but I believe the ride through flockhill and Castle Hill past the rocks is the highlight. I would then head up to Nelson and onto Takaka. Back through Murchison and the Buller Gorge and down the Coastline to Punakaiki and onto Greymouth. All the rest of the ride is self explanatory except I would park the bike up early one morning at Bluff and do a day trip to Stewart Island on the ferry (possibly even stay the night). I also believe that nothing beats a ride from Christchurch to Akaroa on a nice day going through the bays and Teddington.
Let the debate begin :-)

lovecuba · 11-15-2007, 06:05 AM

Good choice of roading and attached sights Blair. Covers it all really. Although blasting up the Viaduct between Otira and Arthurs Pass is a buzz!

Rik · 11-26-2007, 10:34 PM

Thanks for all the ideas. Not been able to get on line much recently as all the wedding plans are taking up pretty much all my time!

We're planning to hire some gear off you Corky and will mail you direct later but we're also bringing some summer vented gear with us. I realise it can a little wet in NZ but I'm not sure what the general temperature is like for riding comfort, particularly for my lady. We can wear light trousers under the vented gear but does it get dramatically cold in the hills and after sunset? Last time I was in NZ it was Autumn so I have no useful reference

Cheers all
Rik

Corky · 11-27-2007, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rik

Thanks for all the ideas. Not been able to get on line much recently as all the wedding plans are taking up pretty much all my time!

We're planning to hire some gear off you Corky and will mail you direct later but we're also bringing some summer vented gear with us. I realise it can a little wet in NZ but I'm not sure what the general temperature is like for riding comfort, particularly for my lady. We can wear light trousers under the vented gear but does it get dramatically cold in the hills and after sunset? Last time I was in NZ it was Autumn so I have no useful reference

Cheers all
Rik

Can always take gear off but bit of a bugger if you got none to put on. I went for a ride Sunday for an hour each way and was sweating with just a T Shirt and Cordura jacket without the lining. Today we have had a cold blast and the Temperature is only 10 degree Celsius when the Southerly came through. Hopefully the weather will be settled when you are here next Month and the riding conditions will be good. Should be OK in the hills after sunset unless it is a Southerly which makes conditions a bit cold. Look forward to your email and meeting up with you Rik.

Rik · 12-14-2007, 04:49 AM

Hi Blair,

Thought we would quickly check in to say hi and thanks for the INCREDIBLE hospitality you showed Julie and myself when we got to meet you Christchurch. Tour is going really well although the route has gone a bit crazy! We went to Kaikoura and then north to Nelson but the West cost weather sucked to we decided to head back through the Lewis Pass to Hamner Springs and then did a stint to Wanaka. Now in Queenstown for a few days in the hope of getting better West coast weather and heading North up the West coast and then doubling back a bit to shoot over Arthurs Pass in your direction.

The bike is running sweet and hasn't missed a beat. I went out for a short blat without the panniers or Julie the other day and it was amazingly nimble and chomping at the bit - Thought it best to go back for them rather than ride off into the sunset though!

See you soon pal

Rik & Julie

Corky · 12-15-2007, 11:12 PM

Hi Rik

Yeah the West Coast weather can be unforgiving at times so doing the route you have is a good call. I also agree about getting rid off the baggage (tongue in cheek) off the bike so to speak and having a good solo ride :-)
Hope the crap weather on the Coast is good next week so you can enjoy a good ride through Haast and back through the Coast and Arthurs Pass. C U on Wednesday arvo\evening when you return and looking forward to your debrief.