Sorting the first batch of pics, the yarn might as well get started while everything is still fresh.
OH YEAH, do we have a story to tell
!!
A few thoughts and basics about the trip while the pics are uploading may answer some early questions and set the frame for the what, when and how.
The flights/ Air NZ....great, friendly and pretty much on time, the chaos mounted quickly at both CHC and AKL airports. The Kiwi security/customs/quarantine/scanning processing protocols and procedures are absolutely dismal, causing endless frustration and aggro to 100s of folks, families and kids in endless, repeated waiting loops. Christchurch incoming took a ridiculous 70 minutes until being out the front door, Auckland on the way back was even more idiotic, nearly causing us to miss the connecting flights. Melbourne in contrast took a breezy 25 minutes from getting off the airplane seat to walking out the front, luggage in hand, all checks and stuff done.
The bikes...proved a lucky Google find! All ran well without any issues, only one flat front hoop for a combined total of 15 weeks of usage across the South Islands finest gravel/dirt tracks. No breakdowns., no pretzlers and immediate re-starts after some river-submarining.
The rubber suggested by Greg, the owner of https://www.rideabikenz.co.nz/
turned out to be the duck's guts and only started to show its suffering over the last couple of days, 4800km down and still hanging on pretty well through the twisties of the Banks Peninsula.
Fronts: Pirelli MT21
Rear: Dunlop D606
What a combo for grip and tight bends carving to gravel/rock/sand climbing.
South Island pre-Christmas/ Springtime:
Quite a different kettle of fish to the usually more solid and stable summer/ autumn period trips of yesteryear. The whole island is just bathed in colour, entire mountainsides in yellow bloom of the broom bushes or purple heath, flowers of all sizes and hues in mega-proportions abound. Pretty doesn't say it, it's simply stumping!
Somewhat of a nightmare to hay-fever sufferers though when a strong windgust covers half a caravan park with a pollen cloud that looks like a minor duststorm. And that's just from the stand of pine trees next door....
Good roads, great tracks, very little traffic, hardly any cops.
As usual around that time of year, the local councils had started to refresh the gravel cover on the unsealed roads and they sure don't muck around.... but then, NZ's famous for it and eventually one gets used to not packing the daks when hitting a long section of 3-4" deep "shingle" at a fair clip...unless it's mid-corner, just to triple the fun
Prices in general:
Coming back from a prolonged Europe-stint just a few weeks earlier, I couldn't help but compare prices and bang-for-buck levels.
And NZ is EXXY, holy-schmoly
Food and drink, accommodation and up to $3/liter for 91 fuel sometimes leave the throat dry. Coffee has improved greatly over the years but food is still pretty average in choice and quality (loads of deep-fried meat, fish, veg etc)
Then again, one doesn't ride the South Island for fancy grub and frilly pillows, aye?
Folks and chance-meetings along the way:
Oh man....those Kiwis are something else! Awesome folks one and all, incredibly friendly and helpful, bloody funny and genuine. If they don't do it first, just walk up to anyone and start a conversation....be ready to not get away for the rest of the day though.
So, nothing has changed on that score over the last 35 years then....which makes for a painful leave every time my NZ time is up.
I'll grab my bundle now.
Got a plane to catch,...
The jam-packed Nelson Rigg Sierra drypacks/ panniers strapped as 23kg airline luggage proved the best piece of bike luggage I didn't know I had!
A trusted, faded Kappa rolltop-drypack made for a near totally-waterproof set of kit even when under water in river crossings for minutes with the bike laying on top of it.
nelsonrigg.com.au
The ancient camelback-clone and skidlid for cabin luggage.
OH YEAH, do we have a story to tell
!!A few thoughts and basics about the trip while the pics are uploading may answer some early questions and set the frame for the what, when and how.
The flights/ Air NZ....great, friendly and pretty much on time, the chaos mounted quickly at both CHC and AKL airports. The Kiwi security/customs/quarantine/scanning processing protocols and procedures are absolutely dismal, causing endless frustration and aggro to 100s of folks, families and kids in endless, repeated waiting loops. Christchurch incoming took a ridiculous 70 minutes until being out the front door, Auckland on the way back was even more idiotic, nearly causing us to miss the connecting flights. Melbourne in contrast took a breezy 25 minutes from getting off the airplane seat to walking out the front, luggage in hand, all checks and stuff done.
The bikes...proved a lucky Google find! All ran well without any issues, only one flat front hoop for a combined total of 15 weeks of usage across the South Islands finest gravel/dirt tracks. No breakdowns., no pretzlers and immediate re-starts after some river-submarining.
The rubber suggested by Greg, the owner of https://www.rideabikenz.co.nz/
turned out to be the duck's guts and only started to show its suffering over the last couple of days, 4800km down and still hanging on pretty well through the twisties of the Banks Peninsula.
Fronts: Pirelli MT21
Rear: Dunlop D606
What a combo for grip and tight bends carving to gravel/rock/sand climbing.
South Island pre-Christmas/ Springtime:
Quite a different kettle of fish to the usually more solid and stable summer/ autumn period trips of yesteryear. The whole island is just bathed in colour, entire mountainsides in yellow bloom of the broom bushes or purple heath, flowers of all sizes and hues in mega-proportions abound. Pretty doesn't say it, it's simply stumping!
Somewhat of a nightmare to hay-fever sufferers though when a strong windgust covers half a caravan park with a pollen cloud that looks like a minor duststorm. And that's just from the stand of pine trees next door....
Good roads, great tracks, very little traffic, hardly any cops.
As usual around that time of year, the local councils had started to refresh the gravel cover on the unsealed roads and they sure don't muck around.... but then, NZ's famous for it and eventually one gets used to not packing the daks when hitting a long section of 3-4" deep "shingle" at a fair clip...unless it's mid-corner, just to triple the fun
Prices in general:
Coming back from a prolonged Europe-stint just a few weeks earlier, I couldn't help but compare prices and bang-for-buck levels.
And NZ is EXXY, holy-schmoly
Food and drink, accommodation and up to $3/liter for 91 fuel sometimes leave the throat dry. Coffee has improved greatly over the years but food is still pretty average in choice and quality (loads of deep-fried meat, fish, veg etc)
Then again, one doesn't ride the South Island for fancy grub and frilly pillows, aye?
Folks and chance-meetings along the way:
Oh man....those Kiwis are something else! Awesome folks one and all, incredibly friendly and helpful, bloody funny and genuine. If they don't do it first, just walk up to anyone and start a conversation....be ready to not get away for the rest of the day though.
So, nothing has changed on that score over the last 35 years then....which makes for a painful leave every time my NZ time is up.
I'll grab my bundle now.
Got a plane to catch,...
The jam-packed Nelson Rigg Sierra drypacks/ panniers strapped as 23kg airline luggage proved the best piece of bike luggage I didn't know I had!
A trusted, faded Kappa rolltop-drypack made for a near totally-waterproof set of kit even when under water in river crossings for minutes with the bike laying on top of it.
SIERRA DRY SADDLEBAGS - Nelson Rigg Australia | Motorcycle Luggage | Motorcycle Covers | Motorcycle Rainwear
Equip your motorcycle with the Nelson Rigg Sierra Dry Saddlebags, designed for 100% waterproof protection and unmatched durability. Perfect for adventure rides, these saddlebags ensure your gear stays dry and secure.
nelsonrigg.com.au
The ancient camelback-clone and skidlid for cabin luggage.
Last edited:
)
pizza at the formerly highly-praised Dodson Street Beer Garden.
