South Island Day 8

I woke up early and flew out of bed, the weather had improved but was still a bit deary.  At least it wasn't anything like the previous day.  I left soon after and enjoyed a leisurely ride through the magical Lewis Pas road.  Another one of the great "passes".    It meant to that on this trip I had completed the three roads that I was determined to ride, Arthur's, Lindis and Lewis.

Lewis pass is different as in so far you never really reach a great altitude but ride through fantastic canopy covered roads during part of it. As always it is spectacular.....I have run out of adjectives by now!

Once I had got to Springs Junction it had fined up and the run through to Murchison was "spirited", apart for a brief stop at the Mariua falls, which I didn't know existed until I rode pass them.

I stopped in Murchison for a bit of food, and then headed off to Nelson.  Another great ride, buy this time I am thinking that I am not keen to stay in Nelson the night.  I was having far to much fun...perhaps I will go all the way through to Picton.  I wasn't due to catch the ferry till the next day, but there is no harm in rocking up when I get there and seeing if I can get on one.

Nelson to Picton was hoot, although it began to rain again and the time I got in to Picton it was heavy the it was blowing pretty hard as well.  I had planned  my run to perfection though and arrived just 20minutes before the ferry left.  Straight on and the only vehicle on the top deck!   Once settled a quick call to my mate in Fielding I had my accommodation all sorted for the night.

Wellington Heads.

Only bike on top deck, just before I teid her down for a rough crossing over Cook Streight.

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Off the ferry at 6.30pm I headed straight to Fielding in the pouring rain! All the way.  I finally got there after nine, a nice long 15 hour day in the bike.   But I was happy.  I had had a great week riding the best roads in the world, and even though it was coming to end I was still a very happy man.  The following day I meandered back to Auckland....and later that night my kids came for a holiday with me. Fantastic!

I had accomplished all I set out to do.  Rode the roads I wanted to do, the ones that were missed on my previous trip.  The weather was great for the majority of it.  Met some great people and saw the most stunning scenery the world has to offer.  

New Zealand may be at the bottom of the world for many, but if you ride a bike, this country must be one to put on the bucket list.  I can assure you, you will not, ever, be disappointed.

South Island Day 7

Day Seven, and the rain poured down, and I mean it was torrential.  I knew it was coming though so planned just a short 180km stint from Christchurch to Hamner Springs.   Famous for its hot pools.

The ride is an easy one, but made harder buy the constant rain.  I only stopped once, for a bathroom break and then it took me half an hour to get my bloody gloves back on.  Still I arrived just after lunch and thankfully my room was right next to the laundry and the lovely people at the motel were amazing helpful in helping me get my wet gear dry, as well as letting me put my bike in there garage.

In the afternoon I borrowed there umbrella and wonder around the small but very pretty small town.  Finishing of course at the hot pools where I spent an enormous amount of time just sitting and relaxing.     Honestly this whole motorbike touring thing is exhausting!

So not a big day on the bike, but I got to visit yet another place I have never been to and tomorrow will come the Lewis Pass road, I wasn't to know it then but it would be one of the longest days I have ever had on a bike.....

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South Island Day 6

Having spent the  night in Hokitika I was in decisive about where to go next.  I was keen to head to North to Karemea, which is up the west coast and where the world famous Heafy Track begins.  But a heavy rain warning the side of the country convinced me to change my mind.  Instead I headed through the stunning Arthur's pass for another over night er in Christchurch.

I was glad I chose this route.  The weather was average out of Hokitika but once through the centre of the Island it was dry roads and fantastic riding.  It had been a road I always wanted to ride, and had not been able to do on my previous trip.

Once again words fail me for what a great road this is to ride, and for the first hour I pretty much had it all to my self.  Even the first part where it was raining could not distract from what was a great road and a great ride.

There is something very serene about riding around just a magical landscape early in the morning, having the road to your self.  It is hard to describe.

I arrived in Christchurch and spent another evening lying in the heated bath out doors, what a away to spend the evening after two just awesome days on the bike.



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South Island Day 5

Ever since I learnt ho to ride a motorbike I was hooked, I loved it.  The freedom, the camaraderie, that feeling of perfecting the perfect corner, the places I have seen and the people I have met.

Every now and then you have one of those days one a bike when it all comes together.  When you realise how incredibly lucky you to have found something that can send your spirit soaring.....

Day 5

This was a day I had looked to since I first planned this trip.  Haast to Wanaka.  One of the greatest scenic roads in the world, and pure bikers delight.

But first before I left Wanaka I decided to go on a scenic flight.  Not just any ordinary flight, but a flight in a 1941 Tiger Moth....with some acrobatics thrown in for good measure.  What a hoot, and what a stunning morning to fly over Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.  

After the flight I left Wanaka and headed to Hasst via the Haast highway. This magnificent, scenic road with changing views around every  sweeping corner.  From the glistening lakes of Hawea on the left and Wanaka to the right, to Mt Aspiring, through canopy covered roads, waterfalls, and fresh water rivers......It is a mind blowing, heart lifting, awe inspiring ride.  Seriously there is no other road like it in New Zealand, and it is by far my favourite.  Words will never truly explain the shear beauty that beholds you as you ride it.

It is a road that needs to be ridden twice, once to stop continually and take photos, and once just to ride it any true biker wants to ride it...passionately. (but with care)

When God made this road.......he wasnt thinking about camper vans or Four wheel drives......he was thinking about two wheels.

From Haast turned and headed up the unpopulated West Coast, stopping only at Knights point for a picture....the rest was just a blur of sweeping corners and empty roads, I was in biking nirvana. The time when it all comes together.  I stopped in Franz Joseph for fuel and continued on to Hokitika for the night.  A day of riding and adventure that I will never forget.

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South Island Day 4

Wanaka- Queenstown - Wanaka,

And again.

The crown road from Wanaka to Queens town was only sealed in 2000, How I missed it the first time I came here I don't know, but i more than made up for it this trip going over the road times.  It is only 67kms...but oh man what an awesome 67 k ms.

I had decided I would spend two nights in Wanaka to give myself a rest off the bike (fat chance), but once I had ridden it it was two tempting not to do it again.

After the first trip I stopped in Queenstown for some brekkie, and ended up having breakfast with Jerome Kaino.  For those not familiar with out national sport of rugby, he was voted top all black of 2011.  I was quite chuffed but did my best to ad-void hero worship and hence embarrassed myself.  I did mange to give him a few tips on places to visit while he was here, and I now consider myself on a first name basis.

Anyway back to the "road'. It is as close to some thing from the Swiss Alps that you will find here.  Going down the Queenstown side there is a series of tight switch backs which will challenge many a biker.  The view is stunning from the top.  Quite simply it is a must do road weather on car or bike if you are ever in the country.

Following that I stopped at the toy museum and spent a hour or so wondering there.  In all honesty after the mornings riding old toys failed to capture my imagination.  I went down to the lake and spent some time reading and under a tree as the temperatures were in the high 20's.  Of course I found the local pub and spent the evening trying to convince the locals the Auckland is actually not that bad a place....I did not succeed though.

South Island Day 3

Christchurch - Wanaka.

Once I had ridden the boring straights out of Ashburton, I turned off towards Geraldine and Tekapo.  I knew from past experience what an amazing trip lay ahead of me.  Apart form some just incredible roads the scenery is gob smacking brilliant...

I travelled 440 kms this day, took me all day.  Around every opportunity is a classic pic.The pictures really don't do it justice.  But I am going to upload a heap of them I am sure they will tell the story better than I can write it.

It becomes very diffucult to describe in words what an awesome place this is to ride.

Just west of Tekapo

Southern Alps

Tekapo taken from My John..yes that is it's real color.

Mt Cook.  NZ's Highest Mountain

Lindis Pass

Kids at Play Wanaka.

The best though is yet to come.....

Here is a taste of Day 4

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