ikr................ And that's the plan, when I get there. On the the ride down I'm going to be a tourist, take my time on the equally awesome SI sealed highways, stop for lots of coffee, soak up the atmosphere (metaphorically speaking only, hopefully) catch up with a few mates, maybe consume the odd pinot noir and generally try and remind myself how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to do it all. I'll be on holiday, not on a mission. Looking at this picture, I think I need to change my avatar....
Eat your heart out ironbutters.... Auckland to Nelson....17 hours with a bit luck and no traffic jams on Queen Charlotte Drive :) No pics as Bluebridge interweb is sh*t
nice pics and quick time getting to the south so much for the leisurely ride? coming back for molesworth or leaving it for the return?
Not sure what's happening yet. Was a great day to be riding and all things considered it was pretty leisurely. The big bike definitely makes things easy. Just so happened the ferry was running late. I went to Bluebridge to book for the next day and got on instead. Magic. Ride through Queen Charlotte and Rai Valley was fantastic no traffic clear skies. Having too much fun to stop and take pics. Chilling in Nelson today. Off to find a coffee shortly and a bit of a wander.
I love my Vstrom. But it appears to me that for footling down the beautifully smooth South Island highways the GS is in a league above. What a great bike. Im sure there are other great bikes, but this bike is great with a capital F. I finally got round to using the cruise control before I left on this current trip. I used to think it wouldnt be much use on a bike but, once again, I was completely wrong. The ride from Inangahua to Reefton and a lot more besidds was pretty much all on cc. And it makes everything so much more relaxed and long rides easier. Happy days
the more they sell those things the more they plough into their development then they sell even more... it's very hard for the competition to do any more than snipe at "the package" by picking-off individual points from the sides
Hang in there buddy youll be out on good behaviour soon. Try "The Life Ahead" if you havent already seen it. Its got a motorbike in it.
Today was Franz Josef to Cromwell in perfect weather. No one on the roads (until Wanaka/Crown Range/Kawerau Gotge). Starts off as good as it gets, then gets even better. Spent a fair bit of time walking along DOC paths to various things. They do great work. I don't think it gets any better than this on a road bike. Anyway some tourist snaps...
Von Road to Walter Peak Station and back to Mavora Lakes today. Gravel superhighway for 36kms into the Lakes. Then 50kms of pretty good gravel to Walter Peak and the same back. All up about 200kms of gravel and 330kms of seal to get there and back from Bannockburn. Pretty good day. Even had a couple of fords.
Gravel superhighway. Much top gear hooning. The road goes ever on and on... Just to prove we got there Pretty dusty today A different view of Glenorchy ftom Mt Nicholas Station
