36 day NZ tour

[Banned it.]

I need information from the Kiwi members of the board. My wife and I are shipping our B12 to NZ over Dec/Jan 2006/7. Due to the high tourist numbers we have had to plan our 36 day tour of both Islands and book our accommodation now. What I would like to know is if the gravel sections of road between Kawhia to Raglan and Raglan to Pukekohe have been sealed recently. I have a motorcycle atlas of NZ and it still shows gravel. This trip is shown as one of the great rides in the atlas, but the gravel puts me off as it is in the beginning of the 7000 km. trip. Thanks in advance for any help.

[victor55]

Hi Banned,

I will get back to you soon. I know the roads between Raglan and Pukekohe are definitely sealed and they are great riding with very little traffic. as for Kawhia to Raglan, I will get back to you on this as I am about to head to the AA and get some maps for our trip to the SI in Feb/March this year

[victor55]

Hi banned,

Just got back from the AA with the latest maps.

Sorry I gave you a bum steer on the Raglan/Pukekohe road. There is a small stretch of unsealed road  from Ohatira to Waingaro Landing. It is about 6km only and the rest of the route is sealed.

The Raglan/Kawhia road is sealed for only 50% of the way which is roughly 18km.

If you need any more info or other help, just email me.
If you need maps , I can get them FREE from the AA as I am a member, and I can post them to you

[Banned it.]

Thanks Marty. I tried to e-mail you but you must have changed your e-mail address, it was returned.
I might give that section a miss. Don't want to risk a drop at that stage of the trip.
I have given you plenty of warning that we are coming over, so take care of the weather for me will you. Shipping the bike over and back with "Get Routed" to Christchurch. Will head North from there and do the South Atoll second.
Let me know how the ride goes and road condition thanks.
Don't need maps thanks, have a copy of the NZ motorcycle atlas, first printed 2005. Lists 100 top rides by Peter Mitchell, I have covered most of the sealed rides and one gravel ride which has just been sealed from Waihola to Dunedin.



Noel.

[B6mick]

All I'm going to say is,


I EFEN HATE YOU


Cause you'll have a ball.
I went there with my bike in the late 70's.
Magic place, one day I'll get back there.

[victor55]

And you can drop in for a homebrew or two also Mick

[russell]

hi banned i live in the south island of nz there are some of the best roads in the world here if you ride down through the catlins and up the west coast you will be amazed at the scenery and magic of this place

[victor55]

Hey there Russell,

As you know, we are heading your way in March. Last time I was in the SI, the Catlins road was gravel. Have they finally got round to sealing it because I would like to do that run if the road is OK

[Banned it.]

Marty, Russell, Mick
We will have a ball. Expect to do over 7000km all up. Have shown the itinerary to a couple of ex pat Kiwis and their eyes glaze over. Only problem is the 11 month wait. Have a copy of NZ Motorcycle Atlas first published 2005 and it lists 100 great rides on both sealed and unsealed roads, I have managed to cover nearly all of the sealed road rides. Marty is on notice to manage the weather for us, don't want any rain, ok. Bandit with 130+ hp should be fun on the best motorcycle roads in the world. Expect to need a new tyre by the time we have done about 4-5000km. Accommodation is booked everywhere, only need Inter Island ferry booking and plane tickets. Got my passport yesterday, may have to leave my wife at home, no sign of her passport yet.

[russell]

hi banned best you leave the wife at home you should not have a handbrake on a bandit i are taking the back pegs off mine and the road through the catlins is sealed all the way

[Banned it.]

Can't leave my wife at home Russell. She is the world's best pillion. Have to check the mirrors to make sure she is still there. I only get into trouble if she thinks I went too slow, complains about it being boring.
I gather by the Catlins you mean the coast road from Invercargill to Dunedin. I was told this week by an ex pat kiwi that that road is now fully sealed and it is included in the itinerary, it is ride 52 in the atlas. Looking forward to Arthurs Pass to Greymouth as well. In fact I'm looking forward to all of it. I was told 36 days was too long but I think it is only just enough to see both islands fully. Some of our days involve up to 500 km in the day and all of it twisty.

[russell]

yea mate you will love the roads in nz mabe when you a going through oamaru you can call in and say hi