Itinerary for 7 day motorbike trip of New Zealand South Island

Following on from our planning, here's our itinerary:

Laka Matheson

Akaroa, Banks Peninsula

Monday*: Auckland to Wellington [7h47m 637km] **see Ferry comments

Tuesday: Picton - Nelson - Westport [4h46m 346km]

Wednesday:  Westport -  Greymouth - Franz Josef Glazier [3h32m 273km]

Thursday:  Franz Josef - Fox - Wanaka [3h32m 285km]

Christchurch

Laka Wanaka

Friday: Wanaka - Twizel - Takapo – Ashburton [3h58m 348km]

Saturday ***: Ashburton - Christchurch - Banks Peninsula - Christchurch [3h44m 250 km]

Sunday: Christchurch - Kaikoura - Blenheim - Picton [4h32m 337km]

Monday 30/3/15 - Wellington - Auckland via Whanganui River Road [9h 684km] 

Total planned above: 3,160km 
Actual : M109R 3,175km / Hayabua 3,408km including Arthur's Pass peak

*Auckland to Wellington:
Coromandel turn off sh27) 

Waharoa (sh27) 1^st Fuel stop Started to drizzle there.

Matamata (sh27)

Tirua (sh27) – spotty the dog and antique shop and our stop back from Taupo with the girls

Tokorua (sh 27) -  lots of rain, even bought rain pants at the local Suzuki.

Turned off to SH41 and missed Taupo

Kuratau (sh41)

Turned back onto SH1 at Turangi then the desert road through to ( fuel stop and had a good Burger king Wrap)

Waiouru SH1

Taihape SH1

Hunterville SH1 – put fuel in but can’t recall the place.

Bulls

Foxton

Wellington (Fuel and Ferry)

**Ferry: We decided to catch the Bluebridge 2am Ferry and take a room. Early boarding at 11pm meant that arriving at Picton at about 6am, theoretically anyway, we could get a 5 to 6 hours sleep and at $30 for the room sleeping 2 meant we save a night accommodation cost and not lose a night heading off fresh in the morning. We had a nice shower in the morning but the ferry ran late so we were not rested as we only got to bed after 2am and were woken well before 6am. But we did sleep soundly. We heard that Bluebridge was better than Interislander but chose it ultimately for room option.

*** Arthur's Pass: Actually we deviated from plan with the M109R rider riding from Ashburton to Christchurch [1h11m 89km] and me, the Hayabusa rider riding from Ashburton to Arthur's Pass [2h11m 177km] and then from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch along the Old West Coast Road [1h54m 145km]. We then both rode from Christchurch to Akaroa, Banks Peninsula [1h31m 88km] and back [1h31m 88km]. This amount of riding that day on the Busa was a lot but the only way for me to fit in Arthur's Pass without adding additional km's every day for us both. 

First year as a Biker in Auckland

It is nearing the end of August in this, the first year I have owned a motorbike for many years.  So as each season unfolds I am relating the process to my newfound biking experience,  much like a pioneer in a strange new land would begin gauging the rhythm and tempo of the weather to understand what the years ahead will unfold in his new home. 

Although I have lived in Auckland for10 years, until now I have not really been attuned to the weather and took it as it came,  accepting all the old cliches and living a life largely unconcerned about whether tomorrow held rain or shine. But now, as a bike owner,  I am somehow highly observant and in tune with the weather, probably a bit like a cyclist or angler,  whose reward from their passion is either enhanced or reduced by the weather and directly or indirectly affects their plans.

Since getting,  and sharing,  my wife's cruiser in October last year until getting my own Bandit 600 in December,  I finally got my Hayabusa in February this year.  Since October,  I have had endless ideal riding weather around Auckland with one long trip up to Paihia over Easter just after getting my Haya.

Riding has been slowed occasionally by some rainy or gusty spells but then cloudy skies will suddenly part and reveal glorious riding days. This has happened throughout the winter and now we stand at the brink of Spring and despite an icy chill which reminds us that there is still snow on mountains both North and South,  the days are good for riding again. 

Does this mean more frequent commuting (I am a fair weather commuter)?  Well,  I imagine that as soon as Spring daylight savings kicks in there will be incentive to set off for work confident in the fact that if the weather is suitable after work it will yield a good few hours to enjoy the sites and sounds of vibrant,  beautiful Auckland.