Riders, if your not aware, Bannockburn Bike week is on Jan 27 to 2nd Feb. Rides for all groups every day, motorcycle topic every evening too. Lots of accomidation sources locally and in Cromwell.
Interesting, as its timed between the Vincent County Rally (in Alexandra) and Burt Munro weekend in Southland.
Check their website – Bike week in Bannockburn
or fb page Bike Week NZ at Bannockburn
I wish I was
I am planning to go. will make it a 3 day trip (or so) to get there, looking for a riding buddy,,,,
Not sure yet of route down to Bannockburn, it maybe that Jacki my wife flies down to Christchurch and I pick her up from there if this is the case I plan to take in Rainbow road and any other interesting routes that time allows.
I am probably going – i thought about to be on the 28th there
Just depends on work and weather – maybe i even go in between more south on a little tour and come back and then home.
When you guys coming through?
I was thinking of leaving home (wellington) on the early ferry on either the 24th or 25th.
I have done nothing of the Sth Island so everything will be new for me.
That is as far as my plan goes – open to suggestions.
You are welcome to overnight at my place and get the morning ferry together (and up to 3 more that read this).
I have about 1500Km left in my rubber, so will need to factor in a stop for new tyres somewhere, other than that,,,,,,,.
Will be on a budget so no 5 star hotels (sadly).
I am keen on just about anything as it is all new for me.
Thanks
I’d suggest tyres before South Island. The roads down there eat tyres and tyres themselves aren’t cheap and widely available. Peace of mind starting on fresh rubber.
Good idea, and easy enough to do in Wgtn (going to put a K60 on back and TKC80 on the front).
I am hoping to get the Inter islander on the 26th and then stop overnight in or around St Arnaud, ride Rainbow Road on the 27th overnight in Christchurch then head down to Bannockburn on the 28th, would that work for you Duncan? We could maybe hook up with Budvar in Christchurch
That could work. I have 2 week pass from the wife (cost me a new car) so I can be pretty flexible. I will just leave a day or two later and come back a day (or so) later.
Sounds good for me too
If u guys want u can stay overnight at my place, garage, tools, pool blah blah just give me a private message than we can have a chat about that
@Duncan – in case that u can come to CHCH with your tyres here is a quite cheap please for it (depends what u pay in wellington)
Looks like there is a risk of a plan forming,,,,
Chris, do you want to stay @ my place and get the early ferry, then ride Rainbow (as per your plan) on the way to Budvar, Overnight in Chch and all go to the rally together?
I’m keen, and don’t want to go off the beaten track unless there are at least two bikes (just in case).
@Budvar I have arranged to get new rubber put on next week, so will be all set before I leave (assuming my pannier racks arrive from Canada in time !!).
good luck with the pannier racks! I’m waiting for my speedo reciever from japan – but in worst case rpm will do it
Thanks, I’m keen to take you up on the accommodation offer on the 27th.
I am just sorting out how to meet Chris so that we can ride the Rainbow on the way down.
I assume that getting to the Rally from Chch is simple enough, I am going to camp at the rally and don’t really have too much of a plan so was hoping to ride via Tekapo / Twizel.
I have so many place that I want to go on this trip, but can’t possibly fit them all in, so need to accept that some places will have to miss out,,,,,,
just 1 thing for the rainbow and the way down the chch
from hanmer springs down the pass is all 80kmh now and hell of a lot at police on the road, not that I’m speeding all the time but now it takes really time to come back to chch, especially with all the trucks and the extra traffic from blenheim / picton
OH joy, thanks for the heads up.
The only thing that really changes is the time it will take (I am not aware of any alternative route ??).
ETA Chch might be a bit later, but otherwise still the same.
Chris is confirmed so we will be meeting in St Arnaud.
I am going to spend the day of the 26th riding around in Marlbrough area, any suggestions on where to go (I will have about 6 hours)?
Its not that bad but from hanmer allow at least 2 to 2.5h and watch the speedo! Rainbow i would say 3h with some stops. I went on the end of December trough and was pretty busy there but now it should calm down.
for Marlbrough area i would say Maungatapu Track is pretty nice and anyhow on the way from the ferry to nelson, Hori bay and lake Rotoroa is may an option too. Around Picton I don’t have any idea
OK guys. I may finally do the Bannockburn Week.
Are there any guys going there, pitching base and then doing day trips around?
As there are many great rides nearby, this method appeals to me.
Cheers
Stefan
Sort of that was my plan too. i just want to see when we arrive there and then make a decision what where who
When you get down to the Rally, we need new GPS tracks for Skippers canyon, Omarama saddle, Old Dunstan Trail or anything else you ride down there.
I will do my best to record what I ride as a GPX file and will get a copy to you Eddie
Chris
I’m planning to take each day as it comes, some days I may want to go off and do my own thing, other days join the organized rides.
I think that they are pretty flexible.
The weather should be good at that time of the year, but never guaranteed, that may govern what what, when, where as much as anything.
I’m going to camp at the site, anybody done that before, what’s it like?
P.S. I will have my GPS on the bike and will record anything interesting as well (and take photos !).
I have the gps on board too and gopro.
Looks like I WILL be going. Just have to ask my gaffer if he’ll let me book a week off work; I’ll find out tomorrow (Monday). Should be sweet.
If I do go, I plan to ride The Obelisk (maybe Waikaia Bush Rd down to Piano Flat), Skippers & Macetown, The Nevis, Thompsons Gorge Rd with the Apiti Track as a side run. Obviously can’t go all that way and not do the Old Dunstan Trail & Serpentine Church Track too!
Yeah!
Hi guys.
Pretty sure there is a Nelson BMW Riders ride going down the Rainbow on Sat 25th, curving around and coming back up to the Acheron Cottage for the night, then back to Blenheim/Nelson via the Molesworth on the Sunday.
I’m hoping to go, so I’ll keep you posted on any developments.
Cheers.
Al
Make sure you tell Dave (The organiser) you are all Adventure Riding NZ members.
Will do
We are hoping to be there again next year it depends a bit on whether I change my bike in time
Chris
I’d love to be there again but unfortunately it’s only likely to happen if I win on Wednesday night.