Re: Touring The South Island of New Zealand

["Jonathan Schulster" <Schulster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

All the rest is true, but as of 1999 the roads are in truely appalling condition.  Some bright spark at the NZ roads ministry decided to stretch the bitumen by adding kerosene to it; this melts at about 20C, so you have nice liquid tar all over the roads, especially on the corners. Just to improve on this the 'fix' is to cover this liquid slurry in loose gravel!
Our no. 3 rider on tour #9901 ended up in Christchurch via air ambulance with one broken leg and one broken ankle; he was lucky to get out without with both still attached.  I'm not saying don't go, but if you do take some off-road lessons first or BE VERY CAREFUL.  Another 'road hazard' (also true in Oz) is that the really great off-road sections are covered in used engine oil by the farmers to keep the dust down; when you return to tarmac you have next to zero grip, especially if its raining (which it often does).
...and if you miss all of those the 3 converging flocks of 10,000 sheep near Queenstown are certain to surprise you :)

NZ was still the best tour I ever did; the best roads (for bends), least traffic and most incredible scenary imaginable; it was so good I want to go again next year.  I just hope they change/improve their road maintenance policy before they get so bad as to require a trailie bike.  Btw, the Sprint ST is of course the favoured form of transport;  John Fitzwater has a few for hire :)

cheers
Jonathan


>>> "Lance LaCerte, Psy.D." <LACPSYD@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 17/04/99 08:09:03 >>>
My 2 cents on the South Island,

Took a 2 week Edelweiss bike tour of the South Island a couple of years ago.
Without a doubt, one of the best rides I have ever done (that includes all
over the U.S., and several tours in Europe).  The South Island is not only
lovely, but the roads are in good shape, there is nobody down there --- we
rode for hours and passed cars every 20-30 minutes, and the people, without
exception were the friendliest we have encountered ---- as an added bonus,
Queenstown is a blast --- bunging jumping that'll either stop or jump start
your heart, jet boat boating on the local rivers, etc., etc., etc.   If you
ever get a chance to ride there, don't pass it up.

Lance LaCerte,  Denver, CO   (With the extra fast red ST at the dealer
waiting for me, but I won't give them one cent over my $200 deposit, until
they replace the centerstand [some idiot in their parts department didn't
know what the replacement centerstands were and apparently sent them back!],
and replace the engine bolts!!!!)
- -----Original Message-----




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