1460kms/900mile in a day on a Pacific Island By kiwiscoot (Read 1,247 times)

[kiwiscoot]

This is to take my mind off the disaster we have here.

Early December I made an attempt at a 1000miles in 24 hours here on the South Island of New Zealand. Not an easy feat as the island is mostly mountainous with only the Canterbury Plains flat for about 160kms/100 miles. I managed 900miles/1460kms in 19 hours. This was my route:
maps.google.co.nz/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=214511498063819395849.0004964c8d175eff4262a&t=h&z=7
First go south from Christchurch to Wanaka, then west to the west coast at Haast, then up the west coast to Westport, then across to the east coast and then down home.
I left at 4am in the morning for the boring straight run south on the Canterbury Plains. Got drizzle when I hit the first mountain pass Burkes Pass. This slowed things down a bit.

i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/NZscoot/Rides/Mt Cook 29012010/th_2010-01-29.jpg[/img][/URL]

This is footage from a previous trip on the same route.Once past the lovely lakes I got sunshine at Lindis Pass

player.vimeo.com/video/20237288

Up to Wanaka in sunshine. From Wanaka had a stunning run down Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Took a long video that needs to be broken up in a few pieces to be shown.

player.vimeo.com/video/20238420

This is thru Haast Pass - pure magic with hardly any traffic. Just one twistie on another. Up the west coast I did not shoot much video as the time was marching on.
Enough for this episode. Until later - enjoy.
Kiwiscoot

[mthomas]

Beautiful ride.
I'll never get used to driving on the left side.

[mcalli]

wow, nice. You know, driving on the left side makes a lot more sense to me. Just watching the video, and getting the perspective of drivng on the left- I found it looked easier and more natural. England and france and italy, new zealand etc. so many countries drive on the left. So why did we, in the good old us of a decide to reverse the whole process. Anyone know? I did find myself holding my breath as you went around some of those curves.

Hey kwiki scoot, I think all of us (on this site) ought to save our money for one year, come half way around the world as a group, rent scoots and take a ride and a vacation with you. rofl Now here is a most serious question? Do your islands have enough scoots for us to rent? ;D I think we should all stay for 2 weeks till quikiscoot is sick of us. (just joking)

[kiwiscoot]

Here is another installment.



This is the road along Lake Hawea. Just "undescribably" beautiful.

Enjoy.

[wolfhound]

Beautiful country. Reminds me a little of WNC Blue Ridge mountains. The Haast Pass run
is a lot like our Tail of the Dragon from the NC state line down into Tn.. 318 curves in
11 miles. You have the edge on that one in that your scenery is more awsome.
It is good to ride and get the earthquake off you mind for a while.

[kiwiscoot]

Here's another 4 minute installment. Vimeo give me only 500k per week which equates to 4 minutes at a time.
Lake Hawea 2
enjoy

[tommyhasascooter]

That was great, I loved the Google file link, I used Google earth to zoom in and follow your complete trip there were some really great hills and valley's up and down.
I used to GPS my MTB rides through the Mtns. here in Asheville, blue ridge parkway, although your route is much longer and more fun,

[Hammerspur]

Feb 25, 2011 15:14:18 GMT -6 mcalli said:

England and france and italy, new zealand etc. so many countries drive on the left. So why did we, in the good old us of a decide to reverse the whole process. Anyone know?

I look at it this way...
WE drive on the right side, SO
THEY must be driving on the wrong side! ;D

Nice report/vids K!!

[kiwiscoot]

Now lets not start a war here. Each just stick to his side of the road...

This one especially to cure earthman's vertigo ;D



This is Lake Wanaka, just next to Lake Hawea. This gives and indication of how difficult it is to do a 1000miles in a day with no straight roads. Most of the way was like this. Remember too that the posted suggested speeds on the road signs before sharp twisties are in km/h.
Enjoy - just gave me the urge to ride after watching it again... ;D