The trip starts at lunchtime today – looks like I’m heading into a severe rain forecast for Nelson Lakes. Bugger.
My route will take me from Picton to St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes. The Antique and Classic Boat show is held there every year on the first weekend of March. This is their tenth anniversary, and I have photographed the event nearly every year.
On Sunday I’ll leave there and head for Fox Glacier – this is a long ride, but because I have done the West Coast many times I won’t feel the need to be stopping to sight see.
Monday is an early start – trying to get as far south as Jackson Bay (the furthest south you can drive on the West Coast). Google maps suggests a two hour driving time one way Haast to Jackson – so maybe time will be against me as I’m trying to get to Queenstown for Monday night. I’ve never done the Haast highway so I’m looking forward to that. 5 day forecast doesn’t look too hot for that region – more rain.
Tuesday I’ll leave Queenstown and head for Tekapo. Depending on local intelligence I’ll either do the Lindis Pass (easy) or Dansey’s Pass (easy too but gravel all the way). Danseys Pass will bring me out near Kurow where I can either do the Hakataramea Pass road (this is where I’ll need the help of the locals due to having to cross river fords). If it’s been raining then I might go via Omarama cos the last thing I want to do is tip the bike over in a river, especially since I’m travelling solo.
Wednesday travel from Tekapo to Christchurch via an inland Canterbury route. Keen to go via Mount Somers – my great grandfather had the first general store there so it’s my whakapapa.
Thursday will be a leisurely ride up the coast back to Picton for an early evening sailing on the Interislander.
I’ll be updating this blog via my cell phone – unfortunately this means no pictures, but I’ll update the posts when I get back.