A Nice Ride in 'Shire' Country
March 23rd 2008 08:00
The Easter break is upon us again and needing a break from the painting, I thought as it was such a nice day it would be an idea to go for a ride on the motorbike.
A work colleage suggested a route so off we went, heading out of Christchurch North along state highway 1, the traffic wasn't too bad for a Good Friday and the only thing you had to look for, were muffty cop cars and the camera vans that seem to lurk in the shadows under trees on the side of the verge.
Generally you tend to be safe at about 100-110khms although if you drive like a dangerous muppet then you will get pulled and rightly so. Best to stick to the speed limits as you pass through the village's for obvious reasons. We carried on until reaching the sign made from stones on the right hand side for the Greta Valley hotel and took the Scargill turn off on the left. This is a sealed road with good road surface, great corners with forward visability which enables you to take the racing line safely.
The scenery is pretty ace too, with rolling hills, fields, trees and lifestyle blocks and it reminded me of the 'Shire and Bag End' from the Lord of the Rings.
Typical of the road with a nice curve to the left in the top left of the pic.
trademark mirror pic of the landscape
The road then comes out at Waikari with the choice of going to Hanmer or back towards Chch? We decided to head back with a coffee stop at Amberley. The Norwester Cafe at Amberley was very busy when we arrived but we managed to get a table and ordered a triple cheese and spinich muffin with a latte. Very nice it was too and the service was excellent.
Overall a very good day and I really enjoyed the bike, as the GS prefers the wider open faster roads, instead of the Port Hills and Akaroa roads.
words and pics by Heath
A work colleage suggested a route so off we went, heading out of Christchurch North along state highway 1, the traffic wasn't too bad for a Good Friday and the only thing you had to look for, were muffty cop cars and the camera vans that seem to lurk in the shadows under trees on the side of the verge.
Generally you tend to be safe at about 100-110khms although if you drive like a dangerous muppet then you will get pulled and rightly so. Best to stick to the speed limits as you pass through the village's for obvious reasons. We carried on until reaching the sign made from stones on the right hand side for the Greta Valley hotel and took the Scargill turn off on the left. This is a sealed road with good road surface, great corners with forward visability which enables you to take the racing line safely.
The scenery is pretty ace too, with rolling hills, fields, trees and lifestyle blocks and it reminded me of the 'Shire and Bag End' from the Lord of the Rings.
trademark mirror pic of the landscape
The road then comes out at Waikari with the choice of going to Hanmer or back towards Chch? We decided to head back with a coffee stop at Amberley. The Norwester Cafe at Amberley was very busy when we arrived but we managed to get a table and ordered a triple cheese and spinich muffin with a latte. Very nice it was too and the service was excellent.
Overall a very good day and I really enjoyed the bike, as the GS prefers the wider open faster roads, instead of the Port Hills and Akaroa roads.
words and pics by Heath
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