After receiving the latest Rusty trumpet, I'm thinking I might skip the Grand Challenge, and sign up for the southern cross

Some info from the rusty site http://www.rustynuts.co.nz

Skip the GC .. mm Why not just do the Fastest Indian Munrow? Memorial thing in Invercargill

I've got a work mate who maybe keen :)

Cor blimey, thats a big ride!!! Although, by then i should be fully upgraded and have settled into my new bike nicely  8)

I will, however, have to obey All speed limits  :- but we always do that here at McRides anyway

does that mean you won't be joining me warr?

All rides are interesting and worthy of consideration :)

But firstly what component of the GC do you think it lacks that the Southern Cross has.

limited amounts of money .. I can't do both really

Dude - March has gone, your talking next year
GC this year - almost 6 months apart

so you'll be joining me then?

I am planning on doing the GC this year

so you won't do both?

Mm lets see

Night
1 - Ohope
2 - Hamilton
3 - Warkworth
4 - Feliding
5 - Dunedin

Have to look at the distances and drive times

correction .. added Warkworth

I can get accomodation free of charge in:
Ohope
Feilding
Dunedin (sorry he lives in CHCH not Dunedin)

Not sure where to stay in Hamilton though ;)

Stopping at Feilding could work. Want to get the first ferry which get you to Piction at ~10am then long drive to a) Dunedin

Cape Reinga______
Feilding__________ 925 10
Wellington / Picton 157 1.8
Dunedin__________ 691 8
Bluff_____________ 231 2.5 2087 31

b) stop in Oamaru. .... This would be my preference

Cape Reinga______
Feilding__________ 925 10
Wellington / Picton 157 1.8
Dunedin__________ 578 6
Bluff_____________ 344 3.8 2087 31

Distances & times off Wise Maps

Night
1 - Ohope
2 - Hamilton
3 - Warkworth
4 - Feliding
5 - Dunedin

Because Feilding is 10 hours from Cape Reinga, need to minimise morning riding on the up leg to the Cape. 
From Cape Road, Pungarehu, Taranaki (> Whangarei 6hrs,565k's) , or (> Kaitaia 8hrs,718k's)

Even if you made the Cape Reinga checkpoint at 11am it would be 9pm before you got to Feilding. Tis State H/Way so not hard riding.

Cor all that rushing. Sounds like we need to make our own one, where we get to stop and look at the country side, drink some beer and sleep on a beach

I think you're missing a day.


Night of the 22nd ohope
check in 23rd east cape

night of the 23rd hamilton
check in 24th cape egmont

Night of the 24th warworth
check in 25th cape reinga

Night of the 25th hamilton
Night of the 26th wellington (or picton would be nice)
Night of the 27th dunedin (or christchurch maybe)
28th check in at bluff

Doing this myself and because i live in Ashhurst i,ll be riding from Cape Rianga to Ashhust in the afternoon, sleep in and catch the afternoon ferry the next day. leaving plenty of time to wander down south

We'll be coming home that day too - convoy?