Radioman Rides the World.......

[clintnz]

Good stuff, keep it up! A dry run on the west coast is a thing to be savoured.

Originally Posted by Radioman

The huts are for mountain climbers. We saw several along the way up the glaciers. Would be a great place to stay the night !

If you go to Mt Cook Village on the other side of the mountains in your travels ask about Mueller Hut at the info centre. The track goes straight from the village so you should be able to find somewhere that would look after the bike. Over summer there's not usually any snow on the route so it's an easy overnighter if you have the means to carry your sleeping bag, warm clothes, some food & utensils. You absolutely need good weather though.

Cheers
Clint

[petefromberkeley]

Originally Posted by Idahosam

Just catching up Mark, dude......your killing me... NZ but in a good way.

+1

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by petefromberkeley

+1

Sam Pete

[Radioman]

Had a great ride down the coast then turned inland as I headed for Queenstown.

More blue sky and sunshine





Last beach town on the west coast. Haast Beach



Had to go down and take a little walk on the beach



Isolated beach... no people around at this time. Peaceful!



Then up along the river and heading to the mountain pass.





Along lake Wanaka



Through Wanaka the town, and down through the Crown Range and a steep grade down into Queenstown



Nice warm day....



Arrived queenstown and found my friends Dick and Diana who are generously taking care of me at I travel NZ .... It is wonderful as I meet up with them in different places in NZ

A view from their deck! The Remarkables in all their glory!



So wonderful to connect with Dick and Diana again. Here is a photo Dick took of Diana and me in Karamea!! All smiles to see each other again



We went to lunch at one of their favorite wineries. Wonderful food and conversations!





Then a stop to watch the Bungy Jumpers....





Looking down from the bridge!



Funny little bar....



Yesterday evening I met up with Arnout who was one of my shipmates when I went to Antarctica! He is from the netherlands and is still traveling as well. Are schedules aligned so we were able to have dinner together!



Nice dinner of Blue Cod grilled. We ate at Fishbone in downtown Queenstown.





Then stopped for a terrible game of pool..... It was great to see Arnout again and share some travel stories!

[woodly1069]

Yo Mark since I am a little late to the party I am only at the point in your story where you are doing the Trans Lab and wondering about the surface. Do they do things similar to what they do in Alaska? Meaning mixing calcium chloride in with the dirt and gravel to make a good hard surface that makes a MESS of your bike. It's been almost a year and my bike still has that stuff in places. I don't remember the gravel/dirt roads in western Canada being as messy as those in Alaska but it's only because the bike was already so grubby. Just wonderin', thanks and continue to enjoy your journey!

[rjmorel]

so did you bungy jump ????? rj

[TowPro]

Originally Posted by rjmorel

so did you bungy jump ????? rj

I can picture the "Radioman Jump" on the end of a rubber band

I can also hear the photographer saying "Oh wait, I didn't get the picture, can you do it again"

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by woodly1069

Trans Lab and wondering about the surface. Do they do things similar to what they do in Alaska?

The surface was gravel only I think. Was dusty but I do not think they had added anything else! Enjoy the reading, wow Translab was so ling ago!

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by rjmorel

so did you bungy jump ????? rj

no bungy jump for me.... but maybe something else! it's the land of outdoor adventure options!

[Radioman]

Awoke to another clear, blue sky day.



have just started having a little intermittent starting problem. Started a few days ago. Bike was just cracking with no ignition. Turned key on and off.... and she then ran all day long. Googled the issue with some results. and also called Sebastian at Experience BMW and talked through the possibilities. The side stand switch seemed most responsible. Took it off and zip tied it on the run position and then road all day and had no issues. Hopefully that will be it.

Just not wanting to get stuck in a remote place and not be able to start the bike.

Headed up the lake to Glenochy.





Then got on the gravel road heading to Dart River





And a few water crossings



Arrive at the end of the road...

Not a bad place to ride



Worth a big jump!!



Big spaces and mountains



Just stunning !





On the way down this road..... I could see where I needed to stop



LOL GPS got me to Paradise





It is a nice homestead nestled amongst the mountains and rivers.



The homestead dog "Karuhu" took the walk up the hill to see the mountains.







Just so much to take in on this ride today. The natural beauty is beyond words. It is remote, quiet and peaceful !!

Then back up along the lake toward Queenstown to explore some other off road areas.



Found the entrance to Skippers Road which was an old gold mining town in the mid 1800's.



Looks like a good place to ride



Exploring



Down the valley it goes





Nice view down to the Shotover river Famous for it's jet boat tours and white water rafting closer to town.





Spectacular scenery



Bridge just before I get to the old settlement



Very High bridge!



View from near settlement!



Found the site. Looked at the buildings and school. Was s booming town at the time, with school, hotels, bank etc.





It has long since abandoned except the historical values!





Rode back out the canyons, and I quick ride to the top of the sky area. Wonderful twisty roads!



Staying with my friends Dick and Diana in Queenstown has been great! Getting a chance to relax, explore on day trips and enjoy our conversations and time together!

[capeklr]

Mark on the staring issue, check that the battery terminals are secure.

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by capeklr

Mark on the staring issue, check that the battery terminals are secure.

It is cranking just fine. Some electrical shut off of the fuel I think.....

[Mr. Fisherman]

Side stand switch is the first thing that comes off my new to me bikes.

I hope your starting troubles are over.

That approach to the mountains reminded me of Red Rock heading to the Continental Divide on my last trip.

Awesome as usual, thanks for the updates.

[Dracula]

Originally Posted by Radioman

It is cranking just fine. Some electrical shut off of the fuel I think.....

I am sure you don't need yet another tool in your luggage, but GS-911 tool from hexcode.co.za may be something worth considering. I have absolutely no affiliation with the vendor, just really love the ability to diagnose my own GS on the road or read/reset codes when I service it. There is a large knowledge archive for the tool usage at groups.google.com/group/GS-911. Of course that won't help with a failed EFI pump controller if you didn't carry the part, but at least you would know the cause. On GS1200 there is a way (a jumper wire) to bypass the fuel pump controller in case the controller turns out to be the culprit.
Hopefully the side stand switch was it.

Best,
Vic

[Radioman]

Originally Posted by Dracula

I am sure you don't need yet another tool in your luggage, but GS-911 tool from hexcode.co.za may be something worth considering.

Hello Vic, I have one with me but have yet to need it. Also I am a MAC guy so it does not connect with MAC, so I need to find a PC guy to hook it up to. Will do so soon!