About 
Skyriders are a loose group of motorcyclists drawn from the businesses that are located within the Christchurch Airport campus.We are bosses & employees from various companies out at the airport from Air New Zealand to the airport company, from Christchurch Engine Centre to Antarctica NZ, from Airways Corporation to the rental car & campervan businesses, from Airport Fire Service to Grant Thornton Accountants, from Airport Police to Air NZ, from the freight & logistics warehouses to the Antarctic Attraction.If your employer is located within the boundaries of the aerial map to the right, and you're interested in being on the database for the periodic Skyrider rides, then contact us through this web site and register your name.There is no membership fee & all riders, regardless of bike type, brand or size are welcome to be on the database. Emails are sent to you alerting you to a new ride coming up and suggesting you have a look at this site for further details.
Ride Calendar
Jun - 1 Sun 19 Jun
Ride: "Two Passes"
Time: 8:00am
Depart: Antarctic Centre carpark
Distance: 601 kms
Route: Chch > Arthur's Pass (pie & pee) > Jacksons > Lady Lake shortcut to Nelson Creek Rd > Lake Haupiri & Kopara > Reefton (fuel + late lunch) > Lewis Pass > Hurunui Pub (ride debrief) > Chch
ETA Chch: 6:00pm
Jun - 2 Ride ReportSkyriders "Two Passes" ridePerfect riding conditions faced the enthusiastic Skyriders bunch at the Antarctic Centre carpark at 8:00am on Sunday morning. At least they would have been perfect if not for the fog, sleety mist, single digit temperatures and threat of rain.Heated grips on 3, the riders set out for the mountains and struck glorious sunshine, if not a little parky, halfway to Springfield. One Skyrider came head to head with an impatient local on a one-lane bridge, thus separating the group for a while.With no traffic on the road and the tops covered in fresh snow it was classic winter riding through to Arthur's where the traditional pie and coffee warmed frozen fingertips at the tearooms. Several visits outside had to be made by the F650GS Skyrider as the keas took a liking to his top box and anything rubber.Over the Pass to the Jacksons turnoff and the bracing yet sunny waether smiled on the bunch as they went off-tarmac through Lady Lake Reserve at Rotomanu on the Brunner road, taking the well worn shortcut through to Nelson Creek road.As time was with us we deviated to the majestic Lake Haupiri and on to the quirky village of Kopara, which incidentally is for sale, that's the whole 76Ha village property, for $439k. This place is the true 'handyman's dream'.A fast drag through to the main Greymouth road and up to Reefton with a certain V-Strom chugging on fumes by the time the Reefton Challenge station hove into view.More pies & other healthy refreshments at the Reefton Bakery, then dodging showers through to Springs.The drag over the Lewis was anything but a drag and the bunch clipped along on song through to the Hurunui Pub, a log fire and the traditional Skyrider ride debrief over a 12oz well-earned ale. The businesslike ride back to Chch was in the dark and spitting with rain. You've got to love winter riding.A tremendous day out to blow away the cobwebs and crank up those dwindling bike batteries caused by too many weeks parked in the garage.
Jul - 1 Sun 17 Jul
Ride: "Peninsula Pootle"
Time: 10:00am
Depart: Antarctic Centre carpark
Distance: 200 kms
Surface: All sealed
Route: Chch > Summit Rd > Little River (pie & pee stop) > Hilltop > Summit Rd > Little Akaloa > Chorlton > Okains Bay > Akaroa (late lunch) > Chch
ETA Chch: 4:00pm
Jul - 2 Ride ReportSkyriders "Peninsula Pootle" ride Another magic riding day with a warm wintry sun allowing riders to only have their heated grips on 2.The dedicated bunch set off from the Antarctic Centre and grouped up again at the Sign of the Kiwi. The Summit Rd along to Gebbies Pass was spattered with cyclists, loose grit and what everyone was convinced was black ice but was probably just glistening patches of road seal. It was a fast trot through to Little River and up to Hilltop. It got a bit cloudy and a hell of a lot more gritty. You had to pick your lines carefully avoiding the dusty grit and the possibility of an oncoming 4WD around blind bends on the Summit Rd.Almost at Little Akaloa and a healthy looking mob of sheep on the narrow road forced the Skyriders to switch off and almost nod off as it was impossible not to start counting sheep.A nice little detour up the narrow sealed Decanter Bay Rd overlooking Little Akaloa Bay to the headland by Brockworth, and back down again, and the riders were heading over to Okains Bay.Up to the Summit Rd, down to Robinsons Bay, up to Hilltop, down to Little River.. this was a ride in perpetual 4th gear. A pie and coffee at Little River & the homeward blat commenced.4 hours messing about the wonderful sealed byways of the Peninsula on a warm Canterbury day.. all Skyriders agreed it was better than mowing the lawn at home.
Aug-1 Sun 21 Aug
Ride: "North Canterbury Canter"
Time: 10:00am
Depart: Antarctic Centre carpark
Distance: 300 kms
Surface: All sealed
Route: Chch > Waiau > Leader Rd > Cheviot (lunch + fuel > Gore Bay > Chch
ETA Chch: 4:00pm
Aug-2 
Click to enlarge route map
Page 17 Next ride
Ride: "Asley Explorer"
Time: 5.30pm
Depart: Antarctic Centre carpark
Distance: 100 kms
Surface: All sealed, emphasis on twisty rural back roads
Route: Chch > Woodend > Cust > Oxford (fish n chips > Ashley Gorge > Loburn > Chch
ETA Chch: 8.30pm
Pick of the last ride pics Click to enlarge
Skyrider on BMW F650GS caught in flock of sheep at Little Akaloa. Didn't know whether to count them or ....
