The story about the 2000km in 2 days in New Zealand!It was a dark and stormy morning.................. no not really!!In January a few of us decided to do the TT2000 http://tt2000.org/index.htm  that was coming March.Short history about the TT...Simply put, the TT2000 is an annual challenge thrown out to any motorcyclist who is interested in long-distance riding and would like to join others in a road ride covering 2,000 kms in a weekend. It is not exactly an Iron Butt Rally nor is it the Long Way Down “Under”. Each year the Christchurch > Christchurch route changes.  The 2010 route was in the northern half of the South Island. The ride would be described as a fairly challenging road trip spanning two days in some of the country's best scenery.  Sign out time was between 06:00 and 08:00 and sign back between 18:00 and 22:00 to qualify for a ticket to continue the next day. On Friday Paul on his Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC, Kobus on his Yamaha XJR 1300 with his son Christiaan as pillion and then me (Tharon) on my  BMW R1150GS Adventure ( From Lyndhurst BMW ) set off from Mosgiel to Christchurch. Stayed in backpackers and had a spit in the local pub for dinner. The talk of the night was all about the ride and some tactics.Day one. Start at Christchurch at 06:00.Saturday morning was a early “rise and shine” for us at 04:00am with temperatures at a low of 4 degrees but we had to get to the sign out station at the local Honda shop to receive the day’s compulsory stops where a photo had to be taken as evidence of our ride. We decided to take the Western route. The route would take us to Rakaia, Methaven and over the Arthurs Pass to Kumara.  We passed Springfield and saw Homers donut!!! In Arthurs Pass we stopped to have a break, refuel the bikes and our own tanks and have a catch up with some of the other bikers. Arthurs Pass.Then it was off to Ikamatua, Blackball, and Punakaiki next to the coast. The next stop was Karamea a 180km ride both ways over a very winding pass. The next stop was Motueka where we arrived in the dark. Quick stop, photo and refuel and off to the sign-in post at Honda in Nelson where we arrived at 21:20.It was off to the backpackers for a refreshing shower and dinner and then to bed for the next day’s 06:00 start again. There was not much talking the night and everyone was in bed early, nursing some stiff muscles.  Sunday was another early rise for us to be on time for the sign out. So the route for the day was from Nelson to Takaka for the first stop of the day. But to get to Takaka was another story...... A very winding pass with hair bend corners which took us 2 ½ hours to complete.Then it was off to Picton for the next stop. Did not stay long and we were on the way to Murchison for the next stop. This route took us through the wine country of Blenheim. Cops around every corner as the speed limit on highways are only 100km/H. So if you do not want to loose your bike and license for 28 days, you do stick to the speed limit!!Stop at Murchison has us taking a breather for lunch and fuel and then off to Hanmer Springs. The road was excellent with temperatures rising to 34. Photo time at Hanmer Springs.After visiting the holiday town it was off to Kaikoura. Now this is where the “fuel tanker” (BMW Adventure 30lt fuel tank) was hijacked by Paul.....wonder why??? Well could not leave the old biker stranded in the middle of the road could I ??!!! The hijacked “fuel tanker” next to the Suzuki.Kaikoura was a very quick stop for fuel and collecting the evidence needed and we set off to Christchurch to be in time for the cut off time. We left Kaikoura in the dark at 19:30 to Christchurch. Well we arrived for the final sign in at 21:40 at the Honda shop, what a relief to be in time – phew !!. The evidence was checked before certificates were handed over!!!!  Wow, an awesome ride and experience and it were time for the complimentary BBQ and drinks. Do not forget the photo session. Done and dusted.It was almost the end of the weekend for us. Monday it was a sleep-in and the tired bodies only got out of bed at 09:00. It was time to pack up and head off to Dunedin. Overall the ride was as previously said, awesome and it was good to meet other bikers and not to mention all the interesting little towns that were visited. The overall distance covered was 2980km for the 4 days. Fuel consumption was 17.44 km/lt.Results as follows:- Total no. of entrants registering at Sat morning checkpoint = 105 (North Is = 39; South Is = 66) Riders finishing TT2000 = 91Bike brands represented: Suzuki 24,Honda 24,Kawasaki 13,Triumph 13,Yamaha 10,BMW 9,Aprilia 4,Ducati 3,Buell 2,KTM 1,Rewaco trike 1,Gilera Nexus 1. Already talking about and planning for the next TT.