From one gorge to the next
28. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Hug the mountain range as we go further into the Canterbury plains. Not much around besides sheep. Beautiful, sunny day - best we have had in awhile. Stop in tiny towns for lunch and the unexpectedLæs mere
A wee tromp to the waterfall
27. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Poured all night and we stayed dry. Opt to stay another day. Sun appears allowing for better mountain views. Nice trail to the waterfall but choose a very sketchy (unformed) trail to return. LuckilyLæs mere
Ashley Gorge … and a deluge
26. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Short distance to Amberly for breakfast. Load up on food and hit the country roads. Nice tailwind keeps us moving - but not fast enough to beat the downpour. On the plains there is nowhere to duck forLæs mere
Into the Waipara valley
25. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
After yesterday’s adventures, opt to get off busy main road for a bit. Unfortunately, it turns to very loose gravel and we struggle for the next 20 km. Return to the highway and breeze into Waipara.Læs mere
Beautiful scenery, treacherous roads
24. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Misty morning, this we take our time. Ride along the peninsula in search of more sea creatures. Do see some dolphins from afar and more seals. Walk amongst rocks that were displaced from most recentLæs mere
Ah, the wind at one’s back
23. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Up and out early to catch the favorable northerlies. Road is fairly quiet and has big shoulder. Roll through the brown hills and grapes until we cross over and plunge down to the sea. Ride alongsideLæs mere
And the ride resumes
22. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Spend much of the day at the campground waiting for the bike to be finished. Finally hit the road at 2:30. Ride the Whale Trail safely out of town, up the mountain and back into wine country. WindLæs mere
Wairau Lagoons
21. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Transition to campground closer to town and the bike shop (much quieter). Ride south to Wairau Lagoons. Nice walk though seems to be part of wastewater management system. Quite a few birds. BackLæs mere
White Bay
20. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Another ‘rest day’ for exploring. This time head to the coast - Rarangi. Hike up the coastal hills and drop into scenic White bay. Relax as the waves crash and tides slowly turns. Back we go -Læs mere
Wither Hills
19. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Hit a chocolate factory and farmers market before heading up into the Wither Hills. Lovely, almost 360 views of the hills surrounding us and valley below us. Sunnier and warmer than it’s been forLæs mere
Our first major mechanical
18. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
As we need to get to a bike store before it closes, get an early start to Blenheim. Beautiful and quiet coastal road gives way to busier road, winding through a valley. Livestock gives way to grapesLæs mere
Queen Charlotte track
17. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Beautiful but chilly morning. It warms up quickly once the sun clears the hills. Ride to the start of Queen Charlotte track and walk along coast and ridge line. So many colors in the water! Manage toLæs mere
To the south island we go
16. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Up early to catch our 8:45 ferry. Easy check in and boarding! Find some nice seats and get comfy for our 3 1/2 hour ride. Beautiful day for a crossing. Arrive on the South Island, get some suppliesLæs mere
Wellington: Day 2
15. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Museum Day! Walk ourselves back down to the waterfront and the Te Papa (museum of NZ). Spend the next 3+ hours in a mix of natural, cultural and social history. (The ‘people were about 8 feet tallLæs mere
Wellington: Day 1
14. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Sunny day for a tour of Wellington. Meandering up for good views and then down through the Botanical Gardens. Downtown seems very slick and modern. Even their government buildings are sleek (beehive).Læs mere
To Wellington we go
13. januar, New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C
And yes, more wind is forecasted. However, hit a cycle path almost immediately and enjoy quieter and safer riding. Though at times it is right next to the highway it is much better. Ride into smallLæs mere
More southerlies
12. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
And the wind continues. Seems to be ever present. First part of the ride into Fulton is pleasant. Visit the little main square that seems to have Dutch roots. Rest of the day is on a busy road andLæs mere
Into the wind
11. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Chilly morning but need to move on. Ride along the river and use the tunnel and elevator to top the hill out of the city. Great view and no sweating. Enjoy a quiet ride until we hit the main highway.Læs mere
Whanganui rest day
10. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Opt to stay put and check out the town. Short ride to the city and then walk around the seemingly “old” town (by NZ standards). Enjoy the vast museum, with everything from Māori canoes to 1990sLæs mere
Whanganui river road
9. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Begin ride along beautiful and quiet river. A few bigger rollers keeps us working. Stop to investigate historical sites like the flour mill. After having lunch in the free campground (not much there)Læs mere
Whanganui River
8. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Relatively quiet road as we head south and away from the mountains. Opt to ride on, first stopping at Raetihi for a snack. A woman in the cafe asks if she can buy us coffee - we graciously accept.Læs mere
Tongarino Alpine crossing
7. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Early morning wake up to catch the 6 am shuttle to the start of the hike. Quite cool out, especially with wind. Arrive at the trailhead with many other hikers and head up and into the fierce wind. SunLæs mere
Waterfall walks
6. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Amazingly sleep in until 9 - we must have been very tired! Head off on unloaded bikes toward Whakapapa Village. Stop along the way for short walk to an impressive waterfall. At the village do a longerLæs mere
Tongarino Park
5. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Though tired, decide to ride on to Tongarino Park. A short ride but mostly up. Take our time and watch as volcanoes come into view. And yes, they are snow covered. Battle the wind to Discovery LodgeLæs mere
Timber Trail: Aborted
4. januar, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
With more rain in the forecast and pinch barriers on the trail ahead opted to take the gravel road out to the main road. Pretty farmland and even with the wind, much easier riding. Even passed anLæs mere