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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Day 574
Friday, January 24, 2025
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 51 m
New Zealand Cheviot -42.810479, 173.26479942°48’38” S 173°15’53” E
Beautiful scenery, treacherous roads
January 24 in 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 recent earthquake. Head south along the coastline and get some up close views of seal friends. Road becomes more narrow, especially as we head inland. Make it to Cheviot - barely. Find a lovely campground and opt for a nice cabin.Read more
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Day 573
Thursday, January 23, 2025
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 15 m
New Zealand Lyell Creek -42.395302, 173.6798442°23’43” S 173°40’47” E
Ah, the wind at one’s back
January 23 in 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 alongside with the mountains, close on the right. Seems to be an alp ridge in the middle of this island. After a lunch spot find ourselves amongst the fur seals - with babies! Long day but make it 64 miles to Kaikoura. Lovely fish dinner.Read more
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Day 572
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 95 m
New Zealand Seddon -41.671867, 174.06989441°40’19” S 174°4’12” E
And the ride resumes
January 22 in 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. Wind slows us down but only have to go to Seddon, 20 miles or so. Set up in tiny Motor camp - squished between others.Read more
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Day 571
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 12 m
New Zealand Riversdale -41.502472, 173.96090241°30’9” S 173°57’39” E
Wairau Lagoons
January 21 in 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. Back through town, drop off bike and have local green tip mussels for dinner.Read more
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Day 570
Monday, January 20, 2025
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 12 m
New Zealand Spring Creek -41.458307, 173.96118841°27’30” S 173°57’40” E
White Bay
January 20 in 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 - though have a nice tailwind on our way to the campground.Read more
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Day 569
Sunday, January 19, 2025
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Spring Creek -41.457561, 173.95503241°27’27” S 173°57’18” E
Wither Hills
January 19 in 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 for awhile but still windy. Finish our adventures at a winery - of course. Nice first day of being “stuck”.Read more
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Day 568
Saturday, January 18, 2025
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 16 m
New Zealand Rapaura -41.463568, 173.92568241°27’49” S 173°55’32” E
Our first major mechanical
January 18 in 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 grapes as we enter one of the premier wine regions. Zip past the wineries - for now. Wait for awhile at the bike shop to then be told it will take 5 days to order the rim, wait for it and then rebuild his wheel. No other options. Make our way to Spring Creek Campground - nice place though on top of busy road.Read more
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Day 567
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 16 m
New Zealand Mahakipawa -41.288615, 173.88712741°17’19” S 173°53’14” E
Queen Charlotte track
January 17 in 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 to get in up the knees - barely. Back to our campground.Read more
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Day 566
Thursday, January 16, 2025
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 16 m
New Zealand Mahakipawa -41.288726, 173.88719941°17’19” S 173°53’14” E
To the south island we go
January 16 in 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 supplies and ride west along the coast to Smith family farms campground. Greeted with banana muffins, a towel and food to feed the animals. After f d inner, walk to the waterfalls and the glow worms.Read more
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Day 565
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 101 m
New Zealand Kaiwharawhara -41.26023, 174.77754941°15’37” S 174°46’39” E
1
Wellington: Day 2
January 15 in 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 tall and so life like. Done by Weta studio). Emerge into the sunshine and walk to Mount Victoria lookout and seek out LOTR filming sites. Another stop on the beer route and we are back on the bus towards our ‘home’.Read more
Traveler I love this!
1/16/25Reply
Helene RimbergHe makes a good deep sea creature
1/17/25Reply
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Day 564
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 81 m
New Zealand Kaiwharawhara -41.260767, 174.77812641°15’39” S 174°46’41” E
1 1
Wellington: Day 1
January 14 in 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). Walk along waterfront and hang out at a bit of sand for a moment. Water is very chilly. Back through town for a beer stop. After 9 miles of walking opt to take bus back up to our flat. Nice touristy day.Read more
Hannah Boe Duckies! 🦆
1/16/25Reply
Traveler Hi
1/16/25Reply
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Day 563
Monday, January 13, 2025
🌬 16 °C
Altitude: 159 m
New Zealand Wilton -41.275607, 174.75884941°16’32” S 174°45’32” E
To Wellington we go
January 13 in 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 small towns and lovely parks. Follow the beautiful coastline up until we hit the suburbs of Wellington. Struggle up the last climbs to our Airbnb. But we made it.Read more
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Day 562
Sunday, January 12, 2025
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Golden Coast -40.754747, 175.14329640°45’17” S 175°8’36” E
1
More southerlies
January 12 in 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 and into the wind. Make it to Otago and opt to splurge a bit on an indoor flat. Nice to get out of the wind.Read more
Traveler 🤣
1/16/25Reply
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Day 561
Saturday, January 11, 2025
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 11 m
New Zealand Kaikokopu Stream -40.369114, 175.22838240°22’9” S 175°13’42” E
Into the wind
January 11 in 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. Carefully continue on. Stop in Bulls for lunch and though we consider a bus, push on into the wind. Take a circuitous path to keep us off the highway but the wind is formidable. Opt to stop at Himitangi beach.Read more
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Day 560
Friday, January 10, 2025
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Mangaone Stream -39.93345, 175.05715439°56’0” S 175°3’26” E
Whanganui rest day
January 10 in 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 1990s fashion.Read more
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Day 559
Thursday, January 9, 2025
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 10 m
New Zealand Mangaone Stream -39.933875, 175.05663339°56’2” S 175°3’24” E
Whanganui river road
January 9 in 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) opt to continue on to Whanganui. Check into another Top10, overrun with teenage rowers.Read more
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Day 558
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 72 m
New Zealand Kaukore Stream -39.478026, 175.0439439°28’41” S 175°2’38” E
Whanganui River
January 8 in 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. Very long and very windy downhill to Pipiriki and Whanganui river and lovely, bike friendly campground. Spend the afternoon hanging out in the cozy reading room and kitchen.Read more
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Day 557
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 1,692 m
New Zealand Blue Lake -39.130555, 175.65885739°7’50” S 175°39’32” E
Tongarino Alpine crossing
January 7 in 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. Sun tries to come out but we climb into a cloud. Difficult to see much of anything. Pretty brutal conditions but press on. Make it to Red Crater - the top - and quickly slide down the scree with hordes of others. Nice views of alpine lakes. As we descend it gets clearer and less windy. Nice, warm lunch spot looking out to Taupo lake. Hike through forest to the trail end (19 km later) and hop on our shuttle. Relax in the sunshine for the rest of the day.Read more
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Day 556
Monday, January 6, 2025
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 881 m
New Zealand Nga Puketurua -39.166834, 175.48188639°10’1” S 175°28’55” E
Waterfall walks
January 6 in 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 longer walk to Taranaki falls. Nice views of the mountains as well. Skies cloud up as zip back down again. An active “rest day “.Read more
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Day 555
Sunday, January 5, 2025
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 886 m
New Zealand Nga Puketurua -39.167006, 175.48388739°10’1” S 175°29’2” E
Tongarino Park
January 5 in 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 Lodge and our camping hut.Read more
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Day 554
Saturday, January 4, 2025
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 163 m
New Zealand Matahanea Stream -38.881787, 175.3066638°52’54” S 175°18’24” E
Timber Trail: Aborted
January 4 in 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 an alpaca farm. Made it to Tauramina, and set up in nice campground by the river.Read more
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Day 553
Friday, January 3, 2025
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 443 m
New Zealand Pangopangonui Stream -38.640366, 175.49145538°38’25” S 175°29’29” E
Timber Trail: Day 1
January 3 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Got an early start which was helpful as we had the trail to ourselves for quite awhile. I would consider this a hiking trail which made for challenging riding with a fully loaded bike. Eventually other riders caught up with us and zoomed ahead on e-bikes or mountain bikes. Rain began making the trail muddy. Add a few terrifying suspension bridges and it was a banner day. Made it to our campground and set up before more rain. Ate nice dinner at nearby lodge.Read more
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Day 552
Thursday, January 2, 2025
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 565 m
New Zealand Waimiha Stream -38.513953, 175.55819138°30’50” S 175°33’29” E
To the start of the Timber trail
January 2 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Take our time getting out - things go slower with out camp kitchens. Ride along the river and to town of Mangakino where we restock food. Head up and into the wind to make our way to Pureora forest and campground at the start of Timber trail.Read more
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Day 551
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 240 m
New Zealand Whakamaru -38.420532, 175.87739638°25’14” S 175°52’39” E
Happy 2025
January 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Beautiful morning though the chill is still in the air. Pack up and head once more towards town and then out along relatively quiet HWY 30. Pass through rolling farmland and small mountain ranges. Hop on Waikato cycle trail - a windy and undulating cycle trail along the river. Stop at free campground - Dunham reserve.Read more
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Day 550
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 281 m
New Zealand New Geyser -38.151619, 176.26577838°9’6” S 176°15’57” E
Forest hike and Polynesian spa
December 31, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Another short ride to Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest. Great big California redwoods! Do a circuit walk and then relax in the hot pools of the Polynesian spa. Celebrate NYE with nice dinner on the Barbie.Read more
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