From one gorge to the next
28 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 unexpected Czytaj więcej
A wee tromp to the waterfall
27 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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. Luckily Czytaj więcej
Ashley Gorge … and a deluge
26 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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 for Czytaj więcej
Into the Waipara valley
25 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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. Czytaj więcej
Beautiful scenery, treacherous roads
24 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Ah, the wind at one’s back
23 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
And the ride resumes
22 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Wairau Lagoons
21 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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 Czytaj więcej
White Bay
20 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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 - Czytaj więcej
Wither Hills
19 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Our first major mechanical
18 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Queen Charlotte track
17 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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 Czytaj więcej
To the south island we go
16 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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 Czytaj więcej
Wellington: Day 2
15 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Wellington: Day 1
14 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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). Czytaj więcej
To Wellington we go
13 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ 🌬 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 Czytaj więcej
More southerlies
12 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Into the wind
11 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ⛅ 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. Czytaj więcej
Whanganui rest day
10 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Whanganui river road
9 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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) Czytaj więcej
Whanganui River
8 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☀️ 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. Czytaj więcej
Tongarino Alpine crossing
7 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Waterfall walks
6 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Tongarino Park
5 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej
Timber Trail: Aborted
4 stycznia, Nowa Zelandia ⋅ ☁️ 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 Czytaj więcej