Oamaru to Christchurch, Auckland | Time Out 2021-22 Drive Fly

Robin Capper

01 Mar 2022 — 6 min read

Packed up and headed into Oamaru before rush hour, but only just! I met writer/broadcaster Allan Dick, & partner Helen, for breakfast. Have been reading his writing for decades and used to listen when he was on Auckland Radio. He founded several local magazines: DRIVER, CLASSIC DRIVER and NZ Today. Now semi-retired he still writes for CLASSIC DRIVER and NZ Today, now known as 'NZToday RV Lifestyle' after it merged with another title, about his travels around NZ. Having 'known' Allan via media, more recently Facebook, for years it was great to meet person.

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Christchurch repair logistics

I was staying overnight at Lincoln, South of Christchurch, but had some broken gear to get sorted: two bikes and the air bag light on the car.

All through COVID bike workshops have been busy. I'd phoned ahead and The Bike Shop, Burwood, said they could do the repairs while I was back in Auckland (for about 10 days). The gravel bike had a broken Shimano 105 shift lever and a stuck through axle on the mountain bike. Graeme fit me into his schedule and sorted both, sourcing appropriate parts (not easy), and got me back in the saddle ready for the next leg. Impressive service, very reasonable prices, and assistance much appreciated.

I'd joined the Canterbury Fiat Club before heading South in case any of their events coincided with my travels. They put me onto an auto-electrician with a scanner to read the Bravo's old, pre-OBD standard, Fiat specific diagnostics to trace/repair the problem and reset the airbag light. The fault turned out to be a corroded connection contact, once found (no mean feat), a simple fix.

'Leg Two', Otago Canterbury done.

Completion of the South Island Otago/Canterbury Leg gave a total of 4664km cycling for the Time Out summer (since Sept). 'Rental bike' appears in the list as had left MTB in Alexandra (with a stuck through axle) and then the gravel bike rear gear shift lever stopped working at the end of the Roxburgh Gorge ride. Rented a bike from the Roxburgh Pharmacy (yes really!) to continue with the Gorge and Clutha Gold trail rides.

Christchurch and home

Next day, on the (long) way to the airport, we went up the Port Hills to "Sign of the Kiwi Café" for brunch. Usually the views are spectacular but Christchurch's miserable summer/autumn (at least when I was there) denied us that today.

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The French Toast was worth the drive irrespective of the weather.

Sign of the Kiwi French Toast worth the drive!

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While we dined the weather cleared, even saw the view!

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But this trail walk (opposite the café) was cut short by heavy rain.

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Passed the anti-COVID 'Mandate' camp, although as large didn't seem to get the coverage of the Parliament grounds one.

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My airport 'cockups'

My routine stroll through airport security was interrupted by a request for a bag inspection. They found a small multi-tool, in a backpack pocket within a pocket, which I didn't know was in there and decided it qualified as a 'knife'. I didn't bother arguing but thought odd as had been in there for the other flights to/from Christchurch!

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Leaving Christchurch.

Christchurch weather improves as I leave

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Somewhere near Mullsworth?

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Lovely view of Raglan, a long weekend cycling there back in July 2021 was when this trip came to mind.

Lovely view of the Pipiwharauroa Windfarm & Trail, near Raglan, with windmills spread along the ridge.

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Lovely view of the Pipiwharauroa Windfarm & Trail (Raglan)

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There's a walk/cycle track, mix of access road and farm trail, to the windfarm.

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After crossing the Waikato River, near Port Waikato, we turned North and headed over the harbour for an 05R approach over the Manukau Harbour. Not sure why, a wind change?

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Approach to Auckland Airport; Ihumatao, Onehunga & Rangitoto in the far distance

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Home again, for a while

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Lost, stolen, Laundry...

Years ago, I read you should always photograph your car before leaving it in long term parking. Inadvertently that became an extremely useful thing.

I, stupidly, totally forgot I had checked a bag until got in my car. By the time I got back to the terminal there was no sign of it. The Air NZ baggage counter said they would have picked up left luggage from the carousel but didn't have it. To cut a long story short it was found, from camera footage, someone about the time of the next flight had taken it off the carousel, never to be seen again. After filing a lost luggage report, police incident, eventually my travel insurance covered the loss. Air NZ didn't as they had fulfilled their contract by getting it to the airport (fair enough).

Somebody out there got a bag with old cheap (1-day deal $40) Mountain Bike Shoes, a couple of days laundry and last day ride bike gear (I'd only hand rinsed) and a toilet bag. Not really the crime of the century!