RobiNZ Personal Blog

Coast To Coast 2011 - Let the great photo upload begin!

Away ten days, only six hundred & forty photos... UPDATE 2011-04-02: The 2011 Coast to Coast photoset, now only 609 photos after a bit of culling, is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinzblog/sets/72157626180813911/ Read more →

Coast to Coast 10 - Kaikoura to Christchurch

I had a lazy start to the day while some of the others were up before dawn to swim with dolphins. I heard "Team Canada" set out early as they were going to ride more of the last day ride than most of us. I thought about doing the same but decided a cruise'y wind down was a better idea for the last day. After a sleep-in I wandered across the road to the beach to take in the view and deal with my very ignored home email inbox. After "processing" (OK mostly deleting) 97 emails it was time for... Read more →

Coast to Coast 9 - Picton to Kaikoura

A really nice Cafe Gusto breakfast (fruit muesli and two flat whites for me) filled the fuel tank for the morning ride. Clear blue skies and sun signalled another promising day. We caught a water taxi across a mirror flat sound to begin our ride near Portage. After climbing "a bit of a saddle" the road ran alongside Kenepuru Sound heading back towards Havelock, ultimately to Picton. The sounds looked stunning with sun speckled turquoise waters and green bush. The terrain was great for cycling with short ascents & descents around the bluffs between bays. At the head of the... Read more →

Coast to Coast 8 - Tophouse to Picton

Today was payback for yesterdays ascent. It was mostly gradual but totalled something like 1000m. We left Top House and sped down a valley beside the Buller River. 35km of downhill/flat where it felt slow when your speed dropped below 30km/h, for the most part 40+ was easy to maintain (max 67). I didn't see or hit any Kiwi on the highway but there were signs they are there. Although the clouds hung low in the hills I only got a few spits of rain, there was no wind although the roads were only damp from overnight rain. It was... Read more →

Coast to Coast 7 - Motueka to Tophouse (St Arnaud)

By the time our leisurely cafe breakfast, yummy "Mango Fruslie" & a Latte for me, was over the forecast rain was just very light drizzle. We rode from the motel down the Motueka Valley. Last time I went down this road it was in "the one litre Ferrari" but that was way back in 2005. Didn't realise I would see another "Ferrari" on this trip. Although overcast the weather was dry soon after leaving Motueka, not quite golden weather but good for riding. We stopped for lunch at Tapawera (According to Wikipedia: The geographic centre of New Zealand is located... Read more →

Coast to Coast 6 - In The Abel Tasman

Zero Kilometres on the bike today as it was all walking & kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park. It is my second visit but this time will be doing more walking & less kayaking than the last trip. It was a cool and cloudy start to the day but as we got on the water taxi a glimpse of sun gave some hope it would improve. Red Sky in the morning was pretty but not a good sign. We landed at The Anchorage and walked the headland to Pitt Point. The route back passed through Te Pukatea Bay which... Read more →

Coast to Coast 5 - Karamea to Motueka

Today we got to have fun while Bas did the 400+km drive from Karamea to Takaka. It was also sad as Pep (from Adventure South) left with him heading back to work at the Christchurch Office. She will be missed! Former Adventure South’er "The other Robyn" put her guiding hat back on for a few hours and was assisted by Karamea local Dave. I thought he was just driving us out to the Oparara bush/cave walks but he stayed & walked with us. A lovely guy whose local knowledge, yarns and humour really made the visit memorable. Dave dropped us... Read more →

Coast to Coast 4 - Westport to Karamea

I found it a bit difficult to cycle when leaving Westport. Maybe the energy from last nights lovely rare steak hadn't kicked in or perhaps pancakes & maple syrup for breakfast was a mistake? Things got better after 10km which was a relief as still had about 90 to go. The first 40 km or so was mostly flat but a swirling wind made the long straights more "interesting". It varied between headwind, tailwind and side wind, often all at nearly the same time! Initially you don't see the coast but amazing clear weather meant the inland ranges looked close... Read more →

Coast to Coast 3 - Punakaiki to Westport

It was a mixed day which combined inland bush & coastal walks with some cycling in between. The morning started with a short walk up one river, a climb up to a ridge and descent to another river running through a lovely limestone gorge. Lush bush & spectacular rocks & cliffs were enhanced by the continued perfect weather. We returned to Punakaiki for a look at the infamous pancake rocks which were a bit flat compared to my last visit in a storm. Most amazing was the clear air which allowed a view of the Southern Alps far to the... Read more →

Coast to coast 2 - Arthurs Pass to Punakaiki

After a bit of uphill from Arthurs Pass to the ridge it was, at last, my chance to tackle the amazing Otira Viaduct descent. I had been denied this on two previous trips due to miserable weather but today was rewarded with perfect conditions. It's a steep grade (16%) that goes on and on down a stunning Southern Alps gorge. I got to 85km/h on the straight part before deciding it was prudent to brake for the "recommended" 45km/h corner rapidly approaching. Even with several photo stops maintaining a high average speed was no problem. As it flattened out a... Read more →