RobiNZ Personal Blog

A2O Cycle Road Trip 17–Wellington to Auckland, the long way round

I had a nice breakfast back at “Seashore Cabaret” on the Petone waterfront (opposite the lodge). Today was just the drive back to Auckland but by a different route than I came down. AHBART skilfully packed (OK, not really) for the long drive home. I use foam ‘pool noodles’ to both pad the bike bits near the interior trim and quell any bike rattles. One thing I learnt on this trip was to carry a 2l bottle of water (seen sitting on the engine below) for the screen washers. They are powerful (3 jets front, 1 rear) and it was... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 17–Wellington to Auckland, the long way round

I had a nice breakfast back at “Seashore Cabaret” on the Petone waterfront (opposite the lodge). Today was just the drive back to Auckland but by a different route than I came down. AHBART skilfully packed (OK, not really) for the long drive home. I use foam ‘pool noodles’ to both pad the bike bits near the interior trim and quell any bike rattles. One thing I learnt on this trip was to carry a 2l bottle of water (seen sitting on the engine below) for the screen washers. They are powerful (3 jets front, 1 rear) and it was... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 16–Westport to Wellington

Just driving today, Westport to Picton and on the Bluebridge Ferry to Wellington. Love the Buller Gorge road, great in any mode of transport but especially this one! I found LOVE on the side of the road at Inangahua Junction! The Upper Buller Gorge is higher! The obligatory stop at Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud. Beginning to think it is always cloudy and grey here. Have only visited three times but always struck this kind of weather. Didn’t linger long, the sand flies saw to that! Hard to believe this is just down the road, other side of the ridge heading... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 15–Westport Denniston Cycle

I slept in a bit again, nice after the busy A20 and big drive days. Finally looked out the window about 8am to see blue skies and sun. What a contrast to last night’s overcast and drizzle! I’d come back to Westport as back in 2011 we cycled north of here to Karamea past the turnoff to the Denniston Plateau. It is an area with a unique history. From 1869 to 1967 a perilous rail incline was used to bring coal from the 600m high plateau to sea level. Although only ~25km from Westport, and an easy drive today, it... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 14–Akaroa to Westport, Abarth Alp crossing

After collecting AHBART in Christchurch late in the evening I drove out to Akaroa. There were three motivating factors for this; I’ve never been to Akaroa A former colleague has retired there and it was a chance to catch up. I had been told it was a great drive! I didn’t arrive until well after dark and had a bit of a sleep in, till about eight, so my ‘Akaroa Waterfront Motels’ accommodation was a bit wasted. Nice place though. The harbour looked stunning, calm and sunny weather helps! After brunch with Rich I was back on the road, destination... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 13–Burnside Homestead to Oamaru farewells

The last day of our Alps To Ocean ride started with breakfast at Burnside Homestead. Most large NZ houses of this era were laid out as rooms along corridors/wings. Burnside is unusual in having a huge octagonal centre parlour with most of the rooms radiating off it. It was cool to see reproductions of the original plans in the house history album. We breakfasted in style this morning, Alison & Bruce hosting in their period apparel. It was an emotional farewell. Alison & Bruce are retiring (well deserved) and the house has been sold. Although it appears the new owner... Read more →