RobiNZ Personal Blog

Westport and Kawatiri Trail | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Had an early start to watch the F1 (04:00am!) then, when the laundry opened at about 8am, did a load of washing. One luxury of car/bike mixed mode touring is no problems carrying lots of gear, but even so I was getting low on clean ride apparel. It was overcast but stayed dry long enough to nearly get the washing line dry while I dealt with some admin (for the rest of the trip) and wandered to town (not far) for breakfast. A café I'd scoped last night was closed but J's Café was open; the food (eggs benedict and... Read more →

Punakaiki to Westport | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast Drive

A lazy day, only agenda item was a short relocation drive from Punakaiki to Westport. The sea was a bit rougher today so stopped, again, at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks to see the blowholes in action for the first time this visit. One last look back to my home for the past week, the cottage on the left of the photo below You won't believe how long I waited for him to turn around and face the waves rolling in... The Great Coast Road lives up to its name! A tiny Fiat Bravo Truman Beach... Just North of Punakaiki the short... Read more →

The Great Coast Road | Back to Blackball | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Had a bit of a sleep in. After yesterday's big ride and waking in the middle of the night to watch the F1 from Bahrain live figure I earned it. Happily, the weather was good as I had to go for a ride today to collect the car left behind in Blackball yesterday. By the time I set off it was perfect riding weather, a thin layer of cloud, but enough sun getting through to keep it warm, and no wind! I've never seen this coast so calm, gentle waves at beaches usually pounded by roaring surf. As the tree... Read more →

Paparoa Track in a day | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Big day today; cycled the new'ish Paparoa Track. It's a shared hiking/walking trail which goes high into the hills from near Blackball, follows ridge lines, and then drops into the Pororari River valley most of the way back to Punakaiki. It’s not to be underestimated, rated Advanced: Grade Four and remote high-country. Driving to the start, nearly I thought about a shuttle but decided it was more flexible to drive to Blackball, leave my car there overnight and collect it the next day. After an early start, and big (for me) breakfast watching a spectacular sunrise (clouds lit by sun... Read more →

Punakaiki & Bullock Creek Road | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Thought about doing the Papāroa Track today but it means an early start and long day. Although the weather was OK, last night's clouds had gone, I woke up about seven already feeling tired. Waking for an overnight 03:30 - 04:30 online presentation—a lecture by Dr Christopher D. Lewis about British comedian Kenneth Williams—probably didn't help with that. I first heard Kenneth Williams on Radio NZ repeats of Hancock's Half Hour, Round the Horne, and contemporary Just a Minute shows as a kid. Later remember his TV appearances on 'Parkinson', 'Aspel' and 'Clive James' but he was most famous for... Read more →

The Great Coast Road | Punakaiki to Charleston | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

This morning I discovered it isn't wise, due to nosey locals, to leave the deck sliding door open unattended... Had a slow start, breakfast at about nine on the deck with that view... After all the recent riding on the mountain bike it was time to do a road ride for a change. Giro Rob was dusted off for the first time on this leg and after being left for a week in the back of the Bravo... Cycling Punakaiki to Charleston Today I re-rode, fourth time I think, the Great Coast Road from Punakaiki to Charleston and back. It's... Read more →

Hokitika, Ross Walk & drive to Punakaiki | Time Out 2021-22 Drive West Coast

Not much of a challenge in terms of timing today, just had to relocate to Punakaiki (~80km away) and had until after 2pm (check-in time) to do it. Because I was alone at the B&B the day started with breakfast at Kitchen Hokitika, next door. It was a lovely morning so I grabbed an outdoor table, was already warm in the morning sun. Their French Toast, and a coffee, was a great start to the day. Across the road, and a long way from his home, the Carnegie Library was one of 2,500 around the world funded by US Steel... Read more →

West Coast Wilderness 04 | Kumara to Greymouth, to Hokitika | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Last day of the West Coast Wilderness, it began with breakfast at the Hotel and packing the overnight bag (which was later collected by the shuttle). It was a beautiful morning, and we only have a short ride today. Had to meet the Cycle Journeys shuttle in Greymouth, only ~40km away, by a café at about 1pm. As had some extra time I backtracked a few kilometres, a couple more than anticipated to be honest, to check out the local cemetery. Had read some of the settler stories and thought might be interesting to see some of the history. I... Read more →

West Coast Wilderness 03 | Milltown to Kūmara | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

Today's ride is the longest day of the West Coast Wilderness. About 50km and 400m climbing but nothing steep. From Lake Kaniere it's all dedicated cycle trail or hydro service roads, with no traffic, up the Arahura River Valley. A climb takes you over the ridge to follow the Kawhaka River Valley back to Kūmara. Canoe Cove (Lake Kanere), Milltown to Kūmara After the night in Hokitika we returned to near Lake Kaniere to start riding. The first part of the ride is on quiet gravel road. The road towards Milltown is spectacular, the morning sun and clearing skies made... Read more →

West Coast Wilderness 02 | Hokitika Gorge & Cycle Dorothy Falls to Hokitika | Time Out 2021-22 West Coast

After overnight rain, the day dawned fine. After a great breakfast and coffee at WCSW we had a short flat ride into the Cycle Journeys depot at Hokitika to meet a shuttle. Today's ride would be back to Hokitika, with an overnight stay there. West Coast Scenic Waterways to Hokitika Ride First obstacle was getting out of the driveway, West Coast Weka rush hour morning traffic! Over the Mahināpua Tūwharewhare Bridge... And into the Cycle Journeys Depot. Kōwhitirangi Memorial A sad, significant, stop on the way to Hokitika Gorge: On 8 and 9 October 1941 Stanley Graham, a deranged local... Read more →