RobiNZ Personal Blog

Auckland to Wellington | Time Out 2021-22 Drive

Today is just a drive back to Auckland. Normally I'd go back over Remutaka Hill (SH2), for the scenery and find State Highway 1 a drag, but not today. Seashore Cabaret Café Before going anywhere, it was back across the road to Seashore Cabaret Café for breakfast. I like their quirky décor, this machine in the entry reminds me of 'Zoltar Speaks' in the movie 'Big'. Today breakfast was Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh strawberries and mascarpone... and coffee... and more coffee... The cloudy weather was back, but I'd soon leave it behind. Heading South to go North The long awaited... Read more →

Remutaka Cycle Trail | Time Out 2021-22 Wellington

Woke up to 'Wellington on a good day' for my last ride of this road trip. After a DIY motel breakfast, I chucked the bike in the car and headed back to Maymorn, Upper Hutt, (where I turned around on Thursday) and the start of the rail incline section of the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Remutaka Cycle Trail | Incline Rail Trail Section The Remutaka Cycle Trail | Rail Trail Section follows the old railway to the Remutaka Hill summit and famously steep, for a railway, incline down to Cross Creek, Wairarapa. There are two great on-line guides in addition to... Read more →

Belmont Trig Trail | Time Out 2021-22 Wellington

What a contrast to yesterday, woke to stormy wet weather and low cloud. It was still quite warm, around 16°C, but not a great day for riding the Remutaka Ranges. After mucking around all morning, some travel/home admin and watching videos, decided to take a look at some mountain bike trails near the motel. An entrance to Belmont Regional Park (2) is just across the highway from where I was staying (1). The rain, if not the storm, eased off around midday so I decided to explore some of it. Although close to suburbia is it also fairly remote so... Read more →