(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 30-08-2014 – Saturday – Kathmandu Arrival I’ve never flown through Kuala Lumpur before but, like a Vietnam flight, the trek across Australia seems endless. You cross the Tasman on a curving course from near Sydney up to the Northern Territory. It'
Somehow I had it in my head that I was flying around midnight Saturday. The itinerary said Saturday but it was late on Thursday night that it dawned on me 00:15 is actually bloody early Saturday, more like Friday night! Luckily I had sorted everything out so packing the
B's email said it all: This does not look good... Landslide in Nepal Kills at Least 8; Hundreds Are Missing - www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03 KATHMANDU, Nepal — A major landslide early Saturday morning near Nepal’s border with China killed at least eight people and left
Took the opportunity to explore some parts of Auckland which were new to me, after 48 years!, and accessible on an off road bike. This was the last training ride before heading for the Himalayas! From home it was the usual route up Konini Rd to the scenic drive, then
Auckland
Headed for Muriwai, via the back roads, in search of gravel and hills. I knew there would be hills but found somewhat less gravel than expected as several roads had been sealed. I suppose the folks who live there don’t miss the winter mud, summer dust! Found enough to
Auckland
Had my first real gravel road ride on ‘Rapid Rob’ today. From home headed into the Waitakere Ranges and along the Exhibition Drive track. Then it was back on the road following the Manukau Harbour coast to Huia. There are some steep undulating hills as the road climbs over ridges
Cycling
Took 'Rapid Rob' on our first real ride yesterday. From home headed up to the Scenic Drive where I went off road on the centennial Exhibition Drive track. It is a closed well formed gravel road which follows a water supply pipeline towards Nihotupu Dam for a couple
I hope trip leader Bas approves because it’s too late if he doesn’t and who knows where in the world (on his bike) he is! My weapon of choice for the worlds steepest downhill* and a few uphills on the way there. * Trip Notes days 19-21: From the
Cycling
Thanks to the workshop at Cycle City Manukau. Was cycling while a quiet country road near Auckland Airport and heard a strange 'ping'. Soon after what felt initially like a flat tyre turned out to be a broken spoke on the rear wheel. It was still in place
Cycling
Adventure South have launched a new website for their international tours. I really like the design but felt compelled to add a few annotations of my own. NZ & Vietnam done, Tibet/Nepal next in September 2014! Remarkable Adventures - www.remarkableadventures.co.nz Welcome to Adventure South’s Remarkable
Watching this puts a little bike ride from Lhasa to Kathmandu into perspective… [youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U&w=640&h=480]
Me
I haven’t done any serious cycling beyond day rides around Auckland recently. My last real distance was on a trip around the top end of the South Island with Adventure South just before Xmas 2012. As that trip came to a close there were discussions on what to do
