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
Cycling
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
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
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
Was up early, for me, and fuelled by a lovely breakfast at Teichelmann's B&B. I'd opted for continental; Frances' home-made muesli was awesome. I put En-Trance (my mountain bike) together and rolled it over to the Cycle Journeys depot, just across the road.
Let's be honest, today's ride is all about lunch... I was back on En-Trance Rob, although quite a lot of tarmac today there is enough gravel trail to keep it happy. Besides, ~90km is a bit far for me on a two-speed, due to still broken
Cycling
When we rode the Alps to Ocean Trail (A2O) in 2019 the section between Omarama and Otematata was an unremarkable roadside trail. In early 2021 an alternative trail was opened from Sailors Cutting around the lake to Benmore Dam. This was the reason I came back; it rapidly gained a
Cycling
I drove, about an hour, from Beaumont, through Roxburgh, to Alexandra to finish riding the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to Doctors Point. It was about five in the evening by the time I set out on the bike. It's about ten kilometres each way, slowed by extensive photography for
Cycling
I woke to a cooler strangely foggy morning. Today's ride was going to be short so had a leisurely breakfast before putting the bike in the car for the drive down to Beaumont. Back to Beaumont It was about eleven, and a fine sunny day, by the time
Cycling
After a huge, included in the rate, breakfast at Granny Stringer's Cottage my first Roxburgh Ride was going to be up the gorge. Every Roxburgh ride was fuelled by a lovely breakfast of muesli, fruit, toast and muffins, and coffee. Was loading my gear bag when realised I
Cycling
Today's agenda was simple; relocate from Alexandra to Roxburgh, just 41km and a 30-minute drive away. To fill in between morning checkout and afternoon check in I took the chance to revisit St. Bathans and places in between in the region around the Otago Central Rail Trail ride.
Whenever I've driven, or been driven, along SH8 between Cromwell and Clyde could not help but gaze at the bits of farm and access trail on the other side of Lake Dunstan (right of photo below) thinking they'd be good to ride. In 2021, after some
