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
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
Cycling
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
Cycling
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
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
Cycling
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
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
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
Cycling
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
New Zealand
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.
I had a 9am flight from Auckland to Christchurch but allowed plenty of time to get to the airport. Just as well, the taxi* was a bit late (he'd come from Mangere?) but strangely light traffic meant got there with time to spare. Once airborne and heading South
