Cycling
Woke to another stunning day; clear blue sky and already 22 °C by the time I was ready to ride. The agenda was exploring around Tākaka, get to a beach for a swim, and take the gravel bike out to test the repaired rear hub. However, despite the late start,
Today's mission was simple, drive to Tākaka, Golden Bay. It was a rest day, after several days riding, and would check out Kaiteriteri & Mārahau before heading 'over the hill'. I've been to both before, several times, but they're so nice was
Although just a few kilometres from Nelson's city centre the Coppermine Trail is a true adventure ride high in the hills. I had been putting it off, holding out for the right weather and my last 'ride day' in Nelson proved to be it! Coppermine Trail
It was still cloudy up in the hills, so I hit the Great Taste Trail again. Rather than follow it explicitly I was heading through Richmond, then Pigeon Valley to the Motueka River Valley. I've ridden there a couple of times, so nice was looking forward to visiting
Woke to a wet and windy day. I needed to stock up with food (for breakfasts, ride snacks and dinners) and see if anyone could help with yesterday's discovery, the gravel bike's loose rear hub bearings. I called a few nearby bike shops; most were booked
I faced a decision for my second Nelson ride, stay near sea level or head into the hills? While morning was nice the forecast for later in the day was a bit patchy and it was already looking cloudy up high. I decided to stay low and explore some of
I've been to Nelson several times, cycled in the region quite a lot, but never cycled the city area. First ride in the South Island would be a cruise into town, from my Tahunanui Beach motel, and see where that led. Turned out, ~77km later, I would go
I awoke to a morning far calmer than last night's breeze led me to expect. A good sight when you are heading for Cook Strait and a ferry to the South Island. From Picton it would be a drive straight through to Nelson, base for my first South
My ultimate destination was Nelson but to get there by road means Wellington and the Cook Strait Ferry. Had booked a return Bluebridge crossing back in September. Was glad of that as by January space on the ferries was at a premium thanks to post COVID demand and reduced capacity
Plan for today was ride the Kawakawa/K2K and W2K Great Lake Trails at Kinloch, near Taupō. A chance Facebook connection led to Buzz, who saw my Friday ride update and in Taupō for a family event, joining me for some of the day. Kinloch was busy but most of
I was up early, for me on holiday at least, for the drive up to Rotorua to meet up with Auckland Cycling Group. They were having a introductory weekend ride at the Whakarewarewa Forest, also known as 'The Redwoods', Mountain Bike Park. It is decades since last rode
Taupō was my next 'away' destination to ride the Great Lake Trails. There are four sections on the lakeside around, and further west of, Kinloch. The Kawakawa/K2K and W2K trails at Kinloch can be ridden in any order but the more remote Waihaha Trail typically requires a
