Waiheke Island is another place close to home (35km) I’ve been to, and around (sailing), countless times but never cycled. Bizarrely, although parks closed to cycling, I’ve ridden more at its Rangitoto & Motutapu Island neighbours thanks to the annual DUAL Charity Cycle event. I joined Thomas and
Initially I planned to ride a bit more River Trail but, after a Facebook enabled reconnection, instead met up with an Adventure South cycling friend who lives in the Waikato. It was great to catch up, relive past shared cycle travels and hear about her new ones. Going home via
The Waikato River Trails were 104km of continuous trail from Karāpiro (near Cambridge) to Atiamuri (near Tokoroa) but a permanent trail closure in 2020 means there is now one road section. I decided to avoid the tarmac and just do the four trail sections as a series of day rides.
Cycling
On 2nd December 2021 the COVID-19 Alert Level System ended, replaced by the COVID-19 Protection Framework or traffic light system. Northland to about Gisborne – Whanganui were on Red (restricted) with the rest of the country at Orange. From 14th December the Auckland Regional boundary lifted but with proof of vaccination
On December 31 Auckland moved to the COVID Protection Framework Orange Traffic Light setting and serious travel was OK. I did a few regional rides before heading out of Auckland for a few overnight trips, to check out gear, before embarking on the more extensive South Island adventures. Āwhitu? Although
On 20 October, the COVID lockdown in Auckland & Waikato moved to Level 3.1 which allowed regional travel but no access to the rest of the country (still at Level 2). Overnight trips, staying in rented accommodation or camping, were still not permitted but not really a problem for
Being stuck in the Auckland Regional COVID Lockdown, from September to December 3, meant only local rides. I didn’t ride at all in the Level 4 lockdown as was still working and cycling around the block doesn’t appeal. On 22nd September Auckland & Northland relaxed to Level 3,
With the new full suspension bike, the Giant Trance 'En-Trance Rob', I was after a 'no backpack' solution for day rides. I hate riding with a backpack; the weight high up, straps and 'clammy back' thing annoy. En-Trance has tubeless tyres and, even with
I finished work on September 25 2021 with the intention of cycling New Zealand over the summer months, to be dubbed my “Time Out NZ 2021 – 2022” trip. The initial plan was to revisit Northland, then head South to explore trails between Auckland and Wellington before returning to Auckland for
Had hoped to be heading North, cycling northland trails, this week but not able to leave Auckland yet. It looks like our current regional COVID boundary (approx. the --- line on Strava maps) will be around for a while, Christmas or beyond, so looking closer to home. A peak at
Rapid Rob, my Giant Talon 1 hardtail MTB, was not going to be suitable for the last ride of summer without some modifications. The Old Ghost Road is 85km of 'Grade 4' rated trail comprising: "A legendary feat of trail-building has resurrected an old gold miners’ route
After leaving it last week, I got the call to collect 'Rapid Rob' from 'The Bike Maintenance Shop'. It was riding fine when dropped off but again I expected brake pads and, perhaps,a new chain. The actual verdict was: * Tune up (wheel true check, headset
