Scotland Cape Wrath Countdown It always amazes me that when I'm feeling exhausted, my body won't let me sleep. Both of us had a rather restless night and although the midges were kept at
adventure Wild Miles Waking to stillness my heart sank again with the inevitable little midge visitors. Fast packing was the theme of the morning with every piece of skin covered and headnets donned.
adventure Porridge Powered Pedalling After midgegeddon last night I woke to a scene of carnage in the tent. Dead midge covered the tent floor and the mesh was dotted with the squished bodies. It
adventure Beautiful Boggy Adventures I'm sat in my tent overlooking the beautiful Lochan Fada near Struy and there's not a whisper of a breeze in the air. It sounds idyllic doesn't it? Now imagine
adventure Mountain Bikes and Midges on The Great North Trail It's been three years since Scotland captured a piece of my heart and within twenty four hours of being back I feel like I've come home. Thinking about it now
new zealand A Journey's End As the sun rose this morning I willed myself to remember every detail. The warm glow rising slowly against the dark hills. Oranges and yellows appearing over the ridge as
new zealand Lockdown Life It's day twenty three of lockdown here in New Zealand and I thought I'd share a bit of what life in lockdown has been like for me since the rather
new zealand Difficult Times It's day fifteen of lockdown life here in New Zealand and I've spent every day of the last two weeks telling myself to write and failing to do so. Whilst
Kayaks and Caves in Kaiteriteri I woke excited for the day. Today I was swapping pedalling for paddling to spend the day on the water exploring the coastline and bays of the Astrolabe alongside the
new zealand Maungatapu and The Great Taste Trail Riding out of the campsite in the cool morning mist I was prepared for a long day's riding. First on the menu today was the gravel road up to the
new zealand Kia Ora South Island Up with the lark (or before it I think!) I was checked in and ready to cruise at 6:15am. Today I bid farewell to the North Island after thirty
new zealand Wheeling into Wellington Up early to try and beat the wind I was on the road before 8am. I'd had a restless night of tent flapping and then chasing what I think was
new zealand Bottom of the North Island Waking to the pitter patter of rain on the tent I lay there and tentatively stretch my legs. Ooff, the top of my calf muscles groan in protest as they
adventure Aorangi Adventures Having stormed south for the last four days on the road I was craving a bit of adventure so it was time to head off the TA route for a
new zealand Tearing up the tarmac After the intensity of the Timber Trail and the Mountains to Sea track the last four days have passed by in a blur of miles and road as I've steamed
adventure Mountains and Rivers of the Whanganui It was an early start out of Taumaranui in the morning as I had a big day ahead. Forty miles to the Blue Duck Cafe, thirty of which would be
new zealand Timber Trail Tales Up with the lark I was on the road at 8am after saying goodbye to Margot. After writing that I was all alone in the campsite last night I saw
bikepacking Great Lake Trails I'm just going to come straight out with it - this has been the best day of my trip so far! I wouldn't have thought it at 6am this morning
adventure Taupo and the Tongariro How time flies when you're having fun! It seems like only yesterday that I arrived in Taupo for my nice relaxing break and all too soon it's time to move
adventure Wonders of the Waikato River I started the day riding through glorious Hobbit country. Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans drive here in their hoards to visit the Hobbiton movie set just southwest of
new zealand Rain on the Rail Trail The drought is over! After a record breaking 47 days without rain, the North Island was blessed with the wet stuff today. I was up and ready just after 8am
adventure City Flyby Well I decided to keep moving and so yesterday I packed up and started the long, hot climb out of Murawai beach. Murawai beach to Miranda SpringsI felt surprisingly good
new zealand From Bay to Beach It's been four days since my baptism of fire (or should that be sand?) on the Tour Aotearoa (TA) and yet it feels like it could be four weeks. It
new zealand Ninety Mile Beach Well that was one hell of a start to the Tour Aotearoa (TA). I came here seeking adventure and today New Zealand well and truly delivered. This first section of
new zealand Northland Kia Ora from Northland! The last 4 days have seen me pedal my way from Paihia in the Bay of Islands on the east coast, across the Twin Coast Cycle
