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 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
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
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
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
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
bikepacking New Year, New Bike, New Adventures.... New Zealand Long time, no blog! Well, the hiatus is over folks and I'm back at the keyboard with word of my upcoming adventure, a little jaunt to the other side of
adventure Finding Happiness From the outside I have most things that society would consider as being 'successful' in life - a good job, my own flat, amazing friends and a pretty good social
bikepacking Bikepacking The Smoke Ring Trail I hadn't heard of The Smoke Ring before my mate Barry suggested it for our 3 day bikepacking trip. It's a 200 mile anti-clockwise, orbital route around London that goes
bike Top Cycling adventure books to read before you die I am a total bookworm and since reading Jill Homers Ghost Trails: Journeys Through a Lifetime back in 2014, I've read countless books about bike adventures - so here is my list of must-read's for cycling fans: Moods of Future Joys: Around the World
challenge Easter South Downs Way Adventure Back in October last year I set off on an adventure to ride the whole of the South Downs Way which ended rather prematurely 30 miles in with a dislocated thumb. Although very disappointed it certainly didn't put me off the challenge and after
