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
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 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
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
bikepacking Pre-Adventure Kit Testing It's less than 2 weeks before I head off on my adventures to Scotland and the Hebrides so I'd planned that over the Easter weekend I would pack up all
bikepacking Bikepacking in The Surrey Hills Video Following my recent post of Bikepacking The Smoke Ring Trail, Barry has released an awesome film snippet of our final days bikepacking fun and games riding the trails in the
microadventure Midweek Bike & Bivi There's something special about a midweek microadventure, the thrill of sleeping out in the elements and heading back to work in the morning feeling like you've been on holiday, there's
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
