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 remember the epic effort of yesterdays hike-a-bike across the Aorangi forest. Knowing that I can have a nice lazy morning
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 few days. There was a route I'd spied called the No. 8 Wired on the bikepacking website and had decided
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 southward. I won't bore you with the minute detail of every day but will ty to summarise some of the
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 on gravel of unknown quality, then a further six miles on the Mountains to Sea route along the Kaiwhakauka track
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 a biker arrive and it was Margot from New Caledonia. She'd just finished the timber trail and so we chatted
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 when I awoke to hear the campers next to me slamming car doors and chatting as they packed up ready
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 on tomorrow after three days here. It's been a nice detour from the TA route but likewise my head is
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 Matamata. The town's visitor information site looks like it belongs in the movie as I head south along lovely quiet
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 this morning as I didn't want to pack away a wet tent and as soon as I had started to
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 as I tackled the hills that had seemed like mountains the previous day. I was heading for Auckland and really
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 still amazes me how much can happen in just one day on the road so here's the lowdown of my
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 the TA is called ninety mile beach and you basically ride along the beach from Te Paki Stream all the
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 Trail to Horeke on the west coast and then up past Kaitaia to the most northerly point in New Zealand,
new zealand First Impressions Greetings from New Zealand! It's good to finally arrive after a total of 33 hours of travelling - and the best news is that Bamboo Betty made it too. I've never been so anxious waiting at an airport baggage area and now I can breathe and know that I'm where
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 the world to ride the Tour Aotearoa (TA). It's a 3,000 km (1,864 miles) trail that starts in
Start as you mean to go on The first week of January is over and it's check-in time for me. So how have I gotten on with my '10 things' so far? Surprisingly well actually! On the 'things to do more of' side I've been doing daily yoga workouts by following this free 30 day yoga practice
10 things for 2019 Happy New Year! As usual I'm going to start the year with good intentions and see how long my motivation lasts. After coming across this cool idea by Alastair Humphreys to list 10 small things that you want to do more or, less of and those that you are content
London Underground Mission Well, I can honestly say that this week has been one that I won't forget in a hurry! When I first conceived the idea of riding to every tube station in London I had told a friend I was going to do it in a weekend - that was before
Urban Underground Cycle Route Only 2 days to go until I take on my epic London Underground Cycle Challenge and here is a rough daily breakdown of the route I'll be attempting. Day 1 - Morden to Barkingside Day 2 - Barkingside to Camden Town (via Barnet) Day 3 - Camden Town to Northwood
The Urban Underground Cycle Challenge Here it is, my first adventure of 2018! It's a little bit different to my usual countryside bikepacking challenges as it's based in the big city and I'll be riding my commuter bike - I introduce you to...the Urban Underground Cycle Challenge! My task is to cycle to every
A night in the New Forest I wearily open my eyes to a blur of light on the horizon. Struggling to extract an arm from my little cocoon I reach for my glasses and see the first light of dawn's glow. It's just before 7am and there's no chance of going back to sleep now as
A Frosty Microadventure A New Year can be a powerful motivator for people; making resolutions, setting goals and planning trips. It's great to see my Facebook and Twitter feed buzzing with peoples hopes and dreams for the year and it's hard not to get swept along in the tide of adventure and excitement.
Capital Ring Capers The Capital Ring Trail is a 78 mile circular walk around London and it's been on my radar to ride for quite a while now. With New Year spirit I set off from my flat in Wimbledon just after 7am on Sunday anticipating a nice long day in the saddle.
Happy New Year 2018 is here! Last night was my first ever alcohol free NYE since my teens and being so rock-n-roll I was tucked up in bed asleep well before midnight. Waking to the sound of fireworks and singing as the seconds ticked over from 2017 to 2018, I smiled, wished myself
2017 - A Sneaky Look Back I told myself a few weeks ago that I wouldn't be writing this post. However as I watch the sun set on 2017 for the last time I just can't help but remember the last 365 days because in contrast to last year, 2017 has been a corker of a