CycleCampEat

  Goodbye NZ, Hello OZ. Queenstown, Auckland, Perth. March 16, 2016 I left Queenstown and returned to Auckland to stay for a few days with Tina Sweet’s super cool cousin Ashley. It had been 6 weeks since I left him to start cycling New Zealand and I was looking forward to chilling off the bike and enjoying his company. It was a great few days relaxing, eating and watching YouTube videos. I could have gone out on the bike but I just never really had the urge. After completing more than 3500 miles since November I think 3 days of laziness was not to much to ask for. I’m so pleased Tina put me in touch with Ashley. I’ve made a good friend who is a pleasure to sit a chat with. I wish him all the very best for the future and hope we get to see each other again.   I left New Zealand on a direct flight to Perth in western Australia. It was a 7 hour flight which meant I got chance to watch 3 films. I chose the new James Bond film Spectre the new Star Wars film and the final (maybe) Rocky relat

  Taking it up the Haast. Haast to Queenstown March 9, 2016 The time to take on the Haast Pass unfortunately for myself and Richard came during 2 days of torrential rain. It was easier and more comfortable to ride in flip flops, shorts and a T-shirt than in multiple layers of heavy wet clothing. The night before we stayed at a good site called Pine Grove where there was a kitchen and showers which not only provided areas for cooking and washing but also a place to escape the sand fly onslaught. We thought the rain may keep the flies away but they were out in force and looking for blood. It came time to set off and even though it was raining heavily we knew that time wise we had to get started. The first 20 miles were quite flat then we reached the base of the pass and pulled into a shelter for some food. It seemed we were not the only ones looking to get out of the rain as it was standing room only. Once fed we pushed on and started the climb. I thought it was going to be really tough

  Glacier Country. West Coast from Berlins to Fox Glacier. March 3, 2016 So as the final days on New Zealand came and went we made our way south along the west coast. Richard and I were still heading to Queenstown together as our flights were a couple of days apart. We stayed at the small town of Punkaiki with its famous pancake walk and blow holes. I also took an early evening stroll along the very popular River Walk. It was here that I saw my first and only Kiwi scurrying along the path and into the under growth. The Pancake Walks were awesome. They are believed to be millions of years of build up of shells, sea animals and crustaceans. Our next ride was to the Lake Mahinapua campsite which we reached by taking in the Wilderness Trail from Greymouth. New Zealand has amazing trails and if I had more time I would complete more of them. Maybe next time. On our way to Franz Joseph Glacier we met and rode with Claudia from Quebec. It’s really inspiring seeing people especially girls and l

  The Lord of the Flies. Takaka D.O.C, Owen Reserve, Berlins BnB. February 26, 2016 The return over Takaka hill was hard but we completed it and enjoyed the rolling ride back into Riwaka. After a restock of food we made our way to the free D.O.C camp not far out of town. The site was next to a river and close to some fields which meant the sandfly apocalypse was in full effect. Many travellers had forewarned us of being overcome by the flies but up until this point they hadn’t been to bad. At this site they were unbearable. It meant that we had to put on jeans, hoodies, socks and shoes. Any bare skin showing was risking hours of painful itching. We ate quickly and retired to our tents before it was dark as to sit outside was near impossible. The first few minutes of being in the tent is spent searching out and squashing any flies that had managed to sneak in while the flap was open. Miss one at your peril.   The following mornings breakfast wasn’t eaten at the campsite but inside a dis