CycleCampEat

  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 ins...

  Takaka 2 Nights. Takaka to Riwaka. February 24, 2016 Daniel our host in Riwaka had spoke about Takaka hill and the amazing downhill ride that awaited us once we reached the summit. He wasn’t lying. The now 3 of us, myself, Richard and Hatchi were at the base about to start our climb at 9am. Hatchi had a really good go at keeping up but she was better suited at her own pace so the two of us pushed on. It was after a few kilometres that Richard started to move away from me which is usually the case on a steep climb. He reached the top about 15 minutes before me and waited so we could do the downhill at the same time. I have rode some great downhills in the USA, Australia and New Zealand but this one was the best so far. 2700ft of downward winding road with amazing views to enjoy for the split second when you can look up from watching the road. There were 3 cars behind us all the way down and because of the speed we were hitting they were unable to pass us. 38 mph was the maxim...

  A Full Nelson Day. Wellington to Picton February 23, 2016 The ferry from Wellington to Picton and the gateway to the south took 3 hours. The sea was calm even though the wind was extreme. To arrive at Picton the ferry had to go through what I would call an estuary but in New Zealand they call sounds. The sights were stunning. The blue sky then green hills met the blue water with an amazing reflection. As usual the photos are good but don’t get anywhere near the real thing. Myself and Richard rode to the campsite which was a short distance away along a road called The Queen Charlotte Drive. The campsite was a D.O.C $6 one called Aussie Bay. Cheap and cheerful but perfectly fine for what is pretty much £3. We were camped right by the waters edge so had chance to take a dip before dinner. The next morning we set off really early and made 20 miles before breakfast which we stopped and had in the picturesque village of Havelock. The road was very flat right up to 15kms from our hosts ...

  A Foot in Wellington. Forgotten World Highway to Wellington. February 19, 2016 After leaving the paddock where we had camped we headed to one of two places. New Plymouth where we had sent some host requests for or Stratford where there was a campsite. Just as we approached Stratford the heavens opened and storm winds came. It was no contest. We chose a campsite but in a dorm rather than a tent. While there 2 other travellers came in to get out of the bad weather. They had recently returned from the south island and showed us photographs of the areas we would be heading to. After seeing the photo’s and hearing the travellers talk about the parks, camps, walks, rivers, lakes and roads I’m starting to think I’m really going to be blown away by what the south has to offer.    With the storm forecast to stay around for a couple of days we booked seats on the bus to Wellington. The road from Stratford to the capital had been described to us as somewhere between dull and borin...