CycleCampEat

  The Wine Region, Caves, Bear Phils and Goodbye. March 30, 2016 After staying with Carl and Lucy for a few days I decided to take a week of riding down to the Margaret River wine region, the cave road and loop back to Bunbury.  I took the bus to Margaret river due to it being quite an industrial road most of the way and camped at a bush site for $15. The next morning I was woken by Kangaroos near the tent and crows in the trees. I cycled into Augusta along a nice backwoods bike track and found a great wild camp spot not far from the lighthouse at the point where two oceans met. I scored it well as I not only had a good camp spot but showers, toilets, benches and a BBQ. On my route back north along the coast I was helped by an awesome tailwind especially in the afternoon. In these parts the south easterly wind is called the doctor as it comes at 3pm and soothes the west coast all up to Perth. I pulled into Hamlin Bay to see the dolphins and stingray that hug the waters edge. I...

  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) Ro...

  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 to...

  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 a...