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YEP - I did it again!

  • Day 27? The Finish

      26 March 2026
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    Early start - I always underestimate my ability! I prefer early as it is quieter, cooler and leaves more options at the end of the day.

    A lovely ride with a tail wind for most of it. How lucky am I? Very!

    Stopped for a feed in Winton - there's a great bakery in the old bank.

    Met another social rider. They were a FiFo in town for a week and out for a ride. We chatted about life the universe and how cold winters are in southland.

    I didn't realise it was the oyster season so bought a dozen to celebrate the end of the TA.

    The sun was shining and Life's What You Make It was playing on my phone - how random is that - when I arrived at Stirling Point.

    I got a little emotional as I rode in - it hits you that it is a big achievement - 3000kms, eating, sleeping and cycling for 27 days on the trot.

    A big thank you to the following:

    All of you for donating to my cause

    The Kennet Brothers for such a great idea

    My sister for getting me to Cape Reinga

    Paul Kennett for loading the GPX files without which I'd still be at the Cape

    Wanganui River Adventures for great service and boat ride

    The nice owner of the Twin something motel in Taumaranui for helping me when I was close to tears

    My Ride Wgtn

    All the TA riders I met along the way - thanks for your company

    Greg - Cabin 14 at Ross Hotel

    Chris for picking me up from Stirling Point

    YEP, Mouse and most of all Rocky, my Trusty Steed of 3.5 TAs. Who is now retiring and returning to his first love - mountain biking.

    Thank you all!

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  • Day 26?

      26 March 2026
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    I managed to get a backpackers in QT. Probably not for me anymore. The bed was comfortable but it was rather noisy with other residents not caring about times for noise.

    The staff boat to Walter Peak was early and there were some non TA riders on it.

    I did manage to ride a bit of the Von - more than I expected. The weather was lovely and the views of the hills/mountains was fantastic.

    I took my time as I had a bed for the night and it was early. I stopped at the picnic area at Mavora Lakes. One of the other cyclists was there. We had a chat and ended up cycling together. 5kms outside of Mossburn, her tubeless tyre failed. When they fail, they fail spectacuarly. We stopped and as advised many years ago, when things go wrong, eat something then tackle the problem. Great advice - thanks Paul.

    We tried to refill tyre but that didnt work. so we then swappedntubeless for a tube. Just as well I stopped and assisted as I had the better tools and the pump that worked on the tube. Sorted! So off to the Railway Hotel for a well deserved beer. The first alcohol of my trip!

    Great dinner and Eton Mess for pudding.

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  • Day 25?

      23 March 2026
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    To Albert town was good. Then it was the Clutha cycle trail. Hated it.

    But the Cromwell cycle trail was lovely. It went past all these idyllic homes with auto mowers out the front. Oh how the other half live.

    It reminded me of all the smells I’ve experienced along the way.

    The smell of dead things (lots of these), cow pooh, sheep, goats, freshly cut/fallen pine trees, turnips (ever so sick of this smell), the sea, sand, beech forest after the rain, petrol fumes, wild thyme, pine forest, silage, insect repellent, hay, wet grass, dust, suntan lotion.

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  • Day 24? Haast to Hawea

      23 March 2026
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    Started in the dark. Less traffic around and cooler which makes cycling easier for me.

    Lots of Tom tits. Lovely bush. A long haul of 50kms before getting to the climb.

    As I cycled I imagined the pouakai (haast eagle) reigning supreme over the area.

    Met up with Peter and Hannah. I met Peter 10 years ago on the first TA! It was nice to cycle and chat for a bit.

    I managed to cycle to the Gates of Haast and then 300m. Then walked 100m then cycled, then walked a steep corner then mss as bagged to rude the rest. I was entertained on my ride by a parade of classic cars on an Alpine Tour. There were some great old cars. And the weather was fine enough for some to be travelling with their roof down. Magnificent.

    Pie at Makarora then on to the neck.

    The worst bit of the day was between the neck and Hawea. Hated it.

    However all was forgotten when I checked into the hotel. Lucky to have got it as s as ok the cabins at the camp ground were booked.

    Had a lovely evening talking with a couple from Arrowtien whose daughters live in Brooklyn. And they (the couple) walk past my house regularly. And they love The Salty Pigin. Small world.

    Watched a movie as had a tv for the second time on the trip.

    View from my hotel room.

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  • Day 23? Fox to haast

      21 March 2026
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    Saw Fox Glacier. It is much reduced since I saw it as a child.

    Today was road again. With a fair bit of ‘downhill’. Whether it is or not depends on the surface. There was a bit of down up hill.

    My speed depends on the gradient, the weather, the road surface, the wind and is it hot. Some times I can ride a hill I could t ride last time and vice versa.

    Had to stop at Bruce Bay for an icecream. Real boysenberry. Didn’t stop long as the sandflies were vicious. I wonder if the locals ever get used to them.

    Stopped for lunch at Lake Paringa. There are some lovely DOC areas on the west coast.

    The it was onto knights point. 3 hills. I rode them all with a few stops.

    Then onto haast. The trip into Haast was one of those fast uphills that felt like a downhill

    Had dinner with a few others doing the ride.

    Then bed!

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  • Day 22? Ross to Fox Glacier

      21 March 2026
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    I waited until it was light before setting off. Mai may be because so much of the day was on the road. I wanted to be seen.

    Saw kereru, Pukeko, shellduck, tom tits and heard frogs!

    Enjoyed the ride though it’s not fun being on the road.

    My observations are white vehicles are the most considerate, blue vehicles are the worse, closely followed by dark gray, locals are bad, the tourists were better at passing, Johnson’s buses are great as are the Intercity, Pacific touring bus drivers need re-educating as do Great Sights bus drivers, speed limits only apply to the vehicles in front and behind.

    While I rode the first two hills with a lot of stops, I did walk most of the last hill into fox.

    Had a cabin booked. It was nice and ok showers.

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  • Day 21? Kumara to Ross

      20 March 2026
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    I woke a few times in the night to Rain!

    It wasn’t raining when I left Kumara but it was 15 minutes later. It rained and rained. Real west coast rain. It got into everything. My dry bags are no longer dry bags. Having said that it was a nice ride. Was freezing when I got to Hokirika. A local pointed me in the direction of the thatcher and bird cafe. Nice. They even gave me old newspapers to sit on so the seat didn’t get wet. And a towel! Great scone and cheese roll.

    Stocked up at the supermarket bought second red tail light and headed to Ross. Another nice ride and not so much rain.

    Seafood chowder for dinner at the pub, dried all my clothes, washed Rocky (my steed) and went to bed.

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  • Day 20? Reefton to kumara

      19 March 2026
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    A bit tricky leaving today as there were no lights in the lobby. Couldn’t find the light switch either.

    I decided to do the road not big river. There were some large trees and I’d heard a lot of lifting bikes over after having taken all bags off. Given that I can hardly lift me bike anyway I decided it wasn’t for me. I could t also rely on anyone coming after me to assist.

    Quick trip along road. Visited the Pike River memorial again. What a tragedy. What a peaceful memorial for such a sad and unnecessary event. If you’ve not seen the movie - see it. If you’ve not read Rebecca McFies book get a copy and read it.

    In Greymouth I sent my tent home! A major event for me. Takes away my flexibility and had to book accommodation days in advance. Which I’ve done! More Gu from the bike shop and a nice lunch.

    I was booked into. Motel in Kumara. I got in because I name dropped some friends who’d stayed there a week ago. It was great. Watched more cricket!

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  • Day 19? Murchison to reefton

      19 March 2026
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    Started early again. A nice cycle into the Maruia Pass. I rode all of the saddle other than when there was a ford that I walked through. Though I did stop a few times.

    Weather was good. Arrived in Springs Junction at a good time. Had an ok hot chocolate and the worst ever bacon butty at the Mojo caravan. I should have known and not bought it. It was dry toast that wasn’t hot that had some bacon wafted near by. Bacon butties should have butter oozing out the sides and be loaded with bacon. Which I would have been prepared to pay for. So far it’s my worst food purchase on the trip.

    Ride up the Rahu Saddle. The downhill was fantastic. Kms of bliss and only 5 cars passed me in the 18ish kms.

    Stayed at the Wilson Hotel. New bed! Good food at the bar downstairs. Fish and chips on a pea purée. Yum.

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  • Day 18 Mapua to Murchison

      18 March 2026
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    A day of my kind of riding. A mix of road, gravel and cycle ways. And not too many hills

    Native bush, the weka call, grey warblers.

    I did cook the backpackers I

    In Rotorua but worked out I’d be there so early I may as well do the Bradman saddle and go to Murchison. Which I did.

    One of the nicest days cycling.

    Watched the cricket with some other guests. A nice couple for Kaiapoi. However every time the woman left the room we lost a wicket. In the end her husband got her a pillow so she could lie down to watch and not leave! We did slightly better after that.

    Slept well.

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  • Day 17 Pelorus to Mapua

      18 March 2026
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    It rained in the night but I still saw some great stars.

    I don’t cycle the saddle. Given the amount of rain, the total mist cover of the hills and riding on my own I took the road. Starting as earku as I did, I only had 5 trucks between peloris and Hira.

    There was an awesome downhill where only 2 cars passed me. Amazing.

    Did the usual shopping in Nelson and got my aero bars tended to.

    Headed for Mapua. As I was cycling along another couple of riders asked if I was going for the 3pm ferry. I thought ran continuously. Anyway we had a ways to go and there are no distance markers in the track on rabbit island. Anyway we made it with 30sev to spare.

    Headed to the campground and scored a cabin for the night.

    Mapua was bustling with people tourists cyclists and all sorts.

    Got fish and chips to eat bs k at my cabin.

    A good day.

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  • Day 16? Wellington to Pelorus

      17 March 2026
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    Got a text at 5.58am. Thinking it was a reminder I leapt out of bed, packed and pedalled in the drizzle to the ferry. Queued up only to find the text was a cancellation notice! Bluebridge advised me to pedal madly to the Interislander. Which I did. Got a walk on ticket for the 8.45am sailing.

    Made it on board and found a seat with a view. Boat finally left at 11am. Excellent sailing. Hardly knew I was on a boat.

    Got off and started pedalling for Pelorus. Had trouble getting up the first hill. Then realised the bike shop had left the bike in a gear I don’t often use. What a relief it wasn’t my ability.

    Lovely ride.

    It started to drizzle and I considered stopping in canvas town but kept going.

    Had a great campsite, good shower and nice and quiet (after I asked a person to turn off their stereo. They had it on to drown out the sound of the river!!!)

    Beautiful stars and a bit of rain.

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  • Fay 15. Martinborough to Wellington

      16 March 2026
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    Early start. Nice weather. YEP happy to be heading south!

    Cruised to the start of the Remutaka Incline. A nice easy cycle except for when I fell into the ford. Got wet. Not happy. A crappy piece of gravel.

    Loads of farmers up and about.

    Enjoyed the incline and especially the icecream at the dairy on the Hutt side.

    Races into town at the fastest I’ve ever done 53kms. And a head wind. The TA Trrail goes right past work and I had to pop on and do an appraisal. Took longer than expected. Raced off to buy more bungy cords. Then raced to bike shop. New rear brakes and new chain.

    All very rushed but necessary. Got me key to where I was staying. Then met my mother at the supermarket.

    I didnt go to my place. It interrupts the eat sleep cycle repeat format too much!

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  • Day 14. Pahiatua to Martinborough

      16 March 2026
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    Nice day but a head wind.

    Someone going aerobatics in a plane above Masterton. Nice to watch as I cycled by.

    Made good time to Martinborough. Stopped and had a large coke before heading to my destination for the night. Spa pool and comfy bed! The best.

    Photo of my icecream at the Red Barn just north of Masterton. Yummy.

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  • Day 13? Apiti to Pahiatua

      16 March 2026
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    It got a bit cold in the night so wrapped myself up in my ground sheet.

    A slightly latter start due to not wanting to wake the others too early.

    The Ridge was better than I remembered. Even though it was gravel.

    Stopped and chatted to Mary, Trsil Angel. A nice break.

    Then on to an Ashurst cafe.

    Rode, well walked the new cycle lane beside the new road. Hated it. Who over thought is putting a cycle lane up a hill through a wind farm. Had a massive headwind. When all the cars weee going down, the cycle lane was still going up. Worst part of the trip.

    Post office motel was a welcome sight. Nice room and good food.

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  • Day 12 Wanganui to Apiti

      15 March 2026
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    Early start again. Began with being the first customer in the Durie Hill lift. Amazing.

    Nice ride to Hunterville. Sealed road which is nice.

    Great cafe in hunterville which I took advantage of. Also rang ahead to see if I could camp at the Apiti pub. They couldn’t have been nicer. Big shout out to them.

    There was some top dressing going on over the next valley, nasty bit of gravel. But good mileage and just as I arrived in Apiti it started to rain. So glad I stopped.

    Apiti also has great public toilets. The things to think about when cycling. 5 of us camping so a pleasant evening.

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  • Day 11? The landing to Wanganui

      15 March 2026
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    Early Tories so ready for the jet boat at 8.30. Slept well - it was really dark!

    Fab Jetboat ride - highly recommended.

    Had a feed at the depot - the staff had prepared bagels etc for the riders. Then headed off to Wanganui.

    Stopped at Matahiwi for a hot chocolate. Met some people and had a chat about biking.

    Made good time.

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  • Day 10 possibly. Taumranui to The Landing.

      14 March 2026
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    Started early again after a great sleep. It’s surprising in flat areas how the rising sun gets in your eyes!

    The first hill wasn’t as bad as I remember. In fact being up so early I almost enjoyed it.

    Had a stop at Whakahoro. And changed my boat to the 8.30am one as I was making such good time.

    This is the area that returning soliders were given land to farm. What an impossible task they had.

    Made it to The Landing. I had forgotten how many bluffs we had to walk over and how many bridges there were. Particularly the annoying one with 4 steps up to it. I have a heavy bike. I was pretty much over it by the time I arrived.

    There were 5 of us camped at The landing. All in all a good day. It was dark with no lights.

    My bed for the night

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  • Day 9 I think timber trail

      14 March 2026
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    Had a surprisingly good sleep. Started early as it’s a long way to Taumaranui. The first part of the trail was great. There was a section in the middle that I didn’t like.

    It is just as good as I remember. Didn’t see any goats this time. Or smell any. A few native birds. Interesting history of the area and some great bridges.

    The rough part of the day is the bit from the end of the trail to Taumaranui. Gravel, uphill.

    I had booked a motel but there was some confusion. However a shout out to the Alexander Motel and the Twin something across the road. Ended up in a 5 bed unit and they let me take my bike inside! Service!

    Photo is the Ongarui spiral. Apologies for spelling.

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  • Day 8. Mangakino to Pureora

      13 March 2026
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    Early start. Good sleep

    A nice cycle to the start of the track to the centre of the north island.

    I saw tomtits! The first in ages. Some good bird song once into the native bush. I did push a few of the first parts.

    The steepest bit is after the centre of the north island. So I walked more. The weather was sunny and warm. Not my best cycling weather.

    A nice downhill to the cabins. Arrived in time to rinse and dry clothes and relax. Lovely setting and the shower was the first equal on the trail.

    YEP and mouse were happy to be there too.

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  • Day 7

      10 March 2026

    Te Aroha to mangakino. I didn’t mean to do such a huge day. Had a feed at a cafe just before the cycle land into Cambridge. Went to use my phone and it said locked for 9 minutes. Not knowing what this meant I tried again and it said locked for 1 hour. Frustrating. I couldn’t see where anyone was. I couldn’t text or call. I was badmouthing apple for sure. The other riders with me said I’d tried to access it too many times so it thought the phone was stolen. Anyway. I made a pact. If it wasn’t working by the time I got to near arapuni I’d call it a day. Weirdly it was working and I was able to call The Lodge and book a room. Great showers. Nice room. Glad I did. Not camping weather as 2deg overnight. Tired.

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  • Helensvilke to Orere Point

      9 March 2026

    Lovely cycle into Mt Eden. A bit of a headwind and I walked some hills.

    Decided to take a chance on the pine Harbour Ferry. What a great decision.

    The road wasn’t closed when we went past at 4pm. I was an hour ahead of time so I ride on to the top 10 at Orere point. Not much in the way of bird life. Mostly magpies. Nice beaches though and a tail wind fur some of it.

    Many thanks for all your donations.

    Even the smallest amount motivated me.

    Thanks.

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  • Pedal on

      5 March 2026
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    Got up really early to cycle while it was still dark and not hot. Made good time.

    Pohtu point in time for an icecream and sit in the sun and watch scenery. Boat came. It took ages to load. A bit disorganised. Nice trip down the Kaipara.

    Put up tent around 8pm at the Parakai yatch club.

    Slept well despite the smell of new tar in the middle of the night.

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  • Omapere to Dargavillle.

      28 February 2026
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    Early start for some steep climbs.

    Got to Tane mahuta as they were opening up. What a magnificent tree.

    Massive turn hill just after that.

    A bit of gravel today and very hot.

    Caught up with friends and now resting up for tomorrow.

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  • Omapere

      27 February 2026
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    Made it to Omapere. It is very hot. Too hot for me!

    Came across some cattle on the road, had a ferry ride to Rawene.

    Many thanks for all the donations so far. The YEP really love you all for it.

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  • First day

      26 February 2026

    Today was tough 103.4kms. Early start to get to Cape Reinga and walk to the lighthouse and back, collect spot tracker and get ready for briefing.

    Today was mostly flat so a full on falling day.

    Head wind most of the day which kept it cool. But an ok one. Could have been much worse!

    No down hills to break it the flatness.

    Fish and chips and resting up for tomorrow.

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  • Bike sorted

      24 February 2026

    Packed my bike and have made it to Tauranga. Tomorrow the Cape!

    Never seen Mt Ruapehu with so little snow.

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