Cycling Godzone to raise funds for mental health and well-being support services

Friday 26/03 - Day #26 cycling

Broadwood, Ahipara, Ninety Mile Beach ...and finally, Cape Reinga 😊

8:22 in the saddle, and the last 142km!

Woke to a dry morning early, thank goodness!

Packed and on our bikes by 8am.

First stop Ahipara for a big breakfast to fuel the hours on NMB.

We rode north with an easterly, which, for the first hour on NMB meant a headwind.

After that, the next 3.5 hours, the wind built slow.

Riding hard sand is fine but the wind was the major factor today - we could find ourselves trucking along nicely at 25kph, to suddenly being hit with a headwind that meant our kph could drop to below 10kph.

After The Bluff (on NMB) we were lucky to have more tail than head winds, but turning up the Te Paki stream was another story...

On reaching the road the last 15+ kms were basically all uphill to Cape Reinga.

We finish in the carpark at around 6:15pm - both our wives there to welcome us back 😊

Adventure complete, a great challenge... but tis fair to say I'm now looking forward to a little time off a bicycle 😁

Thursday 25/03 - Day #25 cycling

Dargaville, Waipoua Forest (Tane Mahuta), Omapere, Opononi, Rawene (ferry), Broadwood

7:47 saddle time, 139kms covered

Slept very well so a good start.

Started foggy, fine and bright by midday.

After grabbing breakfast we headed for the back roads out of Dargaville, tackling approx. 50km of gravel.

We then came back onto SH12 to take us through the Waipoua Forest.

Some decent hills through to this point before we riding a beauty downhill into Omapere and Opononi.

Into Rawene to catch the ferry (quite liked Rawene) but on landing the heavens opened and we rode in showers through to Broadwood.

Lucky for us a very helpful cow-cockie allowed us to set up for the night in the town's rugby pavilion (wasn’t looking forward to putting the tent up in the rain!).

After dinner we chatted with a truck driver who had just come back from driving road trains in Oz - sounded a tough but lucrative jig.

Aim for tomorrow, Cape Reinga, where it all began some weeks ago.

Wednesday 24/03 - Day #24 cycling

Home, Helensvillle, Kaipara Cruise, Pahi, Dargaville 6:04 in the saddle, 118kms travelled

An early start needed today to catch the 1030am boat to Pahi.

The Kaipara cruise was interesting for sure, but our 4:30pm arrival in Pahi put us behind schedule getting to Dargaville.

Having said that we rode some lovely back roads - gravel and seal - arriving in Dargaville in the dark around 8:30pm.

With tents set up we had a couple of beers while having dinner and doing the washing.

Tuesday 23/03 - Day #23 cycling

Orere Point Holiday Park, Kawakawa Bay, Clevedon, Manukau City, through the airport, Mangere Bridge, Cornwall Park, up Mt Eden, home...

4:43 ride time, 91km covered ...oops!

A day of cycling sealed roads and concrete cycle paths, how nice!

A relaxing day on the bike but once home ...after downing a cream apple turnover and slide of carrot cake - Pasadena Bakery strikes again

It was all ‘go’ drying the tent, sleeping bag etc., doing all my washing, clean and re-lube the chain and derailleurs, replace the brake blocks and repack the bike ready for 'the off' early tomorrow morning.

In the mix was beersies with a couple of mates who popped round!

Then it was dinner and cuppa with my beloved :) before hitting the hay.

Aim for tomorrow, Dargaville after jumping on a Kaipara Cruise to Pahi.

Day #22 Monday 22/03

Opal Hot Pools, Te Aroha, Paeroa, Miranda, Hauraki Rail Trails

7:41 in the saddle, 158km cycled

The weather again was great - light cloud to start, fine from late morning

Slight tailwind for most of the time, with a slight side wind kicking in mid afternoon, all helping to keep a pretty high kph average for the trip thus far.

Surfaces ranged from gravel tracks to bike trails, with some thick shells making you feel like you're riding in treacle between Miranda and Kaiaua ...at which I may've said 'oh darn... I think I'll ride on the lovely road!' 😁

Once we got to the Kaiaua Pub, downed some nosh and beer, we agreed to push on to the Orere Point holiday park to camp for the night.

Aim tomorrow; a shorter day ending at our respective homes in the Big Smoke where showers, washing and drying, bike mechanics, dinner and sleeping in our own beds await 👍

Sunday 21/03 - Day #21 cycling

Mangakino, Arapuni, Matamata, Waikato River Trails

6:13 ride time, 105km cycled

Started chilly with a thin cloud cover but fined up and became sunny round midday

Cycled the Wiapapa and Karapiro sections of the Waikato River Cycle Trails.

The Wiapapa being the harder.of the two with quite a bit of up and down, including some walking.

The Karaprio section we started after some lovely carrot cake from the Rhubarb Cafe.

After tackling SH1 and SH29 for at least 30mins (lucky for us we had a tailwind ...it was busy) we turned off onto some lovely sealed roads that brought us into the Matamata.

After a quick chow Chinese chow down, devoured in the middle of Matamata's main street, we headed to our camp spot at Opal Hot Spa to camp.

Another good day.

Aiming for Miranda tomorrow, so a bigger day mileage wise ...but no hills!

Only hope we don't suffer with headwinds tomorrow...

Saturday 20/03 - Day #20 cycling

Piropiro, Timber Trail (remainder, south to north), some of the Waikato River Trail, Mangkino

7:17 saddle time, 98kms covered.

Day started cloudy and got better as we rode on.

Phew, what a day!

A real mixture of riding surfaces today.

Total elevation climbed was over 900m.

There was some really comfortable cycling and quite a bit of bone shaking (my bike has no suspension).

To cross the Arataki Wire Swingbridge we had to take bags off the bike before pushing the bike across on the back wheel ...to then reassemble the bike on the other side.

Glad to get to Mangakino, have a nice Hawaiian burger and chips, and find some really basic but comfortable cabins for the night.

Aim tomorrow at least Matamata, maybe even Te Aroha if the winds are kind.

Friday 19/03 - Day #19 cycling

Owhanga, Taumarunui, Ongarue, Timber Trail (40km of it, south to north), Piropiro

6:43 ride time, 100km cycled, mainly gravel or off road paths

Up early and off before 8am.

Weather kind again today.

Cycled in Taumarnui for a 'big' breakfast.

Recommend the Timber Trail, so far anyway, but would say the West Coast Wilderness Trail, all 130kms of it, is slightly better - the Timber Trail thus far is hillier with more ruts.

Overall an easier day cycling.

Popped up to the Timber Trail Lodge for a shower, pizza and beers :) ...great way to finish a good day, and what a relaxing place.

Bumped into friends of my brothers while there, Jeanette and Mark.

After dinner headed back to the DOC camp at Piropiro Flats for some much needed shuteye.

Aiming for Mangakino tomorrow.

Thursday 18/03 - Day #18 cycling

Pikiriki, Jetboat up the Wanganui River, Bridge to Nowhere, Whakahoro, Owhanga

6:50 ride time, 86km covered

Another fine day.

Some down time as the Jetboat was to arrive at 10am - sorted some bike maintenance.

Jetboat was late... we got away after 11am.

No real sightseeing after the Bridge to Nowhere as I needed my wits about me riding the tracks.

Some of the gravel roads had just been re-metaled and graded - left like riding in treacle.

Managed to see both Mt Egmont and Ruapehu (et al) again.

The late start off the jetboat meant a late finish - rode into Owhanga in the dark at 8:30pm to find accommodation, shower etc.

Today confirmed that single track MTB riding is not for me ...so hoping there is no more!

A smidge tired.

Amining for Ongarue tomorrow.

Wednesday 17/03 - Day #17 cycling

Hunterville, Wanganui, Athens, London, Jerusalem, Pipiriki

7:32 saddle time, 144kms cycled

Chilly start that turned into a blue sky day with kind tailwinds.

The valleys from Hunterville make for great cycling.

Scoffed a Pad Thai in Wanganui before heading out.

Nice ride up the Wanganui with a gentle tailwind.

Sealed roads all the way!

Camped at the old Pipiriki Primary school.

Clear cold star filled night - the Milky Way was bright, stunning!

Tuesday 16/03 - Day #16 cycling

Palmerston North, Ashhurst, Apiti, Rangiwhai Hunterville

8:43 riding time, 143km covered

Overcast all day, copped a few showers through the afternoon.

Rode some 30kms on gravel roads - like riding on ball bearings!

More headwinds today, do hope that doesn't become a feature of the rest of the TA.

Overall, a great day, but feeling the effects of three big days in the saddle!

Wanganui tomorrow, then up the river to Pipiriki ...all going to plan

Monday 15/03 - Day #15 cycling

Martinborough, Masterton, Eketahuna, Pahiatua, Palmerston North

8:34 saddle time, 164kms cycled.

Yet another sunny and warm day.

Rode through some lovely NZ farming countryside.

The final 20-ish kms saw us mixing it with trucks and fast traffic with little or no shoulder - some interesting moments heading off into the ditch at pace.

Made it to Palmerston North to camp for the night - phew!

Trackers now should be working, once refreshed.

Sunday 14/03 - Day #14 cycling

Karaka Bay, Wellington, the Hutts, Rimutaka Summit, Martinborough

6:33 in the saddle, 116kms covered

Cracking day!

Recommend the Rimutaka Rail Trail ride.

A couple of tunnels on it, loads of history.

Lake Palister was gleaming.

Countryside looking dry and brown.

Trackers should be working soon...

Saturday 13/03 - Day #13 cycling

Invercargilll, Bluff, Invercargilll, fly to Wellington

3:27 ride time, 70kms covered

Woke early, 430am, caught up on my updates.

On the bikes by 8am, foggy all the way to Bluff.

No oysters, nothing open before 10am.

Obligatory coffee and muffin - very nice!

Fog cleared for the ride back to Invercargill.

Deep fried oysters for lunch... for my good mate anyway.

Cycled to the airport, packed bikes up etc.

Staying at a mate's place in Karaka Bay overnight, after assembling the bikes at the airport. To start the northern TA phase tomorrow ...all going to plan

Friday 12/03 - Day #12 cycling

Mavora Lakes, Mossburn, Winton, Wallacetown, Invercargill

8:12 riding time, 167kms covered

Mainly an on-road day, in good weather.

Occasional headwind later on.

Recommend the Dome Cafe in Mossburn!

On reaching Invercargill went straight to the airport to source bike boxes.

Stay at the Central Park Camping Park, simple cabin.

Simple night of beers and chips.

Deep fried oysters in Bluff tomorrow perhaps?

Thursday 11th March - Day#11 cycling

Wanaka, Cardrona, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Walters Peak, Mavora Lakes

9:06 riding, 145kms covered

Early start as we couldn't sleep

Breakfasted, packed and on the road by 6:15am.

Coffee stop at Cardrona - brilliant!

Over an hour to climb the Crown Range - the summit was in mist.

Great ride down the other side into Arrowtown for pies :)

Cycled the trails into Queenstown where we caught the Ernslaw across to Walters Peak.

Then cycled another 50+ kms of gravel road to camp at Mavora Lakes ...not so many sandflies, thank goodness!

Weather was again kind all day.

Wednesday 10th March - Day #10 cycling

Makarora, Lake Hawea, Wanaka

4:09 riding, 77kms covered

Weather was fine and warm, scenery was again majestic!

Photo happy.

Stay at the Wanaka Holiday Park, a cabin.

Tuesday 9th March - Day #9 cycling

Lake Paringa, Haast, Makaroroa

7:12 in the saddle, 133kms travelled.

Started a bit damp as showers overnight, but another kind day weatherwise

The scenery is majestic! ...and you feel so small on a bike.

Took us 1:15 to climb Haast Pass, phew! ...at one point nearly walked (we’re not tramping)!

The Makarora A frame cabins were great.

Everything we needed and it was cheap - nice place to stay!

Monday 8th March - Day #8 cycling

Hari Hari, Franz Joseph, Fox, Lake Paringa

7:47 cycling, 151kms covered

Second biggest day in the saddle with some good hills!

Weather was kind all day.

Planned to stay in a cabin but these were closed due to Covid 😠

Camped with sandflies on Lake Paringa, not as many as Lake Rotoroa though.

Sunday 7th March - Day #7 cycling

Hokitika, Ross, Hari Hari

4:33 of riding, covered 84km

Slow day, feeling to effort from yesterday

Perhaps spent too long at the Clocktower Cafe

Weather was kind overall, got rained on for about an hr coming into Hari Hari

Slight headwind for about 15kms from Ross, then again coming into H-H

A good mix of bike trail, gravel road and seal

Managed to grab a few blackberries on the roadside

Overall, a bit tired ...but a visit to the local and a couple of beers certainly helped 😁

Saturday 6th March - Day #6 cycling

Ikamatua, Blackball, Greymouth, Kumara, Cowboy Paradise, Hokitika

8:30 in the saddle, 158kms cycled

Biggest day yet in the saddle so a smidge knackered!

Great day though

The West Coast Wilderness Trails are worth riding, good tracks, highly recommended... just pick weather friendly days.

2hrs from Hokitika we got nailed by a thumberstorm including lighting and hail!

A little damp coming in, otherwise a great day!

Thinking it'll be a shorter day tomorrow...

Finished at new holiday camp - very nice.

Friday 5th March - Day#5 cycling

Springs Junction, Reefton, Big River, Ikamatua

7:58 riding, 103kms covered

Weather was good

Didn't enjoy the single track riding on walking tracks.

some 1-2hrs of what seemed like endless walking.

Can now state that single track MTB is not for me and I may’ve been heard to say “If I wanted to walk I would’ve taken up tramping…”

Stayed at the Ikamatua pub, simple cabin out back.

Downed a couple of well earned beers and a couple of bowls of tasty chips!

Thursday 4th March - Day #4 cycling

Lake Rotoroa, Murchison, Springs Junction

6:34 riding, 112kms cycled

Weird noises through the night...

Great breakfast in Murchison after a good climb from the lake.

Mainly cloudy, brief shower.

Found a small cabin for the night.

Wednesday 3rd March - Day #3 cycling

7:05 in the saddle, 131kms covered

Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Spooners Tunnel, Tapawera, Lake Rotoroa

Camped at Lake Rotoroa, sandfly central!

Tuesday 2nd March – Day#2 cycling

Wellington (ferry), Picton, Havelock, Pelorus Bridge, Maungatapu Track (yikees!), Nelson

Up at 5am, on the road by 6am

Cycled from Karaka Bay to Bluebridge Ferries (Wellington CBD).

Another great breakfast on the ferry.

Picton to Nelson over the Maungatapu Saddle ...a massive 700+ m climb.

Rained most of the climb up to the saddle, 2.5hrs

Nice run down the other side into Nelson

Stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park.

Monday 1st March - no cycling

In Whangarei pick up a bike boxes, packed up and weight in at airport.

Flew to Auckland (25 min flight) and then onto Wellington.

Stayed at Pete’s place in Karaka Bay.

Sunday 30th Feb - no cycling

In Ahipara, booked flight to Wellington and ferry to Picton.

Then drove to Whangarei via Coppers Beach as the gorge was still closed.

Stayed at The Blue Heron, packed bikes up in bike boxes.

Alison drove home, at least 1½ hr waiting in traffic que to get into Auckland.

Saturday 29th Feb - Day #1 cycling

Cape Reinga to Ahipara

6:48 ride time, 108kms covered

30mins of showers at start, else a fine day, not too hot, thank goodness!

Occasional headwind on NMB, mainly sidewind, nice tailwind coming into Ahipara.

Half way down NMB came across a beached boat with 2 fishmen preforming CPR on their friend. They had been doing so for an hour, emergency services were on the way - an ambulance and rescue helicopter arrived soon after we got there. We found out later that unfortunately their friend had passed away…

We heard later that evening that Auckland was to go into Level 3 Covid lockdown for 7 days.

No way through for us …new plan needed.