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On Yer Bike Lynne White

  • Home time

      1 March 2022
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    28 February 2022

    Anne is exploring by boat today, going on a Mail Boat run around the Marlborough Sounds. Great idea!

    It seemed strange biking by myself. Anne is better at up-hills and seeing her ahead inspires me to keep going when the going gets tough. Fortunately, the hills today were manageable and there was definitely more down than up, just the way I like it! The view of Havelock from the other side of the inlet and views of the Sounds along the scenic route to Picton were inspiration in themselves.

    Finally, down into Picton. Suddenly I saw a familiar face! Katie Underwood, a friend from Brooklyn, is about to start a different multi day bike ride down South Island, so we idled away an hour or so before I booked in on the Bluebridge Ferry. I can’t quite believe it’s all over.

    The last couple of days have definitely been cooler but, incredibly, we have not had to bike in the rain at all; our wet weather day in Ross was the only day-time rain on our trip. So lucky!!

    Thanks…

    ….. Anne for planning the trip in the first place and being such a great bike buddy.

    ….. Oliver Druce for giving us such good forecasts and keeping the weather gods on our side.

    …… my husband, Warren, for being my greatest support person.

    Many, many thanks to all my sponsors who have helped raise $4,380 for Wellington Women’s Refuge.

    My page is open until 6 March if you know anyone who would like to help make it a nice, round $4.5k!

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/on-yer-bike-lynne-white

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    • 08/03/2022 by Philippa

      Well done Lynne & Anne, you are an inspiration and we really appreciate that you chose to support Wellington Women's Refuge. Lynn the funds you have raised will make a real difference.

  • The End is Nigh!

      1 March 2022
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    27 February 2022

    Rather than attempt the steep 720m gravel road up to Maungatapu Saddle (not recommended for heavily laden touring bikes – that’s us!) we took SH6 up, up, up and over the Whangamoa Saddle – so glad this is the easier route! And then the Rai Saddle – does someone up there not like us?

    The journey was briefly redeemed by the stunning Pelorous River, a quick look at the very attractive DoC campsite there and then on again to Havelock where nature, once again, came to the fore.

    Just to be certain, we had pre-booked a cabin for the night!

    This is our last night together as Anne will stay here an extra night to maximise the benefit of annual leave; apparently doing the Tour Aotearoa is notoriously bad for relationships but there is no truth in the rumour that we are no longer talking to each other! We had a very good meal at the Captain’s Daughter to celebrate the (almost) end of a fantastic trip together and seeing so much of this incredible island.

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  • Last camping night

      1 March 2022
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    26 February 2022

    City bound. The closer we get to Nelson, the more Old Man’s Beard we see; now it is all over the hedgerows and scaling the taller trees. Very dispiriting. At the same time, the scenery becomes more contained with huge fields of hops, the native bush and forests replaced by pine plantations. It seems so ironic that on one hand DoC and others are trying desperately to eradicate wilding pines and on the other hand, enormous pine forests straddle the hillsides.

    On the plus side, the entire journey today is part of The Great Taste Trail and off-road. Often the track runs beside the road but feels so much safer. Lots of weekend bikers around.

    Just outside Tapawera we passed the entrance to The Hidden Sculpture Garden and Gallery, another place on the list to visit next time.

    A highlight was the Spooner Tunnel, about half-way between Tapawera and Wakefield. At just over a kilometre long, it is the longest disused railway tunnel in New Zealand and even more significantly took us through, rather than over, a frightening looking hill. (My legs are pretty tired now and just about every hill looks frightening!) Anne went first as her headtorch is like a searchlight. Even so, I did find it very dark in there. Not surprising as I discovered on emerging, that I still had my sunglasses on! This heat is certainly getting to me!!

    Hurray! After the tunnel, it was our turn for a downhill ride, about 18km to Wakefield. Both Glendinings Bakery and the Rhubarb café had been recommended so, to be fair, we tried them both, lunch at one and fortification for the afternoon from the other. Yum.

    And then a fairly nondescript ride into Nelson. We had a choice of The Top Ten Holiday Camp or the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park. Somehow the beach sounded appealing and we thought would maybe less commercialised than Top Ten. How gullible! The Tahuna holiday park was huge – our tent site was number 756 – and the most expensive so far. Next time we will check out Top Ten! But it was close to the lovely, long, sandy Tahunanui beach and thanks to a gentle sea breeze, the first time that we didn't wake up to wet tents.

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  • The longest day (almost)

      1 March 2022
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    25 February 2022

    Murchison to Tapawera via Lake Rotoroa; 99km, say it quickly and try not to think about it! We exercised due caution and stocked up on snacks and lunch before leaving town, adding to the considerable tally of energy bars and salted nuts we have consumed on this trip.

    It’s a pleasant ride out of Murchison and down the oddly named Mangles Valley Road passing a number of small farms and lifestyle blocks before turning left onto the Braeburn Track, leading to Lake Rotoroa. A car towing a boat stopped and two cheery men told us that the track was beautiful but got worse further along. Too late, I thought, as they sped off, that we could have asked them to at least take our handlebar bags holding tents and sleeping bags – not that we need any help, of course.

    It was a long climb but the gradient was good, the track reasonable and the scenery attractive. Other than the sound of water in the streams below us, the loudest noise was my gasping and the voice in my head, only a tiny bit louder, saying “I can and I will”. I once asked Anne “Why are we doing this?” to which she replied “The downhills are nice”. True – we just need more of them!

    Soon enough we went over Braeburn Saddle and were speeding down towards the lake, cooling our feet in the fords. Lake Rotoroa is stunningly beautiful and it would have been nice to camp there, except for the sandflies and the numerous bees that are attracted to Anne’s blue top every time we stop.

    After a decent lunch (!) we continued along Gowan Valley Road which joined up with SH6, a salutary experience. There was a fair bit of fast traffic and we were relieved to turn off again towards Tadmore Saddle. I was encouraged by a sign saying School Bus Route – it couldn’t be too steep, could it? In fact, it was a relatively easy climb and then 30km through the Tadmore Valley.

    There are some routes that are simply black holes for accommodation and Lake Rotoroa to Tarawera was one of them and we understood from others we met that all the cabins in Tapawera were booked. How could this be? We certainly weren’t going any further! When we finally arrived, we discovered that it is the hop picking season and all the workers had the cabins. Fortunately, there was a nice patch of grass, just right for camping, hot showers and a kitchen for cooking our delicious dinner of Single Snacks with chopped cherry tomatoes.

    A footpath led from the campsite into Tapawera where a handsome waharoa celebrates the township as the entrance to the Kahurangis. Of course, there is a handy Four Square as well….still thinking about food…

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  • Springs Junction to Murchison

      26 February 2022
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    24 February 2022

    How many beautiful valleys, hills and mountains can one island have? I think that today was one of my favourite days despite some challenges (just for a change). A day spent travelling through forest and farmland.

    The road leaving Springs Junction weaves along the Maruia River and we could even have been off the main road if we hadn’t missed the turn off. However, if we had taken the correct route, we would have missed finding out that the cafe we were relying on for snacks and lunch wasn’t open. Sadly, we contemplated our total store of food. Well, we had some crackers, we could cook up some porridge for lunch…..we had enough to survive the day’s exertions, just.

    Eventually we turned off the main road and re-assured by a road-worker who had used the track on his motor-bike, we made our way up to Maruia Saddle, 580m, on a very well graded track through beautiful beech forest. We thought that going down would be a breeze but there were a number of water hurdles and quite a bumpy track.

    To our surprise we met a lone biker coming up the other way and spent some time chatting and exchanging information about the route ahead. We completed the ride to the bottom of the hill, then stopped for ‘lunch’ and to refill our water bottles from the stream, before continuing the long ride into Murchison. Without hesitation or deviation, we went straight to the Rivers Café where we made up for lost time and calories with a lunch/all snacks combo.

    Just a short ride now to the Murchison Holiday camp situated beside the now tranquil Buller River. And then out again for dinner in town!

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    • 28/02/2022 by Janice

      You are doing great! And hopefully oblivious to occupation and invasion.

  • Ikamatua to Springs Junction

      24 February 2022
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    23 February 2022

    Having no tent to pack up gave us a head start for what we anticipated could be a long day to Springs Junction. The clouds hunkered down over the distant hills and the road from Ikamatua rolled through the countryside like a grey liquorice strap.

    We passed by the turn off for the Big River Hut route as we were too heavily laden, thank goodness (!) to contemplate the mountain-bike terrain and continued a pleasant run into Reefton, other than an increase in heavy traffic. Most trucks give us a wide berth but one old bus towing a trailer, forced Anne onto the verge, and adding insult to injury, belted out some noxious exhaust.

    In Reefton, we restored our morale at the Bakery where we had a chat with a group of four motor-cyclists – other North Islanders making the most of the tourist deficit. They thought that cyclists and motor bikers had quite a lot in common; we both smell more, they said. Initially I thought it was a comment on the distinct lack of washing that has taken place on our trip but no, it was all the smells we noticed on the way – rolls of silage, cattle and timber trucks and today, the delicious smell of the forest that bordered the road.

    After Reefton, the guide book describes the route as “the downhill that just keeps on giving”. Unfortunately, that is for people going the other way! The next 30km was a long, winding uphill but not as steep as we had anticipated. The lovely beech forest and mountains of the Victoria Forest Park inspired us to keep going and eventually we came to Rahu Saddle, the highest point at just under 700m. Then the road plunges down to Springs Junction. Yahoo!!!

    It was still early afternoon when we checked out the food supplies for an evening meal. Not very hopeful! Should we buy a pot of noodles at the petrol station or the last of the day’s pies at the café? It’s time to use our ‘emergency’ dried meal with a few imaginative additions.

    In contrast to our meal, our accommodation is the most luxurious yet, an Air BnB, owing to a lack of alternatives!

    Covid has definitely taken its toll on small, out of the way businesses.

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  • End of the West Coast Wilderness Trail

      24 February 2022
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    22 February 2022

    From Kumara, the trail follows the Kumara Tram Road which is an easy gravel track (yay!) It passes through regenerating forest where we surprised a family of wild piglets. Most of them fled into the bush but one continued to nonchalantly root around on the track until we were almost upon him. Very cute and very tasty, I’m sure.

    Further along the route, a suspension bridge spanned the impressive Kumara Gorge. On one side of the bridge, we could barely see the river through the dense foliage and on the other side the cliffs had fallen away completely, leaving the river to find its way through huge rocks and rubble.

    And then it’s an easy run into Greymouth. It was lovely to see, hear and smell the sea again and we realised that we will be in Nelson the next time we do this. The bike trails do a good job of taking you as far into town as possible on the back roads or trails.

    Time for another snack; our bike trip really does seem to have focussed a lot on food!

    Leaving Greymouth was a little scary as we had to cross the river and then, briefly, take SH6. Just as we joined the highway, an enormous triple articulated truck turned in front of us. After several days of back roads and trails, this was a bit of a culture shock! However, we kindly let him go ahead and a few kms later turned off onto a quiet back road, rolling along through farms and small settlements; Taylorville, the Blackball turn-off, Moonlight and the hauntingly sad memorial to the Pike River miners. I felt so lucky to be alive, skimming past fields with a light cloudy sky above and mountains in the distance.

    It was good to reach the Ikamatua grocery shop, buy an ice-cream and find a bed for the night at the Ikamatua Holiday Camp which incorporates a pub and hotel; everything you could possibly need! At the grocery shop, a group of cyclists arrived looking stunned and bedraggled, having travelled the exciting route from Reefton via the Big River Hut. They were on a mission to get to Greymouth that evening and looking for the quickest route.

    I’m not sure why anyone would come here on holiday but it seemed to have a few customers including a miner at the new Reefton gold mine and a couple of four-wheel drivers whose vehicle hadn’t quite made it across a river and were in need of drying out. And us. It’s interesting to see who turns up at these places!

    It always pays to check the weather forecast with the locals – apparently Ikamatua lies in a dry area and even two weeks ago the fields around were brown. So, no rain there and none forecast for tomorrow.

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  • Stage Two - Kumara

      24 February 2022
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    21 Feb 2022

    I zipped into Hokitika to the Bike Shop at 8.30 where I had a booking to replace the spoke that broke before Haast. Whilst replacing the broken spoke, the mechanic discovered and replaced seven others that had been damaged and would have broken in due course – which given how rough the track was that day, would have been sooner rather than later. It was reassuring to have the bike checked over by an expert!

    The West Coast Wilderness Trail continued on mainly good tracks through forest and along water races which looked enticing on a hot day but were fiercely guarded by signs announcing “Do Not Swim – Danger of Drowning”. We paused to admire Lake Kaniere (and have a snack) before biking along the very beautiful Arahura Valley and winding our way up the switchback to the now infamous Cowboy Paradise. Nothing exciting happening there today so on we went, passing several weirs (No Swimming!) until we reached Kawhaka Pass where we stopped for lunch – a giant scone purchased in Hokitika. High up above us in a tree top, an invisible bird squawked loudly and incessantly. Although not in the mountains, we wondered if it was a young kea – what else could make such a shrieking noise?

    After the Pass, we were on the bone jarring downhill stretch to Kumara. By the time we reached Kapitea Reservoir at the end of the day, where we could swim, I was down to my last dregs of energy – just enough to coast into Kumara where we found a nice campsite at the Greenstone Retreat. We enjoyed the rustic charm and rural idyll until 3.30 next morning when the local rooster decided to practice his cock a doodle do-ing. Oh the joys of the countryside!

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  • West Coast Wilderness Trail

      24 February 2022
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    20 Feb 2022

    Starting the West Coast Wilderness Trail in Ross means a very flat and easy bike ride along the old rail trail used for carrying timber and meat. The trail was bordered by hedgerows decorated by spiders’ webs sparkling in the sunlight.

    Having plenty of time to get to Hokitika, we played at tourists and visited the Tree Top walkway which had wonderful views over the Lake Mahinapua and forest in one direction and across to the Main Range in the other. It was a gloriously clear and sunny day.

    Shortly after leaving the tree top reserve, we entered the Mahinapua Track, another trail from the logging days, leading through dappled bush through to some fantastic wetlands with deep brown peaty streams dotted with kahikatea. A group of white herons had commandeered the very top of the tallest tree in the swamp.

    And so on to Hokitika, very quiet on a Sunday afternoon. A few kms on the other side of town we found a very pleasant holiday camp and, after hammering our tent pegs into some stony ground, relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.

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  • Resting in Ross

      22 February 2022
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    19 Feb 2022

    Satisfyingly it did rain in the night, enough to have made camping unpleasant and this afternoon it poured but cleared up in the evening.

    We walked into Ross just to see if our walking muscles still functioned (barely!) aiming for 12 o’clock lunch at the hotel, giving us time to return to our shipping container before the rain arrived. Alas, the sign in the window said they opened at 1.00. Unless you are interested in gold mining, there’s not a lot to do to pass an hour in Ross. However, rural hospitality prevailed when the cook saw us scouting around and a delicious lunch was promptly provided.

    The rain started to come in on our way back and the running muscles definitely fell short of requirements.

    Puffing back to our cabins, we spent the rest of the day with our kindles before gazing at the proverbial west coast sunset before snuggling down to sleep.

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    • 23/02/2022 by Ali

      Hi Lynne, looks as though you are making very good progress up the island. Good decision not to camp at Ross by the sound of it. I guess by now you are through the Wilderness Trail. Happy biking🙂

  • By-passing Harihari

      22 February 2022
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    18 Feb 2022

    Our breakfast was exceptional! A range of different teas, coffee, toast toppings and cereals – and this is a backpackers?

    Well-fortified, we packed our bags and set off on our way. The highway passes through farmland, forest and vast areas of wetlands. Only one hill climb, the aptly named Mount Hercules, separated us from Harihari, our destination for the day. The road climbed in zigzags with the sloping corners reinforced by huge banks of boulders; we were constantly in awe of the skills of the road engineers and builders.

    Our aim was to have a day off somewhere soon – we’ve been biking every day for over a week and there is rain forecast. However, we arrived in Harihari at midday and even after a lunch of that South Island staple, cheese rolls, it seemed too soon to stop. So we continued northwards, up-down-up-down, passing beautiful Lake Ianthe and other large lakes which would make perfect camp spots – another time. Finally we arrived in Ross.

    The Top Ten campsite was two kms down the beach road – too far, I said .and we rode a bit further into town. The motel was fully booked! What! This was a first on our journey. The Historic Ross Hotel only had one room which the lady explained was over the bar and likely to be noisy. So back to the Top Ten where we booked in for two nights in a very comfortable and quirky converted shipping container with the sound of the sea close by.

    Photo of Mount Hercules road repairs

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  • Three Passes on the West Coast!

      17 February 2022
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    17 Feb 2022

    We had a big sleep in until 7.40 - nothing like a comfortable bed for the night!

    The road between Pine Grove Motel and Fox is delightful, undulating through farmland and forest, always with huge, bulky mountains in the distance. Highly recommended.

    After this the guide book says, “Prepare to climb three saddles”, the first and highest being Cook's Saddle, but I’m not sure how we were meant to prepare except to say it was mind over matter. I gently glowed like mad and was so relieved to have a legitimate rest at the traffic-light controlled road repairs – a chance to wipe the mixture of sweat, insect repellent and sunscreen from my brow.

    The downhills were thrilling and, torture over, a level road led into Franz Josef. A possibility of rain and so we booked into The Chateau Backpackers – backpacker prices for a lovely room, free soup tonight and free breakfast tomorrow. We are excited at the prospect of toast! Travelling light focuses the mind on the simple pleasures of life!

    Photo from yesterday but I thought it was time for some scenery.

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Well done getting over those saddles Lyn and pleased to hear you got a well earned rest at the backpackers - Love and Hugs from the team at Wellington Women's Refuge <3

  • West Coast Travel

      17 February 2022
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    16 Feb 2022

    My first thought on waking was that we could book into a room at the Holiday Camp for the next night. It had unexpectedly poured with rain in the night and was still raining. I put my Ortleib panniers and handle-bar bag around the inside edge of the tent to stop myself touching the walls; this works well usually but now the roof was hanging low with the weight of the rain (and sandflies!) and it was tricky to make any sort of an exit without getting wet.

    Apparently, it didn’t occur to Anne to abandon the camping idea and other campers predicted that the weather would fine up. 9.30 came and the sun put in a grudging appearance and by 10.00 we were all set to start biking for the day, our wet tents shaken out and semi-dried.

    Today was true West Coast scenery; wide river mouths, dark green rain forest with abundant kahikatea and rimu, the forest edges trimmed with ferns.

    We stopped once at Ship Creek, so named after pieces of a wreck were found there – and later identified as having come from a wreck off Australia. There was a little tower to climb to enable views over the giant flaxes and sand dunes to the wild beaches and cliffs.

    The words ‘pass’ and ‘saddle’ conjour up an image of effort being required but as we laboured up to Knights Point, the highest point of our day I thought that ‘point’ was under-estimated – it seemed just as hard as the Haast Pass when approached from the south. We had lunch at Knights Point look-out, watching a kereru climbing and falling on spirals of wind. By the time we left, the car-park had become very crowded – at least four cars were there.

    The rivers changed as we headed north and, like the Mahitahi, becoming icy blue again.

    Notes!

    Called in very briefly at Lake Paringa which looked beautiful.

    Bruce Bay – incredibly desolate, newly repaired road after the sea came over the sea wall.

    At least a dozen huge slips en route today, all cleared but the destruction of rivers and forests still very evident.

    Our accommodation seemed elusive, with no prior billboards advertising it, but eventually, after 92km, we arrived at a motel and campsite. I determined that tonight I would sleep in a bed, our first on this trip. A gift of fresh tomatoes from the proprietor, damp tents hung out to dry, a hot shower and all was well with the world.

    Photo of SH6 in Bruce Bay

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Wet tents are no fun, great progress made and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life; a hot shower and sleeping in a bed....

  • Another summit bites the dust!

      15 February 2022
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    15 Feb 2022

    We set off from Makarora in good time and after a few kilometres came to a huge car park with almost no-one there. A sign indicated a short walk to the Blue Lakes which DoC helpfully informed us were so called due to the blue water – whoever would have guessed? We wondered when we would be here again and decided to do the short walk which was enhanced by titipounamu frolicking in the beech forest around us. And yes, we came to the Blue River with huge cliffs and boulders and deep, clear blue water. Very impressive. A young man had just jumped off the bridge over the river and said he didn’t feel the cold because of the adrenalin rush. I didn’t argue.

    Back to the bike ride…the hills got gradually steeper and then after one that really got the muscles burning, we came to the Haast Pass summit and the Otago – Westland Divide. Another opportunity for a walk!! The day was young and so we went up to the Haast lookout with views of the mountains to the west.

    And then back to the bike ride….through the stunning Haast Pass and impressive Gates of Haast with spectacular mountains all around. All went well until I heard a pinging sound and discovered that one of my spokes had broken. It flapped about and couldn’t be removed so in the end I just bent it around another spoke where it was out of the way. Google tells me that one broken spoke is OK. Cruising into Haast across the huge river valley, the local mechanic told me I could get my bike repaired in Wanaka – I don’t think so! I’ll try Hokitika when we get there.

    We were too tired to make a meal tonight and instead indulged ourselves at the local pub. What a good option! And another early night!

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    • 16/02/2022 by Ali

      Well done, both of you. Sounds as though you are pretty much sticking to your plan. All the best for the ride up the Coast🙂

  • Lake Hawea to Makarora

      15 February 2022
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    14 Feb 2022

    A beautiful sunny day (sorry North Islanders!) with clear blue skies, shining water and dazzling mountain scenery all along the shores of Lake Hawea to The Neck where we crossed over to Lake Wanaka. Stopping to admire new vistas, we met a couple from Hataitai; not so unexpected as many of the people we meet are from North Island and the Wellington area in particular.

    The road from Wanaka onwards drifted gently up and down which suited our legs which were still recovering from yesterday. The day got hotter and we stopped for lunch under a shady hedge before slowly embarking on the next 5km to a café and then, even more slowly, the last 5km to Makarora.

    Campsite. Plenty of cabins but few tourists. Much of the accommodation was taken by a sheep-shearing gang but ample room for our tents. Time for laundry and odd jobs.

    We saw a strange road sign on the way – not sure what it meant but suggestions are welcome!

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Apparently its 'take care riding over railway tracks', glad you got a beautiful sunny day :-)

  • We knocked the b...... off!

      14 February 2022
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    13 Feb 2022

    We left Arrowtown on a grey overcast day with fellow campers suitably subdued and took the scenic route out of town along the Five Bridges Track.

    I had enquired lamely at the camp ground as to whether anyone was going to Wanaka, hoping desperately that they might take our panniers but alas, my magic charm had temporarily faded and we approached the Crown Range road with some trepidation.

    The first third is up a series of nicely graded zig-zags and it crossed my mind that you might actually enjoy the ride on an unladen road bike. A kind young man on one such bike called out to make sure I was alright (just because I had stopped after the first 100m to take off a layer!) as he sailed past.

    The second third had us wondering why all the fuss was made about the Crown Range; the road soared across a ridge line and even had a few minor down-hills for variety.

    The last third taught us a lesson – this is what the fuss is about! It is steep and, like tramping, just when you think you are at the top another hill appears around the corner. I would like to say that we biked the whole way but, just to prove we are human, we had a few spells of walking. Pushing a laden bike up steep hills is not much of a rest really. However, joy of joys, we made it!

    Then an exhilarating 8km ride in the stinging cold down to Cardrona Hotel where the bar snacks were so large that we took away our left-overs for dinner. Another 300m swoop brought us into Wanaka for a brief stop before the last leg of the day, along pleasant bike tracks to Lake Hawea camping ground. The gateway said “Lake Hawea Camping Ground, New Zealand” as though we might inadvertently have taken a wrong turning and ended up somewhere else entirely.

    Exhaustion from our 86km day may have coloured our views but this seemed to be the best of our campsites so far; situated on the edge of stunningly beautiful Lake Hawea with lovely old trees dotted about and plenty of space.

    We set up our tents, ate dinner and had an early night..

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Wow, congratulations on completing your 86k day, glad there was such a lovely camp ground at the end of it.

  • The Early Bird...

      14 February 2022
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    12 Feb 2022

    I insisted on setting the alarm for 5.00 to ensure that we would get to Walter Peak Station on time to catch the Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu. Estimated times for the ride varied from 2.5 hours (unladen!) to 5.5 hours, going in the opposite direction and therefore up the dreaded Von Hill.

    Packing up our tents and setting off in the dark was a novel experience! The mist was low over the hills and we could have been anywhere for the first hour or so. And then the mountains slowly revealed themselves, so impressive behind the tussocky foreground.

    Only one or two vehicles came along until a Wild Rides van drew up beside us. The driver, Paul, had very kindly stopped to check that we had enough water and sufficient maps for the area. He was on his way to pick up cyclists from the early morning sailing and had an empty van. I couldn’t resist the temptation and asked if he could carry our bags to Walter Peak, or anywhere en route. No problem! A real Good Samaritan. The rest of our ride was blissful, riding through the fabulous Von Valley and down to Walter Peak Station with an hour or more to spare!

    After a pleasant sailing on an almost empty ferry, we had a break with a friend of Anne’s in Queenstown, then on to Arrowtown via the Countryside Track – a few unexpected hills but we made it!

    The campsite is very formal with lots of campervans in rows and numbered tent sites for the few campers. But convenient and clean.

    Girding our loins now for the Crown Range tomorrow!

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  • Idyllic Mavora Lakes

      14 February 2022
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    11 Feb

    A much better day! We had a sustaining cafe breakfast and then a good ride through to Mavora Lakes. The route is very exposed with almost no shelter so, once again, we were pretty hot. But the moment we took the turning to the Lakes we were biking through beautifully cool and shady beech forest. We found an idyllic campsite by South Lake where we had a refreshing swim.

    Now fortified for a longer ride tomorrow.

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Great to hear you had an easier day today :-)

  • So Far and No Further

      10 February 2022
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    10 Feb

    This was going to be our Longest Day of The Trip, 102km to Mavora Lakes. But we were overcome by common sense not to mention heat, wind and endless straight roads that heightened the feeling of battling away and not getting very far at all. So we decided to be flexible in our planning (it wasn’t a difficult decision) and support the Mossburn Cafes before moving on to Mossburn Country Park, a wonderful campsite with cabins, an assortment of animals and an organic kitchen cleaner. An excellent place to hole up and restore my dented ego.

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    • 11/02/2022 by Donna

      Congrats Lynne, sounds like you have made an awesome start to your ride. Flexibility and enjoying a good campsite is a great way to make this adventure a success. Keep it up! Arohanui, Donna

  • You can’t beat Bluff on a fine day!

      10 February 2022
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    9 Feb

    We camped in a sheltered little spot at Bluff Camping Ground where we were the only campers – I wonder why? Anyway, the facilities were fine and we had a good start to the day. Sunny and light winds and the tide was in (that always helps!)

    It clouded over as the day went on but once again, Invercargill came up with the goods – excellent cheese scones at Global Bytes! Then on to Wallacetown, Winton and all those other famous places, finally arriving at the mighty metropolis of Turangitura. This sports a wonderful school holiday camp with good facilities plus some character toilets from a by-gone era! Again, we were the only people staying there….it rained hard in the night and my Intent one-person, single skin tent passed the test. What a relief.

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    • 11/02/2022 by Ali

      Great that your tent passed the test🙂 How is the body handling the test?

  • Newsflash!

      10 February 2022
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    8 Feb

    Excellent customer service in Invercargill! The super helpful shuttle driver carried our bike boxes right to the counter of the Torpedo 7 shop in Invercargill. The bike mechanic there who was all of 18 years old, just happened to be the NZ champion in bike acrobatics (or something like that) and reassembled our bikes in next to no time.

    The bike trail is almost as flat as the Hauraki Rail Trail and we had only a head wind to complain about. Hope it blows us back to Invercargill tomorrow.

    We saw a pair of spoonbills in the estuary close to Bluff, pedalled past the highlights of the town and out to Stirling Point. We are on our way!

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  • Another new goal!

      7 February 2022

    Many many thanks to all of you who have helped me reach my latest goal for Wellington Women's Refuge. We start tomorrow (gulp!!); the bike box is in the car and every last item has been weighed and packed. I'm looking forward to getting on the road....

    If you know any more good folk out there who might like to support WWR, then please forward them this link https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/on-yer-bike-lynne-white

    Thanks again.

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    • 18/02/2022 by Philippa

      Wonderful that you have reached your donation goal, all the best!

  • Bike Packing

      4 February 2022
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    3 Feb 2022

    At one time we considered following the instructions on You Tube to pack our bikes into boxes to fly down to Invercargill. Thank goodness we didn't! Helen generously loaned us her son, John, for a couple of hours even though unfortunately she can no longer come on the trip. John, it transpired, is exactly the person you want on the job and I am sure we would still be there now without his assistance. Who knew that a bike had so many parts that could come off?? I only ride the thing and am no mechanic!

    Armed with an impressive array of tools, John efficiently organised the disassembling of bikes until they fitted snugly into their boxes.

    Don't panic! We are not relying on our new-found skills with allen keys to reassemble the bikes in Invercargill. We have a shuttle from Invercargill airport to a bike shop in town where a mechanical miracle will occur (I hope) to ensure that the bikes are once again fit for purpose.

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  • Training Days

      4 February 2022

    You might be forgiven for thinking that I had ridden off into the sunset and abandoned my bike. However, I managed one ride with packed panniers from Upper Hutt to Maymorn and back along Whiteman's Valley through to Lower Hutt and Petone where I cashed in my 'call home' card to avoid a hot ride along SH1 into a head wind. My kind and ever-supportive husband duly appeared to give me a lift home.

    Since then I have done some shorter rides - call it 'tapering off" - somewhat put off by the heat. Fortunately I have ordered cooler weather for our journey.

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  • What your money can do

      4 February 2022

    Thank you so much for your sponsorship.

    With the money raised to date Wellington Women's Refuge could pay for any of the following:

    • It would pay for over 100 nights in our safehouse for women and children

    • It would pay for over 40 specialist one-on-one counselling sessions for women

    • It would contribute towards the cost of attendance of around ten women at our women's safety programme Hope, Revive, Flourish

    • It would contribute towards the cost of attendance of more than ten children at our Tamariki programme

    All thanks to you and the good people working at the refuge.

    Please share my page with family, friends and colleagues who might be interested in supporting this cause.

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  • New goal

      1 February 2022

    My sponsors have been so generous that I have reached my original fund-raising goal before starting the ride. So, a little bit of a stretch to see if I can raise a little bit more. The Refuge can always do with more financial support.

    I am also extending the end date to 6 March for those people who want to see if I finish before making a donation!

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  • Biking Baggage

      23 January 2022
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    Other then the actual pedalling, one of the big challenges of bike-packing is how little can you take and still have everything you need. So today, I had a trial pack and managed to reduce my load to just over 10kg including some emergency food rations. I have two panniers, a handlebar bag for tent, sleeping bag etc and a small bag for money cards, vaccine pass, masks, glasses and so on. I put all the bags on my bike and managed to wobble along the flattest bit of our road. Just need a bit of practice...

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  • West Wind Recreation Area

      22 January 2022
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    21 Jan 2022

    The usual trip through Karori and Makara and then it occurred to me that I could have an extra challenge by going up to the West Wind Recreation Area; it's years since I went up there (by car) and it's not that far, is it? Oh well, a bit further than I thought but more good hill-climbing practice - I'm sure I'll knock off the Crown Range!! The highlight was seeing tiny spiders that tuned out to be abseilers, working at the top of the wind turbines.

    The ride down was a thrill! The onto Ohariu Valley and back to Johnsonville via The Old Coach Road, nicely graded with beautiful farmland views.

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  • Lost in the Hinterland!

      22 January 2022

    18 Jan 2022

    Back in Wellington and how to fit in training with everything else that goes on at home?? I decided on an early morning ride around town and the hinterland of Ngaio and Khandallah on my way to the Forest and Bird Plant Nursery in Highbury.

    Well, it was intended as an exploration but I have to say that Khandallah is one very confusing suburb! Having got lost, which happened pretty fast (!) I found that every hopeful looking hill leading in the right direction turned out to be a cul-de-sac. I got plenty of up-hill practice!

    Eventually I resorted to the time-honoured method of asking a local who gave explicit instructions - I was never so happy to see a main road.

    No photo to record this excursion!!

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  • Rere Falls

      22 January 2022
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    15 Jan 2022

    We have plummeted south to Eastwoodhill Arboretum near Gisborne, a wonderfully peaceful and interesting location where we stayed for the weekend.

    On, yes, another hot day, we set off for Rere Falls and Rere Rockslide, a fabulous natural playground where teenagers (mainly!) lie on a mat or surfboard and whoosh 60m down a sloping rock to a pool below. Looks great fun. I must remember to take a mat or board next time I go!

    Tragically, this is also close to the site of the Ngatapa Massacre

    https://www.meetingplace.nz/2013/01/a-stain-upon-history-ngatapa-massacre.html . Never heard of it? Most NZers haven't but we should have.

    I couldn't resist the temptation to cool off with a swim at the quieter Rere Falls, then back to the cool of the arboretum.

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  • More on the Hauraki Rail Trail

      22 January 2022
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    9 Jan

    We squeezed in a short ride to explore more of the Hauraki Rail Trail whilst heading for a family holiday in Te Mata on the Coromandel.

    Our route started in Thames which boasts an interesting memorial to Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park who was active in the Second World War and Battle of Britain. From there we crossed an elegant bridge over the Firth of Thames to enter the wetlands, home to the Miranda bird reserve. Our goal was a cafe where the trail intersected with SH25 but the traffic was so fast and constant that we abandoned the attempt to cross over and had to be content with the luke-warm offerings of our water bottles. Back to Thames...

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  • A change of scenery

      8 January 2022
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    Warren, my husband, and I are staying the weekend in Paeroa, en route to the Coromandel and the perfect kicking off point for the Karangahake Gorge - Waihi section of the Hauraki Rail Trail. This trail has the outstanding advantage of being almost totally flat, much appreciated on another sweltering day. The bushy trail beside the river was the best place to be, with waterfalls to admire, a cool 1100m long tunnel and a heritage train ride back to Waikino, part way along the route. Not a huge ride but good to keep in practice for the Big One.

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  • What a scorcher!

      3 January 2022
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    3 Jan 2022

    Happy New Year! Let us hope that women in refuges can find some peace and happiness this year.

    I set off early from my home in Aro Valley, hoping to avoid the heat of the day on my bike ride. It almost worked - I was out in the open on the Hutt River Trail when it began to get hot enough for me to do more than just glow. Soon though I was pedalling along Akatarawa Road where there was a gentle breeze and the bush provided patches of deep shade, a welcome relief. Cycleworks have a motor cycle repair workshop along here with a cheery, festive sign outside.

    I spurred myself on with thoughts of a refreshment break at Staglands Wildlife Reserve but rapidly changed my mind when I saw the full car parks and crowds of excited children, opting instead for a quiet spot in the hedgerow for my lunch break. Good to see so many families out having fun together though.

    After lunch, I headed towards Waikanae along what was once an old coach road and is consequently, pleasantly graded up to what is grandly called The Summit. From here there is a panorama of rolling hills and sea. I felt as if I was gliding down the long hill that eventually leads through surburbia to Waikanae. I arrived at 12.45 and caught the 'bus replacing train' at 1.00. I was more than happy to watch the world go by for the next hour or so and bike home from the station when it was a little cooler.

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  • Recognition for Dr Ang Jury

      31 December 2021

    Congratulations to Dr Ang Jury, CEO of the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges, for the award of ONZM in the New Year Honours for services to victims of family and sexual violence.

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  • Pushing the limits!

      29 December 2021
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    29 December

    This morning was such perfect weather for a bike ride - cool and little wind - that I decided to go a bit further than usual. I did a lovely circuit out to Petone, Wainuiomata, through East Harbour Regional Park to the coastal track to Pencarrow Lighthouse and back through Eastbourne to Petone and Wellington.

    A bit of a work out getting up to the summit of Wainuiomata Hill but huge views over Wellington Harbour and the Hutt Valley so an excellent excuse to stop and recover equilibrium.

    A gentle southerly blew me along the coastal track and through Eastbourne although it didn't seem so gentle when I was biking back into Wellington - or perhaps my legs were tiring by that stage!

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  • New Bike!

      27 December 2021
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    26 December

    I have a new bike! Well, not quite, but there are so many new parts that it seems like it. I went for 'a spin' to test them all out, biking through the suburbs and out to Makara Beach, typically wild and fairly deserted when everywhere else was still basking in a post-Christmas langour. The cicadas were tuning up for a day in the country, the shags hanging their wings out to dry in the trees and the scent of honeysuckle hung in the air.

    But I had to move on and try out my new bike parts; puffing my way up the hill from Makara Village to Karori certainly seemed a few degrees easier, so thanks to the mechanics at Bicycle Junction.

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  • Bike Matters

      27 December 2021
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    18 December

    My bike is in dry dock for a handle-bar to tail light check up. Saturday has dawned bright and clear and so Warren, my husband, and I are at Evans Bay with two of our grandchildren, enjoying the wonderful bike path along Cobham Drive.

    The pohutakawas are putting on a spectacular display this year and I have plenty of time to enjoy them as I follow the bikers on foot.

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  • More effort for a good cause

      16 December 2021
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    Mon 20 Dec

    My fundraising has now reached $1,000 - I just need $2k more to reach my goal! Please share my Give A Little details with your friends and colleagues.

    I did my first long training bike ride today, catching the train to Waikanae - a Gold Card comes in handy sometimes - and biking back home, a round trip of 75km.

    I could have taken photos of the lovely flaxes along the Kapiti Expressway or the pohutakawas in QEII Park but the flooding on the bike track in Plimmerton Reserve was really spectacular!

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  • Return to the suburbs

      16 December 2021
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    Tuesday 7 Dec

    Once again taking advantage of the loop through the Wellington northern suburbs, aka wind tunnel. It's a bit like being on a wind trainer but less predictable. I took time out to appreciate the Kaiwharawhara Bridge where the Kaiwharawhara Stream, cared for by the Trelissick Park Group, finally makes its way out to sea.

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  • A good day for Cyclists

      5 December 2021
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    Thursday 2 Dec

    It brings joy to the heart to see the airport wind sock drooping limply and being able to bike alongside the airport runway to Lyall Bay without feeling as if one is partaking in an enactment of Scott of the Antarctic.

    I have set a few goals for myself. Firstly, try to bike for two hours without wondering where I can get a latte and cheese scone - it kind of limits any off-road options! Secondly, try to keep to my 'training schedule' - I have failed Week One so will try again next week. Plans are disrupted by any hint of wind or rain which of course, we will not have on our Big Ride. I am an optimist, if nothing else.

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  • 30 November - 10 Weeks to Go

      30 November 2021

    With only ten weeks until I start my bike ride with two friends on 8 Feb, and with Christmas inbetween, I thought it time to start some training this week. Taking advantage of a northerly breeze, I zipped out to Ngaio and was gratified to see the road works sign flashing "Slow Down" as I came down Ngaio Gorge. I wasn't quite so confident a couple of hours later as I battled my way around the South Coast via Miramar Heights and the upper reaches of Lyall Bay. And not at all confident, finishing up with a headwind up Happy Valley Road.

    But training in Wellington will be great practice for whatever the weather throws at us in South Island - we will be well prepared. I just need to keep up the training!

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