This 100km loop has a bit of everything:
Auckland is so thin you actually ride “coast to coast” twice!
I’m off for a holiday jaunt to Vietnam, including a few hundred km’s cycling, but imagine contemplating this trip by bicycle! I’ve added the feed to my reader to watch progress!
TransAmerica Trail 2008 - www.transamericatrailcycle.com
I am a 29 year old from London and the plan is to set off in mid April to cycle the 4247.5 mile TransAmerica bike route from Virginia to Oregon, getting back to England in time for my 30th birthday in the middle of June.
Dick’s lot didn’t…
Watch out for the Waterview, Auckland, "Cyclepath"
The Auckland Waterview Cycle-path should offer safer cycling than the adjacent very busy road but it currently has a nasty crack which will swallow & destroy a bike wheel.
It hasn’t happened to me but I know someone it’s got. The photos – taken 27–05–2007 – show my bike happily standing in a shallower part of the groove but in places it’s over 100mm deep!
Submitted to ACC – Tuesday, 22 May 2007 10:03 p.m
- What street? Great North Road Cycle-path
- What suburb? Waterview, Auckland
- What is the nearest intersection or street address? West of the BP station opposite Oakely Ave
- Which side of the street? L/H side cyclepath heading west
- There’s is a large crack between the concrete and sealed path running along the cycle way in the direction of travel. It s a severe hazard as is the right width to swallow a racing bike wheel and deep enough, appears hollow, to destroy it and possible injury from the fall.
Guy Kawasaki’s tour of Trek Cycles is an interesting look behind the scenes of the company that built Lance Armstrong's bike!
How to Change the World: My Visit to Trek: Two Guys in a Barn
The Discovery Channel Team dominated this year’s Tour de France with three riders in the top ten (Contador-1st; Leipheimer-3rd; Yaroslav Popovych-8th) and first place in the team classification. The team used Trek bikes called Madone. Honestly, the most bike riding that I do is to a park less than a mile from my house, but I recently visited Trek. It was a most facscinating place, so join me on this photographic tour…
No wonder the traffic is delightful when the schools are on holiday. I pity the youth of today being driven, or if over 15 driving themselves, to school and missing the freedom, adventure and occasional life/death experience of cycling to school.
I fondly remember the after school bicycle Grand Prix as hundreds of bikes tore off down Don Buck Rd. It looked like a Tour De France peloton except there was no lycra. Yep, there were a few prangs but that’s how you learn about life, risk and responsibility.
Why are the roads “too dangerous” for bikes? Perhaps because all the children are going to school by car.
Bikes 'too dangerous' for largest secondary school - Auckland news on Stuff.co.nz
“Only six students bike to and from Australasia's largest secondary school with a roll of more than 3000…Trips to school, college or universities make up 40 percent of morning peak traffic congestion according to regional council statistics.”
Only a crazy Aussie who loves cycling and cheese could come up with this!
Reminds me of Wallace’s (& Gromit) “Cheese Holidays” magazine in “A Grand Day Out...”Kirk Food - Le Tour de Fromage - WebLog
The 2007 Tour de France starts on the 7th of July. In an attempt to offer something different to Gabriel Gate’s live coverage introduction on SBS, I am going to attempt the kirkfood, “Tour de Fromage” by blog. 20 cheeses in 20 days, following the route of the most gruelling race in the worldTo follow me on the full tour and not miss a piece of the cheese action, subscribe to my RSS feed and cheer on the riders as we chomp around France.
I wonder how much of his music was inspired by cycling…
David Byrne Journal: 6.18.07: Bicycles in NYC
I have been riding a bicycle in New York City for almost 30 years! For transport, not for sport. At first there were only a few of us. Loners, losers, maniacs and nerds…
The Auckland Waterview Cycle-path should offer safer cycling than the adjacent very busy road but it currently has a nasty crack which will swallow & destroy a bike wheel.
It hasn’t happened to me but I know someone it’s got. The photos – taken 27–05–2007 – show my bike happily standing in a shallower part of the groove but in places it’s over 100mm deep!
Auckland City Council were advised nearly a week ago but, so far, it hasn’t been fixed.
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Part of a recent cycle tour involved an overnight stay at Otematata and lap of Lake Aviemore (over Benmore Dam). Most on the trip, even me the “token Kiwi”, were puzzled why there’s a 60 room hotel and little else at Otematata. Then it clicked that this was the project town for the Benmore Dam construction. Today apart from the impressive dams, lakes and that hotel there is little evidence that about 40 years ago over 4,500, including some of my relatives*, lived and worked there. As you can see from the photos what remains is beautiful.
On returning home I was looking at the recently launched TVNZ ondemand. This is TVNZ’s Internet based channel with shows for download. Some require subscription but there is lots of free content including content from the NZBC/TVNZ archives. The site is nicely done and with a reasonable broadband connection you get good quality video.
In the “Classic” section I spied a feature about Benmore from the series “These New Zealanders” . It was filmed in 1964 and shows Otematata in the middle of the construction period. Having just been there I was interested to see the footage of the valley before construction, the work that was done and how Otematata looked in very different times. Even without the local interest it’s worth a look to see how much both New Zealand and TV has changed;
View “These New Zealanders” Benmore at TVNZ ondemand (* look for a brief appearance by “Mrs Muirhead” at about 08:30)
UPDATE 27–03–2007: Only after reading the fine print did I find that these videos will only work within New Zealand. Pity as know many OE Kiwi’s who’d like to see them including “Mrs Muirhead”!
RobiNZ CAD Blog: Shutdown Week ends, back from "the Maniototo"
Shutdown week is over. It was a brilliant week of cycling in the South Island, mainly an area known as “the Maniototo". It’s a remote part of Central Otago which is hardly crowded itself…
RobiNZ CAD Blog: The time has come to shutdown...
I’m not going to participate in the March 24th Shutdown Day as I’m going further and having a Shutdown Week!
I will be cycling in the South Island with Adventure South. The blue dashed line on the map below shows the proposed route…
I went for a couple of bike rides last weekend in an effort to get a few km’s practice in before the trip. Saturday’s had an aviation theme as headed up to Whenuapai Airforce Base to watch, from the road, the Air Force Open Day display. I didn’t seen the morning activity but the afternoon display had most the airforce “types” in the air. This included the Kiwi Blue Parachute Team, Iroquois helicopter, Hercules, Harvard, Seasprite helicopter, Boeing 757, Orion, Red Checkers Aerobatic Team and a RAAF F-111.
While all were good I think the most impressive was the extreme flying by the RNZAF Boeing 757. It was obviously lightly loaded but the short take-off – maybe 3/4 of the 6600 ft runway – then pulling into a maximum rate climbing turn was cool to see. I’ve flown in a 757 but can’t imagine what it’s like being in one thrown around like this!
It wasn’t all aircraft as there were a few nice classic cars on the road. If anyone knows what the red one below is I’d like to know. It appeared to be American, rear engined (vents on the trunk/boot), but not sure what it was – a Corvair?
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I don’t believe in New Years Resolutions but I did start off the year with my first cycle ride since LAST APRIL. How bad is that!
Now I have to keep up this up.
Hobie tagged me to blog 5 things that people don’t know about me, Hmmm….
It’s now December and I have to change that as have another trip booked for next March.The Mindjet Blog » Tony Tagged Me
Tony Goodson just tagged me and four other people to blog 5 things that people don’t know about me. Thanks, Tony.
And I tag Marc Orchant (oops, someone already tagged him!…nearly a year ago. Hmmm, I guess this is a bit of an old meme. Who cares, it’s a cool one!
OK, I will tag Nick Duffill (who, by the way, will hate being tagged. Sorry, Nick!), Jamie Nast, Robin Capper, Jason Dorko and Chuck Frey.
Well, it’s a great place to hop on-board the wonderful Taieri Gorge train but up there with the Colosseum & Taj Mahal?
I went to have a look at the station last year and the train was about to leave, seemed like a good way to spend the afternoon so jumped on-board. Dunedin was cold & grey but the weather was lovely in the gorge so it was a wise, lucky, choice. Perhaps the station deserved a closer look as doubt you’d dash thru the Colosseum & Taj Mahal just to get a train!
I’ll be back there next year as both are part of the Adventure South tour in March.
Otago news on Stuff.co.nz: Dunedin station ranked one of 'wonders of the world'
Dunedin's ornate railway station has been ranked among the world's "200 must-see places" by a leading travel guide. According to DK Eyewitness Travel, the Dunedin Railway Station is up there with the Colosseum in Rome and India's Taj Mahal as one of the wonders of the world….
I can’t remember my “first ever” bike ride but reading this article brought back memories of my first venture from the relative safety of our suburban side road onto the, still forbidden, “Main Road”. It was only about 400 metres but I remember it as if I’d crossed a continent. I’ve since been lucky to cycle around much of New Zealand, some beautiful places with wonderful people, but the first ride into the big wide world still ranks as a highlight.
Teach your child to ride a bicycle and you will open their eyes to a world of experiences and a sport/recreation that can be with them for a lifetime.
Bicycling: How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bicycle - ExperiencePlus! Reading Room
There's nothing like that first taste of freedom; everyone remembers it, however wobbly. It's the moment when you begin to get a sense of the immense possibilities for adventure that exist in the world, as you ride away from Mom or Dad's anxious hands and point your front wheel where you want to go…
The “Northern Solstice” trip is Adventure South’s finale for the year. I guess “Northern” as covers the northern part of the South Island but not sure about the “Solstice” when it’s happening in April. I hope it’s to help rustle up some summer solstice weather in late Autumn!
The route is from Christchurch to West Coast, Abel Tasman, Nelson, Picton, Kaikoura & back to Christchurch. There are few “bumps” in that route including the Southern Alps (approx. route image) but not all of the 1000km is cycling (thankfully).
It's comfortable cycle touring supported by bus, staying in Motels/Lodges. In the notes you may notice the occasional mention of restaurants, wineries, lunches, wines tastings and between them there are frequent stops help ward off starvation 
Add a great bunch of people, awesome guides and you have the recipe for great fun. I only hope it doesn’t snow…
This will be my fourth trip with Adventure South and will complete nearly all the South Island. I’ve driven parts of this route in 2004 on the way south to join another Adventure South adventure, The West Coast Escape, but the section of the coast up to Westport will be all new to me.
Some extracts from the trip notes:
Looped thru the Viaduct on a cycle ride & found the supermaxi NZL80 Alfa Romeo (Sydney Hobart runner up) is in town. She is an impressive sight, even when not sailing.
I read the ExperiencePlus! website in preparation for the day when I have the time & funds to head off on a European Cycling Adventure.
As a Fiat fan their latest Travel Tip was of interest, a detailed “What to do with 36 hours in Turin”. With the 2006 Winter Olympics Torino will be a busy place but I’m not really a winter sport fan. I’ll be there in warmer weather, maybe on a bicycle, to see the sights especially the classic Fiat Lingotto factory, now a cultural centre.
If you are heading to Torino, check this out before you go!
Travel Tips: What to do with 36 hours in Turin, Italy - ExperiencePlus! Reading Room.
We're often asked how to make the most of a brief opportunity to see Europe's cities. This month, we provide a detailed answer for a little known "hot spot:" Turin (Torino to Italians), home of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.
This article was prepared by Rick with input from Paola's nephew (Director of Italian Operations) Massimo, who has family ties to the Piedmont region.
Peter Faris lives in Melbourne, a great city for cycling. He has just purchased a Recumbent Human Powered Vehicle which is why he’s just created the:
While the Garmin GPS’s can be used for cycling, my Legend does many km’s on the handlebar mount, they now have a model aimed specifically at cycling. In addition to the usual GPS things like position, speed they can also measure things like heart rate & cadence then export data to the new Training Center software for analysis. If you’re training for that big ride looks like a nice accessory to have.
Garmin Edge Press Release
Edge 205, Edge 305HR and Edge 305CAD – a new line of integrated personal training systems focusing on the needs of recreational and advanced cyclists.
Garmin
Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday usually refers to the auto industry. It seems that Lance Armstrong’s success has proved the rule for cycling.
Armstrong's Success Drives Cycle Sales
“Americans purchased more bicycles than new cars and trucks combined in the past year - and all without employee discounts or zero-percent financing”
The Tour de France Blog 2005 has a link to a wonderful double-page newspaper spread about Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France. Awesome illustration and great information.
This looks like a fun event, 97 km from Hamilton to Pukekohe organised by the team that do the Rotorua Taupo Flyer through scenery like this.
Cool, but it’s not all flat!
This is neat, a bamboo mountain bike!
Bamboo MTB Frame - Brano Meres
This is my second home-made frame. This time I used bamboo instead of carbon composite tubes…
This is a quick update, will do proper posts when home. excuse the typo's racing the meter on a kiosk machine
After a day in Dunedin joined the group. There are 8 cyclists + the two guides on this trip. It's a special only advertised to previous Adventure South clients so all have done previous trips - most two or three, but one has done eight!
Day One(Sun 10): We headed out of Dunedin along the peninsular to the albatross colony. Perfect weather but a little cool when out of the sun & not riding. We saw Albatross - adult, juvenile and chicks. Some flying and even a feeding so had a great time. Apparently lucky to see all this as some see nothing. Then did a trip on Argo 8 wheel drive buggies - very cool - to see seal and penguin colonies. Accommodation and a gourmet dinner that night was at Larnoch Castle - really nice.
Day Two(Mon 11): Set off from the castle along the Dunedin coast till morning tea then a drive to just past Balclutha. Road the coast to heading into the Catlin's district. A bit of a drive then more cycling along empty roads with stunning coastal scenery. That night stayed in the Catlin's with a nice meal at the only place in town!
Day Three (Tue 12); A short coastal walk took us to a beach with 11 sea lions, able to get close enough for a really good look but not too close! The cycling was great and after lunch by gourmet chef guide Bas we rode into the afternoon. By this time the weather had started to get rough as a southwest front rolled in but we were off the bikes by that time. Curio Bay was swept with gale force winds and rain but it was off to Invercargill by bus for us by that stage. Dinner was stunning, 1/2 dozen Bluff Oysters and a huge rare fillet steak so tender it melted in the mouth. It was a rough night as the gale blew and cold (6 deg c)
Day Four (wed13): Bused from Invercargill to Riverton then rode most the way to c. The coast was rough as it was still windy but for us a side/tailwind so OK. From Tuatapere on the land is mostly flat and managed avg speeds of about 28km/h. A great ride but ran out of time to get all the way to Manapouri. After a late lunch there rode to Te Anau which is where we stay. Tomorrow is a short hike and then on the boat to Doubtful Sound for the night.
Things will be quiet here for a couple of weeks as I’m heading of on another Cycling tour with Adventure South. This time its to “The Catlins” which is the southern coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
I just hope it doesn’t snow 
I took my bicycle to New Plymouth last weekend as found a road on the map that looked interesting. Egmont Road climbs from the coast to the Mt Taranaki North Egmont Visitor Centre. I had been up there by car many years ago but thought it would a good ride if the weather cooperated.
On Saturday (20/03/05) I headed out of New Plymouth into a fairly strong southerly breeze. Apart from the shelter of a few hedges it was a slog into the headwind all the way to the mountain. Several times I was pounding away in first gear on virtually level roads on the way to the mountain wondering how it would be when the climbing started!
From sea level you gently climb to about 200m at Egmont Village then its about 18km to the start of the real climb. By this time you are at the edge of the bush line and about 460m high. From there to the Visitor Centre is a further 12km and you reach a final height of 956m.
Although steep the close bush cover meant the southerly headwind was no problem and it was a nice ride. It wasn’t much harder climbing than riding into that headwind on the flat! I got to the Visitor Centre at about 12:30 and decided it was time to eat. The cafe had great coffee and food although I was nearly caught out as they didn't have EFTPOS (only cash or credit card). I usually don’t carry much cash when riding but had taken some with me otherwise would have been no lunch! After a look around and a few photos then the real fun began.
The descent was great, 50 – 60 km/h down the mountain (overtook a car!) and then, thanks to that strong southerly, a cross country blast with a tailwind to the coast. I stopped 3 times, twice for photos & once to check the front wheel as the speedo sensor was clicking, and still averaged over 45km/h for the 27km trip!
I then headed back to town and joined up with the Coastal Walkway. New Plymouth have done a fantastic job upgrading the waterfront and now a wide smooth concrete path winds along the coast for about 7km. Although its called the Coastal Walkway cycling is allowed!
A highlight of the walk is the Wind Wand. This is a kinetic sculptural tribute to artist Len Lye. I remember caused some controversy when it was built as it broke in a storm but I think its great. I suspect its not often that it bends seawards as the prevailing winds are on-shore westerly but that southerly wind was still doing its stuff!
The walkway ends at the port with a view of the mountain which was the reason I chose this ride. On a stunning day it was a great finish to the ride.
View Cycle Shots: Mt Taranaki Cycle Photo Gallery (click Next to view all photos in sequence)
* All heights are from my GPS log so may differ a little from map refs. All photos are thumbnails, click for full image
Map of Muriwai – Old North Rd Cycle
First Photo (click “Next” on photo page to see sequence or “Main” for the index)
Another glorious day (28/02/2005): went for a bike ride around the top end of Auckland Harbour then down the North Shore, crossing from Devonport to the city by ferry, and home. This 90km ride has a bit of everything as covers rural, suburban and city roads. Some hills but nothing too hard and great views all around.
Drive carefully, the road rules have changed.
New road rules from 27 February 2005
From 27 February 2005, the new 'Road User' Rule will make it clearer what you should do at pedestrian crossings, special vehicle lanes (such as cycle and bus lanes) and roundabouts (particularly multi-lane roundabouts).
I’ve started a new photo album: Cycle Shots
Now carry the Ixus with me on rides for those “Wish I had a camera” moments and will post the photos taken on local & day rides there.
It was a lovely day today (26/2/05) and went for a ride with a friend along the waterfront. Picture postcard weather and a great ride.
Will be out again tomorrow as need to get some kilometres behind me in preparation for my South Island trip in April.
Event Promotions, who run the very successful 100 K Flyer (Rotorua to Taupo), are going to stage a road cycling event from Hamilton to Auckland on 11th September 2005.
Cycling News FLASH:
New and exciting Hamilton to Auckland Road Cycle event to cater for all!It’s going to be a real beauty! This exhilarating ride starts at the renowned Te Rapa Race course, Hamilton, on Sir Tristram Avenue at 10am. The majority of the 95 km distance is on peaceful country roads and travels on the west side of the Waikato River and finishes at the A&P grounds in Pukekohe.
For the comfort of riders, all support vehicles will travel up State Highway One. Entry forms will be available from the middle of June. More information to come – watch this space!
If you still want to enter the Rotorua to Taupo 100 K Flyer – 2nd April 2005 – registration details are available on the website with late entry possible up to race day. They are expecting 3500 – 4000 riders this year. I did the ride in 2003 and its a great event. Mostly gentle rolling country and avoiding the main highway for the majority of the route. I missed last year as was on holiday in the South Island but hope to be there this year.
Just what it says, Science of Cycling from The Exploratorium.
Online since 1993, the Exploratorium was one of the first science museums to build a site on the World Wide Web. Our site now contains over 15,000 Web pages exploring hundreds of different topics.
Elvis died 27 years ago, aged 42. If not would he have spent his 70th birthday Lawn Bowling?
Strange combination you might think?
I was cycling today and went through Tui Glen Park. Its an old holiday camp/park by the river that is being re-developed into a public park. Its usually not busy but today was very crowded as there was an “Elvis in the Park” event run by the Memories of Elvis Fan Club NZ with classic cars, other displays and a sound system blasting out Elvis music (some dancing from what I saw from the bike path).
Then went over the bridge (Yellow is GPS track) and found the NZ Lawn Bowling Championships was at the Henderson Bowling Club, a few hundred metres away, on the other riverbank. I stopped for a few minutes for a drink and it was strange to see, it must be said somewhat staid, Lawn Bowling with Blue Suede Shoes as a live sound-track!
While writing this I found out there is a Memorial to Elvis in the park. Have no idea where or why its there – 12,662 km from Memphis according to my GPS – but I’m not a fan of either Elvis or Bowls. Put them together maybe…
This is a really interesting cycling site from Jim Langley who was the chief Technical Editor for “the world’s largest cycling publication,” Bicycling Magazine for 10 years (’89 to ’99). Loads of advice and links to other sites.
Official Journal (French): Tour de France
Unofficial Tour de France 2004 blog (English):Tour de France 2004
Great story and photo's from Jake's Blog about conquering the London - Brighton Ride on a "quad-cycle built for five"...
Jake's Rides: London to Brighton Bike Ride 2004
London to Brighton Bike Ride 2004
When James Jennett asked if I'd be interested in joining the five-man Powergen team in the London to Brighton ride it seemed like miles away, so I said yes. As with everything else, the big day soon came about...
This is one of my usual weekend rides. It's a 46km loop (full route follows) that combines a mix of hill and flat roads, suburban and rural riding. There are some good climbs (400m) but the payoff is some fast descents.
It follows the Scenic Drive which is scenic (duh) but has some narrow twisty sections that mean you have to be very aware of traffic. For the most part I've had no trouble but try and get round the blind corners as fast as possible. This is the first look I've had with the new Tumonz Height tool to see the profile. I know these hills well but its interesting to see them presented like this.
All map image/data produced using TUMONZ - The Ultimate Map of New Zealand.
England to Papatoetoe, 27,000km by bike!
STUFF : TRAVEL - STORY : Cyclist takes long way home
As an example of how TUMONZ can help with planning or recording cycle tours I have mapped a ride I did on both trips with Adventure South.
This is "The Crown Range Road", the highest main road in New Zealand. Its a challenging climb that includes a steep "zigzag" thats fun going either up or down!
I did this in the 2003 Milford Wilderness trip (Cadrona to Arrowtown)and the other way (Arrowtown to Cadrona) on the first day of the 2004 West Coast Escape.
To map in TUMONZ I selected the start & finish point and it found the route. As seen in the Route Dialog this is 30.2 km by road, approx 1.6 hours if done at an average touring speed of 18km/h. You can input any speed to get average travel times. 
I used the new "Line Height Profile" tool to inspect the true elevation of any point on that route or any other marked line. The road route is indicated in the map as a magenta line. You can see that the peak (cursor location highlighted by yellow circle) is 1078m high and is 16km from the start of the ride.
Fantastic information that you can get for anywhere in New Zealand. Just plot a route or draw a map line and TUMONZ allows you to run the cursor along the track/line displaying distance & height. You can also get a 3d view as seen in at the start of this article. It may have been better not to know about this hill but at least with TUMONZ you get no nasty surprises!
All map image/data produced using TUMONZ - The Ultimate Map of New Zealand.
Congratulations to Sarah Ulmer and Greg Henderson for their victories at the Track Cycling World Championships.
New Zealand Sports News - general - Cycling: Double gold for cyclists
The Taieri Gorge Limited Tourist Train
