RobiNZ Personal Blog

2012 Blogging Highlights

Click through for my 2012 Blogging Highlights (as posted on CAD Blog) Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 8 – Kaikoura to Christchurch

We arrived in Kaikoura early evening and the weather was a bit gloomy. Although it was ‘the last supper’ (the trip ended the following afternoon) the atmosphere was the exact opposite of the weather. It was a nice way to end a great day, of cycling, wining and dining. Although Kaikoura offers a host of activities — Whale watching, ocean swimming with dolphins and more — I did nothing. I have done the whale watch before and the prospect of a very early start to plunge into the northern Antarctic Ocean to swim with a dolphin was trumped by a... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 7 – Wairau Valley & the Sounds

After a quick look at the lake, departure hastened by sand-fly attack, we got on the bikes. The morning started with a 30’ish kilometre run down the Wairau Valley. Although I have been to Saint Arnaud before this ride was new to me. It was a fast downhill run beside the river which made the kilometres slip past quickly. That said lazy legs, after yesterday, and photo stops meant I was far from front of the pack today! We bussed through to Havelock, skipping some rather dull flat riding, and then it was a reprise of the lovely Queen Charlotte... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 6 – To St Arnaud

Today was another repeat ride for me and some others in the group. No pain because the Motueka Valley is a lovely road parallel to the main highway. It follows the West bank of the river and has almost no traffic. In parts groves of trees create green tunnels and frame views of the surrounding hills. Once out of the valley we were back on the highway but even there traffic was sparse. A roadside coffee stop fuelled the climb over a hill to Tapawera. On the way there we passed another Adventure South group heading in the other direction.... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 5 – Fancy footwork & the Takaka Hill

We arrived in Motueka, from Westport, about 17:20 and headed for the Abel Tasman office to arrange the next day for those doing the ‘walk in the park’ option. It happened to be right beside a cycle shop — Coppins Great Outdoors Centre — which was about to close. Bas had glued my detached sole, Adventure South Cobblers?, but said “See if they have any shoes!”. After Motueka we were heading into country which hardly has any shops, let alone a cycle specialist. I wasn’t expecting much luck as prefer hybrid road/trail cleated shoes. I hate riding without cleats, want... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 4 – To Westport & beyond

I had heard heavy rain in the night but was happy to find when I awoke that what sounded like morning rain was just the roar of the surf. The lodge at Punakaiki is close to the beach! After breakfast there was time for a quick look at the pancake rocks, but not much blowhole action due to calm’ish seas and low tide, before getting on the bike. I have done the Punakaiki to Westport coastal ride a couple of times before but repeating it was no chore. The road one of the best in New Zealand no matter what... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 3 – Moana to Punakaiki

Today’s ride was a repeat for me but the road from Moana to Punakaiki covers some nice country. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great with light rain/mist but it was still warm so ok for riding. After a ‘substantial’ breakfast — I think they usually cater to rural appetites — it was time to hit the road. From Moana it is across country then down the Grey River valley to the coast. You pass the Brunner Mine and a memorial of NZ’s worst mining disaster in 1896. When we got to the coast the plan was to ride North to Punakaiki... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 2 – Hanmer To Hanmer?

Our itinerary had us heading from Hanmer up Lewis Pass towards the West Coast, destination Moana on Lake Brunner. However the weather forecast wasn’t too favourable with rain expected on the West of the divide and a strong westerly (head) wind. The nice thing about supported rides is you can change the plan, within reason, and they did. We drove from Hanmer to the top, actually just over the top, of Lewis Pass to ride downhill with a strong tailwind towards Hanmer. I can now say I have cycled over Lewis Pass, if only from a rest area a few... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 1 – Christchurch & Hanmer

After a bike fit session at “the depot” we bussed to the top of the Port Hills. Felt a bit lazy as we passed cyclists slogging (and it would be a slog) to the top sitting in the air conditioned comfort of a bus but hey, that’s an advantage of this supported touring! I was using an Adventure South supplied bike, a decent Trek road bike, but it had a double chain ring/compact gearing rather than the triple I use at home so I was quite glad not to start the trip with a hell climb! Our riding kicked off... Read more →

Marlborough\West Coast Cycle Day 0 – Prelude

It was time for the pre-Christmas Facebook Conspiracy Cycle Tour & I flew to Christchurch on Saturday. I took the opportunity to have a look at Christchurch Central, a short walk from the motel. It was perfect sunny weather, pleasant for walking, but I found the city sobering. On previous visits the Red Zone was closed, or I didn’t have free time, so hadn’t seen the post-quake devastation up close. I happened upon the demolition of the Radio New Zealand building. Strange to see a fairly modern, outwardly OK looking, building being crunched up. The machinery looked almost prehistoric as... Read more →