RobiNZ Personal Blog

Congratulations Adventure South, 30th Anniversary!

So true, I didn't write the script for this video, but could have because experienced it... Congratulations on thirty years Adventure South NZ, who I've travelled with since 2003. Read more →

The wrap up: 10 Months Cycling New Zealand | Time Out 2021-22

So, it ends: 10 months, 2 weeks (317 days) cycling or drive/cycling across most of New Zealand. Highlights? So many... there are 95+ blog posts... but a few highlights: Expected, but unexpected In many cases I knew what I was getting into, but sometimes it was the unexpected which added delight: Farewell Spit: I'd long wanted to visit but the combination of a small group, fantastic guide, and unusually calm, for the West Coast, weather made for an exceptional day in an incredibly special place. Loved my Takaka Rocks home too. Lake Dunstan: A fantastic trail, keep an eye on... Read more →

A2O Reprise | Otematata to Kurow (Waitaki Braids) | Time Out 2021-22 Otematata

Let's be honest, today's ride is all about lunch... I was back on En-Trance Rob, although quite a lot of tarmac today there is enough gravel trail to keep it happy. Besides, ~90km is a bit far for me on a two-speed, due to still broken gearshift, gravel bike! Another calm morning ride towards Benmore Dam. The weather was overcast, cool again (10°C), but forecast to improve and warm up. Love this view even with the hydropower infrastructure in the foreground. Lake Benmore, calm. Benmore Dam lookout, today it's downhill on the other side of the dam and along Te... Read more →

Geoff 'Adventure South' Gabites on the 'The Pedal On Podcast'

Mid-winter 2002, on a bleak wet Sunday, I channel surfed into an episode of the Australian 'Getaway' TV travel show. It featured a supported cycle tour in the South Island of New Zealand shot the previous summer; perfect weather, glorious scenery and what looked like a fun time. It was decades since I had done a proper cycle tour and this looked like a very pleasant way to get back on the road with a comfortable bed, hot shower and dining sorted each day! In February 2003 I did that trip, my first with Adventure South NZ, and had a... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 13–Burnside Homestead to Oamaru farewells

The last day of our Alps To Ocean ride started with breakfast at Burnside Homestead. Most large NZ houses of this era were laid out as rooms along corridors/wings. Burnside is unusual in having a huge octagonal centre parlour with most of the rooms radiating off it. It was cool to see reproductions of the original plans in the house history album. We breakfasted in style this morning, Alison & Bruce hosting in their period apparel. It was an emotional farewell. Alison & Bruce are retiring (well deserved) and the house has been sold. Although it appears the new owner... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 12–Kurow, Otematata to Burnside Homestead

Signs of more snow arriving on the hills overnight but seeing this sunrise, and blue sky, was a nice start to the day. After breakfast at Waitaki Braids we loaded up and drove back to Otematata to ride the best part of the trail we skipped yesterday. While waiting I sought the sun warmth as it was still quite chilly! (photo by Buzz) Stunning day, what a contrast, for our first ride from Otematata towards Benmore Dam. From there a quiet country road follows the lake shore for about 25km down to Aviemore Dam. Struth, nearly hit an Aussie! Although... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 11–Omarama to Kurow, via Oamaru?

I had a late night watching F1 on my phone as mobile data was faster than WIFI. Awoke to grim weather, cold and wet, and it didn’t look like it was passing. At breakfast Bas suggested a change from the scheduled ride to Kurow. We jumped in the bus and drove all the way (about 110km) to Oamaru for the day, then back to Kurow (70km) for the night. I had been through Oamaru several times but not had the chance to really see it, so this was a fine alternative to a miserable day on the bike. We were... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 10–Lake Ohau highlights

Sunday dawned (very) cold and (comparatively) fine. After breakfast in Twizel our destination was Lake Ohau Lodge for lunch. I’d ridden in this area before, on road long before the trail, but was looking forward to revisiting it from a new perspective. Up early after staying up too late watching F1 qualifying on my phone! This was supposed to be a group shot but gloved hands meant I was too slow getting the camera out! The first part is on road, but so quiet we hardly saw any vehicles. Following the hydro canals made for some spectacular views. That’s a... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 09–Somewhere under the rainbow, to Twizel

The short walk to breakfast and view across Lake Tekapo was sufficient to see the forecast grim weather had arrived. The good thing about riding with people with extensive local knowledge is they know where not to go. Instead of battling head/side winds, and rain, on the first part of the A2O Trail Bas (& John) decided we’d go the wrong way. We drove to a nearby valley and suited up for a wet, probably cold, ride towards Burkes Pass. Instead one of the most stunning scenes I’ve ever cycled into appeared in front of us. A photo captures some... Read more →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 08–Towards Tekapo Cycling

The start of the A2O Cycle Trip proper meant getting rid of AHBART for a week. I’d been offered a free secure park but it was on the opposite side of Christchurch from where I was staying so had an early start. Although Friday, workday for most, there was little traffic between Lincoln and New Brighton at 6:00am! A bonus was watching the dramatic sunrise and, ominous, clouds. It’s a small group, mostly returning clients, former staff/founder and friends using the last advertised A2O trip slot on Adventure South’s calendar. After a couple of rendezvous, at the Adventure South Depot... Read more →