He forgot about us on Christmas day but……..we are super excited as we have just picked up our new bikes. We didn’t think our 12yr old Konas were going to survive another 6 month expedition through Asia so here are the new additions to the family. It’s less than 2 months now until we head off for another adventure into the unknown and we can’t wait. We have changed the set up this year to bike packing with a Revelate soft bag set up, not racks and panniers. Hoping it will be a super light weight set up with the weight better distributed for another exciting adventure ahead.
Thanks Dean at HIT cycles Moffat Beach for getting the bikes set up. (Kona Unit X 27.5)First outing up to Buderim. Good test on the legs, with plenty of hills, but stunning view back over the coast.
Happy Australia Day everyone. As you said Susie the most Bogan day in the Australia calendar year.
Wow what another awesome year 2017 has been and in reflection a year of big changes.
Tick:
– 3 amazing NZ bike rides, Alps 2 Ocean, Wilderness Trail and Ghost Road (Andy)
– After 24 years I parked up the tennis racket and said farewell to coaching and after 11 years Andy said goodbye to NZ Police and his various roles. So we officially broke free from job security and gee it feels refreshing.
– The minimalist journey continues becoming car free in July and living on two wheels.
– Nelson house sold and a move to Australia to chase the warmth.
– Fantastic family time with both Mums celebrating their big 70’s.
– Andy’s bone marrow donation twice to successfully save some randoms life.
So roll on 2018, we know it is going to be a ripper, with heaps more adventures on the bikes ahead.
Happy New Year to you all and be sure to keep living life to the max with no regrets. Wishing you a healthy and safe 2018.
So hard to believe we have now been living here on the Sunny Coast for 2 months and today is the second day we have seen rain. The opposite to NZ we are suffering drought like conditions here.
We are absolutely loving our new laid back lifestyle, having a blast with work and play. Has been awesome catching up with old friends and bumping into people holidaying that we know so be sure to look us up when you over here.
We are currently in Auckland for 2 days as Andy gives his bone marrow recipient a top up. I’m sure this random has just acquired a taste for craft beer in Andy’s marrow. What is with this weather up here? Don’t miss the cold SW wind at all.
No bikes in this update as its magpie season and we are sick of being swooped upon. However be rest assured we are in the throws of planning our 2018 bike adventures.
Whale watching view from our balcony.Loading the backpack with supplies then on the bikes to get precious cargo home.Sampling a siera Nevada pale ale on his birthdayWaiting for Uber, loving being car freeA lot to catch up on after 10yrs Dan and Janet but nothing changes except you now have tripletsWith Brend and Mel and kids on GC. Trip down memory lane when we lived on the GC together late 90s early 2000s. Yep we are a couple of shorties!In uniform off to work. Got to love Coles online grocery deliveryOff to work we go at First Light. 10min walk down the street……..too easy.Procedure currently taking place in Auckland. Same Dr, same nurses, same recipient who has just sent a personal message via NZ bone marrow services saying he is forever grateful to his donor for being so generous and obliging.
A balmy 26deg today on the Sunny Coast, this is our idea of winter.
Had the most fantastic time in Vietnam and here we are now starting the next chapter on the Sunny Coast.
Loved being part of the Sunshine Coast Marathon festival weekend on Sunday running the 10km in record time for Lynnie 54.29. Such an awesome community event.
Back on the bikes, running, gymming and oh yeah that’s right we have to start looking for some work………
Hi to everyone, hope you are all well.
Farewell to our beautiful Hai Au Hotel staff who became family. Cherry, An, Julie and Li.Looking jetlagged after flying into the GC but had to swing by and check out our first unit purchase in Main Beach back in early 2000s. Complex still looked awesome and such great memories.10km run done and dusted. The humidity and heat training in Hoi An well worth it.Brekkie on the balcony on our new electric bbqWhere the unemployed go to the gym!
Well we have now been in Alexandra Headland/Mooloolaba for the past week transitioning back to the Western lifestyle. Later this week we will be packing up, putting the bikes on the plane as this amazing 4 1/2 month adventure comes to an end………..or does it have to…………..?
We look back on the crazy 2700km journey through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam with a huge sense of achievement and a reminder that our lives don’t need to get caught up in the rat race and ever demanding expectations of society. We can’t pin point actual highlights as it has all been amazing. The freedom of riding with no idea where we would be sleeping each night, the welcome sign of 7/11 stores in Thailand where we knew we could get a cold drink, a toasty, and a toilet stop. Our friend Leo always greeting us at the end of every tough day in the heat and the thrill of finding a place to stay each night. Despite the oh so tasty Asian cuisine we did manage to lose 12kg between us, which is steadily going back on during out time in Oz thanks to kiwi Sav, and indulging in all the foods we craved whilst away.
The smiles and waves from the people from remote villages who were so poor financially but so rich in happiness was a stark reminder that money isn’t necessarily what makes you happy.
Now if anyone ever tells you your bum gets used to time in the saddle without cycle shorts they are lying. The not so glamorous side of cycle touring, constantly sore bum, loo stops on the side of the road amongst the prickles, on snake look out and hoping you don’t squat over any UXO’s (bombs). The lack of road rules and ridiculous driving had us see way too many crashes first hand.
So little old Nelson you are going to seem very quiet and cold when we return later this week, but looking forward to seeing you all soon. In the meantime we will be planning the next chapter………
Getting out and about on our Oz bikes. Beautiful one day Perfect the next View from top of Alex Headland Local coffee shop across from the beach. Alex Surf Club Sunday session. Sorry Leo but we ditched you for craft beer and bubbles
Perfect timing to depart today with a miserable day and floods forecast this weekend on the Sunny Coast. Hard to believe after an awesome 2 weeks of weather.
Been an early start up at 3am to drive to Brisie. Bangkok here we come via Singapore.
Bikes all loaded ready to rock.Beach chairs at an airport………only in Brisie.
Cheers everyone for a fabulous 2018
THENEVSBYCYCLE 