Category: Nz 2021

Great night & magic day 3 of riding from Hans Bay to Kumara = 50km

Great times in Hans Bay last night staying in the tiny big house.

It all started well
Then it was all downhill…… and that wasn’t on the bikes….!

No problem sleeping last night for everyone and a few loud snorers keeping the village of Hans Bay awake. Good hearty brekki before the pedals were turning.

Overcast in Hans Bay and fingers crossed the rain was going to stay away.
Lovely ride along the Arahura River to Milltown and up to Cowboys Paradise
A few spots of rain but stunning scenery
Then a cuppa and a chat with this Coast character at Trappers Rest.
Super fun riding, only one missed turn off by Alex and before we knew it we were in Kumara although Alex could easily have ended up in Haast.
So lucky not to get wet today and great digs at Theatre Hotel.

Day 2 – Hokitika to Hans Bay + side trip to Dorothy Falls = 38km

Great night out last night in Hoki, and awesome to have Donna and Scott joining us.

After brekki it was time to get the supplies for tonight.
A little more repacking of the over sized toilet bag and we were ready to hit the road. Mandy and Alex taking the easy option of getting their gear transferred and they have e-bikes….!!!
Another beautiful day as we depart Hokitika.
Regrouped after Alex missed the turn off. Her and her e-bike were in the zone. Then we were at Lake Kaniere and truly stunning.
Lunch stop at Lake Kaniere
Then onto Hans Bay and a lovely side ride to Dorothy Falls.

Lovely digs in Hans Bay. Another awesome day of riding.

Stunning West Coast

3rd time for The Nevs riding the West Coast Wilderness Trail and it gets better every time. This time we have friends joining us so double the fun with Andy and Mandy and soon to be triple the fun when Alex and Chris join us tonight and start riding with us tomorrow.

Departing Nelson – Saturday 1st May

Mandy looking a little excited
Arrived at Greymouth and realised Mandy needs a lesson in packing for bike touring, starting with the size of the toilet (sponge) bag…!
Start of the trail snap last night
Then off to the Ross pub. Got to love $12 jugs of Speights in glass jugs with the local characters.
Sun going down on Ross township
Ross Top 10 sunset
Fine dining at Ross Top 10

The boys cooking us up a good bike touring brekki this morning

Then loading up Betty and Nancy for Day 1 of riding.

Ross to Hokitika 36km

Ross beach and ready for action

Coffee at Treetops walkway then onwards
Hokitika turned on the weather for us.
Absolutely beautiful day and magic view from our digs tonight. Roll on tomorrow.

Family Fun Day

Well what a fun day that was with all the family.  Awesome 52km ride from Spooners Tunnel to Mapua meeting the non riders along the way.

Early start to get the bikes loaded out to the Spooners Tunnel.

Thanks Michael and Kiwi Journeys for a great trip out to the tunnel with the informative commentary.

Here goes start of the tunnel. Lights fully charged ready for the 1.3km

Blazed it downhill to Wai-iti domain

First stop Wakefield bakery where Mum and Dad the support crew were making sure there were enough pies for us.

On through the hops to the Grape Escape for lunch.

All the tribe for lunch, to refuel
Through the Waimea estuary on to Rabbit Island
Made it…….!!!
Karen chilling after her record bike ride day

Well that was a super fun day. Well done team……!

52km fun in the sun today

Enjoying our staycation on our 3 days off and this morning we got a shuttle from Nelson out to the Spooners tunnel. The longest disused rail tunnel in the southern hemisphere.

Despite having ridden it 4 times the claustrophobia kicked in and that didn’t help with the light on my bike not working! Thought I was going to come unstuck during the 1.35km but happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Betty and Nancy getting ready for the tunnel
Here goes……

Out the other side and wow what a huge improvement in the surface  of the trail since last time we did the ride.  Smashed the other side of the tunnel, blazed through the hop farms which are expanding by the day, onwards through Wakefield then time for a rest in Brightwater.

Loving riding through the hops and this section of the trail is stunning.
Rest stop in Brightwater

The strong northerly made for a tough day of riding but the Maccas ice cream reward was well worth it.

A few mechanical issues with Betty but all sorted after realising the derailleur was missing a bolt!!!! Handy Andy had a spare so all fixed.

Awesome day out and fantastic ride on our door step.