Lesson #1 arrived without us even leaving Auckland…. pack the tent pegs into checked in luggage and not as part of carry on luggage! Oh well, they’ll be easy enough to replace in Lisbon. The flights were pretty good. 17 hours to Dubai and then another 8.5 to Lisbon. A bit of sleep, quite a …
...but we are back! Our European/UK cycling adventure takes off today. A second summer, foreign languages, delectable treats, amazing scenery and fascinating people are beckoning… all while riding on the other side of the road!! We have 90 days to get from Lisbon to Paris and then another 90 days in the UK and Ireland. …
Travelled: 374 kms (Total 4,380 kms) After an amazing week with Roger and Laura it was back out on the road. Getting ready to leave (note the eggs . . . essential cycling food) Roger and Laura's ready to show us the way This is the first time we had ridden with others and it …
Travelled: 250 kms (Total 3,493 kms) We’re leaving the South behind today as we start our journey homeward. Plenty of riding and challenges still to come. Bring it on! My first challenge is ride back down Richard and Heather’s road (not that I actually rode up it - not even riding at 3km/hr could get …
Travelled: 376 kms (Total 3,243 kms) Our first destination on leaving Christchurch, was only a short ride to Ohoka to spend a couple of nights with Nick and Sharon who we had met during our first couple of weeks in the Motueka Valley. Not bothering to check any cycle trial routes, we headed out following …
Travelled: 251 kms (Total 2,867 kms) Leaving Tekapo we had a steady climb up and over Burkes Pass and into the delightful settlement of the same name. Leaving Tekapo Heading over Burkes Pass An eclectic collection of historic buildings with a mix of motor themed memorabilia. Burkes Pass settlement Leaving Burkes Pass A lovely downhill …
Travelled: 242 kms (Total 2,616 kms) The Alps to Ocean official brochure recommends to do the ride from Mount Cook to Oamaru due to wind direction and the downhill elevation. But no, we are going to do the Ocean to Alps version. Doing it backwards! Starting our O2A Starting from the campground in Oamaru, we …
Travelled: 191 kms (Total 2,235 kms) Incredibly we hadn’t planned to the Central Otago cycle trails, so when we realised they are all flowed together (and with encouraging support from our friends Ann and Michael), we thought it was an opportunity too good to miss. Starting with the Clutha Gold Trail we had a lovely …
Travelled: 265 kms (Total 2,044 kms) It’s hard to believe the it is three weeks since we have really ridden our bikes and the high luxurious lifestyle we have been living has come to an end. Invercargill has been a wonderful staging point over the last month and saying goodbye to Joanna and Russell for …
Travelled: 36 kms (Total 1,779 kms) A lovely calm journey back over Foveaux Strait to Bluff and the Bluff Campground. Leaving Oban The start of the bluff oyster season encouraged us to walk the 2km through town to Fowlers Oysters for the freshest oysters I have had. Battered and deep fried – delicious! A small …
JG on balance 