Back on the bikes, the day was sunny with a strong Nor’easter as we cycled towards the Atlantic coast. Our first view of the sea was just short of São Martinho do Porto, and also the start of the coastal cycleways. São Martinho do Porto There was quite a bit of building happening for what …
Heading out on our bikes seemed daunting but once through Lisbon city we rode alongside the Tagus River. Leaving greater Lisbon The ride was mostly on cycleways including a 6km boardwalk section and a slightly muddy unpaved section, without making contact with the towns to our left. The day passed with relative ease although we …
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: 393 kms (Total 4,061 kms) Departure day, Thursday, dawned clear and tranquil, perfect cycling weather. With Sue as our very able guide, we rode from Havelock North and connected with the Hawkes Bay Trail through to Napier and stopped for lunch at Hapi, (imagine a macron over the “i”) the excellent café at Chantal’s, …
Travelled: 175 kms (Total 3,668 kms) The morning dawned cloudy and a brisk Southerly carried with it both the promise of winter and of a tail-wind. Stuart kindly waved us off as we headed out into the delightfully light mid-morning Palmerston North traffic on fresh legs and following the scent of adventure. This by now …
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 …
JG on balance 