Shane Batchelor (Page 8)

This morning we woke to a light drizzle which putting our faith in our windy app, we were hoping would pass over during the night… but ah nah. Oh well it was going to be a damp start to today’s ride from Hokitika to Mahinapua (Tree Top Walk). While Jude plods along with her morning cuppa tea ritual, I get busy getting the bikes off the rack and getting all the gear out… hoping Jude would feel guilty and get a move on, but that’s was just wishful thinking lol. Eventually we got under way and the bonus of Jude casual morning start was theRead More →

Cover photo- Judes looks out over the Tasman Sea on warm early evening. Not a bad morning… a cup of tea to start the day, dishes done, bed made, bikes setup and it’s off 15km to Westport and while we’re there we must try the famous Pies before the return ride. The start of the road from the Star Tavern is along a private road that runs along side the main road before entering a small windy bush track about 400m in length before crossing the main road and onto a boringly long stretch of track. This track then turns left and heads to theRead More →

Nice early kick off for a 8km walk around Cape Foulwind walking track that takes you to Tauranga Bay It was a pleasant walk on a well groomed track, the fact that the weather was more easterly meant the track was sheltered from the forecasted wind although they were light anyway. The track appeared to have a lot of ups and downs as it gradually descended from the height of Cape Foulwind down to Tauranga Bay however overall it was mainly down hill. The views were as expected awesome. Once reaching Tauranga Bay we choose to return via the Kawatiri Cycle Trail that was slightlyRead More →

Today we take the first step of completing the Kawatiri Trail of which as normal we have to do it both ways, so today’s ride is a fraction under 19km which means we ride double that distance. Leaving early enough we start with a short windy section of native forest at Cape Foulwind whichen descends down to the northern end of Tauranga Bay. Just a lovely bay with short ride to the south end. A short ride through to Nine Mile Beach, an awesome sand beach with easy access and when the sea is right it looks great for surfers… of which we never seenRead More →

After studying the short term weather patterns we decided to risk heading to Westport on the West Coast. We left Richmond a couple of days ago and the road through to Murchison had many indications of how bad the area was hit with rainfall, drenched but drained paddocks and and slips every where, fortunately the roads had been cleared of the slips that included them. We spent a night in Murchison, nothing different from the last time we were there apart from a new 4square supermarket being constructed. We enjoyed a beautiful sunny day sitting outside the tavern sipping back a nice cold Grizzly Porter.Read More →

As Stated in my previous post Pakawau is one of the loveliest places around the top of the South Island is Pakawau, a small location approximately 12km west of Collingwood, both 10km west is Puponga the last settlement in the west side of Golden Bay and the start of Farewell Spit. We are camped up at the Pakawau Motor Camp which is a lovely place to park at. A short drive or bike ride to Puponga and dealing the Wharariki Road takes you to Cape Farewell viewing platform which is an amazing view on either good or bad weather days. It rained for a coupleRead More →