A while since my last update, as lately I have been struggling for access to a good wifi connection. The journey through the north island brought plenty of the sunshine that seemed to evade me through the South Island. Better roads and more drivers made for mixed blessings as the dislike Kiwis have for cyclists really became apparent for the first time. I continued riding out of Wellington with Neil (who I teamed up with on the South Island) and spectac...

Bath time. Just need a rubber duck

Three fairly uneventful days from Barrytown to Picton. A minor crash and bit of road rash on the foot as wet oily roads caused a slide. From Westport to just past Murchison set a new days record for my mileage at just under 140km. Wild camping down an anglers access road the first 30km the next day had to be ride. On a breakfast of 3 chocolate chip cookies. Atleast it was dry and the roads free of traffic. Arriving in St.Arnauds we decided to gamble and see...

Very wet verging on cold cycling in to driving head winds all the way to Hokitika from Harihari. Riding as a pair helped with drafting and moral support. Stopping for a rest and coffee in Ross we were happy to find a fire to warm by. The warmth was quickly interrupted by American backpackers who came in from their car claiming to be frozen and in need of standing directly in front of the fire and blocking the heat. The move did not go down well with two soaki...

Can't remember or pull up the last entry. Stayed in an alright hostle that had the added bonus of a room all to myself for the first night. First real rest day was made up of roughly 20 km of hiking. Great to finally get off the bike. Leaving fox glacier (Jan 12 - note to self get better at tracking dates!) I see another cyclist camped at the side of the road. Incredibly it is Niel (from Burmingham). As soon as the pass opened be put in a monstrous 210km ...