I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE

The difference between me and Lance Armstrong is that I still have a chance to win the Tour de France. ~ Anyone

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

It's almost been two months since my cycling trip. Oh I do wish I was still pedaling. 

I've been for many rides since i've been back including an 80km ride to Waikouiti. Sadly no touring. 

I have had a lovely man named Paulo from Montreal stay with me through the Warmshowers website. He was so great.

He brought me a bottle of vino and the cutest bottle of maple syrup.

He recommended a great book to read: "It's all about the bike, the pursuit of happiness on two wheels".

It's a great read. I recommend it if you'd like to know more about the history of the bicycle. He was lucky enough to meet some of my 'beautiful friends' and was so interested in our lives and what the future holds for us. "Many exciting possibilities" according to him. 

Margaret, who i met in Red Beach north of Auckland came to stay for two nights. 

It was lovely to see her again. We took her exploring around our neighbourhood and found a sea lion and her pup. She was just over the moon. A trip to the Albatross Colony, a farewell dinner at Plato and she was gone. 

I'm expecting two warm shower guests within the next two months. Yay!

I can live through their cycling. 

Adios amigos. 

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Awanui to Cape Reinga,106km.

Wow. What a day. The final ride of my trip. I don’t want it to end! The ride was exhausting and it didn’t help that I had 20km to go when I thought the Cape was just around the corner!

I stopped for lunch at a nice town and met a small dog called ‘Daisy’. She was the smallest dog I’ve ever seen. Pip may have thought she was a chew toy had she met her.

I was in a good cycling rhythm (‘every day I’m cycling’) mid afternoon and was enjoying the sunshine until.. flat tyre!! Only the second one of the trip. I've been Very lucky. It took me 20 minutes to change this time. Winning!

On and on and on and on and on and on I went. Finally!! The Cape!! I arrived at 7:10pm after setting off in the morning at 11am. ‘Twas a Long day I tell you!

Cape Reinga is hands down the most mesmerising place I have ever been to. The whole time I was there (1.5hours) I couldn’t stop smiling (lol). It’s just so cool! You’re at the very top of New Zealand! There are only three other people there with you. The sun is setting. You can see the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet and churn. You can read the direction sign post and see that you’re 100km short of cycling the length of New Zealand (1402km, or something like that). Bugger! You can sit for an hour and just look out and take it all in. You can also read about all the Maori traditions and beliefs of what the Cape is and means. It’s the last place out spirits go prior to departing New Zealand apparently. I’m down with that!

If you haven’t been to Cape Reinga then please,please go.

It was nearly dark and I had planned to stay at a DOC site 10km south of the Cape. Setting up camp in the dark wasn’t sounding like much fun so I asked a German couple I’d spoken with if I could hitch a ride with them! They said ya! Yay! 100km in a car takes one hour… it took me 7 hours haha they were great to chat to and have done a lot of travel on motorcycles. They mentioned that they’re going to have good karma now from taking me to Kaitaia and told me about times when they’d been helped on their travels. I love meeting travellers, not tourists! There really is a difference.

Kaitaia! Next, catching a bus to AKL.

I’ve just completed the last ride of my trip.. all I want to do is go and ride my road bike back home and see how fast I can go without carrying all my belongings!!

This trip has been so much fun and I’ve met so many kind & special people that I will keep in touch with.

If cycle touring sounds like fun to you then I urge you to give it a go!

Currently I dream of cycle touring France, Italy, Spain, Germany, The Americas, Canada and Asia.

Like I always say.. ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’.

Until the next cycle touring adventure. Peace out.

Love, iwanttoridemybicyclenz

x x

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

After four weeks of cycling 1303.2km around the North Island i made it to Cape Reinga! If you haven't been there, you must. It's magical. Do you like my #awkwardselfie ? #cycletouring #owmyknees #alreadyplanningnexttrip #iheartcycling

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

The lovely historic part of Kerikeri. #cycletourig #boats #oldbuildings #bush #water #canyouspotthehorse?

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Paihia to Kerikeri,20km. Kerikeri to Awanui,99km.

I left the bay of Islands and cycled a deserted forest track to the lovely Kerikeri. I had to lift my bike over a fence and my back nearly broke. Seriously! I visited the historic part of Kerikeri, it was just lovely! I saw the best mail box!

I headed off to the west coast of NZ and the father son combo from Russell drove past me! They did a u-turn and we chatted and they gave me their details. If I’m ever in Pukekohe (hmmmm) I have a place to stay! I’d left my details for them in their tent while they were away fishing! They were the nicest people!

Northland is amazing, I biked past some beautiful bays and also some very very very rundown houses. I felt like I was back in Tonga to be honest. Heaps of cute wee kids playing on the farms would wave to me as I biked past!

99km later I arrived at 90 Mile Beach! I was treated to the most amazing sunset that I’ve EVER seen! The colours were insane, I watched it for a good half an hour!

Cycling the Cape today! I’m so excited!!!!!!

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Sunset in Russel. Yes, that's the Waitangi treaty pole on the right! #feelingpatriotic #feeling22 #lol #nofilterholla

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Shark week in The Bay of Islands! #sharkbaithoohaha #touristinmyowncountry #yesireallydidasksomeonetotakethis #noshame #yolo

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Whangareri to Russell (Bay of Islands), 87km… Hard yakka!

The Dutchy and myself set of for a long days ride. Ten minutes into the day we were stopped by a kind old Maori guy who’d done a u-turn to come and speak with us. He thought we were heading to a local waterfall walking track. He advised us not to go as if we left our bikes to walk they would be ‘ripped off’ or stolen by we time we came back! Welcome to Northland. I haven’t had any negative experiences yet. I say YOLO! Dutchy and I said that after we made a decision to choose a gravel road over a tar-sealed road. We neglected to consider YODO. More on that later.

Hills. Hills. Everywhere. Dutchy is carrying more gear than me but he beats me up some hills. He doesn’t gloat but he’s stoked I can tell. I would be!

We stopped at Helena Bay which was a lovely spot and a cute old man filled up our water bottles for us. He bought a huge section of land there thirty years ago for $6000… It’s now worth $600,000! You go Glen Coco.

We kept going, rather slowly. It was nice to be riding with someone but I’m in a good riding routine and it was a bit disrupted for this ride but it’s all goods! Big news! I cracked 1000km!! You can see in the photo! God that was a crazy feeling!

We stopped a couple more times and finally came to the point where we’d choose to gravel, or not to gravel. It would cut 10km off if gravelled...YOLO! The gravel was hell. Freshly laid so there were no tracks to follow. Going up took forever and going down took just as long. Sharp corners and thickly laid gravel does not bode well for heavily loaded cyclists. Dutchy slipped and fell off at one point! We cycled 12km on this road and had another 14km to Russell.

Reaching Russell made it all worth it, it’s such a cute bay/town. It’s kinda like Arrowtown mixed with Stewart Island I think. We pitched our tents, ate and then slept.

The next morning I made friends with a lovely father son combo from somewhere near the Bombay Hills. They’d been in Whangarei for Ben’s (son) go cart racing competition which he won! They’re here to go fishing on sea kayaks and were really nice to yarn to.

I headed to Russell town. I went op shopping and visited the museum ($10 entry!??!!). I saw the bird from the book ‘Come Back Ginger’ if you’ve ever read it. ‘Twas good to refresh the memory and learn some new things about NZ/Maori history. I took a picture of a cool painting (I think). The sailors and the Maori woman. It looked very modern I thought! Cute stripy t-shirt, very on trend! #salty. But they probably were actually salty as they were sailors lol!

I caught the ferry across to Paihia and chilled out as I was very tired from the previous day. I did a little christmas shopping and found a really cool florist with an interesting deer display! Right up my alley!

I cycled to Waitangi and went on a guided tour of the grounds. Our tour guide was awesome and made some great jokes! For example: her name was Denise and she said ‘if you’ve got and little ones you should tell them that I’m Denise, not Denephew’. Ha! I really liked Waitangi, after learning about everything at school and Uni it’s nice to see where it (the treaty) all happened. #patriotic.

I headed back to Russell to discover that the Dutchy and I had a new neighbour! Matt, from Oregon USA! He’s cycling NZ FOR FIVE MONTHS!! that is a looong time! He’s got a very cool trailer/trundled and front panniers. He is carrying a lot of gear. We discussed cycle trailers for dogs. I'm so getting one for Pip! Oh how I miss her x

I had tea on the jetty and tried a new apple and Ginger cider. It went straight to my head! Then I cycled back to camp and hung out with father and son combo! They didn’t catch any legal sized fish so will try again tomorrow! They invited Mat and i to have a rum with them so we did! Rum and coke before bed = I can’t sleep!!

x

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

I think possums make the most hideous noise known to man/woman. It sounds like something is dying right above my tent. Let's hope it doesn't actually die and land on me. Also, it turns out the Dutchy snores. His tent is right next to mine. I hope you manage to get to sleep! x

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Wise words from a small town #waipu #wasthisdirectedatme #cycletouring #ifyoucandreamityoucandoit

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Devonport to Orewa (Red Beach),40km…Orewa to Waipu Cove, 104km….Waipu Cove to Whangarei, 65km.

God I love biking. Two days of boredom due to sheltering from the rain really makes you appreciate how awesome it is to be cycle touring. The sun is out, stop for a swim at lunch and then have an ice cream before dinner.. you’ve earnt it!

Leaving Orewa was great although I was sad to leave the campground’s cute kitty behind! It’s a pretty place but I was keen to head north and leave the Auckland suburbs behind me. As I was cycling (very slowly) up a hill a woman in her car gave me the thumbs up and said (i think) “you go girl”. What a great start to the day! I cycled up hillllllls on boring (scary) state highway 1 for an hour. This really is a death trap for cyclists. I was getting rather antsy to find a smaller road but there were no options! I stopped off at a honey store and learnt how we make (bees make) honey! They had some crazy flavours;chocolate,strawberry,butterscotch and not so crazy.. Lemon! The lemon was my fave!

I then continued to Matakana which is sort of like Arrowtown but filled with Auckland fancy people so I moved on! The public toilets there were pretty amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever taken a photo of one before. Low point?

Now, here’s the part where I thought I was lost for a good hour. I had no gps or map for this area so was relying on notes of road names I’d written down to follow. Never do this. I ended up on a crazy gravel road and then on a road purely for mining trucks. I was concerned but I’m very chilled (didn’t you know lolz) so knew the road would end up somewhere near where I should have been going (I totally didn’t know). I was right! I wasn’t even lost! God I’m good (‘twas all pure luck).

It took ages to get to Waipu Cove but the cycle there along the coast was so beautiful!

On a side note, I think I’m going to turn into a fruit salad, I’ve been eating a lot lately. I made one with strawberry, banana and blueberries for dessert..finished with some Whittakers chocolate.. Hey, I’d just biked 104km!!

The Rain stopped me making an early start the next morning so I read the paper for ages! Nelson Mandela! What a guy.Learnt so much about him, great feature in The Herald.

Weeee! The sun is out, onto Waipu! I had lunch and then ‘lost’ my bike lock key for a good 15 minutes. Retracing your steps still is the best way to find things! I really am forgetful! Actually I was flustered by these German guys and forgot to put my key in its usual spot (am I 14??).

I biked 6km and then stopped for some beach time. Two old ladies were riding in carriages being pulled by donkeys. The poor donkeys were straining… big time.

I then continued and experienced a moment of complete exhaustion. It’s called ‘hitting the wall’ or ‘the bonk’(I think). I’d only biked 40km… The 104km the day before had caught up with me.

Nooooo! I had no food on me and I was sooo hungry! Think like and athlete Claire! WWLD (what would Lance do)?. Well, I didn’t have any EPO but I did have a ‘leppin squeezy’. A high fructose/glucose lemon gel that you squirt into your mouth and try to forget very quickly. I felt like an iron man/woman. Never have I eaten something sweet for the purpose of purely fueling my bodaaay. Usually it’s only to enjoy it. Is this what I should always be doing? Is my body really a temple? #nosugarforfourweeks #sorryimvegan #imglutenfreeaswell #fitspo #hashtag. I must stock up on cycling reats (dried fruit & cholat) tomorrow!

Yay! Whangarei! I found a great campsite after hitting the local Pak’nSave. Still can’t believe I spent a year working part time there during high school. Now the checkout operators have chairs the can sit in while they scan! Not In my day!! Tell em they’re dreaming! Tamzen if you’re read this I demand we have chairs at the counter/till in time for my return haha

I pitched my tent right next to a Dutch man named ‘John’ but pronounced ‘yawn’.. Yes Lynds!! Like your friend!! He’s cycling all over NZ for the next three months and is only four days into it! He’s very tired already. I told him that there are many more hills to come. Honesty is the best policy kids. We spent the night chatting about cycling and discussing his route. I told him about warmshowers but he didn’t seem too into it! I’ll convert him tomorrow, we’re going to cycle to Russel together I think.

His son is currently cycling around South America.. and will be doing so for 12 months. I’d love to do that one day but start in Canada and do all the ‘Muricas.

Dutchy was surprised at how little I’m carrying on my bike. He has 5 pots and pans… I have 2. His tent sleeps 2.. mine sleeps 1. His cooker is huuuuge… mine is tiny! He soon caught on. Pack light my kapadre as you’re going to be pushing it ALL up hill all day eerrrr day.

xoxo gg

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Tis the season! This lit up Norfolk pine tree at the camping ground I’m staying at has me itching to decorate a Christmas tree! I even bought some sweet crochet decorations the other day. Maybe I’ll have to decorate my cycle? The last two days have brought nothing but rain like you would not believe. No cycling for me for two whole days! I need to get back on the road! Tomorrow is supposed to bring sunshine, fingers crossed. I had a lovely cycle this eve to the Township Of Whangaporoa (it briefly stopped raining). It felt like a mix between Fairfield and Kaikourai Valley, pretty average! There was nothing much to do so I went to the movies again. Wow did the theatre have plush seats or what! I then cycled back to my water logged tent in the dark without a front light. Naughty!

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

I just met my future

I just met my German future self. Margaret is a lovely German woman in her late 50’s and she’s solo travelling around New Zealand for the next two months. My middle name is Margaret! She was loving it!

We spent the last hour planning her NZ trip and swapping details. I’m going to show her around Funedin when she comes, she told me that she loves Border Collies.”they’re very intelligent”. Yes, yes they are Margaret but they’re also a little cray cray and mine likes to eat some form of poop most days. Hey pip!

Earlier I went to the beach and when I came back she had made dinner for me but unfortunately I’d already eaten. What a lovely lady!

I now have a place to stay in Heildeberg, Germany when I finally get over to Europe.

Maybe you’ll get to meet Margaret when she comes to Dunedin?

:)

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Big city life: Auckland After four days in the 'big little city' it's time to get back to what I'm supposed to be doing! Auckland has it all, old friends, good food, beaches (warm water!!) oh and Taylor Swift. I've had a rad four days but I must pedal onwards and head north for the next two weeks. I'm itching to go x

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Sunday funday, Little & Friday. Auckland you’re so good! #littleandfriday #seeyousoontswizzle #cycletouring

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

With my girl @rachsoms again in the big city! #onetreehill #auckland #cycletouring #wasratherwindy

[iwanttoridemybicyclenz]

Day ??: Whitianga to Coromandel township,40km. Coromandel to Waiheke, ferry! Waiheke to Auckland, ferry!

I'm on a boat! Well, not right now but I have been on two in the last couple of days! This resulted in ocean tasting drink bottle mouthpieces.. #salty. Whitianga to Coromandel township nearly ruined my 23 year old knees. Synovial fluid was at an all time low. Voltaren can only do so much! Pushing was my only option for a good 16km stretch up hill (alternating between cycling (not really) of course). Did I mention is was raining? Hills and rain seem to go hand in hand.

Upon arrival at Coromandel I ordered lunch and drained the cafe's wifi for three hours. Sorry bout it! I decided to check into a backpackers for the eve as the rain was forecasted to worsen. It did. There were no beds for me. Out in the rain i go. It was so loud I didn't get to sleep until 1am! The next day was spent pretending to catch a large snapper, pottering around the town and biking to the jetty to catchy the ferry to Waiheke. The sea was rather choppy but I was just so into all the scenery that I didn't get sea sick!

This one time on the ferry to Stewart Island (thanks, cheers) an old man and a baby were both spewing into brown paper bags. This is all I think of now when I'm on boats!

Waiheke is very hilly. I was not in the mood. I'd been cycling for three minutes before I got a flat tyre! Yay, a break from the hills! I changed it in no time (30mins lol!) and ate some pineapple. I thankfully found the B&B I was to be staying at (but camping) and had a great nights sleep! Thanks for asking! 

I devoured pancakes on the beach and met a border collie called "Chanel”. Dear god. Poor, poor dog!

The ferry to Auckland was fun but maneuvering the cycle around the city wasn’t. After a massage, lunch at Al Brown’s Depot and a haircut I was feeling like my city slicker self again! Living out of two bags is great but after a while you just want to feel normal and clean again. I was lucky enough to run into a delightful friend from CR on Queen St! Was so lovely to see her! This called for a snapchat to our boss. Classic. 

I caught the train from Britomart to Kingsland and the cycled to my friends house in Sandringham. Auckland traffic wasn’t too bad i found!

The night was spent catching up with friends and dancing in Ponsonby. Hello Auckland :)