New Zealand Ride Day 2

Day 2 - 3.35 hrs ride time, 131kms, 4700m climbing

We were on top of the world. It was bloody cold. Everything was frozen. It was bloody cold. Did I say that already?

What a great days riding. Incredible and challenging riding and spectacular scenery. The only problem is that if you take your eyes off the track even for a second your in big trouble. We took a lot more time today to stop and take it all in. The country is magnificent.

There were lots of off's today, from just about everybody. Steve and I were lucky enough to stay upright. The riding is incredibly challenging.

The group is fantastic. Some of the riders are unbelievable. I'm actually the 2nd slowest rider in the group. I'm struggling with confidence in the tricky conditions. Riding ruts is scaring the crap out of me. Steve is going much better and is definitely starting to come to terms with the bike. The blokes who brought there own bikes are at a great advantage.

We are seeing parts of the country that we could never get access to if you weren't in a tour like this. As much as I hate organised tours I can see the benefit in this case.

I will post some photos tonight. I have lots of video but Internet is dodgy so I might not get much up this week.

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On top of the world

NZ Adventure Day 1

170kms, 4 Hours , 3500m ascent.

Our ride started from the sleepy hamlet of Alexandra on the South Island near queenstown. We have 10 riders in our group and they are all competent riders. About half the guys are from NZ and they have the luxury of riding there own bikes. The rest of us are on total shitbox Yamaha 250r's.
The trail today consisted of about 50% 4wd and single track with the resting farm roads etc. the tracks are for the most part rocky, slippery and deeply rutted. He riding is challenging and requires high levels of concentration. Lots of people fell off multiple times.

The weather today was cold and rainy. A lot of the riding was t over 1000 metres so we had the added hazard of riding in fog and cloud.

There was some spectacular scenery when the fog cleared.

Unfortunately for much of the day the pace was a little too quick. It didn't give us enough oportunity to stop and look around. Hopefully everyone will settle down a bit tomorrow.

Steve and I are pretty disappointed with our bike. They are poorly set up and prepared. The boys who bought their own bikes are having a ball in the tricky conditions.

Tonight we are setting in a small town called "fuckknows"

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NZ Adventure 2013

And so the adventure begins. Brother Steve and I have just arrived on the South Island of New Zealand to take part in a 6 day off road Enduro bike ride. 12 bikes, 6 Days, 1200 kms in and around Queenstown. We are currently in the small town of Alexandra where we are getting our bikes sorted ( WR 250's) ready to head off tomorrow morning. It has rained here today which is great news for us as it has been very dry and dusty. Bring it on.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

The roulettes - " what the?"

Chillin wit my cuz

Kite surf up close

Images of whitehaven beach

Here come the princesses

Comfortable

Ags already in holiday mode

Captain and first mate

Ahh Whitsundays

I'd forgotten how much I love being here

Image of Serengeti from the beach

Day 3, the best yet

Warm sailing, close up whale encounters and beautiful sand were the highlites. Topped off by a beautiful mooring and a sunset BBQ. It sure takes it out of you. We were tucked up in bed by 8.30.

Add for oyster bay wines? Or just Lisa being artistic.

Best BBQ area in Australia. Surely?

Sunset on Serengeti

Lisa in her dingy

A short clip of Lisa in the dingy

Day 2 - sailing south

We headed out from south mole island after our morning sceds with the hire base. We finally got our sails set after some drama with the poor rigging. I'm thinking that not many people actually sail her. A beautiful day with 15knts from the south and a falling tide from the south made it slow going. We saw some incredible whale action which certainly made the ours slip by unnoticed. As we got got into the arvo we realised that if we didn't start a motor we wouldn't make our anchorage by 4 pm. So we fired her up and ran down to shaw island. We found a lively cove to anchor in and settle in for the night. We had a run in the dingy and wet a line. No luck.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Whale play

Lisa's paddle board action

Lisa at the helm

Sailing is a serious business

Serengeti at south mole

Big arse.

Serengeti from behind.

First day out of the way

We flew into Hamilton island Tuesday arvo and caught a ferry over to airlie beach. We got on board the yacht and put some of our provisions away. We then caught a taxi to the supermarket and bought some last minute grocery items. After we stowed(nautical term) them on the yacht we went to the pub for pizza and beer before turning in for the night. We woke thismorning and headed straight for the boat. Our briefing took 3.5 hours after which we decided to hire a sail guide for half a day to help us get the most out of the boat. He was well worth the money. It's a bloody handfull for 2 people. Before long we were doing 8 knots in a stiff breeze. It's amazing how nimble it is. The thing weights 8 tonnes.
We dropped our guide at daydream island to wait for a ferry home and then we headed for our first campsite off south mole island. We found a mooring and settled in for the night. Nice steak dinner and s bottle of wine. Tomorrow we are sailing south towards lindeman island.

Oh yeah it's big enough

Another Coatesy adventure begins

Lisa and I are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Hamilton island. We are hiring a 48ft sailing catamaran for a week of adventure. It is a Salina 48 which is the yacht at the top of our shopping list for our floating pleasure palace. Bon voyage.

Regards

Mike from iPhone

Guzzi at the creek

A day at the snow

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