Geoffrey has just returned from his annual biking adventure around the country, and this time they set sail the week after the shattering earthquake in Kaikoura. Luckily they found Hanmer untroubled and made it through to their accommodation without any dramas. Then began a superb few days riding to the west of Hanmer on the St James Walkway,
before heading to The Old Ghost Road trail on the West Coast, which despite being very beautiful had its challenges for them all, and required two new helmets to be bought in Westport!
Geoffrey recommends it maybe as a walk unless you have the latest and greatest full suspension bikes, as it certainly tests skill levels to the max, but he loved it and would highly recommend it! They then voyaged up towards Nelson and rode to Takaka, before heading to the Picton area and starting their ride of the Queen Charlotte Walkway, which was also an interesting ride in various weathers. He was extremely pleased with his Earth, Sea, Sky jacket that we commissioned last year – they are a NZ company who don’t skimp on quality, so do make the effort to BUY LOCAL – it’s always worth it! Being fluorescent yellow, he is easily visible whilst commuting to and from work in winter, and then in West Coast and Marlborough Sounds deluges, it came up trumps! (Just thinking that expression has a whole new meaning since the US election!!). Another spectacular discovery during their time away was how far ahead the whole of the Nelson/Takaha/Motueka area is in terms of wonderful cycleway networks, enabling good safe biking for all level of skill in the region. One of his favourites being from downtown Nelson, up behind the cathedral via the Dun Railway ride and down the Waimea River. Just glorious, and well worth an explore if you are up that way, so do take all your family bikes – you will be astounded by the variety, extent and heavy utilisation of the cycle routes in the region.
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