100 Strangers Hi Mike,
your blogs a great read! we have finally returned to the UK but have plans to return to NZ in the next year hopefully. I have uploaded a few pictures from my trip and the one I have taken of you by the lake. Heres a link to it ride safe my friend www.flickr.com/photos/copple/4409538165/
Great Yarns Oh, the detail...what a wonderful story you tell. Had had txt snippets from Judy. We wish the Fraser a speedy recovery and a long a merry life! Love from we three...Fi home for the W/E.xx
Talent to spare Hi Mike,
I put the card with your blog address through the washing machine. Thank God for Google.
I had no idea that you are such an adventerous soul or that you are such a talented writter. I enjoyed the blog so much that I have subscribed.
I hope that you got the Fraser back home and sent to the car doctor for urgent treatment to the fractured wish bone.
See you guys next year and I hope that we have more time to catch up.
Paul and Shirley
Ahoy there! Yeah, I've been missing the sailing, too. We managed a week around New Year but stayed pretty close to home. You may have spotted the blog about hitchhiking by yacht through French Pass, pretty interesting currents! Regards to all. Mike and Judy
SAiling Buddy ahoy Hi Mike
Been checking on your progress occasionally. Missed you on the water this summer. Keep pedalling! Crews of Lollipop and Pinball Wizard.
The Poncho Glad to have lost the Poncho in Westport no doubt. People like that all across the world. Met some one similar in Florida while camping in a state park - asked me if I wanted to go hunt gators in the everglades. Mmm! Also met someone like that when i was in Southport Tasmania, called himself Burger. Interesting character. Probably and escaped convict or something. Anyways... keep up the good work FM. Love your work. TB
Dislocated Little Finger! Yes it is. Would you like me to repeat that story for anyone (if there is anyone) who missed it first time around. It should only take a couple of hours or so. Cheers. Mike
Wai Wot?? I don't think they've heard of it. I'm relying on one of those things you plug into the side of a netbook. It seems to work surprisingly well.
yer back just logged back into the oddessey -------------- and will pursue the beast avidly.
All well Chez Pahi - off tomorrow for a few days with my Hawke's Bay book people (Foootprints) at their "bach" on Lake Tarawera. Armed with snapper fillets from a fish with Gravy.. and may cast a troll for a Tarawera rainbow, or brown. stay cool - love the words. cheers P
Backroads Fantastic update Mike, love the title "riding the rainbow" hmm very jimmy hendrix. You really are taking the back roads and putting the beast through its paces. I was wondering how you would get on in the Sth Island with the typical journey, down one side, over, and up the other. I guess Its a case of studying the map! (thats right!, theres this Colin Mccahon painting "six days in Nelson and Canterbury" apparently inspired as he passed through the landscape while cycling to and from different seasonal jobs down south.Kinda confirms that theory that you really do deeply connect with your surroundings when you go by bike. take care out there, love
Mark
Cuban cigars... Hi Tony, Thanks for the support. Look forward to catching up before too long. Very keen to hear how that new career move is going. Regards, FM.
Mainlanders Keep up the good work "Feral". Although my impression of some one on a "Cycle Diaries " Che type journey would be of a beard, long hair, a cuban cigar and a beret. Love the blog and photos. Look forward to the next installment. I hope the "Beast" hasnt bucked you off on your southern leg. Choice. Tony B
Hello from the Bike and Brew gals! Hi Mike, Was such a pleasure meeting you at the campground in Blenheim and unwinding after your strenuous ride into town. We spent a fantastic time in town last week working at the Renaissance Brewing Co and have now hopped the pond over to Melbourne. The beer research continues over here, and we are hoping also to get some pedaling under our belt in Tasmania in the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to following your blog and progress around the country. When we come back for Bike and Brew NZ we will be looking to your experiences to guide us a bit. Cheers!
Tracy and Sara
http://bikeandbrewtour.com/
BAD DRIVERS Hi Tony, thanks for the comments. Yeah, I was really surprised at the behaviour. I'm putting it down to Waitangi Day (fellow cyclist and brother-in-law Ross reckons he's had similar experiences on public holidays). On another matter, you might be interested to know there's been a stack of guys - and at least one woman - going through Hanmer Springs and Molesworth on some sort of 1100 k endurance ride organised by the Kennett brothers. The riders look absolutely shattered.
avoiding the four wheeled shuffle Ahoy matey!
Great to hear your adventures Brockie, but less great to hear of the close calls and abusive behaviour you have encountered.
That's pretty much what I encounter on my daily travels between Point Chevalier and our beloved place of employment in Eden Terrace, but I would not expect that on a quiet stretch of road at the top of my beloved South Island.
Seems as if the brutish behaviour of Auckland motorists has spread South, and then some.... or was it just their special way of celebrating Waitangi Day in the country side? "F-Em'!"
I'm not shy of thrusting fingers forth at suitable motorists, nor am I at giving it to them in a verbal fashion neither, so don't be afraid of showing your frustration at those four wheeled buggars.
I write this, yet my displaying of eager wrath against drivers has caused me on more than one occasion to dart down a side street to avoid any unfortunate stopping of a vehicle and physical beating of cyclist.... a bit harder to do that on a barren country road I suppose!
Great to read your blogs mate, can't wait to hear of your further adventures.
Respect the "Beast"!
Tony
Bad Drivers Hi Ross, I'm interested that you find public holidays a problem. Strange! I wonder what goes on in the kiwi psychi (whoops, spelling???). Rest of the time, people have generally been pretty good. Love to you all, Feral Mike.
molesworth Dad and Mum went thru Molesworth a couple of times and i do want to go thru there...but not by bike!!! Road might shake our sleeper van to pieces!
Am about to email Judy as am wondering about sharing your rental from ChCh to Ashburton! Want to get a campervan for the week. Have a great w/e with Judy.xx
A LATTE SIPPING, PONSONBY DWELLER GOES ADVENTURING BY BICYCLE
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THE BIG PLAN
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I made a solo cycle ride from one end of New Zealand to the other over the southern summer - 2009/10. I kept off the busy highways as much as possible, and even managed a few 4WD tracks in some of the more remote corners of the country. I finished on 9 April 2010 and returned home ... full info
Feral Mike
Mike Brockie
Wow, Nice Photo
Hi Lee, nice work. You make me look quite dashing! Thank you. Mike