After all these years of ignoring the big nz ride , here I am . I’ve cycled the length of Japan , the Alaskan highway , the Lands end to John O’ groats and a bunch of others but dismissed the big kiwi ride . But why now ?

This decision to set off on a solo length of NZ was spawned after a short pre Xmas ride over a few days on my old giant E bike. A special bike , Giants first attempt at a road version in 700 c with power delivery right up to the 46 km mark . My ride reignited appreciation for this bike as one super fast , incredibly comfortable machine . I got a bunch of helpful advice from Tim Hunter , our local bike shop owner and proceeded to do a suspension fork upgrade . My friend Paul Sutton , very clever engineer assisted with the final thru axle mod . Also sports my old high end aero bars from my retired time trail bike .

The second reason is I couldn’t find any good enough reason not to do this ride . I’d resisted it for years thinking nz roads and drivers are so bat shit crazy it’s a bit risky . Finally had to concede that the Kennett brothers have done an amazing job in detailing the many trails available for this north / south ride , mostly on backroads and cycle trails .

Finally after all these years of doing a bunch of long distance rides in far off foreign climes it is time to , as Ed H said “ tick the bastard off “

Day one started wet .. very wet but eventually eased and I headed off on the backroads to Dargaville . Had some isolated heavy showers that frustrated me for a time but didn’t hold me up too long . Arrived at camp one in Dargaville by mid afternoon , a ride of 115 km .