To prepare my body and mind for the trans-American journey this blog is all about – and because it’s one of the most gorgeous places on earth – I am currently cycling around New-Zealand. I arrived in Christchurch on January, 12h, and will spend some time om the south island first, before taking the ferry to Wellington and making my way further up to Auckland. From there, it goes straight to San Francisco on April, 7th.

I will keep track of my progress on this page and post some prequel stories on the blog section as well.

NEW ZEALAND – SOUTH ISLAND

January, 17th: Christchurch to Rakaia Gorge Campground – 90km
January, 18th: Rakaia Gorge Campground to Mount Somes Holiday Park – 35km
January, 19th: Daytrip with the bike to Mount Sunday (LOTR filmset location Edoras) – 100km
January, 20th: Mount Somers Holiday Park to Fairlie Campground – 120km
January, 21st: Fairlie Campground to Lake Tekapo Holiday Park – 45km
January, 22nd: resting day at Lake Tekapo
January, 23rd: Lake Tekapo Holiday Park to White Horse Campground (Mt Cook Village) – 105km
January, 24th: Dayhike to the Mueller Hut (1800m) and back
January, 25th: White Horse Campground to Twizel Holiday Park – 68km
January, 26th: Twizel Holiday Park to Ahuriri Bridge Campsite in Omarama (Sections 3 and 4 on the Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail) – 83km
January, 27th: Ahuriri Bridge Campsite to Kurow Holiday Park (Sections 5 and 6 on the A2O) – 68km
January, 28th: Kurow Holiday Park to Empire Hotel in Oamaru (Sections 7 and 8 on the A2O) – 82km
January, 29th: resting day in Oamaru
January, 30th: Oamaru to Warrington – 92km
January, 31st: Warrington to Dunedin – 28km

February, 1st: resting day and visiting Dunedin
February, 2nd: waiting for Elton John in Dunedin
February, 3th: waiting for Elton John in Dunedin
February, 4th: Elton John day
February, 5th: Dunedin to Balclutha – 90km
February, 6th: Balclutha to Tawanui Campground – 60km
February, 7th: Catlins River Walk to “The Wisp” (24km dayhike)
February, 8th: Tawanui Campground to Papatowai – 30km
February, 9th: Papatowai to Curio Bay – 45km
February, 10th: Curio Bay to Ashers – 52km
February, 11th: Ashers to Riverton – 70km
February, 12th: Riverton to Tuatapere – 49km
February, 13th: resting day in Tuatapere
February, 14th: Tuatapere to Thicket Burn Campsite – 50km (plus 4-hour walk to Lake Hauroko Lookout)
February, 15th: Thicket Burn Campsite to Manapouri – 95km
February, 16th: Manapouri to Te Anau – 30km
February, 17th: Dayhike on the Kepler Track (34km)
February, 18th: Te Anau to North Mavora Lake – 70km
February, 19th: Hike to Taipo Hun on Greenstone Walkway (28km)
February, 20th: Hike to Carey’s Hut (18km)
February, 21st: Hike to North Mavora Lake (10km) and on to Walter Peak – 60km
February, 22nd: TSS Earnslaw Ferry to Queenstown (no cycling)
February, 23th: Daytrip with bike to Glenorchy and Isengard Lookout – 130km
February, 24th: Queenstown to Wanaka – 80km
February, 25th: Wanaka to Boundary Creek Campsite – 50km
February, 26th: Boundary Creek Campsite to Haast – 95km
February, 27th: resting day in Haast
February, 28th: Haast to Fox Glacier – 25km (and 90 in a cosy campervan)
February, 29th: Fox Glacier to Franz Josef Glacier – 30km + 6 hour walk to Robert’s Point

March, 1st: Franz Josef Glacier to Hari Hari – 60km
March, 2nd: Hari Hari to Hokitika – 70km
March, 3th: resting day in Hokitika
March, 4th: Hokitika to Kumara along the West Coast Wilderniss Trail – 75km
March, 5th: Kumara to Charleston – 102km
March, 6th: Charleston to Lyell DOC Campground – 78km
March, 7th: Lyell DOC Campground to Tapawera – 117km
March, 8th: Tapawera to Kaiteriteri – 65km
March, 9th: Hike from Totaranui to Onetahuti in Abel Tasman NP
March, 10th: Hike from Onetahuti to Anchorage in Abel Tasman NP
March, 11th: Kaiteriteri to Nelson along the Great Taste Trail – 77km
March, 12th: Nelson to Picton by bus and ferry to Wellington – 5km
March, 13th: Wellington & surroundings – 55km
March, 14th: Wellington to Whitby – 40km
March, 15th: Whitby to Featherston – 67km
March, 16th: Featherston to Alfredton – 82km
March, 17th: Alfredton to Wimbledon – 92km
March, 18th: Wimbledon to Hastings – 115km
March, 19th: Hastings to Auckland by bus
March, 20th: Auckland to Auckland Airport and flight to Dubai
March, 21st: Flight Dubai to Brussels… home sweet home?

THE END

For now… will definitely be continued

TOTAL: 3.127 km (bike rides only)