Where did you buy your bikes? Me and my girlfriend are cycling NZ in october and forward. Do you have any good stores for bikegear as well, so we dont have to bring evrything from Sweden? Hehe
This depends on where you are flying into NZ. We tend to buy bikes from Torpedo7 or Evo Cycles. Bike shops don't tend to have all your bike packing gear. I'd recommend GearShop in Nelson. Great range and good price. Good on you flying out this way to ride
Nice video. I was bought up in Opua but left 50 years ago and now live in Australia. It was nice to watch a trip down memory lane. Can remember when diesel and steam trains ran on the line to Opua . Thanks again for the memories
There were single canoes with some odd number groups. Not sure if they let you go solo without others. Give them a call. They are very helpful with planning the trip, stops and gear
Pity you weren't able to link up with the train - as I understand they run on their advertised schedule to ensure they're able to transport cyclists over the bridge. I think its just a gold coin because they're not taking you far - but of course you have to time the ride right :)
Yep, didn't do a lot of planning or reading. It's a shame that there isn't an alternative route that still includes the first few kms of coastal riding
I didn't want to have to carry or charge another device, so filmed with my Phone - Samsung S23. Check out my latest video (Twin Coast), I changed the phone from 1080 to 4k resolution - seems a lot better.
Nice work on these Carl - definitely worth the effort. Can’t wait for your SI journey when you get to it! Thanks! I hope more people take the opportunity to view these.
Loving the TA series. Really enjoying your sense of humors and videography... a winning combo. Keep up the good work. Any plans to do the South Island section ?
Looking for something to ride to on the bike trainer during our cold Canadian winter, great videos. Having bike toured NZ both Islands, this has brought back so many great memories and familiar places,. I'll ride all to the end before we can get outside again in the spring. Many Thanks.
From Oz … have binge watched the set … congratulations … very informative. Easy to watch! I’d like to get Big T on contract, delivering cold beers…. 😁😁
Hey Carl great video, I'm pretty sure I went to high school with you on the shore. I'm planning on doing the TA in the next few years and you've got some great details here, cheers Perry 👍
Excellent coverage of the power and water storage areas of the North Island. I have seen some of those 'lean' shots before. Look forward to the South Island version. Pedal on. Thanks Carl.
Hi Carl just watched all of your videos over here in the UK and enjoyed them all. Its got me wishing that Spring arrives here asap. You rode some great routes but boy those suspension bridges would get my heart beating faster. Looking forward to future videos. Stay safe out there. Ted
Thanks for the support Ted, It sure was a good time. Can't wait to do the South Island (next year). Some of these routes would be a nightmare if someone had a fear of heights.
I'm pleased you enjoyed the videos. The bike is a trek x-caliber 9. It's a cross-country bike and was perfect. Not one issue. Check out the Gear and Packing video if you want more info.
Another great video Carl. I like the way you've wrapped your tent, pillow and sleeping mat together in a roll. Gonna steal that little gem. Just the other day I got a Smart Tag and I also had the same puffer jacket and jones bars. I tried some aero bars as well but found that they took up too much real-estate and probably wasn't going to use them enough to warrant the extra weight. I regret buying 14L apidura saddle pack now instead of the 17L. Need to figure out how to squeeze it all in.
I'm pleased you enjoyed it and made the effort to post comments... appreciated. You can't really wait for your tent to dry in the mornings, so having all the stuff that can get damp in one bag was handy. I also considered areo bars and I'm pleased I didn't put them on. Regarding the 17l bag, mine was full and I think I would struggle if I had to bring warmer clothes or a warmer sleeping bag. Good to see we made so many of the same decisions.
What was the total weight of the bike and gear Carl? I’ve just done my final pack and mine is 25kg 😳 (bike, food, tent, three water bottles and similar gear list to you). I’m now looking at it thinking about what I don’t need 😀
My setup was also around 25kg. After the ride, I did think if there was anything that I would change on the setup and the only thing was to change to a 2p tent I can sit upright in, Unfortunately, the lightweight tents (MSR, Big Agnes etc) all seem to be really expensive to stay below 2kg. Toward the end of the trip, I wasn't too concerned about the weight. The key thing is finding the effort level that you are comfortable riding at all day.
Binge watched all Eps last night. Best TA videos I've seen to date and I seen them all. Thank You. I start my TA adventure 19 Feb 24 and my planned schedule is the same as yours, so perfect viewing. Loads of bike leaning places , great to see.
Thanks for the great feedback, appreciated. I also watch every Bikepacking video I can get my hands on. Great to hear you are riding the TA in Feb. Such an amazing life experience. I now need to plan the South Island leg (next year). If your interested, I'm planning to release a packing/gear video in the next could of days
@@cmortimernztotally the best TA videos on the Tube, riding the TA in bits now twice ie. Park camper van ride 50kms south then ride 50kms back to camper van move 😅and repeat.
Liked the video, I’m doing the TA this year and it’s nice to see what the trails look like. Would you do the Hunua traverse again or go around the coast road? I’m originally a North Shore boy (born in Devonport so nice to see that) so have explored Hunua and the coast before, but not on a bike.
Good on you. We came into the traverse via the weekday roads (logging trucks on the other road). There were two huge hills. The second one was too much for me with that load. I'd say that it did me no harm walking and the dams made up for it. I'm going to do it again this weekend without bags, and with my e-wife.
@@cmortimernz yes I’m about to head away on a bit of a tour myself and was thinking about taking my GoPro but I think I will just use my phone as it’s such a faff around and the GoPro videos are so large. Your cell phone videos have been perfect and convinced me to just go that way.
Much appreciated, mate. I'm looking at doing the TA north island in a few weeks. A friend suggested it necessary to change your bike chain after 90 mile beach. Do you reckon that's necessary? Cheers.
By the way@@cmortimernz , how did you find traffic in general on some of these hilly / narrow roads? In my experience, a lot of NZ roads aren't great for cycle touring (unless you enjoy getting intimate quarters with a truck and trailer). Thanks again!
@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors I found traffic to be really light and good. Surprising for the time of year (January). We were on state highways for a very small amount of time, but the shoulder was wide most of the time. Some times we rode for hrs without seeing a car
