Nice bike mate.....

They'd run out of BMWs so

We had to take the next best thing.

Day 1 - Christchurch to Edoras

The alarm call at 7:30 was from Wayne at Paradise Tours to remind us to meet him at 9:00 for the pick up. There were the bikes parked outside the local bike dealership and there too was Wayne. Bags of kiwi bon homie and "no worries". Before we knew it Wayne had suggested a morning run out to Akaroa. A beautiful seaside resort a couple of hours in the opposite direction to where we were headed. Wayne led the way through the back streets of Christchurch and out on to the empty roads. Any excuse for a ride out eh Wayne.

And what roads, fast straights, sweeping constant radius bends, each with a recommended speed on the chevrons so you could judge it right. Then peeling off from the coastal flats and up on switchbacks over a steep ridge and back down into a fjord with a small town nestling by the water. Akaroa, a little piece of paradise with a good tea room.

It wasn't that tough to turn around in the main square and ride back the way we had come so that we passed our original departure spot about lunchtime and then on west into agricultural country. Acre of silage, beef, sheep, alpaca etc. Small towns full of bakeries, agricultural supplies and art galleries. Delightful.

Then a petrol stop and a sharp right out into the interior. the road quickly turned to gravel and things got loosey-goosey for a bit. But around us the vast U shaped valley opened out with a wide braided river flowing through the gravel beds at the bottom until after 20km we arrived at Mt Potts Station. A lovely little lodge on an old cattle station. A heli-ski base in the winter, in the summer it caters for trackers and people like us who want to visit Edoras.

Christchurch

Flattened by an earthquake in 2011, Christchurch is only now getting back on its feet. Most of the centre has been levelled but not rebuilt. A cluster of arty shops and cafes fit neatly into a stack of  shipping containers. A new cathedral, made out of cardboard, towers over the desolation giving a Scandinavian feel. The botanical garden and city museum have a wide remit.

Although Christchurch maybe recovering both Steve and Graham weren't. Jet lag kicking in meant all a bit of a struggle. Rehydration back at hotel gave only temporary reprieve .... Food and early night is the plan.

And they're Off...

Boarding one of these A380 double decker stakes a while. they are BIG. Here on the lower deck it feels like a wide Jumbo but spacious like a 777. Strange to think there's another deck above us the same. 

Sartorial Elegance

Despite minimal kit - remember your bow tie.  An Englishman is prepared for all occasions

Kit-tastic - Deefor goes minimalist

For China I took everything including a (folding) kitchen sink. Result was two enormous Metal Mule panniers chock full and the heaviest bike of the group.

So for New Zealand, I am going the other way. What is the least amount of gear you can take and still be ready for most eventualities?

To start with, we'll ditch the tool kit and spares. They aren't our bikes and we won't be too far from help. No camping kit obviously, a well stocked credit card and pre-booked accommodation sees to that. Spare water and petrol containers - let's trust to regular garages. April in NZ looks quite pleasant so the cold weather gear - heated jacket, fleece lined trousers, merino long johns etc can all stay behind. 

Minimal medical kit, a few toiletries, a set of bike clothes and one of civvies to travel in. Some electronics for photos, blogging and not getting lost. Should be all I need. Let's see if I can do it in two ortleibs...