Xmas Otago Rail Trail Experience

Emily and I did the Otago Rail Trail for a Christmas treat. Came home on Monday after completing the 154 km expedition. Here we are with our rental bikes (Ranfurly Bike Hire). And by the Clutha River, just donwstream from the Clyde Dam at Clyde where we started off...

Crossing the Clutha River heading into Alexandra on day 1. Long stretches of Central Otago. This is by Olrig Station. Parked by a railway gangers shed...

Plenty of heritage and history along the way. And places to get some shade. Day 2 was hot...

Lots of bridges of all sorts of shapes and sizes. Nothing quite like biking across a bridge...

And the tunnels were interesting too. I think there were 3 quite long tunnels to bike through. We had a bike light that was bright enough to bike behind. Walking encouraged...

The Graham Sydney images of Central Otago and landscapes are everywhere. Hard to resist.

Here is Peter's Farmstay. The accommodation to chosse from along the way is hugely varied. Pubs, taverns, fancy hotels, basic campsites - you really become aware of the economic transformation this piece of infrastructure has brought about in Central Otago. The new gold mine. And seriously sustainable...

...and everywhere along the way, those fantastic, big sky views... sure we got the odd sore wrist and a numb bum from time to time... but it's fun. We were told the average age of people doing the trail is in the 50's...

And finally the train on the last piece of track left in place. I thoroughly recommend the Taieri Gorge train back to Dunedin. Buffet car and all...

Bikes on boats

This is a good news story. The photo here was taken at 8:00am on Tuesday 8th December on the good Fullers Ferry Kea, just before she left Devonport for Auckland. I could've taken a similar photo any other weekday - at about this time. Note the absence of lycra, and the bikes handing from the rack in the background...

As you can see there was not much room for any more bikes. Pity really. Still. You can put boats on Fullers Ferries at other crossing times, and of course there's always the Bayswater Ferry - not that far away - and a quicker harbour crossing. Though you have to be a bit dextrous getting your bike from one end of the ferry to the other - so you are ready to get off.

Room for improvement. By the way - my bike's the white Avanti in the stand with the blue helmet on the handlebars...

Here's the Fullers media release they issued following the news they'd won the NZTA's Cycle-Friendly Award. Now there's a good initiative - makes me think of what we'd like NZTA to do - so we can award them a cycle friendly award....

Press Release – Fullers

Auckland, 23 November 2009 – Fullers ferries is delighted to announce its winning award from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for ‘Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business’ at the recent Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) Cycle awards ceremony …Fullers Wins NZTA Cycle-Friendly Award

Auckland, 23 November 2009 – Fullers ferries is delighted to announce its winning award from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for ‘Cycle-Friendly Commitment by Business’ at the recent Cycling Advocates’ Network (CAN) Cycle awards ceremony and NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Now in their seventh year, the Cycle-Friendly Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate some of the most notable achievements in the country that are helping to promote cycling and to create a cycle-friendly environment. The Awards are devised by the CAN, the national organisation promoting everyday cycling.

The award, as well as a uniquely designed “bicycle-bell” trophy and certificate, was presented to Jim Hannan, Waiheke Relationship Manager (on behalf of Fullers’ CEO Douglas Hudson) by the Associate Minister of Transport, the Hon Jonathan Young (on behalf of the Minister, Steven Joyce).

Fullers has been working on several different cycle friendly initiatives to support and encourage cycling which resulted in its nomination for an award by Cycle Action Auckland and Cycle Action Waiheke. Barbara Cuthbert, Deputy Chair, Cycle Action Auckland was thrilled that CAA nomination of Fullers was selected to win the award.

“We are so grateful for the profile and practical support that Fullers gives to cycling and integrated transport in every aspect of their ferry operations. We have endless stories of the wonderful attitude from the deck crew and office staff towards cyclists which makes using the Fullers services such a joy. They are without doubt leading the way in integrated transport in Auckland,” says Barbara.

”The crew’s can-do friendly attitude demonstrated towards cyclists on a daily basis goes unnoticed in a region where too little investment is made in cycling. Bikes travel for free and some ferries in the Fullers’ fleet have recently been upgraded with extra space for bikes. Ferry travel extends our reach throughout the whole region. Fullers is also gearing up to carry bikes on their buses, once the Transport Regulations are changed. They are real leaders in integrating cycling into the public transport system”, she explains.

Nice to have some good news cycle stories.

Wellington Waterfront - bridges to walk, places for shelter

Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Bridge 1.

Walking around the waterfront it is striking and wonderful and fun to encounter so many bridges of different kinds. We like being over the water. Biking or walking...

Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Bridge 2.

This is a simple lifting bridge. Elegant in design and operation.


Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Bridge 3.

This multi-purpose bridge for bikes and pedestrians has a wind break down the middle. You can choose to walk with the wind, or in the lea...



Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Bridge 4.

This wharf was separated from the main wharf, now linked with a multitude of small bridges. Easy access. Desire lines recognised. And no railings to mess things up...




Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Bridge 5.

This speedy cycle and pedestrian bridge does have a railing. The bridge is narrow, carries a lot of slow traffic. And - as the sign says - is part of a working environment. Safety rules...


Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Shelter 1.

It's windy in Wellington. In case you don't know. And it has been known to rain horizontally. Not to worry. Come to the waterfront and there's a shelter for you. These seats are positioned with screens behind. The screens are metal with holes - so you can see through, but rain and wind are all but stopped.


Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Shelter 2.

This walkway can be exposed, so there's a wall to stop wind and rain, and if it's seriously bad, a little roof over your head...


Wellington waterfront. Winter pictures. Shelter 3.

Here's a break in the Port's wrought iron fence, so you can get in, but while waiting the lights, there's a roof over your head...