A dirty little bike touring blog. Mostly about bikepacking and rigid single speeds. By Montana Miller
Milford, Doubtful Sound and Fiordland were out— we came to a pretty easy consensus on that. The last couple weeks in high and dry Otago had been so nice. No sandflies, fewer camper vans, almost no tour buses. And going back over to the fjords would be diving back into the wet, itchy, selfie-stick nightmare. … Continue reading Southland
We’re having some beers with a group of Kiwi guys and their Australian friend at the campground in Wanaka. “Well, I’m sorry to tell you this,” says one of the guys. People are never sorry when they say that. “But, in IQ tests of all the people in the world, Americans consistently score near the … Continue reading Otago
The cards fly past Colleen’s head, she ducks. “Ooh, sorry bru. Been trying that one seven years, still can’t get her right,” says our new friend. He’s smelly, dreads, shoeless but wearing a shirt that has a picture of a gumboot. Just came down from some music festival out in the bush in Karamea. We’re … Continue reading West Coast
After the Rainbow Road, we ride through a real cold rainy day into Nelson to Philip's house (that Colleen found on Warmshowers). He was nice enough to let us stay for a few days, take us on a good ride around Nelson's local trails and to make us dinner. I hope he makes it to … Continue reading Old Ghost Road
Everything’s better on the South Island (maybe not the pies, that pork kumara pie I got from Owhata in Rotorua was pretty excellent). — On one of our off days in the Forest Camp campground in Hamner Springs, I did a little hub bearing re-greasing. Before we left home I'd packed everything with some nice … Continue reading Rainbow Road
We’re on the ferry, crossing the Cook Strait. The loudspeaker comes on. “Attention passengers, we’re preparing to dock. You may now proceed to the lower vehicle dick. Dick hands will alert you when it’s time to start your engines.” Colleen and I both start cracking up. I know it's 12-year-old humor, but I love it … Continue reading Tongariro to Hamner Springs
Sitting outside a bar in Okere Falls. Certain strands of the Kiwi accent can be pretty funny: “Hey bru, you get that dick straight?” says a guy. “No bru, gotta geet more wood. Wife’s been on me about it, wants to be able to sit on the dick now that it’s summer.” “Yee, well lemme … Continue reading Rotorua to Tongariro
