A dirty little bike touring blog. Mostly about bikepacking and rigid single speeds. By Montana Miller
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
“The mud was thigh deep, couldn’t do better than one kilometer an hour,” says the Canadian thru-hiker. We’re camped in the woods with a cluster of Te Araroa hikers, a couple of tui birds are bleeping and chiming to each other (they sound like R2D2). The Te Araroa is New Zealand’s long trail, like the … Continue reading New Zealand: South in Northland
"That's all mate," says the baggage guy and pulls off his gloves. I'm standing with my bike on a little cart, Colleen sits against the wall sweating, doubled over with a real bad stomach ache. "You sure? No more bikes?" "Nope. That was all." Nuts. This isn't a good start. We go over to the … Continue reading New Zealand: North in Northland
Dirt Cruise 