YVR to Aotearoa.

January 29, 2025

Today I woke up well rested. In the past before a big trip I struggle to sleep the night before. This trip is probably different because I have an evening flight so the excitement builds the day of the flight.

I was 95% ready and I didn’t want to do too much so I walked 10 km and lazed around watching the women’s final of the AO on repeat. What a magical match!

One bike box, one box with all the bike bags, 1 backpack and 1 personal item.

My friend Scott is taking me to the airport which is amazing because he has a giant truck for my giant bike box.

I’m feeling nervous excitement about all the firsts for this trip.

First time on the left side of the road.
Longest solo trip ever.
First time navigating such a long trip solo.
First time to NZ.
New bike and how it will perform.
Not reigniting my carpal tunnel.

It’s good to be nervous though because it means I’m outside my comfort zone. I think I’m most nervous about riding on the opposite side of the road but I’m sure I will adjust to it quickly.

Had to flip the bike for the wheel, not enough hands.

Security was a breeze. I love the YVR airport! My bike box was 50 pounds on the nose. They opened the box to swab everything and then I personally taped it up again before sending it on its way. Bye bike, please board the plane and arrive undamaged.

First difference aside from the road. Eggs stored outside the cooler. Perfect.

Sidewalk trails about 7 km from the airport.

The flight was great. I turned my screen down and tried my best to stay off it. After dinner I popped a sleeping pill and started trying to sleep at 9 YVR time. I think I got 4 or 5 hours of in and out and change positions sleep. We lucked out with an empty seat between us and likely the only empty seat on the flight.

Getting through security was a bit more involved because of the bike and tent. They needed to inspect both for dirt and vegetation. I cleared and then asked information where I should assemble my bike. I was hoping they had a bike stand but no such luck. It only took about 1.5 hours to assemble it and get all the bags attached and by 8 AM I was on my way. And I’ll say it again, a big bike box makes it so easy.

Leaving the airport was the part I was dreading but fortunately I felt fresh and alert. Around the airport was as you would imagine with twisting roads but very few cars.

My plan was to hit a store that had camp fuel. It was only a kilometre but had several busy intersections to navigate. I just watched the flow and followed along.

Amazing tropical park in Auckland outskirts

The store was right beside a grocery store so I quickly grabbed a day’s food. It’s like the Divide where I have meals in my head. I think though as a solo biker I need to make some adjustments as I have way too much food for 1 day. And that just means more weight up every hill.

The riding getting out of the airport and the Auckland wasn’t special. There was a lot of sidewalk riding (permitted) and some narrow roads. It’s hot! It feels very much like Hawaii with high humidity and tropical vegetation. The heat will definitely factor into water supplies and my energy reserves.

There was a really nice park section in the Auckland outskirts that went through a tropical area with giant plants, birds singing and secada noises.

After that I had to get through some fairly narrow roads into Clevedon and from there the roads were quiet and very hilly. It was a fairly big climbing day for my first one. The final push to Hunua Regional Park was steep gravel with 7 - 8% grade. I stopped a couple times in the shade because it was so hot; it could be that I’m not acclimatized either.

I made it to the campground before 1 and my plan is to get organized and sleep hopefully for a very long time. Tomorrow has lots of gravel hills out of the park so I want to be well rested.

It’s been a good day and I’m looking forward to getting into the rhythm of bike packing. It’s such a simple life. Find food and shelter and ride your bike!

Highlights:

-good flight with 2 meals and some sleep

-security and assembling the bike was very fast

-navigation was no issue and I’m getting used to the opposite road

-campground is natural and very tropical

Distance: 59 km with 878 m elevation gain

Today's ride: 58 km (36 miles)
Total: 58 km (36 miles)

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Comment on this entry	Comment	5

Andrea BrownIt sounds like all went very well, that's great. We found that riding on the left was quite easy to get used to, there was always a little hesitation at the left turns (now which lane should we be in?) but it doesn't take long to adjust.
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2 months ago

Andrew RichardTo Andrea BrownI find the left turns easy. It’s the right turns because of oncoming traffic and then getting back on the correct side but it’s coming
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2 months ago

Jacquie GaudetI was wondering about jet lag so I checked. It's only a 3-hour time difference! Officially +21 hours but physically only -3 hours, sort of like people from Toronto visiting BC. New Zealand is moving up my list quickly!
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2 months ago

Jamie FauldsAny issues with customs when you got there, other than the dirt!
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2 months ago

Andrew RichardTo Jamie FauldsNo, only a few questions and onto the next stage.
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2 months ago