Show us what you did today, thread

[DynaCol]

Re:

I'm stretching it a bit here but thought I'd better post up some pics from my trip to New Zealand in November this year, better late than never I suppose. If nothing else it should hopefully make Jamie happy to see some sun instead of fog this time of year
No where near a bike when I was there but had a fantastic time with my sister and a fitting way to celebrate her birthday (my folks were meant to come with us but my dad wasn't well enough to travel in the end which was a real shame).
We flew in to Auckland and spent the first few days in the Northland (peninsula above Auckland) before traveling down the West coast stopping off at various places to see some glow worms and Kiwis etc. and generally doing the touristy things. We didn't spend too much time in any one place that first week as we wanted to get down to the South island as quick as possible then take our time traveling back up. When we got to the South island we headed down the West coast again to Greymouth and then over Arthur's pass to Christchurch where I caught up with a mate from my Uni days who's working as a structural engineer there. We then took our time traveling back up the East coast of the South and North islands eventually stopping in Rotorua for 4 days (jees that place stinks ). Rotorua is a fantastic place with loads to see and do but my highlights were the Sequoia forest and the tree top zip line tour we did.
Would really like to go back for another trip and see more of the South island, just not enough time to see everything this time unfortunately.

 

[Jamiedyer]

WOW! Looks great mate
Sounds like a great trip and while it can always be longer, it sounds like you packed tons in.
Photos look spectacular.
I have been to NZ a few times when I was younger as my Uncle, my Dads brother lived just outside of Auckland. An engineer as would have it, he built ships on a big scale and so I stayed and toured round with him and his wife. That was when I was quite young, then on a motorbike when I was a bit older, lovely country and people.
Looks like your home in that bottom picture

Jamie

 

[DynaCol]

Re:

I figured you must've been over the "ditch" at some point Jamie and would know the place. The pictures don't really do the place justice, that bottom one is at the East side of Arthur's pass (one of the highlights of the trip as the scenery was stunning). My sister has been twice before, once when she was younger and 10 years ago (for her birthday again).
If I was a bit younger and didn't have family and friends to think of I'd be out there to live and work in a shot tbh. As you say; lovely place and lovely people.

 

[Jamiedyer]

I know what you mean. I was quite young when I went to my uncles a few times. I remember Rotorua each time, that smell stays with you for a long while.

Jamie

 

[longun]

raced at the local place today. timetrial format, very muddy, slippery and fun came 5th :mrgreen:

 

[Jamiedyer]

Well done! I bet it was cold and after the weather we have had the last few weeks, slippery must be a bit understated
Good going

Jamie

 

[Jamiedyer]

Well, like all plans, things change.
Wanted to get out and finish the year off with a ride and so finish as I hope it to go into next year.
I did get out for a couple of hours and despite it still raining and then sleeting with roads covered in mud and gravel etc I still had a good ride.
I ended up just putting my bag on the back of the Mercian and doing a loop to get a few miles in. It was too late really to head to JOG's and expect anything to be open so thought a loop more inland would give me a bit of protection from the wind that was slowly picking up. It had also been a while since I had put on my wet weather overtrousers and I also had a jacket to try out, along with wet gloves, overshoes etc. Good to get a few miles in the legs and was surprised that of the very few cars I did see on the back roads, two stopped to make sure I was OK when I stopped for a drink.
Anyway have a great New Year when it gets here and here's to many happy miles in 2018.

001 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

003 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

004 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr

 

[RobMac]

Re:

Nice one Jamie the weather down here has been crap most of the day :?

 

[old_coyote_pedaller]

Re:

Happy New Year to you Jamie when it comes.
Thanks for all the pics of your rides this year.

 

[epicyclo]

I've been running. Today was a 10km incorporating the top ⅔ of the 'Puffer course amongst other bits.

Run was in mushy slush on top of a thin layer of slick but crunchy ice. Just enough to come over the tops of my running shoes and fill them up. Oh, joy!

The conditions made it a very hard slow 10km. Still slippery in many places though.

The werehound had a ball and probably ran 20km, although she had to roll in the slush every so often to cool off. She's comatose on the carpet now.

The course is a mudbath in the sheltered bits where it's thawed out. When it freezes again, the ruts will be deadly.

There was intermittent sleet, which was nice as it wasn't heavy, and I had Jamie's old jacket to keep me warm and dry. Ta, mate, it's become my running jacket because it's so easy to vent heat when necessary. Greatly appreciated.

(BTW If you haven't tried Keela outdoor gear, you're missing out. It's made in Scotland).