Base maps

Base maps to be updated as we travel.

less than three weeks to go !

following some conversations with friends out in NZ we have made some adjustments to our kit.

• mainly and most expensively we changed the camping gaz stove to an MSR whisperlite multifuel number as the camping gaz gas is pretty limited in supply weeks and counting
  

• our sleeping bags after looking at the karrimor offerings in the shop and deciding they felt and looked rather poor quality we opted for some ajungaluk tundra summers with cotton liners at the same price as the karrimors as we got an end of season deal

• added an MSR spatula and strainer to the kitchen

• added a homemade foot print to the tent

• A fuji film S5800 superzoom camera (for keeping this blog updated with pretty pictures)

• a small tripod for said camera !
  

we have also purchased our bikes.

Thanks to Mark for recommending penny sports cycles in Christchurch for our bikes. With the help of Kat over the email we managed to secure one of the last remaining 2008 kona jakes in Christchurch and the very last Kona Dew Fs. A

quick phone call with a deposit and the deal was done.



{my Kona Jake}{Jaynes Kona Dew FS }

Having had a bit of a pack on sunday past i have 6kgs to play with for weight , the tent , both loaded panniers and loaded bar bag comes to a total of 13.9kgs ! i have little equipment to add, only sundries like chamois cream and toiletries.

4 months of stuff !

like going minimalist but i just recieved my Altura Orkney56 Panniers and they look so small !
im just not sure how im gonna fit it all in there !
i have 56litres of pannier space and 8 litres in the bar bag
what have i forgotten and what essentials have i missed for a 4 month trip round nz in their summer. and more importantly what are the chances of it all fitting , and leaving me some space to get the days food in from the shops !
obviously ill be wearing one set of clothes at any one time but
*cycling kit*
2x fs260 shorts
2x cycling jerseys
2x underarmour warmwear vests
3x socks
1 x polartech fleece
1 x arm warmers
1 x leg warmers
2 x buffs
1 x overshoes
1 x gridlock waterproof
1 x waterproof shorts
1 x spd shoes
*casual kit*
Sandals(probably stored outwith the bags)
1x packable columbia shorts
2x tee shirts
1 x swimming shorts/goggles
*Cooking*
Camping Gaz Twister piezo
cv270 canister
non stick nesting alu pans
ti spork
leatherman blast
matches
Iodine Tabs
*sleeping*
Vaude Taurus 2 {on top of rack in dry bag}
Alpkit wee arric {on top of rack in dry bag}
Karrimor synthetic global traveler 1100(18cms/30cms)[in pannier in dry bag which is also pillow]
*toiletries*
1 x tub chamois cream
1 x small toothpaste
1 x fold up toothbrush from the flight
1 x soap and scrubing net thing
1 x travel towel
*luxuries*
1x mp3 player/small speakers
1x book
1x tarp strapped onto the top of everything for use if we dont fancy the tent or for storing kit under during the night in heavy rain
1x tool kit and small selection of nuts and bolts for panniers , brakes etc
1x small deterrant lock

The Jist

(us in the Angus Bike Chain tops and Dave Brookland in sport southland top)

Having been to NZ as part of a prize for No Fuss Events in February 08 and loving every minute of it we promised the people we were staying with we would be back.

How soon we did not realise!!

fast forward 6 months or so and we were soon planning our return by bicycle tour.

We have both just finished university and have taken on remedial jobs to fund this trip

The plan is , not to really have a plan and just spend 3 months touring round New Zealand. Our only confirmed stop is Christmas in Queenstown where we have a hostel booked. To take our time and enjoy our selfs is the aim , id quite like to do some racing while im out there so that will determine some of our path but not too much i hope

We leave on the 17th of November 08 for Christchurch and wont be back till the 23rd of March 09 the bit inbetween will hopefully be what is documented in this blog for the people back home to keep track on where we are and what we are doing