14/12 2011

Heaphy Track

Just before the end of the season we did the Heaphy Track...

Here just a quick rundown how we did it as there are many different ways.

Flight: Auckland - Nelson - Auckland

cheap hire car for a week (Port Nelson Fuel & Rentals <portnelsonfuelandrentals@xtra.co.nz>)

drive to collingwood

accomodation in collingwood to leave gear,car and get ready (http://www.accommodationcollingwood.co.nz/)

start early - it takes 1.5h to the start of the Heaphy Track

1st night at Saxon Hut

2nd night at Rongo Backpackers in Karamea (http://www.rongobackpackers.com/)

3rd night at Heaphy Hut

4th night at James McKay Hut

5th night at Perry Saddle Hut

6th night in Collingwood

7th night at home

Collingwood - Karamea - Collingwood 240km

We rushed through going the first leg to Karamea and took it really easy on the way back.

We didn't use any shuttles.

All up: go for the experience, its not always an enjoyable Mountainbike track. Go in small groups. It's a track for experienced riders and you need good equipment. Take as little luggage as you can.

There are a lot of write ups on the net. Just look for them to get an idea.

We enjoyed it more for the experience going there and back but it has some mean riding parts which are all worth it.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. Safe ridin'

11/10 2011

Simon's update_02

“Hello again!!!Many things happened in the past. Everything did come different then expected, or better did I had any expectations? That is what I do love about travelling with no fixed ending you just go wherever the wind takes you! After I finished my work on the dairy farm in Northland I pushed hard in my pedals and cycled back to Auckland in 2 days through awkward weather and busy highways. Once I was refreshed again after the nice hospitality from my German friends I took the train to Wellington and then the ferry to Picton. I enjoyed the work on the farm so much so I decided to do just a bit of cycling and then start working again. So I had a few weeks left to explore a bit of the South Island. In a few days time and some lovely camp spots beside a river I stopped in St. Arnaud and did some serious snow tramping in Nelson Lakes NP. It was awesome, I spent 5 days in the NP and was walking through deep untouched snow met only 3 people in the NP. Had a great time above the bushline and was even busy with shoveling the door free which was blocked by more then 1.5m of snow of a backcountry hut. The time did run fast and I was a bit sad to hit the road again. Short after that I had another highlight. After 2 days rain, and I spent a night in a toilet block to escape from the rain I crossed the Lewis Pass while it was snowing big snowflakes. I was a attraction itself I counted at least 7 people who took pictures about the crazy German who cycled up the pass . The vehicles who clear the road where busy to keep the snow and ice of the road. I even got a lift offered from a friendly truck driver who stopped and asked me. But I just enjoyed it so much to ride through the flakes and of course halfway I just started to feel my freezing hands and feet again. The way down you can imagine was a torture, my gloves etc. soaky wet it was freezing. I stopped at Boyle Village because I couldn’t go any further had to get out of the wet clothes and warm up again. Luckily I did that! I met a nice guy at the village and that night we spend more then 4 hours in some hot springs. The next to days I did a nice 2 day tramping trip climbed 2 Mountains and cruzed above the bushline along snowy ridges for 5 hours back to the village. That night we topped the soak and spend around 6 hours nonstop in the hot springs and left at 3 o clock at night some of my clothes outside where frozen. Great to be alive! I had to move on to be on time for my next job. I stopped in Hanmer Springs and was exhausted from the last 2 weeks without a break I was either biking or hiking. My body needed a rest so what the best thing to relax in Hanmer, of course the Hot Pools. So I did. While I was soaking I got asked if I want a job as an lifeguard. I was always looking for a place to stay for a longer time and as soon I got told I’m able to extend my working visa when I’m working in the pools I thought this is a great opportunity. I applied a week later I got the job. In the meantime I worked for 6 weeks on a sheep and beef farm. It was great, calf rearing, lambing, cruzing around the paddocks check stock, burning etw. I also made my own sheepskin. There I met another German. He is going to start a cycling trip end of October. The best thing, he did build his own trailer out of an old oil drum and scrap metal from the farm.

Just now I finished my lifeguard training and already worked for a few weeks in Hanmer Springs. It is a great place for Mountain Biking, tramping …

When I will move on, I don’t know. Will stay here for a while, found a great place to stay maybe even for a few years… who knows? the answer is blowing in the wind…

Cheers… Simon”

30/06 2011

Simon's update_01

Kia Ora. What happened so far. Before I’m going to explore New Zealands scenery I have to stock up or better earn my trip money. After I found work on a dairy farm in Northland I started a 3 day cycle trip to the farm. First I had to face some major traffic around Auckland but later I cycled along the Kauri coast a bit further north of Dargaville with less traffic. The hilly farmland did let me know that I haven’t been touring on a bicycle for a while.

By now I did a bit of cycling /mountain biking to and around Kai Iwi Lakes and instead of take part in our 21 km cattle drove on a Motorbike I chased the cows with my pushbike. On my days off I do a bit of mountain biking in a forest nearby. Some real adventures have to wait for a while. But I’m sure about it they will come.

I let you know when I swop my gumboots for my cycling shoes.

By then, have a good one. Simon

04/05 2011

1.5 years on a bicycle around NZ

25 year old Simon Wolf, a german extreme adventurer, is traveling New Zealand on a MIG-cycles bike for the next 1.5 years. He left Auckland late April 2011 going North. We will post some updates here about his adventures. Keep an eye out for him!!

06/03 2011

Zonenschein frames

check out FreeRide'n in Kumeu and their selection of Zonenschein frames!!

02/04 2010

now available!! turn any bike into a single speed with the EXCENTRIKER

With the Excentriker we have another nice innovation part for your bike. A excentric bottom bracket for standard frames! Fix to standard frames and brings the possibility to adjust the chain tension (for gear hubs and single speed). So you don't need a chain tensioner, adjustable drop outs or tandem bottom bracket any more. The Excentriker is easy to install and brings you a smooth optic on your bike! Fits with single speed cranks with 24mm axle (Hollowtech II standard).

made in Germany

Available in black, red, gold

20/10 2009

berlin - poor but sexy

we have a new partner and a new brand -berlinetta- handmade in berlin and very hot... if you feel like you need one of those, please get in touch

01/03 2009

Harriet Rüecknagel takes title

Harriet Ruecknagel, MIG/ZONENSCHEIN teamrider, just won the South island Down Hill Cup round 2 at Coronet Peak in Queenstown. There was a strong international field competing and she proofed to be the fastest girl on the day. Congratulations!! Here the winners in the elite classes:

Elite Men

1 Danny Hart, UK; 3:01.57; 2 Fabien Pedemanaud, France, 3:02.09; 3 Ben Cathro, Scotland, 3:02.13.

Elite Women

1 Harriet Ruecknagel, Germany, 3:33.02; 2 Harriet Harper, Blenheim, 3:36.14; 3 Katrina Strand, Canada, 3:42.07.