Molesworth and Rainbow - Marlborough and Canterbury

[@MrPMLB]

Fantastic Lizzie.Well done and lovely video. I did the same loop in the mid 1990's when I lived in NZ. Parking my car in Hanmer Springs, Molesworth First, and then the Rainbow track back to my car. 30 years later I still remember it as being the hardest bike ride I've ever done. Took me about 5 days. Wild camping like you in the river valleys. You've brought back some amazing and precious memories. Thank you. Phil.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Thank you for your nice comments and it is a very memorable ride ay! a perfect adventure in the wilderness that provides challenges and planning but isn't*too* far away from civilisation 🙂 I'm tempted to do it all again...

[@p.g.reitsma7245]

This brought back special memories of riding this area in 1987. Just seeing those gravel roads winding through the softly shaped hills and the way the sun brings out the multitude of shades of green reminded me of how much I loved the South Island. Your accent is something I miss, as it immediately puts me back there, riding on the opposite side of the road from Auckland to Christchurch...and a little further...as a young man far from home.

[@lizzievarley3545]

You've described the trail well and yes, the South Island is amazing to explore by bike. No doubt you had an adventure on this side of the world back then 🙂 the good ole kiwi accent LOL

[@mtbwithsmudgespud2416]

Amazing video!

[@lizzievarley3545]

Thank you for checking it out! Happy riding

[@haimona12]

Great ride. Nicely shot and put together vid.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Yes it's an epic ride ay! Thanks for watching

[@tonyhilton1453]

Thank you for shareing your trip looks stunning, very peaceful and you looked like you were having a great time. What a loverly person you are.

[@lizzievarley2315]

It was a stunning trip! I did have a great time, even when it got a bit tough 😉 glad you watched my vid, thank you!

[@VeloObscura]

Looks like a fantastic route. Will be making a note of that map at the start.

[@lizzievarley2315]

Good luck with your ride! It's a good adventure

[@TheMaoriThatBikes]

An epic journey! Music totally suits this type of riding you're doing bro. My brother inlaw does this sort of thing too but I've never seen a video of the areas he's visited. Great too have your perspective and looking forward to catching up to hear of your tale/s.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Aww thanks!! I decided to stop being shy and start talking to the camera! LOL you were an inspiration ay. I like the idea of being the 'same person' either in the vids or on the trails 👱🏼‍♀️ and yes, videos give more insight into this style of long distance cycling 😁

[@TheMaoriThatBikes]

@@lizzievarley3545 keep at it. Engagement is key and people like to know the person behind / in front of the camera. Faking is easy, being authentic is hard. Looking forward to seeing you progress in 2021 bro

[@TheStryder400]

Awesome riding and scenery. Well done

[@lizzievarley3545]

Cheers! Was a good one 😎

[@randallgd]

Awesome trip! New subscriber from the US!

[@lizzievarley3545]

You'll have to come to New Zealand and tour one day 😊 the USA has some amazing places to ride bikes!

[@benboo6351]

Rode this with the whaanau over Christmas & NY -- we must have almost run into each other! We also sat out that xmas weather bomb in Hanmer thankfully. Anyone who rides this earns their medals, but those hills are yet another league on a touring tandem with a slightly-less-than-cooperative 8yo I can tell you. Good times!

[@lizzievarley3545]

Good on you... Riding it was a challenge for me but I can't imagine kiddies and tandems! It'd have been a real adventure for all of you I'm sure, a worthy adventure 🙂 did you suffer in the cold? The snow on the Molesworth ranges made it nippy as for summer ay.

[@benboo6351]

@@lizzievarley3545 It was only really cold when we got into the rain on the descent into Hanmer. Sure was an adventure!

[@konaguzzi1]

I love your channel but this is the best yet (Y) very awesome indeed.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Aw thanks!!! 🙂 I bike pack every year but this is the first time I filmed my trip.

[@cliffclermont]

Very well done. As a part time Kiwi [3x TA and 3x KB rider...etc.] this filled my morning will joy. Again well done!

[@lizzievarley3545]

Awww put er' there 😊 I'm glad it instilled some joy. Yup, cycling is such a great activity ay, and it brings so many experiences along with it. Good on you for doing 3x TAs, that's impressive! A massive long haul.

[@katrinatikey4513]

Wow, what an awesome trip! I'm amazed how you packed your tent, food, clothing, cooking stuff etc on your bike because it didn't look like you had much gear.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Yes that was funny 😄 I felt like I had a lot of stuff but when I unpacked it wasn't much to look at. I was still shoving bits n bobs into every spare space.

[@inkandpedal]

nice adventure, looking forward for your more bikepacking adventure greetings from philippines

[@lizzievarley3545]

It was a super nice adventure! Albeit with challenges 😁 Thanks for watching, and I hope there is some good riding in the Philippines.

[@inkandpedal]

@@lizzievarley3545difficult route and muddy trail keeps our adventure alive

[@lizzievarley3545]

@@inkandpedal That's cool, it's good to have trails that challenge you and are natural!

[@kpj5]

Feels like you are in Mayo in Ireland where I am, except your roads are nicer 😅 and you don’t have stone walls!

[@lizzievarley3545]

Oh lovely, I've always wanted to cycle Ireland! Yeah roads can make a big difference to your journey ay, a bad road all day drives you crazy! Ireland looks stunning 😃

[@konaguzzi1]

further south they have lots if stone walls also up around Auckland down south they were made by Scottish immigrants

[@kpj5]

Worked out bush in Western Australia for 5 years.. never knew New Zealand was so lovely so missed out on visiting . Now back in Ireland but a definite visit when things back to normal :)

[@lizzievarley3545]

@@kpj5 Western Aussie ay, that's hard out. Good stuff! I want to ride the Munda Bidi trail some day.

[@superzotnz]

Enjoyed watching this a lot Lizzie thanks, so informative, and inspiring. I'm planning to do a solo ride in February, not sure what yet but this ride is an option. I was a little concerned it might be too remote, so it's nice to get a feel for it, plus that you did see and chat to other people, which I think is part of the journey. Also I'm 100% plant based diet so nice to see the lentils! Interested to hear some of the logistics, like topping up with water, etc.

[@lizzievarley3545]

Oh you'll really get a lot out of it I think, and it's remote without being kinda, dangerous! You'll meet people along the way 😊 some people in a camper van stopped and invited me in for a hotchoc and crackers! I dehydrated a lentil stew that lasted me 4 nights, and had Uncle Ben's pre cooked rice sachets too. I took a pot of peanut butter and dried fruit, and licorice for sugary goodness, all vegetarian 💚 February is a lovely month for cycling. Thank you for watching!

[@TheButlerNZ]

2:15 Gotta love NZ Summer. 5:33 Ummmmmm... 6:05 Ever taken a closer look at my rear shock... 12:45 Trail bikers tip for the day... On a well driven ford like this, usually the shallowest part is the downstream side of the road where the stones build a dam. If it's clear you can cross where it looks best, if it's muddy, the low side is usually safest as it levels out like a dam where anywhere upstream of that point can have hidden holes. You only need 1ft of water to knock you off your feet (I have had my motor-cross bike washed out from under me in 2ft). And if you do fall, you quickly get washed onto the natural dam on the down side of the road. Walking the bike was an excellent choice. Everything incl your shoes, stayed dry, only takes one rock to drown your gear. I would have ridden through.. and spent the next hr drying things out... q8) An excellent edit. (i'm more a travel with friends guy so miss out on a lot of travel like this).

[@lizzievarley3545]

Thanks, I couldn't publish in hi res 😭 even though I filmed in 4k. My slow laptop struggles with such a big video edit. Yeah the fords and river crossings.. I used to just ride in jandals for sections like that but my spiky flat pedals shred the rubber! The nice thing about solo trips is the people you meet. Every day I met people for a chat, and was offered help etc. So it's all good!

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@lizzievarley3545 I grew up with a batch in Ngakuta Bay (west of Picton). I soooo love the sounds. I must do the Queen Charlotte track now its bike friendly. What do u use for your editing? I gave up on Windows after loosing so mush time trying to work around its bugs so no use VSDC free... takes a bit of learning but seems really good... I even got an instant response when I mentioned a bug on one of their videos... I have as much fun making the music fit my videos as any other part... I am now trying an old digital recorder for a mic, seems good, no wind noise in the sock that's part of my chest mount...

[@jamescunningham6981]

Gonna add this to my rides of NZ when i get back home

[@lizzievarley3545]

Absolutely ay. It definitely feels like an intrepid adventure, and the day to day scenery is spectacular. Molesworth is stunningly beautiful 😊 hope you get back to NZ!

[@mtbville]

Nice content 😀👍 sub... take care

[@lizzievarley3545]

Thank you!