Solo Bikepacking | My Favorite Trail In New Zealand

[@rikinamua4112]

I'm local and just getting into bike packing... You've inspired me, cheers!

[@kenprice1047]

Great adventure!!

[@bruce.KAY-bike-drifter]

You got me! I'm hooked. Inspired to do it. Many thanks for the links on this page to maps and guides. Safe travels in the future, wherever you end up going to.

[@nzmarty]

Outstanding mate. The statements in the hut on OGR were actually beautiful. I did a big ride a few weeks ago mainly down Clutha/Queenstown area. My job takes me to those places often but at 30000' and I always look down and wish I was taking in the smells and sounds and temperature changes when swooping into a valley. I had a similarly emotional moment riding the Clutha Trail through autumnal trees and world class trails listening to Vivaldi. We are blessed to live in such an amazing place. I actually had tears when the Takahe turned upto wish you safe travels. That said - the GDMBR beckons.

[@littletownie4008]

Thank you for sharing all your great adventures. Thank you for the cooking tips and meal ideas. Anytime you want to return to Aotearoa you'd be welcomed. Safe travels and I look forward to your next adventures.

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks so much! Looking forward to another trip back!

[@cameronkaiser1522]

Incredible vid brotha! Your storytelling, camera skills, editing, and adventures are amazing to witness. Cheers dude

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks man! This one took forever to edit lol

[@inkavogt5587]

As always, an absolutely epic video. Thanks for putting the time and effort into such a big video during such a trying trip. Thanks also for sharing your vulnerable moment in Ghost Lake Hut; almost brought on some tears!

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for watching! Looking forward to our bike adventures in the states 😉

[@michaelbroyer3918]

Great video! I backpacked all over NZ for five months. What an amazing country! Was there from 09/89 to 02/90.

[@bambangsuseno8764]

Hi, Murph, your bike packing trip is so incredible. My warm greetings from The Special Territory of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for checking it out! I would definitely like to cycle there one day!

[@danielhoward2148]

Beautiful video mate! Scenic, philosophical & dramatic.....

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for watching.

[@joshscott9905]

Wow, what an amazing journey. The cinematography, the music...*chefs kiss*. Keep at it bro and I hope there's many more adventures in your future. I'll be here to watch them!

[@bethcairns2515]

First time seeing your videos. I really enjoyed what I’ve seen. I’m an avid mountain biker so nature feeds my soul. I live in the Canadian Rockies. Canmore, 20 minutes from Banff where you started your Divide trip. You seem very kind and gentle. Keep living hard. 😊🇨🇦

[@jeepn392]

Wow. Epic trip and video. South Island is gorgeous.

[@gjcoop5625]

Great finale to your time here. A lot to appreciate in this neck of the woods, that you have captured well. Hard work on your own! I agree Kahurangi is underappreciated, and there's plenty more of merit you didn't show about New Zealand's second-largest national park. The West Coast can deal with plenty of moisture, so just some drizzle for a few days doesn't do much with the rivers. But that must have been some downpour to destroy New Zealand's longest bike bridge. By the way, the Takahē was considered extinct for 50 years until they were re-discovered in 1948. Numbers went down to just over 100 before a breeding and conservation program has increased the population to more than 400 now. Those ones in Kahurangi are recent releases back to where they were wiped out 100 years ago, now predator numbers have been reduced. Happy trails, mate.

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for watching! After spending an entire summer out there it was amazing I never saw a single possum. Hope DOC keeps up the good work.

[@backcountrybass2842]

Hey mate great video! thinking about doing this in September/October…just abit skeptical of the rain and weather 😂

[@MoveWithMurph]

It never rains in New Zealand! Especially on the west coast, you’ll love it.

[@juliangoulding]

Awesome vid mate thanks for sharing. What is it with getting real emotional on a long solo bike trip, I felt exactly the same haha. Definitely want to come smash this loop out one day!

[@PeteBlaxter]

Thanks for the vids- I've enjoyed watching your NZ adventures

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thank you! Hope there’s more in my future.

[@Offgrid531]

many thanks for sharing your trip. Hoping to do the same in September but like you im worried about the river crossing. based on your comment i'll do it anticlockwise. cheers

[@MoveWithMurph]

They should have the bridge done by October, so maybe you will get lucky and they will finish early. Enjoy they ride, do you plan on starting in Nelson? Or from Westport.

[@trudybeatson3263]

Loved the video, thanks for sharing. When you were getting the bike ready for downhill you took the saddle bag off and had a back pack on. I was just wondering if the saddle bag converts into a back pack and if so what brand is it? Cheers Trudy

[@MoveWithMurph]

I just had a small frameless hiking bag with me that I tossed the stuff sack and harness in while I had the seat post down. If you find a saddle bag like that please let me know.

[@mathewmacpherson857]

Great vid. Thanks

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for watching

[@edgeplay4205]

Lots of guides work both hemispheres - you must know a few. So you will be back. Next time you could include the tableland section which I understood was bridlepath standard. For a special side-trip, turn right at the Boneyard and keep going up.

[@MoveWithMurph]

That sounds pretty crazy! I will check that out!

[@Goodforrj]

Amazing

[@nzmarty]

@gcn Conor and Ollie need to do this.

[@PolyglotBikepacker]

Excellent video, visiting Aotearoa for 2 months in November and December. Cant wait for my bikepacking adventures. Is this part of the top of the south route ?

[@MoveWithMurph]

About 2/3rds of it are on that route, most of the best parts are though, the top of the south route looks even better though. The only difference is I rode from Brightwater to Glenhope.

[@gsrossco]

Beaut video

[@jasongraham5349]

sorry if this has been answered already but through what org did you guide on the trail? I am keen to get a job in the area and hearing about guiding here made me super super excited

[@MoveWithMurph]

I worked for Southern Wilderness, a small operation out of Nelson. Nicest boss I have ever had, I would work there again in a heartbeat. Very Knowledgeable, even while working I loved every trip.

[@richardquentin5971]

Awesome, thanks ! Do you have a gpx file of your route? Or even better, the route you'd be taking if you had to do it again? :D

[@MoveWithMurph]

www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/bikepacking/popular-bikepacking-routes/kahurangi-500/

[@MoveWithMurph]

That’s the link to the info I used, I would have preferred anti clockwise, you can start in Nelson then ride up the Takaka hill, then descend into Takaka or you could start in Westport.

[@richardquentin5971]

@@MoveWithMurph Thanks a lot ! i'll give it a look !

[@majic2802]

Do the sandflies get you when you’re pedaling? Nasty buggers

[@MoveWithMurph]

Nope! I can definitely out pedal them, even at my slow uphill pace

[@christianzukey]

You kinda look like Tim McTague from the band Underoath

[@MoveWithMurph]

I actually am him