Work-life balance

Richmond is a very nice place to run, cycle, and swim. Our house is about a 10 min run to access points for running in the Richmond Ranges. These are not for the faint of heart. kms of mountain biking, running, and hiking trails in steep and challenging terrain. Malcolm has a favorite run route with a hill he named "the gut buster" - I have yet to run it since we arrived because it is too hard 😀 I hope to tackle it in a month or so when I am fitter. My favorite run is up a mountain bike trail called "the escalator". About 28 minutes up (~500m elevation gain) and 25 min down! Here are three pics from one run up the escalator.

 

About 1/3 of the way up looking Northeast towards Richmond Range.

 

Nearly to the top of my run looking North over the estuary and Tasman Mountains on the other side.

 

This is where this run ends for now as there is active tree felling.

Cycling is also very nice with plenty of mountain biking options and road/trail riding. New Zealand is fortunate to have many kms of flat and bumpy trails so a lot of riding can happen off busy roadways. Malcolm took me out for a quick tour of some local trails. Along vineyards and farms with no shortage of cafe's for morning tea. Here are a few pics of some recent rides.

 

Along the coast looking Northeast towards Richmond Range. Tide is out!

 

Along coast looking Northwest towards Wharepapa Arthur Range (Tasman Mtns). Tide is out!

 

Inland route near Brightwater looking Northwest towards Wharepapa Arthur Range. Vineyard in foreground. 

Most of my recent rides are in the direction of Brightwater. There is a suspension bridge to cross on the way there (see below). Took a few tries to feel comfortable riding across this bridge. It can get a bit of a swing when it is windy! 

Suspension bridge on route to Brightwater. Waimea River below.

Look out for the speed wobbles and don't look down!!

I have my eye on the following pool on the Waimea River. I ride by it nearly every ride. Trout season is open and I figure there are some good trout around here (3-6lbs). I will need to duck out at dusk to catch them as they are pretty finicky. I have also seen some large eels (~4lbs) swimming around the pools. Stay tuned! 

Look out big trout because I am coming for you soon!