Life on the Broken Road Part 1

Life on the Broken Road Part 1

By Joe Beaumont

Life on the broken road unfolds in a series of adventures, where every twist and turn reveals new horizons.

You have arrived at your destination. NEW ZEALAND. For a man that can't sit still, 35 hours of flying and airports was an effort. Now to see what NZ has to offer.

The joy off setting off with all you need. Leaving the stuff you think you needed behind. Within 5 minutes of hitting Nelson a guy pulls up and asks if I've got everything I need. A bikepackers code I was totally unaware of until now.

Fully loaded bikepacking rig
Fully loaded bikepacking rig

The Dun Mountain Trail. One of the most perfect single tracks I've experienced. Does that show how naive I am? Or can I recognise awesomeness when I see it? It started with a solid 800m unrelenting climb through dense forest but when you climb higher the forest gives way to a stunning vista over Nelson, the flora changes to prickly shrubs and feels baron. Once at the Coppermines saddle the hours of hard slog gives way to the most divine single track that never seems to quit. Dropping altitude cutting through pyracantha (fire bush) woodlands at every switchback you think this has to end but it continues. I had to stop several times just to take a breath and stop the vibration from my shoulders to my fingers. It was only as we approached the Maitai Dam, the home stretch on tarmac road did the heavens open and fully drenched us. I urge anyone travelling to this area to get on it and soak it right up.

Bikepacking Bags

Airlok Dual 13L

Dual-ended handlebar dry bag: fully waterproof, 13L
£16.99

Airlok Dual 20L

Large dual-ended handlebar dry bag: fully waterproof, 20L
£19.99

Deluge Handlebar Bag 3L

Small, waterproof handlebar bag: lightweight, 3L
£29.99

Deluge Handlebar Bag 13L

Waterproof handlebar bag: lightweight, 13L
£39.99

Deluge Handlebar Bag 20L

Large waterproof handlebar bag: lightweight, 20L
£44.99

Deluge Top Tube Bag 0.65L

Waterproof top tube bag: lightweight, 0.65L
£19.99

Deluge Stem Pack 1.4L

Waterproof stem-mounted bag: lightweight, 1.4L
£24.99

Deluge Frame Pack

Waterproof frame bag: lightweight, available in 3 sizes
£49.99

Deluge Seat Pack 0.5L

Waterproof saddle bag: lightweight, 0.5L
£19.99

Deluge Saddle Pack 12L / Tarmac

Waterproof saddle pack: lightweight, 12L
£59.99

Airlok Tapered 13L

Tapered saddle bag dry bag: fully waterproof, 13L
£16.99
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alpkit toploader zipped handlebar bag in panther black alpkit toploader zipped handlebar bag in olive green top

Toploader

Canister handlebar bag: UK made, weatherproof, 4L
£64.99

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