Visit Ruby Bay, just east of Nelson, and chances are you’ll find laidback holidaymakers chasing golden- sand beach vibes, whale spotting from the shore, taking in winery tours, or perusing local artist galleries. There are some stellar cafes too. If you’re to visit over the NZ Christmas holiday period, though, and your timing is right, you’ll likely spot one of the area's local pro cyclists out training.

e-CURSIONS
definition: a word I made up, a short journey or trip taken by EV.

Growing up, I was constantly in the water and learned to bodyboard and then surf at a fairly young age. Luckily for me, our family camp spots had plenty of good beaches for me to surf at. This, and some of the older kids I hung out with, helped shape my obsessive chasing of waves. My surfing addiction comes and goes with whatever else is happening in life, but it’s fair to say it’s back in full swing now.

“Riding back up a slithery bog-holed 4WD track on skinny gravel tyres and rigid gravel bikes tested us as we slowly made our way back up to the ridge. Bog holes created by recreational 4WDers might have been fun times for them, but they were pretty damn ugly for us and our fancy cleated shoes. Cold, wet, mud covered and tired, we clawed our way back to the ridgeline only to discover our way forward was unrideable and we were a long way from anywhere. What the bloody hell had we been thinking….?”

Visit Ruby Bay, just east of Nelson, and chances are you’ll find laidback holidaymakers chasing golden- sand beach vibes, whale spotting from the shore, taking in winery tours, or perusing local artist galleries. There are some stellar cafes too. If you’re to visit over the NZ Christmas holiday period, though, and your timing is right, you’ll likely spot one of the area's local pro cyclists out training.

e-CURSIONS
definition: a word I made up, a short journey or trip taken by EV.

Growing up, I was constantly in the water and learned to bodyboard and then surf at a fairly young age. Luckily for me, our family camp spots had plenty of good beaches for me to surf at. This, and some of the older kids I hung out with, helped shape my obsessive chasing of waves. My surfing addiction comes and goes with whatever else is happening in life, but it’s fair to say it’s back in full swing now.

“Riding back up a slithery bog-holed 4WD track on skinny gravel tyres and rigid gravel bikes tested us as we slowly made our way back up to the ridge. Bog holes created by recreational 4WDers might have been fun times for them, but they were pretty damn ugly for us and our fancy cleated shoes. Cold, wet, mud covered and tired, we clawed our way back to the ridgeline only to discover our way forward was unrideable and we were a long way from anywhere. What the bloody hell had we been thinking….?”