Day 36 - March 22nd, 2010

That's a wrap ...
- Up early this morning as I was catching a shuttle bus into Christchurch where the number one task was to secure a bike box for the marathon return journey back to Canada
- Checked into 'Hotel SO' in CHC and quite a funky hotel experience to say the least at a cheap price, probably one of the most unique hotels I've ever stayed at - check it out on Google
- Found the bike box easy enough and all they asked for was a small donation for their bike kids program - fair deal
- Packed up the Norco and all that's left is catching the $5 Base X shuttle bus to the airport at 9 for an 11:15 departure and then a crappy 6 hour layover in Aukland - return travel is always the worst part of any trip!
- FF, if you're still reading this add up the stats (ride time/distance) as I'm sure you can make time at the office

Cycle Touring Tips for myself for next time:
1. Pack lighter - 100 grams here and there add up fast and extra weight DOES NOT mean a better workout, it just means you'll break your knees faster
2. Even if in good shape limit the first couple of days riding to 3 hours riding max - take it easy
3. Did I already say pack lighter?
4. Don't bring every tool in the toolbox - zero mechanicals experienced on this trip with the exception of one flat that I caused when I ripped the valve stem topping up air one morning
5. Pack less cycling clothes
6. Bring lighter clothes
7. Don't ever use that saddle again for a tour - ever! The only thing that saved my ass literally was the double shammy approach for the last 3 weeks and just barely
8. Bring a stove
9. When descending don't forget about the low riders, Kobe warned me about that one but you don't really take it to heart until you almost kill yourself
10. Bring a better sleeping bag
11. Don't ever ride ride the 'Rainbow Junction' road again on a CX bike - ever!

They're playing the RHCP Californication album in the lounge at the moment so that's my queue for signing off and enjoying a last NZ lager - later.

Day 35 - March 21st, 2010

Kiakoura Coastline - That's a Wrap!

Ride Time: 2:15
Distance: 65km

- Started the morning getting up at 5:30am for the Dolphin swim which wss super cool
- Followed that up with breaky, a nap, and an easy coast line spin
- That's pretty much it for NZ 2010, a great trip all in all for sure
- Final update when I'm less tired and actually feel like writing the wrap up

Day 33 - March 20th, 2010

Mt. Lyford - Kaikoura

Ride Time: 2:45
Distance: 68km

- Late start to the day after stuffing myself with more good food (breakfast/latte/muffins)
- Geared up and ready to roll around noon for perhaps the final spin of NZ, what a way to end in perfect conditions being a little overcast, around 20c with minimal wind
- No need to rehash the ride as this was a repeat but definetly a classic 85km section from Waiu - I love this ride!
- Rolled into town and was able to secure the dolphin swim at 5:45am tomorrow morning, hopefully they'll be able to track them down this time but this is the best time for this activity
- Booked the Christchurch bus for 7:30am on Monday so only remaining task is finding a bike box from a shop in the Cathedral area once I get into CHC
- If I feel like riding tomorrow I'm going to do an 50km out-and-back ride of the northern Kaikoura coastline after the dolphin swim

Day 32 - March 19th, 2010

Hamner Springs - Mt. Lyford

Ride Time: 3.5hrs
Distance: 85km

- Nearing the end of the trip so going to coast on in and soak it in from hear on in - from an hours perspective pretty sure I haven't ridden this much in a 30 day span before
- Nice spin from Hamner today to get a little glimpse of the kind of riding I would have experienced if I would have had a chance to do the Mt. Lewis pass
- Once I hit the town/village of Waiu that was it for new roads as it was a mild 22km climb up to Mt. Lyford
- Set up camp and treated myself to an amazing steak dinner, for once Kobe is right in that the food and people up there are worth the stop!

Day 31 - March 18th, 2010

Rainbow Junction Hut - Hanmer Springs

Ride Time: 3.5 hrs
Distance: 58km

- Woke up to a crisp morning with the wind blowing in the 'wrong' direction again so none of us were jumping at the bit to get a head start
- Geared up around 10:30 to make our way onwards and the temps actually had improved quite a bit in the 2 hours we had breakfast
- After maybe .5 hours of riding the southerly switched to a northerly meaning warmer temps and a quicker ride into Hamner
- Rougher roads I think than yesterday but the CX bike held up beautifully
- All in we made good time and celebrated survival over some tasty fish and chips, maybe the best of the trip to date
- After we said our goodbyes it was time for the hot springs and I made the most of it spending 2 hours or so going from pool to pool
- 2 easy rides left on the docket with Mt. Lyford tomorrow and to Kaikoura the next day. After that it'll be a bus ride into Christchurch and the end of this adventure

Day 30 - March 17th, 2010

St. Arnaud - Some hut in the middle of Rainbow Junction road

Ride Time: 5hrs
Distance: 65km

- 'Short cut' into Hamner Springs today via Rainbow Junction road to save roughly 200km and a quicker route into Kaikoura
- Crazy South Westerly followed me again today which meant for a long, long day on roads not meant for cross bikes that's for sure. Basically 40km of rough gravel way worse than you'd see in the TR race with many creek crossings as there was a lot of rain the night previously
- At a low point around 57km I ran into a great couple who we road into the camping area together - Dave (Irish) and Lorraine (Kiwi)
- Cooked up pasta, shared banana bread cake and had some good conversation into the night
- Glad this day was over though but a beautiful area for sure
- On Saturday is the big MTB race over these same trails and they get upwards to 2000 entrants! Better hope for better wind direction than we had

Day 29 - March 16th, 2009

Kiaterteri Beach - St. Arnaud

Ride Time: 6:45
Distance: 128km

- Toughest day on a bike I've had in a long, long time. I finished with more salt on my face than TL climbing Cochrane Hill from yester year
- Profile of today called for 123km straight up hill, a few cat 3 or 4 climbs but mostly false flat type of riding - no problem right?
- Forecast looked good calling for sw winds to aid me along
- Not to be, 125km straight into a 40-60km head wind going up a false flat, today was literally Hell on Wheels that's for sure and to aid to the misery I didn't eat or drink enough
- Whatever, still made it in I suppose but the last 1.5 hours were nasty!
- Scenery and terrain however were amazing but after a certain point it didn't matter
- Tomorrow's a new day, hopefully this system blows through this evening as my voyage has me traversing 85km off road on a mountain bike race course they run every year in March, think it was last weekend
- If I/bike survive the 'shortcut' into Hamner Springs it will save me a couple of days of R&R later on
- Time to eat and replenish, I've already started with a nice tin of Pringles

Day 28 - March 15th, 2010

Kaiteriteri Beach - North Tip of NZ - Kaiteriteri Beach

Ride Time: 4.5 hrs
Distance: 230km

- Massive day today, done uhhh via boat of course as the body needed some rest this morning
- Beautiful coastal trip heading North up the coast, some amazing pictures today for sure
- Food here in KB is sooooo good - probably the best steak ever last night and I'm planning on having the same this evening just to make sure :-)
- Offline for the next 2 stages/days as I travel to the boonies eventually popping out in Hamner Springs for some R&R in their natural hot springs

Day 27 - March 14th, 2010

Nelson-Kaiteriteri Beach

Ride Time: 2:45
Distance: 65km

- Rest day, with any easy spin into Kaiteriteri Beach which is supposedly the most beautiful beach in NZ and from what I can see I wouldn't argue against those claims
- Very popular riders route as I did this on Sunday here in NZ and saw many groups of road riders out and about all day
- Actually a mountain bike park right in this village, if I spend another night here I might check out the rental situation
- Saw a classic Kobe/Jenn riding accident this morning just outside of Nelson. Coming to the stoplight which had turned yellow the woman slowed down while the guy was looking around so he T-Boned into her back wheel hard and did a complete flip. As only Kobe would do, he got up real fast and tried to make it look 'cool' but alas the damage was already done. Ahhhhh, good times!

Day 26 - March 13th, 2010

Havelock-Nelson

Ride Time: 4.5hrs
Distance: 78km

- On paper this was going to be a fairly easy day with a couple of larger climbs within 30km of Nelson but the 50-60km constant headwind had other ideas for me!
- Still a great ride was to be as the temps and sunny skies were all in my favor
- Beautiful alpine riding all day staying within tree line winding my way along
- Last climb before Nelson takes on the new 'toughest climb' of the NZ tour title, not because of the climb itself which I'd rate as moderate but the combination of the climb and headwind conditions made for a long slow ride up hauling 50lbs + of gear. I think the climb itself was 8 or 10 km long in total
- Once at the top however I was treated to a spectacular twisty, technical downhill for the next 20 minutes or so. One corner almost had my name on it b/c I was day dreaming but a touch of crappy canti leavers and a little lean saved the day. Don't want to rely on that combination too often that's for sure
- After that it was 12km into that same headwind all the way to Nelson which seems like a pretty cool little town
- Next up, a shorter ride tomorrow to some beach that starts with a 'K' that is suppose to be the most beautiful in all of NZ. We'll see ...

Day 25 - March 12th, 2010

Blenheim-Havelock (via Picton/Queen Charlotte Scenic Way)

Ride Time: 3.5
Distance: 65km

- Tourist pace today, nice and easy soaking in all the views. With the added distance yesterday I had a couple of options of either making a big push for Nelson or taking a nice easy pace the scenic way
- Picton seemed like an awesome little town, probably my favourite to date. Just wish I would have stayed there a night or 2 but the remaining 8 days are planned out. A lengthy lunch stop with some photos would have to suffice this time out
- From Picton I went via the Queen Charlotte Sound scenic highway. This takes the new top honours of the best 15km by far as it was winding and weaving throughout what seemed to be a tropical rain forest
- Funny how things are so lush in these parts as this section is the sunniest in all of NZ, including the Nelson area
- Tomorrow I'll be off for Nelson which distance wise sounds pretty basic as it's only 71km but looking at the profile there are a couple of major climbs as you get within the last 25km or so

Day 24 - March 11th, 2010

Kaikoura-Blenheim

Ride Time: 5:40
Distance: 135km

- Well, decided on riding today instead of taking a shuttle and boy was that the right decision as conditions were perfect.

A tale of 2 rides today ...

Ride #1:
- The first 65km of the ride was 80% coast line with zero wind and sunny skies
- Too many sea lion sightings to mention
- Doesn't get better than riding with the Hip on the ipod, crashing surf in the background, with the smell of sea weed and kelp in the air. Times are indeed tough these days
- With this being on highway #1 I didn't know what to expect but the traffic was minimal in both directions and even less heading North (the way I was going)
- Best coast riding I've done to date

Ride #2:
- After a quick drink at 'The Store' I headed off as there was some weather rolling in which is why I was on the bike by 7:30 am this morning
- Weather rolling in however was good for me as in these parts it means strong southerly winds from the south - for once in my favor!
- After the store the terrain totally changed and was really reminisent of the bad lands in South Dakota for those who have ridden in and around Custer
- Planned to stop after 105km in Seddon but the town and motor camp was a bit of a dive so I kept going to make use of the favorable wind conditions
- All in all a great day of riding
- Blenheim by the way is NZ's version of the Okanogon in terms of wineries and tours so everything is priced for the touist

Day 23 - March 10th, 2010

Kaikoura - Rest Day

Ride Time: 0:00
Distance: 20km via boat

- Got in with the dolphin swim tour but the seas and dolphins weren't cooperating today as we didn't find them
- Not the end of the world as I may still have an opportunity at the end if I make Akora by CHC
- Sunny skies and about 24 today, good part as this Holiday Park has a swimming pool which I'll most definitely be making of use of this afternoon
- Decision time, ride the coast to Picton via #1 and likely headwinds or shuttle up that way to make use of the better weather that is forecasted. Leaning for the shuttle tomorrow at this point

Day 22 - March 9th, 2010

Waiu-Kaikoura

Ride Time: 4.5hr
Distance: 92.5km

- Stunning ride through alpine forests today with ups, downs and plenty of rollers
- Even though this ride indicated up for the first 30km it didn't really feel like it, maybe b/c the scenery was so damn good to keep you preoccupied
- I'd rank this 90km stretch right up there Park Cities Mid Mountain trail in if I could only ride one road on a road bike for the rest of my life I'd have no problem picking this one. It had it all from a road bike perspective
- Fun part was seeing if you could pick your way through the ranges guessing which way was going to spit you out onto the coast. Pretty much guessed wrong every time!
- Kaikoura seems really nice but a little touristy, either way the sea salt smells great
- Rest day tomorrow, hopefully swimming with the dolphins but I'm only on the wait list as of now

Day 21 - March 8th, 2010

Middle of BFN-Waiau

Ride Time: 5:30
Distance: 110km

- Another stunning ride in perfect conditions, this last 3 day block has been tiring but well worth the effort
- With one more days push over a fairly significant climb I'll be in Kaikoura for a little R&R and some swimming with the dolphins. Better be worth it Jenn ...
- A few major climbs once again but most of the tough work was finished by the half way point
- Basically it was 360 degree panorama view of mountains everywhere you looked today. From a scenery perspective today was even better than yesterday
- Time for a break after tomorrow though as the major hours are starting to add up

Day 20 - March 7th, 2010

Rakia Gorge-Middle of BFN (with the 'F' meaning F*ck)

Ride Time: 6:45
Distance: 135km

- Minus my unfortunate miscalculation in a distance section of the map today was one of the best rides of the trip bar none
- Right off the hop it was a 25 minute climb out of the gorge going through forest after forest of rolling terrain
- Overall there were 4 gorges to contend with on today's schedule and none of the them disappointed. Probably overall the most elevation gain in a single day
- Blue skies and temps hovering around 27 or so
- As I badly miscalculated I finished today with no food and no prospect of food due to my crappy camp location. First time I think I've ever drempt of food ...
- Today would have been an awesome day for light road bikes and a good group ride. So many good roads to choose from!

Day 19 - March 6th, 2010

Geraldine-Rakia Gorge (DOC Campground)

Ride Time: 4:45
Distance: 87km

- Beautiful ride today as the landscapes start to change with richer vegitation
- Basically uphill for 80 straight km's into a northly headwind. The uphill was mostly false flat type of stuff but with the headwind it made for slow going
- On this types of days touring it's better to never look at your speedo or you'll be either depressed or disapointed or both!
- Late start to the day as a couple of Kiwi couples at the motor camp had me over for beers and the party didn't end until about 2:30 am. Drinking game seemed to revolve around my mis pronouciation of places on the map ...
- Back to the ride, hedges around here are amazing wind blocks as some of them go for miles and are at least 2 to 3 stories high
- Dropping into the gorge was stunning as it's by far the best camp site location of the trip to date
- Although that fun decent had me worried for tomorrows climb right off the bat

Day 18 - March 5th, 2010

Oamuru-Geraldine

Ride Time: 5.5
Distance: 128km

- Day didn't start off too promising as I slept through the alarm and awoke to rainy conditions
- Ended up drying off nicely and the day I dreaded riding up #1 turned out pretty good as there was a slight tailwind and the traffic was headed in the opposite direction
- Highest avg of the trip for this sort of distance came in at a whopping 23.3km/hr!
- Before you scoff at that lowly benchmark consider fat ass tires and 50lbs of gear I'm hauling along the way ...
- Transfer day is done and I'll soon be heading back into the mountains with a rest day or 2 planned for Kaikoura
- Overall, Geraldine is one of my favorite little towns of the trip

Day 17 - March 4th, 2010

Moracki Village-Oamuru

Ride Time: 2:45
Distance: 52km

- Woke up this morning and the body was screaming for a rest day as it's been 22 hours riding in the past 4 days so I decided to shorten up the original 130km route
- Ended up riding an extended coastal ride to Oamuru instead of the dreaded highway #1 of which I'll have to do 80 or 100km tomorrow with no alternative route possible
- Spectacular ride though, as I meandered at a tourist pace trying to take it easy but the price you pay for coastal rides over here comes in the form of more steep ass hills
- Nothing quite beats the smell of salt air and sea weed!
- Took a nice stop 30km in at a sea side cafe and ordered up some lamb curry and carrot cake which tasted awesome seeing I skipped breakfast this morning. All in I think I was there for 2 hours over a couple of tasty lattes
- Other than that nothing too eventful in these parts. With the relaxed pace, Kobe might have even been able to hang on ...

Day 16 - March 3rd, 2010

Middlemarch-Moracki Village

Ride Time: 6.5 hrs
Distance: 100km

- Today looked good on paper as the plan was to make it to Omaru (130km) as the grades looked pretty good
- I decided to go via a side road which looked like a solid plan until it turned to a shit gravel road spontaneously for the next 25km. Imagine the ride from Moab to Porcupine trailhead via crappy Sand Flats road and make it 50% harder and you might have some idea how hard those 25km were which almost took me 2 hours to complete as the gradients were even crazier than the chip seal roads if that's possible. In retrospect it was excellent riding with spectacular scenery I just wasn't planning on that sort of effort
- Once I completed that section it was some good high country riding until I hit the east coast - finally!
- With 40km to go and already 6.5 hours in I came up with plan B and headed to the next holiday park which was an amazing suprise as it's this cool little seaside village on the coast. By far the nicest Holiday Park so far on this trip.
- Hopefully I won't have another 6 hour day tomorrow but who knows with these winds, makes Winnipeg/Calgary/Lethbridge winds seem like a gentle breeze ...
- Still, the riding/scenery is amazing out here, just makes the going a little slower

- Plan now is to head North and make a run for the tip of the south island if I can make it, should take about 7 or 8 days to get there but that's a total guess and is really going to be dependent on the wind conditions over the next week or so

Day 15 - March 2nd, 2010

Rainfurly-Middlemarch

Ride Time: 4 hrs
Distance: 70km

- Thought this would be an easy day as it was mostly downhill (rail grade) but the wind was crazy once again
- More of the same on the rail trail today with some more cool tunnels. The tunnels are kinda spooky when you're by yourself b/c it's pitch black and you can't see a thing until you see a splash of light coming from the other end
- Overall a tougher day then I wanted but still good times
- Riding in NZ distance really means nothing as your effort is gadged 100% on gradient and wind severity, that's apparent after my riding here that's for sure

Day 14 - March 1st, 2010

Cromwell-Rainfurly

Ride Time: 7:45 (Yeah, you read that right)
Distance: 145km (All off road except the first 21km)

- This was a marathon as I started the 160 km Otago Rail Trail system today which is an old railway that was ripped out in the 70's and converted to bike/horse trail system in 2000
- The conversion has been a huge boom to the small towns along the way as you wouldn't believe the number of old time tourist cyclers on this route. The B&B's dotted along the way are making a mint of this thing
- Avg price for a supported tour of this trail is $1650.00 Kiwi over 4 or 5 days. I did it in 1.5 days for $65
- After the initial 25km road portion I hopped on the "Link" trail in Clyde which extends the ride but is 15km of sweet single track along the river. This was amazing wooded single track comparable to Winnipeg's river single track minus a few tight turns. Best 15km of riding by far here!
- After that I was to start the rail trail in Alexandra but somehow missed the sign, no problem as the highway intersects a few times so I'll just keep going. Big mistake as for the next 1.5 hours I was travelling at 10km an hour in my 34x34 (easiest gear) against a brutal headwind
- At this point I was hating life and was ready to call it a day after about 60km of riding b/c the conditions were horrendous but then all of a sudden I hopped on the trail system, started riding with a big group and it was game on
- Basically double track gravel with some sections as bumpy as Paris Roubaix but really cool train tunnel systems
- By about the 110km mark I was ready to call it a day as a few B&B's trail side were calling my name but thankfully they were all full up so the only choice was camp trail side or keep going. Out of food so onward it was
- Just after my week moment the trail turned downwards and the wind came in my favour for once this trip so it was an easy roll into Rainfurly
- Overall experience on this day easily rated as a Top 5 ride in my life so well worth it