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Pure shite
I grew up on a farm at Bowns creek between Canvastown and Pelorus bridge.
Pelorus bridge is a great spot for camping and a swim.
Pelorus bridge campsite is where i am heading
These are the days we do these things for. Fabulous scenery. Tailwind and tbe hills didn't hurt too much. O even got a pint a fre miles before the campdite. Campsite is lovely on the banks of the river.
40 miles and 1100 ft of climb.
Glorious
Amazing
Exactly 20 years ago I was cycling around South Island and went to Nelson. I'd post a pic but they're not easy to access. I still have the same bike.
It was near the end of my trip as I started in Invercargill. The last leg was Blenheim to Nelson and had the only rain and only puncture of the whole trip!
I stayed at a hostel called the Bug (pleased to see it is still there!) and remember walking in like a drowned rat. The English couple who ran it were very welcoming. Nelson seemed like one of those places you visit and can picture yourself living there.
Enjoy!
Nelson seemed like one of those places you visit and can picture yourself living there.
My mum and dad lived there in the late 60's. No idea why they came back just before I was born ?
Decisions to make. Take the old road over the hill on rough gravel or the new road round it. Traffic less climbs and longer or no traffic. Serious climbs and rough track. I've only got 38 mm tyres but do have a nice low gear.
The guides warn you off the rough track and I for sure will be taking my bike for a walk both up and some of the down
1100m of climbing
I would take the Maungatapu, I drove it back in the day in my 71 Capri.
The traffic on the highway would put me off & you're not missing any scenery. The climb up the Rai saddle is brutal & the back side of the Whangamoa is very narrow & winding.
Don't let this put you off:
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How was it, not too murdery I hope.
That was effing brutal. Made it to Nelson but 9 hrs in total for a 25 mile ish ride. 3500ft of climbing. I love taking my bike for a walk up a mountain
Bah!
You will look back on this trip and all of the pain will feel beautiful. You are not only seeing your journey but feeling it too.
Every morning I make my coffee and then I read your posts, they have been a beacon during this bleak and miserable time, it’s been great to share your adventures.
As Eddie Mercx said - "it's not the cakes, it's the climbs that are bad for you". So, on that basis, eat more cake.
Sorry about that.
Nine hours you say.
Too bloody late jkomo
Lolz
Good days ride today. Old railway for 40 miles without much climbing 700ft. Just as well as thete is not a lot in my legs. Nice tunnel on the route as well.
Fruit trees planted along a few miles
* Looks out of window at snow falling AGAIN.
* Looks back at blue skies and sun
* Wonders why I did not go to New Zealand for winter like the other people I know.
Tough day today. Not the riding but the head and legs were not there. Ended up coming off the trails after 30 miles and heading for a pub with a campsite i had been told about. Utterly lovely campsite. Got a cold berr and decent feed and a good bleather with an American german couple swapping travel stories and music. Mood lifted
The last one is the view from my tent
Thanks TJ I've only just caught up with your thread as in only just read it today!
I've not been in that great a place over the last couple of months but you have cheered me up no end 🙂
After my wife died in 2019 someone I know & follow on YT did a trip to NZ & Aus that really helped me through those dark times & in a way your trip has reminded me of his struggles and exhaustion but it finished with an overriding sense of hope & better times.
So however it turns out "Thanks"
Ta
Effed up today. Rode 15 miles to the nearest town for lunch. Looked at the maps. Not a campsite or hotel with space within riding distance. Oops
Found a campsite in the town tho with a lovely riverside pitch and my neighbour has just nipped into town to buy beer for both of us. Its an ill wind or something. It also means tomorrow i can take the longer more iteresting route as there is a campsite i can reach in a full day from here. A bit of a rest will do me no harm
Beer delivery
I'm guessing you're somewhere near Murchison?
I'd never heard of Helinox chairs before, picked one up today for watching Hardline this weekend. Cheers.
Im in Murchieson
Righteo. Time to getmiving. 77km with 850m ofclimb to get to thenext campsite
Struggling to load pics this morning.
The site is chugging a bit. Post once and don't refresh otherwise it posts twice even if you get an error.
😀 🙂 😉 😆 🤣 😍 😥 😮 😯 😔 🙃 🙃 😲
Seems we have emoji though.
Ffs. It says i posted 40mins ago but i cant see it
I am not sure if anything is pisting. Hmmmmmmm
Did the beers arrive? Looking forward to the pics. Great thread so far cheers.
Beers did arrive. 50 miles with 3300ft of climbing today. Lovely ride thru forest.
Its late and i am knackered. Pics will have to wait
Rest up - that's a decent day's ride by anyone's standard.
Looking forward to more pics though!
35 miles to the next campsite. No point in staying here its just a field with a long drop and those stupid flightless birds that steal your food
Foe some reason most of yesterday's pics are too big and I can't see how to rezie them so i shall try postimage
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Well that doesn't work properly either
A bloody Weka stole my breakfast banana
I assume you’re on Android
https://www.androidpolice.com/resize-photo-phone-tablet-how-to/
I’m enjoying the photos…
Rode 30 miles to Reefton. Barely a thousand ft of climb. What luxury. Checked into a hotel for two nights. I need a rest
Damn bird that stole my banana
Murky morning
Im giving up. I have no idea if anything is posting. Ill check back in a few days to see if anything is actually working
Posts have appeared now but no pics. Ill try once more 
I’ve noticed that i often can’t see my own posts. But i know they are there as I’m listed as the last contributor
Had my rest day in Reefton. Fitted a new rear tyre that unbelievably was available in this wee town. Got all my kit washed. Time to hit the road again. Greymouth tomorrow.
Lovely old gold mining town with a very early hydro electric powerhouse and a fair few historic buildings left.
Old colonial style buildings are so gorgeous. Looks amazing.
Made it to Greymouth on the west coast. 50 miles. 1100ft of climb. Headwinds all day. Im well tired and considering plan b. Hire a car. I've made much slower progress than I hoped and I think if i continue riding south I will only have time to ride on the roads and do little else. Headwinds on and off the next 3 days then rain comes in. I shall sleep on it and decide but it looks like that wouldbe the best bet. There are hire car places here. Hmmmmmm 
Couple more pics 
On the other hand the west coast heritage trail is the next bit and it looks nice with the option of getting a car a few days south of here.
Hmmmm
Or do the wilderness trail and get a car in 3 or 4 days. Hmmmmm. I am showered and in the pub with a pint and feeling much better
I son't think there's a "wrong" decision in your options TJ. Looks like you can see more of less of NZ if you ride or see less of more if you go for the car. BTW how accurate are NZ weather forecasts - we've been due to see some sun for the last 4 or 5 grey, cold, damp days...
I am thinking compromise. Ride another 3 days on the trail that is supoosed to be a real gem then get a car. Ill sleep on it
There's nothing but bush between the glaciers & Wanaka.
Lovely bit of road if you can carry provisions for 2-3 days.
The rain can be biblical though.
Decisions made. Im going to ride three more days to Hokitiki then hire a car for two weeks then fly back to Auckland from there. Assuming i can get a car. Which i will check when they open
Bloody Weka tried to steal my breakfast again. Im gonna be eating Weka at this rate 
Car hirebooked for Friday
Rode up to Kumara. Another goldrush town. Less than 20 miles and only a couple of hundred feet of climbing. Lovely ride and now enjoying a pint.
