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My spiritual home, top of the South Island.
Excellent.
Right decisions are made. Queen Charlotte track looks difficult and does get me further south. I feel the need to make some progress today so heading over towards Nelson
Hills and headwinds FFS
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
