Day 4 - 117kms - Manapouri to Colac bay

117 kms, killer headwind

I didn't set out to do 117 ks but it was blowing so hard when I got to my stop point that I had to keep motoring. Long day at more than 6 hours on the

Bike. I did make a new friend which was a highlight of the day. I was stopped on the roadside putting on more clothes when he came the other way. He came over for a chat and we were still there 45mins later. He is a professor from Christchurch uni and he has taken time off to ride from bottom to top. 

Lake manopouri looking towards doubtful sound. 

Back up to the snow

Lunch by s beautiful old suspension bridge. 

This land supports 6 sheep to the acre. Unbeleivable

Only 50kms to lands end at bluff

Opted for a cabin as it was blowing and raining. See the spare tyre on the back. Colin kindly lent it to me as mine is failing. Will fit it tonight I think. 

Camp cooking in the rain - video

Day 3 - 86kms - Mavora lake to Manapouri

86kms, 5 hours ride time 

After a wet and cold night I packed up the camp inside the tent while it pelted down outside. I also made coffee and toast in the tent. I didn't break camp until after 9am. It was 7 degrees and miserable as I headed off. Things didn't really improve for most of the day. I just put my head down and slogged it out to Colin's house at manopouri where I had a lovely evening with home and his wife Lila. We ate trout caught by Colin in the lake out front and veges from Lila's garden. What wonderful people. I love kiwis. 

Fresh snow on the hills around the lake made it a killer windchill

Day 2 - 68kms - Queenstown to Mavora lakes

I overslept a bit and woke up at 7:45. Had to pack up in a hurry to get down to the steam ferry. It was a long shot if they were going to let me on as they were overbooked. Turned out all ok

There were also 30 school kids doing a mtb trip in the same direction as I was headed. I met one of their teachers on the ferry. A fantastic fella named Colin who promptly invited me to come and stay at his house at manopouri on my way south. I got off the ferry quick smart to stay ahead of the kids and put my head down into a howling head wind. Bad weather was on the way and I needed to get to camp before the rain. 

This piece of road is the setting of my favourite ever biking photo taken 10 years ago. It features Brendan riding down the road. 

The weather was coming in fast. As I turned away from the lake the wing came onto my back and thing hot a lot easier. I made camp by 3 pm and I was happily all on my own. 

I managed to get set up and have a wash in the lake and cook dinner before the rain started. I crawled into the tent at 6.15. It rained all night. I was in the tent for 13 hours before emerging to snow on the hills all around the lake. No wonder it was chilly. 

Vital stats from day 2

Disaster strikes!

Is it a bad omen for the ride. Thismorning while packing up camp I blew my favourite thong

Wayne emerges like a butterfly

Wayne emerges like a butterfly

He had a lie down in the tent after the big flight. 

Then slowly he comes out of his cucoon. 

And gradually becomes the man he knows he is inside. 

Slowly but surely finding his feet

Until he can stand on his own. 

He told me he is very much looking forward to me giving him a flogging. 

I love Wayne. 

NZ - 10 year anniversary

I'm sitting at the gate waiting for my flight to Queenstown. It's 10 years since Brendan and I did our first tour of the South Island. I haven't booked a flight home, and I've got about a 2500km ride planned. It will be a bit dependent on the weather and how much I miss Lisa and the girls & Calvin. 

I'm doing this ride on my lonesome. Not sure how I'll go. I tend to turn it into a marathon. I'll gunna try and take it easy.