New Zealand - Dec 2-4

Rest Days and discovery of Queenstown 

Queenstown is a beautiful resort type town.  It is on a large lake with a very active section right on the shore.

The lake front promenade area.

Looking out towards the lake from the park.

There is a botanical garden and nature walk right downtown.  It is a beautiful area.

The lake is crystal clear, you can see the bottom for several feet down.

Stunning views along the lake walking path.

And one of the "activities" to do was paragliding.  Yes, I did the paragliding.  😄

The little park in the heart of Queenstown...  before Crate Day.

The little park during Crate Day about 2 in the afternoon.  You should have seen it about 9 pm...  😬   You can see the lads are keeping their crates of beer cold in the stream.  Later in the day an almost naked cricket player body surfed in the idyllic stream.

Crate Day is a national celebration set on the first Saturday of summer designed to share a crate of beer with a friend.  Yes, a national celebration to share a crate of beer with friends...  What could possibly go wrong with that???

Well the local paper seems to be pushing for repeal of it.  Stating emergency rooms were full starting at 3 pm Saturday and didn't slow down until after 3 am.  I could see Congress in the United States proposing a National Share a Case with a friend day...  Why not?  It seems to be going well down here. 😳

New Zealand - Dec 1

Wanaka to Queenstown

Today was to be an easy 73 kilometer day.  Was to be...   It turned out to be a tough 85k climbing fest.  

We should have known what was in store for the day when right out of the gate we had a sharp incline before we even got out of Wanaka.  It was one of those drop it down to the lowest gear and stand up to crank out the length of the "hill".  Sitting in the saddle just wouldn't do it for this unexpected, right out of the gate, legs not warmed up little challenge.  After two days of climbing the legs did their share of complaining.  😳

Once past that it was more of a rolling to inclining ride for a good portion of the morning.  We came upon a cute little gem of a town, Cardrona.  As we were in the outskirts we came to a unique fence.

The fence was jammed full of previously owned, donated bras for the fight against breast cancer.  

People from all over sent in their gently used articles to hang in benefit for the cause.

The hills around Cardrona were lit up with bright yellow flowers blooming.

We rode into the tiny town of Cardrona and had a coffee/coke stop at the Cardrona Hotel.  It was opened in 1836 during the gold rush and had a mine shaft thru the floor right in the bar area.

The back yard area of the hotel with a warm roaring fire.  I sat up close to the fire to get warm as there was a distinct chill in the air.

It was an absolutely beautiful and quaint little spot that was steeped in history.  It is worth a stop and maybe a stay of you ever get to the area.

Once we left town we were treated to the second surprise of the day... the Crown Range Pass.  This little gem made the previous two days of climbs look like a gentle warmup.  It cranked right away into a steep incline.  Then leveled off to a consistent 6-7% grade.  Of course that was just to lull you into a false sense of security.  Then it unleashed its 17% section.  And just when you thought you had it licked you would come around a bend and see a whole 'nother section to climb.  And cold...  the wind was almost howling as it came through the pass as a strong headwind.  It was in the 40's at times.  This is when having layers is a good and bad thing.  The layers keep you warm but as you climb you start to overheat.  As you do you become wet with sweat.  You have to take layers off but then the cold wind makes your wet body exponentially colder.  So you keep cranking away trying to ascend the top where you can clothe back up.  I was so cold that I was shivering.

This was such a steep and long climb that I had to stop and take a rest before I finally topped the b***h.  😢

Once on top, the dreams of a great descent once again came to mind.  I waited til a car passed heading downhill before I mounted my trusty steed.  Then off I went on what was going to be a glorious downhill.  But it was not meant to be....  😖

I accelerated down the hill so fast that I caught the car I let go down the hill.  The car was doing a cautious descent.  So all I could do was tailgate the car through a good portion.  I was thinking of blowing by the little obstruction but the better sense in me prevailed.  The car finally saw me riding her tail and pulled over to let me pass.  By this time there were sharp hairpin curves which preempt a full-out run.  So the downhill that I earned so dearly did not materialize.  😠

After the downhill we cut over to a gravel road to take us through the historic gold town of Arrowtown.  This is where surprise number three came in.  The gravel road led to a sharp downhill.  Yes another downhill.  Of course we had to do some climbing to get to it, but there it was.  A very sharp and steep downhill.  The problem was that it alternated between loose rocks, large boulders, deep washed out areas and smooth tractionless dried mud.   A mountain bike paradise but an extreme challenge for my soon to be retired bike.  But attack it I did.  Once again the bike slammed through it.  Crash, bang, screech, whine were the sounds as I hurtled down the hill.  All intermixed with an occasional... holy sh*t that was close!  Meaning the edge and the precipice.  But fun it was.  I got to the end of the bone jarring, adrenaline pumping little jaunt and I couldn't even close my hands they were so battered.  It was one of those rides where you say to yourself in disbelief... Wow, I made it!  😊

We did a short ride after that to Arrowtown where a two pie lunch awaited.  And these pies were HUGE.  They were each about one and a half the normal pie size.  But I absolutely deserved a double pie reward.  

After Arrowtown we headed out on the Queenstown rail trail.  It was a good ride with another surprise awaiting us.  The surprise was a steep loose gravel hill just when we thought we were home free.  It was one of those challenges that you had to crank your guts out to get up.  You couldn't stand to gain leverage because of the loose gravel.  The momentum up the hill was so slow you were on the verge of stalling and having to walk.  But up the hill pedal stroke after pedal stroke til finally breathelessly reaching the summit.  At last, one more hill conquered.  On to Queenstown!

We cycled the last bit along the river trail that led us to the lake and Queenstown.  But before we reached the hotel there was one more hill to climb.  Yes one last challenge and then collapse after what was supposed to be an easy day...  😳

New Zealand - Nov 30

Omarama to Wanaka

Today was a big day.  It was a 122 kilometer day with a huge 1,000 + meter climb.

The day started out beautifully with sunshine, blue skies and the now expected crisp New Zealand temps.  

We rode out along the road to prairie vistas highlighted by the mountains we were approaching.  The above is a picture of the Cathedrals, a section of mountains weathered away to reveal natural sculpting depicting spires.

As we rode along the grade began to get steeper.  We commenced a long climb pretty much right away.  We had to cross over Lindis Pass.  The picture below shows the road leading to the pass.  The pic is deceiving in that there appears to be a downhill and then flat.  The reality was far from that.

It was a gorgeous section that was desolate and unforgiving.  The grade of the climb continued to get steeper as we continued to the pass.  When I finally shifted into my lowest of climbing gears it became apparent that I needed more. 😳

Others with mountain bike gearing were spinning their way up whereas I was struggling to keep the pedals moving.  Each pedal stroke was a challenge to complete.  Push, pull, push, pull it went.  The sweat was pouring off of me even though the temp was in the 40's.  The climb seemed to go on and on as the picture shows.  That of course only added to the satisfaction as the summit was finally achieved.  

And as I said yesterday... all tough ascents lead to great descents!  And this one was grand.  At the top after a bit of a rest, I dropped the gears down to the 52/11 go fast combination and began to crank.  I wanted to hit an enjoyable speed as quickly as I could to ensure maximum smile factor. 😄    And that I did!  

I started down the hill, got in my most aerodynamic tuck position and went for it.  30 kilometers per hour, 40, then 50, then 60, then 70, then 80!  Wow, I milked as much as I could out of the almost free fall descent as I could despite pushing the bike into a headwind.  I hit a speed just under 82 kph (51 mph).  What a ride...

This is a sign that when you see it you have a couple of reactions... first, the thoughts is, Really?! and the second is,  He'll No!  😉

The big downhill flattened out but led to several other shorter downhills as we gave up all the altitude that we had worked so hard for.  

To end the day a group of us chose to ride an off road section along a river leading into Wanaka.  At first it was a tough loose rock and boulder filled section that was technical in nature.  I had quite enough of that kind of riding in the days prior and let out a couple of choice phrases that I thought were not to be heard.  I heard a voice from behind... I feel for you Mike doing it on that bike.  With that I zipped it and refrained from letting the thoughts flow freely.  Also, I decided an attitude change was needed.  After all I had chosen to do this.  Rather than complain, shut up and start pedaling.  In other words, kick it up a notch and take the trail.  Don't let the trail take you.  😊

It worked, and the ride went from pain to pleasure...

After the 122 kilometer, climbing, descending, rock trail, painful yet exhilarating induced ride came the payoff... meat pies!  This was a two meat pie and coke required day.  And great it was...

The shop did have a warning probably generated by the New Zealand Health Board.  😊

New Zealand - Nov 29

Twizel to Omarama

Another sunny day!  This is getting to be a thing here.  Probably shouldn't have said that, don't want to jinx it.  It was sunny, but chilly with a good stiff breeze.  

We started the day on paved road cycling along a canal.  There were salmon farms that were floating pens in the canal for a good length of it.  Fishermen positioned themselves strategically to try to catch any escaped ones.

After a ways we turned onto the dirt track.  It was a good ride as we skirted a bay.  We were guarded from the wind by tall bushes.  When there was a break in the foliage... the wind was cruel.  We came out onto a section of beach on this lake.  The wind was whipping in so hard the lake was covered by white caps and waves were crashing ashore making it seem like we were at the ocean versus an inland lake.

The wind....

The wind and the waves as well as the clouds and mist.  In the middle of the picture you can see the huge mountain that is obscured by mist and clouds.  

Once we traversed the lake section we came out to a paved section again.  Lo and behold we headed right into the teeth of the beast (the headwind)!  The wind was so strong it was tough making progress.  We started a 4 person peloton but it quickly fell apart.  The wind hit us head on, then from the side, then the front again.  The gusts virtually stopped all forward progress...  Then of course a cold misty rain came up. 😳  it was really tough biking...  Thank goodness lunch stop was upon us.  The rest was much needed.

After lunch we made the turn to head back off road and up into the hills.  

Yes, these are the hills and you can see part of the track we climbed.

Luckily the turn onto the track meant we no longer had to fight the gusting gales.  At times the wind was at our back... 😊

That was the goodness, the bad news was... the trail was boulders, stones, roots and loose gravel.  It also became a particularly steep and long climb with many steep false peaks.  You would think you finally reached the top but nooooo there was another even steeper and skinnier and rougher climb to take on.  It was one of those that kept on going and going...

But as any good climb culminates, it delivers a descent.  And this one was well earned.  But it was on loose gravel, broken rocks, boulders and washed out ravines.  No problem for a bike with full suspension, knobby tires and disc brakes.  Oh wait a minute, I don't have any of that!  But what is a person to do?!  The answer.... Go For It!!!

So go for it I did.  A couple people started the downhill before me but I gingerly worked my way around and opened her up and let her fly.  The bike was bouncing all about as it hit rocks and roots, boulders and ravines.  It was banging about making all sorts of noises, screams and screeches, howls and complaints.  But on she propelled us down the mountain at speeds that could only be called exhilarating.  I came to a couple of stream crossings but the speed with which we (the bike and I) were traveling did not lend itself to a simple traverse.  Instead, we hit it full speed with a thunderous splash that resulted in most of me being soaked and the bike getting a much needed cooling off.  (Picture the log flume ride at Disney World.)  One stream after the other.  A stupendous ride down it was...  😬

After the downhill we rode at a break neck pace across loose gravel roads at an average speed topping 42 kph.  Several of us rode it in as hard as we could.  I know for me that I put everything in the ride today and had nothing left, absolutely nothing left as we came into our destination for the day.

It was a day of challenges, hills, climbs, descents, pain and triumph...  What a day!  A day that you ride for!!!

And what ends the day appropriately?  A great sunset!

New Zealand - Nov 28

Mt Cook to Twizel

Wow what a difference a day makes.  From yesterday with clouds and rain and snow and high winds with bone chill temps to....  an amazing day today.  We got up and the sun was shining!  The SUN!

It was only 37 degrees at the start but just having the sun shining made all the difference.  It made for a fabulous ride.  We headed out with a great tailwind.  It was like a kind hand pushing us up the road.  😊

It was great to see things from the perspective of clear blue skies and sun.  It made everything look so much better...

The snow of the last couple of days remains as a topping on the mountains all along the route today.

The early sun shone on the lake and created quite an effect.

The road played a part with the tailwind.  There were a good amount of sloping downhills that made the first half of the day race by.

As we got to the rolling plains the vegetation changed.  It was green and went on for miles.  It also did not slow the wind as it picked up speed and shifted around to a crossing headwind aspect.

We took a diversion to go out on a logging road to a cabin in the hills.  But luckily one of our group scouted it out and told us "not worth it".  That saved us a good bit of cycling.  

One of our group let me try his full suspension bike on the trail...  Wow, what a difference it makes!  I do believe it is time to make the leap. 

The day ended with a jaunt onto the A2O, Alps to Ocean trail.  We rode out for a good distance and came to the lake, Lake Putaki.  It is a beautiful alpine lake that is colored with the ground silt of the rocks from the glacier.  It made for a magical blue green color to the water.

On the turn on the way back a couple of us took the pace up to the next level.  We flew over the loose gravel road into a crossing headwind yet hit 30 kph.  It was fabulous...  Made for a great end of the day.

New Zealand - Nov 26 & 27

Mount Cook

We headed out of Wanaka to Mount Cook.  We went by bus up to Mount Cook to do hiking and biking on the mountain.  Then we are going to ride back down the on the 28th.

This was the picture as we left Wanaka.  It was 38 degrees, raining and windy.  Glad we were not cycling out today.

The road wound through some stunning valleys in a rather serpentine fashion.  It will be a great ride back down!

The closer we got to mount cook the more peaks tipped with snow began to appear.  That and the wind started picking up.

There were gorgeous fields of flowers blossoming along the river.  Afterall, it is summer here...

Once we got to mount cook the temps had dropped, the winds had picked up to gale force level and the rain came pounding down again.

Overnight snow moved in and painted the hills around our cabin white.  What did I say about it being summer earlier?! 😳

Snow stopped at about the 800 meter mark on the mountains.  The rain drenched the rest of the landscape.

It made for a pretty "summer" vista...

The snow kept up for most of the day on Mount Cook.  The hiking and biking was not undertaken given the snowy, sleety mix and the strong winds.  It was just a day for hunkering down, resting and staying warm.

Tomorrow for the ride back down is supposed to be sunny but cold.  Oh well, the ride will be great!  😄

New Zealand - Nov 24 & 25

Wanaka 

We stayed in Wanaka for two days and rode out of the town for day rides.  Wanaka is a quaint little resort town on the tail end of Lake Wanaka.  It is a ski resort in the winter and a boating, hiking and mountain biking destination in the summer...

This is where we are, Wanaka...

We rode the Glendhu Bay trail the first day.  It was listed as "easy".  It was just that at the start, easy.  Then it turned more "technical" as we went along.  You can see in the picture above the trail winding its way up and through the hills and along the lake.  You lose perspective though and can't see the steep grades, gravely conditions.  Later we learned it was rated as "intermediate" for the later parts of it.  That made more sense as I was wishing for front suspension and disc brakes... 😳

The ride took us through the grandeur of Lake Wanaka and its nature preserve.

Beautiful vistas and curvy rocky trail.

We came around a corner and saw a hole in the clouds that revealed huge snow capped mountain peaks that had been obscured from view by the layer of clouds.

Then there was the second day's ride out on Dean's Bench.  It was listed as an intermediary mountain bike trail with the emphasis on the mountain bike part of the description... 😊

First, had to climb up from the river level to the top of the bluff on an intricate switchback trail.  That alone should have told me to turn around.  But Nooooo, I kept going.  

The view from the top of the bluff was stunning.  The sunlight played tricks on the river below.  It seemed to paint a rainbow in the water along the bank.

The vast open River valley could be seen for miles from the bluff.

Once I hit the end of the bluff and the beginning of the woods, all focus was needed to navigate the trail.  It was an exhilarating and a bit scary ride.  The trail weaved and banked through the woods. At times the drop off at the trails edge was dramatic.  One little miscalculation of the trail and you would go careening over and drop to the river below.  One such little mistake I made was repealed by a tree.  I corrected a sliding back wheel on gravel and ended up heading right towards the edge.  But I ran the front wheel into a tree and the forward motion over the edge was stopped... Whew, disaster averted.  

Pictures were not possible until the end of the ride.

Ahhhh, back down to river level after the safe completion of the mountain bike trail on a non mountain bike!  😅