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...  😳