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.  😊