Today was a great day!!!! I’m realizing that I’m not a mountain biker!!! Today was all on paved roads….smaller quiet roads and I really enjoyed looking around at the scenery, but also the farms including the farm houses and flowers and trees. Also, because I was on a paved road, I managed to ride up all 7 hills today….some was at 10-12% grade! Yippeee! Over 700m up for the day and I did it!! The next few days will be mostly on pavement as well with just a small amount of gravel until I reach Wellington and the ferry to the South Island.
This morning I was ready to go just after 7am. Today’s photo checkpoint is the Durie hill elevator. Set into the hill is a 213m tunnel with a 66m elevator that allows foot passengers and bikes to get up to the top of the hill for only $2. It opened in 1919 and it is part of the public transportation system in Whanganui.
The route for today includes going up to the top of Durie hill, and down the backside to get where we are going. The other option is a long detour on very busy highways. So the departure of 0700 was timed so that I could make a stop at the four square - local grocery store for some chocolate milk and a meat pie before getting to the elevator which opened at 0730….or so we thought! That’s the time it opens during the week…but today is Saturday….so they open at 0930! I was with the boys for breakfast…but none of us wanted to wait that long for the elevator ….so we cycled up the hill! Yesterday I tried to get up the hill….and pushed my bike less than 1/4 way up the hill before I turned around. This morning…, I cycled all the way up 😀😀😀
A bit of rain today kept it nice and cool, and the next few days will be cooler as well. It is the start of fall here, with the weather cooling off, and on the South Island it will be even cooler….and the sun is setting earlier every day. Sunset right now is 7:45.
Last night we all stayed in an old convent…the price was right at only $50NZ for a small room. Shared bathroom, and it is a bit run down, but the price was right and it was close to restaurants and the start of Durie hill. The bathroom was interesting, the lid to the toilet would shut if you didn’t hold it up….so a bit tricky when I have some urgency - to unbutton and hold the lid up while trying to sit down!!!! And then it requires to hold the lid up with your back while sitting there!!!! 😂😂😂
Tonight I’m tenting behind a hotel. All the rooms are full, but there’s a small patch of grass, with access to the toilet and shower. So all is good. I’ve just finished a late lunch at 4:30, dinner in a few hours as I’m still hungry….and then early to bed as it will be dark.
Thanks for following….and all the texts! I’m doing well ❤️❤️❤️❤️
2 comments:
Hi Lucille. Great to read this and hear about your last few days. We are in Whanganui now with a rest day tomorrow, for J not me!! Loved being back on the bike today, was a great ride from Pipiriki. Stay safe
Sounds like you are having a great time. Getting stronger each day and overcoming the challenges one at a time!
Such a nice way to see the country🥰
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