Day 26 - Rest Day!!!! Reefton

 Today was the best….I had a rest day, but still managed to make it 80km…..how you may ask????  Well after yesterday I was contemplating a rest day today, but when I woke up this morning, I was determined to make it to Reefton.  I got dressed, packed my bike and went to retrieve my cheese from the kitchen fridge.  That’s where I met Janet, who said that her friend was doing the TA and that I should go over and chat with her.  After a short discussion an offer was made for me to catch a ride in the motor home to Reefton!!!!  Sold.  A rest day, but I still make it to my destination.  Fantastic.  

I had such a great ride and enjoyed the scenery, along with making to Reefton in time to enjoy the town, have some lunch and a little sit by the river.  It was perfect!  This town is really special, lots of nice little shops….i got lost for about an hour in the second hand book store!  Reefton was the first town in New Zealand to have electricity back in 1886.  It is also known for gold mining.  

Such a fun and relaxing day….just what I needed.  And I’ve made three new friends….and also met two cyclists going the other way so really 5!  

So now watching the tracker… I’m watching LizBiz - Elizabeth from Auckland who is doing really well.  Annabel who I’ve been with for several days now, JonBery who is Amanda….i caught a ride with her wife and friend this morning.  Gordon and Sharon…. I stayed with Sharon in Nelson.  Team Huish who I cycled with back in Cambridge who took a break and now are back….they check in on me daily.  And several others who are not being tracked, but checkin almost daily.  So much fun.  

To track everyone go to ta26.maprogress.com

Day 25 - Murchison

 Today was an 80km day with over 660m of elevation gain.  The day felt good….the first 40km was slightly uphill, with a few short hills, then the second half was mostly downhill.  The middle 15km was on a nice gravel road- and the rest was all pavement.  On the gravel I only saw a couple of vehicles….so I was making sure that I was watching where I was going and being extra careful.  

It’s a bit cool in the morning, but quickly warms up to low 20’s which feels super warm with the sun beating down.  

Tonight I’m in a campsite that has cabins….only $55NZ for the cabin….so nice to not have to pack up my tent in the morning.  Plus it’s a bit warmer when I wake up in the morning so I don’t procrastinate as long getting out of bed!!!  

The scenery remains spectacular….larger hills in the distance, shorter hills beside me, with cows, sheep and goats seen frequently, and a herd of deer.  Today I saw some sunflowers as well as hops being harvested.  I’ve seen several huge fields of hops in the past few days…. I guess they love hoppy beer here in NZ!!!!

The other thing I’ve noticed is the public toilets.  Every town has at least one set, larger towns have more.  Not sure who is looking after them, but those that I have used are clean.  Sure is nice to have those available.  

Day 24 - Tapawera

 I had a later start today because I was having so much fun visiting with Sharon, and it was a shorter day, mostly flat on a cycling trail.  I’m starting to deviate a bit from the route in the book.  

The cycle trail was great….and everything was going great.  I had a bit of a long stop at the bakery in Wakefield, and after that my energy was zapped.  I ate a big meal last night, decent breakfast, second breakfast at Wakefield, but then just couldn’t get going.  It was a warm day….so I started drinking more water, then more.  Finally I had a few pieces of candy and that seemed to help.  Yeah!!!

The cycle trail brought me to Spooners Tunnel.  It’s 1352meters long, and is the fifth longest tunnel open to pedestrians and cyclists in the world!!!  I was glad that my light was charged because it’s so dark….cool too which was nice on such a warm day.  

After the tunnel I met a couple of hikers who joined me at the bakery in Kōhatu where I had first dinner.  They are training to do the Milford Sound trek in a few weeks.  She is 80years old!!!!  Wow.  No sitting on the couch for her….quite the inspiration.  

It was only 8km to Tapawera where I settled in, then had second dinner, visiting with two cyclists who just cycled through the mountains!  Wow….spectacular views there.  The options for cycling and hiking are limitless around here!!!  They met two guys, one cycling, one pushing a wheelbarrow, picking up trash as he’s going along….while carrying a huge backpack.  And they are taking the hardest routes….now that is next level!!!!  So amazing to meet all these people!  

Thanks for all the texts and messages.  Don’t forget to check out the ta26.maprogress.com

Day 23 - Nelson 😀

 Another early start….up at 0615, and departed around 0730….all packed up and breakfast eaten.  Today’s not a super long day…but two massive climbs in the middle.  This is the easy way …the ‘normal way’ is not for normal people!  The normal route has a 750m climb - on gravel!!!  Nope, not for me.  

The first 20km were nice and flat, and this is where I stopped for a tea and muffin.  Then another 20km of flat before the first massive climb.  It’s a cool overcast day with light drizzle…perfect weather for these climbs.  I made it all the way up without walking or needing a break!  Yeah….the legs are getting stronger.  

The second hill was 280m over almost 6km….ok…I can do this.  Right in the middle was 1km of 9-12% grade!  Ughhh!!!  I almost had to walk, But I managed to make it the whole way!  That climb took me about 45min of counting breaths, counting pedal strokes, singing….anything to keep my mind occupied.  After that it was fairly flat.  

I stopped at a small convenience store for a bite to eat….some salty chips and a sausage that looked like it had been in the warming tray for years….it was tasty.   I’m getting a bit tired of meat pies!  

I could see Nelson when I was about 15km from my destination.  Right on the water!  Gorgeous….and the sun came out at the same time….such a perfect day.  I ran into another cyclist….he said that the road I was on is not doable during the week day as it’s bumper to bumper traffic with many big trucks.  So glad it was Saturday as the traffic wasn’t too bad.  

I was getting close to my meeting point with Sharon, where I’m staying tonight.  I met Sharon and Gordon several times on the TA, always so generous sharing their knowledge, and Gordon helped me out when I took a spill on my bike….both so kind.  Sharon had to come home early with an injury from before the start of the TA, and invited me over.  

Not only did she cook and amazing pad Thai meal with Rhubarb crisp, provide a bed and laundry….if that wasn’t enough, she helped me modify the route a bit so that I should be able to complete it before Ted arrives!!!!  Yipppeee 

And the cutest little bunny rabbit lives with Sharon and Gordon!  So sweet.  Sorry I didn’t get a photo of Sharon, but there is one of the bunny!  ❤️❤️❤️

Day 22 - South Island 😀

 Another fabulous day….they just keep getting better and better….really loving this.  To follow people on the brevet go to ta26.maprogress.com  lots of cool features…and it’s fun following people.  Check out the flyover.  My name is loose wheel 

I woke up early this morning and left by 0630 to make sure I didn’t miss the ferry.  I sort of knew where to go…but with my misdirections who knows where I might end up 😂😂 

On the ferry I met up with Annabel that I’ve run into for several days now….and Tom who’s doing the part of the north island and the south before heading back home.  The crossing was great….had some breakfast and tried to read up what the next few days are going to bring. I’m realizing that I’ll need to take the bus or train for some sections to be done before Ted arrives.  

After the ferry, we were the first ones off….and we all started heading off to Havelock.  The beginning was a big hill…..and lots of viewing points.  Every time I turned the corner the view would change.  So spectacular!!!!  Some little sandy spots to sit and listen to the waves….but I had a job to do….get up the hills and keep on going.  So a few pictures….but mostly I just took it all in.  

Dinner tonight was at a place that sold mussels….oh so yummy.  They have green lip mussels here that are collected on 90 mile beach….where I cycled the first day of the brevet.  These mussels are huge…..the shell is about the size of my hand!!!  And delicious.  Such a fun evening.  We were ready to go to bed at 7:30, but instead went for a second drink, and now it’s 8:30 and I’ve crawled into bed, another early start tomorrow.  😎😎😎

Day 21 - Wellington!!!!!

 I’m just over half way!!!  Whoop Whoop!  I didn’t think I would get this far!!!!…,one day one km at a time.  

Thanks to everyone following and commenting and texting.  Not sure if you know, but the event has a website where you can track everyone.  It’s at ta26.maprogress.com   My name is Loose Wheel.  It’s fun to see how everyone is moving along.  

I think today was the longest riding day so far….but it’s done and I’m eating dinner now…at 9pm!

I got up early-0630, and to my great surprise, no dew this morning on the tent.  Yippee.  A quick pack up and off into town to find a tea and breakfast.  A nice quiche and a cinnamon roll and off I went.  I wasn’t in a hurry this morning….just enjoyed the day…even the gravel roads leading to the rail trail.  Nice quiet back roads and I stopped often to take photos.  

The start of the rail trail was after 25km of cycling on paths, paved and gravel roads.  At the car park the rail trail began….single track, up and down, super narrow with steep drop off….but I managed.  That was the first two km, the next 4.5 were a steady 7-8%grade all the way to the summit.  It was actually ok, and I was able to cycle all of it.  At the first tunnel I pulled out my front lamp, and walked through it…same for the second and third.  They were between 150-250m long.  Much too long to attempt without some kind of light.  

And then I was at the summit.   Awesome….and the downhill was a gentle 2%…..even better.  I’m not comfortable on the steep gravel downhills, but this was perfect.  I knew it was about 10km….and I watched the markers counting down….but wait, at the 7km mark there was an uphill….a steep uphill.  What?  I checked my Garmin, I checked my guide book….yup, turn off and go up hill….steep.  It started at 11% and went up to 17%!!!!  What is going on????  For 1.5 km.  I was pushing my bike up this steep hill, putting my bike in a track, while I walked where the grass was growing….but there were thistles in the grass….scratching my legs with every step….up and up….ughhhh!  When I was almost at the top I met someone coming the other way…..’what are you doing here’ he asked.  I explained that I was on the TA and the route came this way.  No….he shook his head.  Both paths lead to the car park….but the original one just kept going down…while the one on the route was up!!!  *%#%€>+.  You can fill in the blancs, and I said them all!!!  A change just for this year!  

After that it was still 48km to Wellington, and it was after 3:30!  I needed to get going.  A few missed turns, a few extra km….but eventually I was close.  I got onto this perfect path, and was wondering why I was the only one on it….after about 1.5km security arrived!  It was closed, and I missed this sign too.  They should put the signs at my eye level….I’m not used to scanning the sky in case something might be there!!!!  😀😀😀.  He was kind, but escorted me to the proper place to ensure I got going on the correct path.  

Eventually I made it to the hostel, and got some food.  It’s going to be be an early start tomorrow, I need to be at the ferry before 0745….its only about 2km away….but with my lack of directional awareness who knows how long it’s going to take me😂😂😆

Day 20 - Martinborough

 Nice easy day today….just 50 km and 280m of elevation gain.  I took my time and just enjoyed the day on paved backroads.  A place where you don’t see a vehicle for 20+minutes until you stop for a comfort break 😱😂

A short day today, as tomorrow I will make it all the way to Wellington….just over halfway on this journey!  Yeah….I’m starting to feel like I’m going to accomplish this.  There are still some long and difficult stretches ahead, but I’m getting there. 😀😀😀

I’m in wine country here, lots of tourism and of course grapes growing!