Pedaling and paddling the top of the South

We were in Picton once again starting another trip... this time a little wiser and not quite so ambitious with our goals.



We had driven south from HAmilton the day before and noticed a tandem and a guy touring on a recumbent. We met him on the Ferry. He was 3 years and 28 1/2 countries into a world tour… voir plus

The plan is for our longest touring day yet, with two climbs and saddle crossing on a main road in holiday season... Up at 6, on the road by 7.30 on a cool overcast day.



A quick stop for the restrooms at Canvastown and we were away again. Next stop was Pelorous bridge, made more famous by the Dwarves… voir plus

Merry Christmas! Up at 6 for coffee. For the first stage (Nelson to Motueka) I get to ride with minimal gear (one pannier and handlebar bag) but I ride alone. Moira is being transported by Nigel and Liz.



My bike has a present for me... a flat tire... that gets fixed and I'll sort the rest out in Motueka… voir plus

A slow trip back to Nelson, made so much easier with mostly empty panniers! The ride itself was pretty unmemorable... pleasant enough. There were some unusual plants near Motueka, turned out it was tobacco being grown.



We stopped at the Hoglund Art Glass studio and got to watch glass being blown! That… voir plus

Another soft start, another broken spoke... hmmmmmm... I got a couple of longer spokes and jury rigged a repair, and had a spare.



On our way out of Richmond we stopped at the Earnest Rutherford memorial, just out of Brightwater. He's a kiwi guy who split the atom and helped design the Geiger counter… voir plus

This was it... the fantasy day... since our previous ride up the Wairau valley, the return trip had dogged or dreams... a downhill, tail wind, smooth road ride, running out of gears, sweat flying from our brows as we attacked the valley in a tour de force!



But oh the irony... of the 99 days the winds… voir plus

The last short section, all main road. It's better riding this road this direction. And as long as you don't leave it too later it isn't too busy.



Flat through to Spring Creek and then Tuamarina followed by a gentle climb up to the top of the Diversion, then a drop into Picton where the ferry awaited… voir plus