The Last Post

It's the last post, but not of the signpost variety as per the picture below, nor the sort that you will hear bugling next weekend on ANZAC Day!

This is the last blog post for our Tour Aotearoa 2020 adventure. And a short one at that.

We've finished creating a video for each day of our big ride. You can find them in chronological order by working through the blog archive by date on the right.

Or, you'll find them all in our video library on Vimeo, which you can access via this link:
https://vimeo.com/user108337887

In Vimeo they are sorted in a bit of a random order, but labelled Day 1 through to Day 28&29.

Note that Day 13 doesn't have a video... it was a rest day spent together in Wellington to celebrate Robert finishing the North Island and to get Marianne packed and ready for her South Island adventure.

Thanks for your interest and support on our huge challenge, and we hope you have enjoyed sharing the journey!

Robert & Marianne

More of our TA videos available for viewing

We're so lucky that we finished our Tour Aotearoa ride before COVID-19 spoiled the party. Literally... we had a celebratory lunch at a restaurant overlooking the finishing line 2 days before the same restaurant hosted a wedding party that spawned New Zealand's largest cluster of cases! See news article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120766097/coronavirus-wedding-cluster-grows-to-34-cases

We've been gradually adding more videos to our blog and reworking the existing ones we had already posted. The first 7 days are now complete, stay tuned for more to come.

You can find them by working through the blog archive on the right, or by going straight to our video library on Vimeo via this link:
https://vimeo.com/user108337887

TA days 28 & 29... to the finish!

After the Von Hill, it was all downhill for the last day and a half to Bluff, albeit too gradual to compensate for the headwind on the way to Invercargill. It was great to be joined by Robere and Olivia for my last night in Invercargill, especially knowing I only had 40km left to ride.

I reached the end of our long journey at Stirling Point, just south of Bluff, by around 10am on Thursday. Showers arrived around midday so I timed it well!

Here is a vid of my last day and a half.

TA days 28 & 29 - to the finish from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Thanks all for your interest and support through our cycling adventure. It certainly has been an experience of a lifetime!

As we cycled the length of Aotearoa, we passed through beautiful forests and wondrous and varied landscapes. The flow of wild rivers, waves crashing on the shore and the melody of birdsong filled our heads with sound. All this reaffirmed our choice to raise money for guardians of nature like Forest & Bird and the Tasmanian National Parks Association. Our wild places will not survive let alone thrive without help to stall the continuing human impact that endangers their existence. Thanks to all who have contributed to our fundraising for these worthy charities. Every bit helps and we're chuffed at what we've all done to support their work.

Robert plans to make some more daily videos from his North Island ride which we'll start posting next week.

TA day 27: Queenstown to Mossburn

TA day 27 - Through Walter Peak Station to Mossburn from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Leaving Halo's dad's house and cycling into Queenstown was very chilly this morning! 

After second breakfasts on Queenstown waterfront, I boarded the Earnslaw along with many other TA riders.

Once at Walter Peak Station, all the riders slowly disembarked, toiletted and then we were off. The views were magnificent. Clear blue skies, still quite cold but no wind. Views of Mount Aspiring and Mount Cook easily visible.

Then the climb up Von Hill began! Gosh it was quite steep and hard work in the baking hot sun! 

The remainder of the ride was tough as the south westerly wind picked up again and I had to ride into it. It became very cold, so a good motivator to keep pedalling. On route I discovered the cycle tourist who helped me ride through the Spooner Tunnel many days ago! He has travelled so far for someone with panniers and heaps of gear! It was great to reach Mossburn.

TA day 26: Wanaka to Queenstown, over the Crown range

TA day 26 - Over the Crown Range from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Today was a hard day. There was a southerly head wind most of the way, which got steadily stronger as the day went on.

Climbing the Crown range started off well, but after the Cardrona Hotel it got quite steep, and combined with cold headwinds made it tough to get to the summit.

The trail after descending the Crown summit was pretty in places, but had a number of steeper undulating climbs that I found increasingly tiring as the day wore on. I was relieved to finally reach Queenstown and enter one of the first restaurants I saw on the waterfront that was offering early bird meals for $20. 

Wanaka

Up Cardrona Valley

Bradrona: campaign to raise funds for breast cancer

Photo Checkpoint # 27: Cardona Hotel, which is 155 years old.

"Inside" Cardona Hotel

Heading up to Crown summit

Trail from Arrowtown to Queenstown

Photo Checkpoint # 28: Queenstown

After my meal it was another 6km climbing to reach Halo's dad's house. A big thank you to them for hosting me. They have a beautiful home and incredible views of the Shotover River.

Gear geek #3 - the techno gadgets

Here's the third of a few videos showing off how we have equipped ourselves for the Tour Aotearoa. This one is on the technology gadgets we are using, that get in the way of us being at one with nature!


Gear geek - The techno gadgets from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 25: Makarora to Wanaka

TA day 25 - Makarora to Wanaka from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Today was a breeze compared to yesterday in terms of effort. Although there were a few hills to and from The Neck between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea to slowly pedal up! 

I travelled with three other TA riders - lovely gents who are all well into their 60s. Such an inspiration to hear their stories and wise words, and a joy to travel with.

Just down the road from my accommodation, I was delighted to pass by the Wilkin Valley River and see Mount Awful and Mount Dreadful. Years ago Robere and I tramped the Wilkin Valley and passed over the pass between these two mountains. Not sure why they have such terrible names - they are truly beautiful!

Mt Awful and Mt Dreadful

The views of both lakes were glorious, which took my mind off the hill climbs.

Lake Wanaka

Lake Hawea

Lake Hawea

From Lake Hawea, the ride was simply gorgeous as it followed a walk/bike track across some grassy plains between the mountain ranges, across the Hawea River Bridge and then along the Clutha River.

Photo Checkpoint # 26: Hawea River Bridge

Clutha River

The point where the Clutha River meets Lake Wanaka

The day finished up with me farewelling my three TA friends, and pedalling on to stay with my best friend Caroline's bro and his family. A big thanks to Andrew (aka Howie) and Jody for being such wonderful hosts!

TA day 24: Lake Paringa over Haast pass to Makarora

Today was my longest ride in a day - 132km! The Haast pass was spectacular but a brutal climb to begin with, especially in the heat 

I've made another wee vid of the day for you to enjoy!

TA day 24 - Lake Paringa over Haast to Makarora from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 23: Fox Township to Lake Paringa

TA day 23 - Fox Glacier to Lake Paringa from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Today started with absolute beauty. The ride started with a fabulous coffee in Fox Township, followed by a beautiful forest track up to the Fox Glacier lookout. Even the cloud lifted for me to take a photo! Stunning!

Leaving the campground

Up to the Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier

Photo Checkpoint #23: Fox Glacier

The remainder of the day followed a road that was tree lined with 50m tall Kahikatea... long flat sections, wetlands, and the inevitable sand fly haven!

TA day 22: Road slips & climbing, plovers & pukekos!

Today started flat and windless past farms and paddocks full of plovers taking flight as I rode by. There were lots of pukeko too, digging up the grass, awkwardly flying off the road as the odd car drove past.

Up past Mount Hercules there were a number of massive slips with several road works crews clearing away rubble and reinforcing the road.

Lake Mapourika was stunning, as was Franz Joseph. The Franz Joseph glacier was partly hidden in cloud, and as I climbed the three saddles (321m, 408m, and 411m) to Fox Township the rain set in. However it soon dissipated by the time I descended the last climb into Fox Glacier township.

I've made a short vid of the day - enjoy!

TA day 21: Hokitika to Harihari

TA day 21 - Hokitika to Harihari from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

The first half of today's ride was on  the West Coast Wilderness Trail. That trail is so awesome! It is the trail that just keeps on giving spectacular scenery at every turn!

For my good friend, Douggie!!

The trail takes you through beautiful forest, a converted tramline that had thick lush forest and a piwakawaka haven, and onto an old rail trail through to Ross.

They have a sense of humour down these parts!

Sadly after following the Wilderness Trail for about 130km the TA route veers off south, and the second half of the ride was on very straight roads to Harihari. Harihari is a very small place, with a store and pub. The pub has backpacker rooms and a bar with good old fashioned pub kai 😋 

Photo Checkpoint #22: Lake Lanthe

Just around corner to Harihari

Gear geek #2 - Taking care of number one

Here's the second of a few videos showing off how we have equipped ourselves for the Tour Aotearoa. This one is on taking care of ourselves.


Gear geek - Taking care of number one from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 20: The West Coast Wilderness Trail

Words cannot express how incredible this ride was today... the West Coast Wilderness Trail is AMAZING!!!!

TA Day 20 - The West Coast Wilderness Trail from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 19: "Rest day" to Greymouth

TA day 19 - Easy day to Greymouth from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

After the Big River Track, I was glad of a shorter day today. Riding to Greymouth was a breeze compared to Big River.

I woke early, but after sorting through my gear, giving my bike some TLC to wash all the grit out, cleaning and oiling the chain etc it was 9.30am by the time I left Ikamatua. My front disc doesn't seem to squeal anymore! 😃 

The landscape of cows, sheep and farming equipment rolled by as I poodled along.. I did spy a great sign that I'd like to dedicate to my work colleagues...

Work colleague Ruth got me in touch with her dad Bruce who lives in Greymouth, and he rode almost to Ikamatua to meet me! It was nice to have a riding companion. 

Dedicated to my Lost Letter Office team at Capital E!

He provided a wonderful running commentary of the region and it was great to have a local explaining the history and pointing out various landmarks - including The most 
excellent letterbox of all time...




We stopped at Blackball for refreshments and the owner of the cafe affirmed one of Bruce's historical facts about the local hotel in the town, Hilton. They were charged with stealing the internationally acclaimed Hilton name.

However, there is evidence to the contrary that they had the Hilton name first! Apparently the owner received a payout and changed the name to Blackball Hilton.

One other funny sign in this week township warned of wild goats!

On getting into Greymouth the rain set in, so I will wait till tomorrow to take my next official Checkpoint photo of the Greymouth Bar.

A big thanks to Bruce for hosting me. I feel well rested and fed, and ready to face a longer day tomorrow pedalling to Hokitika.