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.

TA day 18: Through Reefton and the Big River Track to Ikamatua

Riding to Reefton was awesome! After a little climb it was all downhill through some gorgeous forest. I left early, so the roads were empty. 

Reefton was a lovely town and very supportive of TA! Even the cafe had a screen showing the MapProgress of all the riders.

The Big River Track was very hard - most of it un-rideable. The second half was essentially a tramping track that had degraded badly in places. Pushing a bike through that was ridiculous! 

I was going to camp in the tramping hut at the top, but when the rain started falling with the track wet and slippery, I decided to continue down and get out of there. I am glad I did, for with more wet weather forecast, some of the sections would flood. My riding companions, Frans and Marty were a great help - thanks guys! Hope the rest of your TA goes well.

Here is a wee vid of images from the day... Enjoy!


TA Day 18 - It's a wheely long way to Bluff from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 17: Over Maruia saddle

TA day 17 - Lake Rotoroa over Maruia Saddle from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

I had a 2 minute stop at "mosquito lake" to take my obligatory photo for the TA checkpoint.

Photo Checkpoint #17: Lake Rotorua

Then off to Murchison.. which had a nasty little hill on gravel to start! Murchison had a great cafe where I had second breakfasts before heading to the Maruia saddle. The road to the saddle was quite long, but had some awesome views.

 

With much foreboding I started the 580m climb. I was pleasantly surprised as the gravel road wasn't too steep and the scenery was amazing - in Beech forest throughout and in the shade. It was really beautiful.

Photo Checkpoint #18: Maruia Saddle Rd

After descending and riding into Maruia I decided to carry on to Springs Junction, where I met up with two TA riders that had met Robert in the North Island. Accommodation options at Springs Junction were very limited, so they agreed to share their cabin with me. Such nice accom! The owner even offered to do our laundry for us and dry it, as the washing machine failed to work.

TA day 16: the Great Taste Trail

A funny thing happened to me whilst at my accommodation in Richmond...I asked two people if they knew where the bin was in the camp kitchen, and when they turned around I recognised them immediately! It was Chris (aka Colin) and Jenny - relatives I haven't seen for ages!!

After leaving the campground I followed the Great Taste Trail. Oh my, there is a reason it's called the Great Taste Trail... SO many cafes, too many choices! My dad would be in heaven!! I would have been too, if I didn't need to push on through. 

A pic here for mum and dad...

The afternoon was tough and long, but I managed to get to a backpackers, just 700m from Mosquito Lake (aka Lake Rotorua)!

Enjoy my wee vid of the day...


TA day 16 - the Great Taste Trail from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Gear geek #1 - Show us your rig!

Here's the first of a few videos showing off how we have equipped ourselves for the Tour Aotearoa. This one is on how we have set up our bikes to carry all our stuff for this bikepacking adventure.


Gear geek - Show us your rig from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

TA day 15: Over the Maungatapu...

TA day 15 - Maungatapu Track to Richmond from Robert and Marianne on Vimeo.

Today started with me fending off a weka, as he stole my juicy apple... Luckily, Pelorus Bridge campsite has a very nice cafe that opened at 8am. So I was able to eat breakfast in style before heading up the Maungutapu valley.

The valley was gorgeous with lush green pastures against a stunning backdrop of tree-clad mountains.

Then... The mighty climb began!

It had some Type 2 fun for sure, but on the whole not as bad as I imagined. The route down was very steep and slippery in places, so I ended up pushing most of the way down. 

Some of the ways this track is described is hilarious. A speed hump sign, when clearly the whole track at that point was a hump, with no one speeding! And the term "rock garden" conjures up beautiful gardens with decorative rocks and lily pads - again nothing like the description in reality! Once at the top though the view and my apple pie were awesome.

Photo Checkpoint #16: at Maungatapu saddle