Suffering in Nelson

Terrible weather, no power. What can we do for breakfast?

Day 3 - Bit of a compromise.

Jenny joined me for day three. For a few very good, practical reasons including the rain, wind and temprature at 900m we decided on an return trip along flora saddle and barron flats tracks. Beautiful in there if you get the chance, but watch the weather. 20+C in valley, not much over 10C at the top. Wind rising all the time, lots of new big windfall by the time we got back to valley. Then off to Moutere Valley pub to prepare for rejoining family. Xmas here I come.

Day Two cont- Did i mention the wind?

Eventful day. The coffee at Havelock was decidedly average so i decided to cheer myself up with second pair of shorts (for comfort) and more air in tyres (for speed). I put the shorts on ok. My flash pump decided to remove the valve core when i unhitched it completely deflating the tyre, four times before victory. Hot and strong wind all the way to St Arnaud so as miserable as ever. I passed a couple touring who had done 30km in 4:30 and were both almost in tears. Made me feel better about the 15kph I was doing at the time. The turn off at Tophouse was a relief, only 50km to go and downhill. Made it to Tapawera on dark. It was shut, even the pub, and I have to walk 500m away from motel to get cell phone coverage. Joy. 190km for the day. A quieter day tomorrow hopefully.

Day Two - Might be windy.

Breakfast at Havelock marina. Lovely day but already windy and rising. Should get a tail windy to Renwich but then it will horrible all the way to St Arnaud. Aarrgh. Jenny - i told you never to let me do that stretch again. Tempted to cheat and go straight to Nelson. NO. How bad can it be?

Ferry Terminal - Bit bloody windyy.

Have made a start on the Xmas ride. 7.4km so far, very windy and legs already tired. Bike has already blown over 3 times and just had to chase my helmet across carpark. I am now sitting on everything. Here's hoping tomorrows 160km is less windy.

Guess what i found on the doorstep

Pantlings on tour. NZ 2010

Solstice Ride - Xmas 2010

Heading over to nelson for Xmas with a 2 day cycle on the way

 

Looking out the work window

Looks too windy for a paddle.

Michael queuing at Treble Cone

Quality family time in Wanaka. Unfortunately I am now the poorest skier in the family. Bloody Kids. I might have to do some secret practise next year. As you can see it was pretty quiet, first week of the school holidays and no queues.
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Turtle Test

Just making sure I can still use the blog

Right, on to the next challenge

Ok, so the Kiwi Brevet is over and done with. No lasting damage and the legs do feel stronger. Pity I didn't lose any weight but would have been a shame not to make use of those cafes and bars on the way round.

All focus and planning is now on the Cairns XPD race in May. A 5 - 10 day adventure race in the heat and humity of north Queensland. 700km of treking, mtb'ing and kayaking (well the blow up sort at least). I will be racing for Team Securify.co.nz with Jerome Sheppard, Colin Slater and Jill Westernra. I am a bit nervous about a few things; the heat - I need to lose weight, the speed Jill brings to the team - I need to lose weight, and the deadly nasties of Queensland - I will just follow Jerome.

The team are getting it together fitness wise with everyone having different targets over the next two months, but during that time we will bring it all together with some fun team outing.

Watch this space

Blenheim - All Done

We got into Blenheim just after 9pm last night. All a bit cooked with the wind almost finishing us of downthe Awatere Valley. Gordon Mac had a great day. He had decided to stay in Hanmer while we went up to Acheron to get an early start, and he caught us while we had a wee sleep later in the day. He also did a great job of borrowing some fresh fruit that really helped the last third of the day. Bill and I ground it out all day, neither of us too inspired or feeling that flash but we got there. About 180km onthe last day with a big height loss but we also climbed a couple of thousand metres as seemed to be normal for most days. The beer(s) at the end were very welcome, haven't had one since reefton. Body not too bad this morning but not likely to be going for a ride today. Had a lie in until 7am when first txt woke us up. Just had a relaxing breakfast for the first time since last saturday. Hopefully ferry this afternoon and I can start paying off the brownie point debt tomorrow.

Update Thurs 6pm

Another big day and not over yet. Just about to head over Jollies Pass to bivvy up ready for Molesworth tomorrow, Next stop Blenheim and finish.

Bike fixed

Big thanks to Krank Cycles in Hamner for staying open late and fixing wheel.

Day 3 Update

Yes the fluids does include a couple of beers

Wed Highlight

Well Bills highlight, Pretty wet and hilly otherwise

Day 3

The scenery is stunning but starting to become a sweaty haze, Another 2500m of climbing and a dodgy downhill from Porika track, Another solid eating day though, A good breakfast in St Arnaud, 2nd breakfast in Murchison, afternoon tea in Maruia, 1st dinner in Springs Junction and dinner in Reefton plur all the snacks on the move and about 8 litres of fluids, it does leave much time for riding! same again tomorrow

Day Two

We were up before dawn and headed up Maungataupo at first light. Bill decorated my bike with some roadkill so the bike and Col Doll stank for most of the day. We didn't do to well on coordination and got split up in Nelson so did different cafes. We got back together at the Wakefield 4 Square beer fridge. We then cruised up to St Arnaud in time for a beer and a meal at the Alpine Lodge. Definitely a better day than day one.

Day 3 Highlight

Not the highest climb of the day but the only one with a sign, the joint highlights were the coffees in Murchison and Maruia,

Days 1

St Arnaud: 10pm Sun. The first leg round to Picton took quite a few of us by surpise and has changed expections quite a bit. The heat and the hills made it slow going with a few riders showing signs of heatstroke. I was lucky enough to get two punctures early on which put me towards the back. The cause was thorn from the beach path and I had to make sure I got the remains of the thorns out of the tyres. At least 10 others got flats too. I made the call not to chase hard as it really was very hot. later on I hooked up with Jo and Chris at Picton, and then Bill and Gordon at Havelock so the ride to Pelorus was social, We got there before dark and no one was keen on going on, so we had a lovely swim in the river and then slept under the stars. This Brevet thing might just be hard work!

highlight of day 2

The beer cooler at Wakefield 4 Square. They asked us to leave after 20 mins.

T Minus 3 hrs

Bloody hot in Blenheim, 9am and having to sit in shade at cafe, Bike all loaded and ready, Have already seen a huge range of setups and gear, Some are traveling pretty light, Todays goal: Not to get carried away and cook myself this pm. tally ho

clarification -Team mate

Sorry to those who were confused by the last post. No, Colin isn't here. I will be accompanied by Col doll who will be a great comfort to me in Colins absence,

i have a team mate

At the last minute and quite unexpectedly i have been joined by Col. He will be riding with me complete with voodoo pins for occasion motivation. Any similarity to any persons alive or not doing the brevet is coincidental.

Brevet - All set then, sort off

Well, on the ferry at 1pm tomorrow (Fri) so only a few hours left to panic. Think I have it sorted, but if not I will be carrying the emergency sonic screw driver (credit card).

Bike still a bit naked but dry bags will be applied. Don't listen to Barryn, it is not a toilet bag on the handlebars, at least not any more.

Just adding a few more bits of detail to the maps and notes.

test two from phone

Blah dtc

Testing My Mobile Blogging

Hi

Hoping this is going to work for the Brevet.

test One - From Gmail

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The views expressed in this email are bloody good ones.