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