Up Close And Personal With Oamaru

I was fortunate enough to be invited to stay two nights in Oamaru with my Warm Showers host Chris, and his house mate Peter. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon and the following morning the town hosted a farmers market combined with the historic part of town opening it's doors for the day. Stall holders were all dressed in period costume, the old part of town really came alive.

Oamaru has a link with cycling dating back to the penny farthing. In celebration of this, each year the town hosts a penny farthing race around the historic streets of Oamaru. Every corner that you turn, there appears to be another cycling related poster or sign. I guess if I were to live in NZ, it would have to be in Oamaru.

Elephants Rock

Well, Elephant Rocks to be precise...

After a relaxing rest day in Kurow I was itching to get back in the saddle and lay down a few more kilometres. Reaching the historic town of Duntroon I took a well earned break for  coffee and ran into a bunch of local cyclists who gave me a great tip on a side trip to Elephant Rocks. 

Located on private land approximately 300 meters walk from the roadside, Elephant Rocks is accessible thanks to a kind land owner who has opened up his property to tourists, free of charge. The area is being grazed by a flock of sheep which provided me with a laugh, when, on two occasions, rounding a corner I accidentally startled a number of sheep sleeping in the sunshine. A group of tourists from Japan I swear dirtied their pants as the sheep ran in all directions. There was screaming and frantic arm flailing as they ran for their lives in all directions, it was mayhem for a few seconds.

The speed in which the sheep shot off away from me, I swear they must have seen or heard my velcro gloves.

Locked Up In Duntroon

And Captain Australia is not happy Jan...

Leaving Lake Tekapo

The Road to Lake Tekapo

Goes up and up and up and up ...

Lonely Planets "Cycling New Zealand" covers our planned route to Lake Tekapo, however they suggest breaking the ride into two days, we're attempting it in one. The morning started with a number of rolling hills that gradually got bigger and bigger. It's depressing knowing the you only have to climb 550m above your starting altitude but continually climb two or three hundred metres only to descend back to where you started. The plus side is that in New Zealand, when your making the big climbs, you recieve many beeps and waves of encouragement as forge you way up the mountain. It tends to give you that extra 10% that you feel you so desperately need.

New Friends, Great Times...

Over the past five days I have been cycling with a great French guy that I met at Ashley Gorge. Olivier is spending five weeks in New Zealand and is nearing the end of his adventure, today we unfortunately went our separate ways. Along the way I have met a bucket load of great people out doing the cycle thing in other parts of the world and have received kind offers of accomodation in Germany, France and Switzerland. Here's a few photos of some good times over the past week.

Olivier, that's the wrong side of the fence buddy...

Shit Cyclists Say

Thanks for the link Dave...

A Nicer Side to Christchurch

Christchurch

Two days were spent exploring Christchurch’s parks and gardens, CBD and beaches. To the west of the CBD where I had been staying the earthquake damage appears minimal. Hitting the CBD and eastern suburbs, it’s another story. Block after block is cordoned off and the streets are deserted. Various locals that I have talked to report that 85 – 90 % of buildings in the CBD will be demolished, and to date across Christchurch, over 800 buildings have been levelled.

Upon leaving Christchurch I camped at Ashley Gorge, a popular campground approximately 65km to the west of the city. I have spoken to three separate familys in the campground, all from Christchurch, and all are having their houses demolished due to damage. One family is still residing in their home because it is deemed safe. The earthquake lifted their slab on ground dwelling and it now has 150mm of fall across the slab from front to rear. They have been told that because they are “low risk” meaning they are not old and that they can safely reside in their home, it may take as long as 9 years to have their house rebuilt.

Lock up your jandals and hide your chilly bins bro...

Captain Australia has arrived in town...

4:45am arrived and my alarm came to life rattling me out of a deep sleep, surprisingly I had slept well. Historically the last night before a big adventure my sleep is restless at best, I guess I’ve been busy over the past two weeks as there is a lot to take care of when you’re boxing up your life in preparation for a year on the road.

Upon check in I was pleasantly surprised when Air New Zealand only charged me $20.00 for my excess baggage, which included my bike. Then, for the icing on the cake, I was offered exit row isle seating. Well done Air New Zealand.

Where's Your Bike?

Happy New Year

Another year has passed us by and for me, 2011 was the year of change, big changes that have made me sit back and reevaluate what I really want out of life.

For now, 2012 is officially the year of travel, a gap year so to speak. To be honest I don't believe that the reality of the situation has really taken hold. I guess after the silly season has settled down and everybody gets back into a normal routine the nerves will kick in... Until then, I'm happy to take it as it comes and jump knee deep into a year of travel, something that I have dreamed about for many years.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2012. May all your dreams be realised in 2012. 

Darren