Fox Glacier

Ride For Hives

Even God hates Sandflies...

Leaving Wanaka I commenced cycling deep into sandfly country, Westland. It is well known that the west is hard on cyclists, both for weather and those pesky bloody sandflies. 

Two days into the ride I started looking like a leper, day three arrived and my ankles were swollen to twice their normal size and finally on day four I awoke to my whole body covered in extremely itchy welts. The poison had taken control and I now had an impressive case of what we believed to be hives. 

Thankfully Dannielle, my current riding companion, had a handful of antihistamine tablets in her first aid kit and 30km into the days ride the hives had started to subside. Reaching the small township of Te Taho we were dishartened to find the local health clinic closed. By miracle, as we were about the leave the local Doctor arrived to collect his car. A quick examination by the roadside confirmed hives and he graciously gave me additional antihistamine tablets for the following days. Dannielle and I finished the day just shy of 100km and Dannielle proclaimed the days ride to be the "Ride For Hives"

Fox Glacier - Love At First Sight

Alive And Well At Fox Glacier

Just bad internet reception on the West Coast. Will update again late next week.

A Town Called Wanaka

Obviously the local joke here is to ask cyclists "Do you Wana Ka?" No Thanks, Life is better by bike.

The camaraderie between cycle tourists is something to be experienced. I have sat and chatted with literally dozens of cyclists from all corners of the globe over the past 4 weeks and it's as if each and every one of them has been a close friend for years. No matter our nationality, our language or beliefs, we all just click. Maybe it's understanding the hardships and the highlights of living on a bike that draws us together, I just can't put my finger on it. Whatever it is, it's amazing. 

Climbing New Zealand's Highest Sealed Road

The Crown Range Road is exactly that, New Zealands Crown, the highest sealed road in in the country at 1076 metres above sea level. The climb starts just out of Arrowtown and rises 800 metres in altitude over around 11 kilometres. This now should caught the men from the boys....

The steepest climb that I attempted previous to this was over Mount Cargill into Dunedin which rose a mere 400 metres over 8 Kilometres. I was a little apprehensive about the climb particularly since I had partaken in just a few beers the day before. 

After a quick 7 kilometre warm out out of Arrowtown the road rises sharply through a series of switchbacks. Reaching the top of the switchbacks you have risen 450 metres in around 6 kilometres and the views are sensational. To add to the hardship there was a moderate headwind against me for the final 5 kilometres and 350m to the summit. Only a few years ago the final part of the climb was still gravel which would make the ride all that more challenging. Luckily for me, the road is now sealed and the surface is as smooth as a baby's bottom.

All in all I finished the day with an average speed of 17 kilometres per hour. Not too bad in my books for pushing 140kg of bike and fat man up a mountain...

Arrowtown

Leaving the madness of Queenstown behind me I took to the road again for a massive 20 kilometre day to Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a little piece of paradise that arose of the the gold rush in the 1800's. I arrived on a beautiful sunny Sunday and the town was alive with music, dance and markets.

Arriving at the campground I ran into another cycle tourist, Frank. Frank is from Germany and has travelled through many countries in Asia and is following up New Zealand with a tour in Australia, Sydney to Darwin.

Which Letterbox?

Jet Boating Anybody?

Milford Sound

After a tough ride from Cromwell to Queenstown I took time out in the quaint little metropolis to see the sights and give the legs a bit of a break as they just weren't feeling it. First cab off the rank was Milford Sound. 

Taking a 5 hour coach ride to Milford, followed by a 2 hour cruise on the sound then 5 Hours back to Queenstown, I'm not completely sure that I have rested... 

A Rail Trail Movie

I had great expectations for the Otago Central Rail Trail and to be honest, the first 70 kilometres let me down. Reaching Ranfurly I was a little underwhelmed with it all, but the following morning, BINGO! I stumbled across 60 kilometres of cycling nirvana, a winding trail, stunning views over craggy outcrops, two long and dark tunnels and many viaducts that felt to be hundreds of metres above the valley floor. 

If you only have one day on the trail, make sure you ride the Ranfurly and Omacau stretch, what an amazing experience!

My 5 Minutes of Fame

Check out this link to Keen Footwear's blog, I'm currently basking in the glory of my 5 minutes of fame due to the below picture taken on the Otago Central Rail Trail this week.

Keen Footwear Blog

Riding the Otago Central Rail Trail

Taking the train for Dunedin to Middlemarch

The best morning of my trip to date

Dunedin

I spent a little longer in Dunedin than expected as I was waiting on a small but vital bicycle part to arrive from Christchurch, but who am I to complain. 

Dunedin is all ups and downs, but what a great city. The city is full of old world charm but has a modern chic feel about it. From the stylish coffee shops dotted around the CBD to the dining venues in the octagon, the place feels very much alive.

If you're visiting New Zealand, Dunedin should be at the top of your itinerary.

Speights Brewery

Free beer was promised and I wasn't disappointed. Taking a tour of Dunedins Speight's Brewery is a must for beer lovers. In a nut shell, at the end of the tour you get free run of the bar. That's right, pour your own beer and as many as you please.

Speight's Brewery has been in operation since 1876, brewing quality beers on the same sight in central Dunedin. The beer is produced using spring water fed from a bore directly under the brewery. The water in it's untreated state is said to be as pure as an angels soul. The brewery provides the water free of charge to the public, and each year over 1,000,000 litres of water is accessed by locals, particular Dunedins home brewers. 

Larnach Castle

Once again another spectacular Dunedin day, overcast, cold and windy... The first 15 Kilometres were undertaken pushing into a gusty headwind along the spectacular shoreline of Otago Harbour. Reaching the turnoff to Larnach Castle to road immediatly rises steeply, climbing 314 metres over 3 kilometres. I received a number of odd stares from passing motorists, I'm assuming the look translates to "You must be mad ya mug" 

Larnach Castle was built in 1871 by 200 workmen labouring for 3 years. William Larnach built this beautiful property for his wife then later added a ballroom as a gift to his daughter on her 21st birthday. Just a tad better gift than steak knives I would think.

Riding Baldwin Street

Using your very best Jeremy Clarkson impersonation..   
"The steepest street, IN THE WORLD" 

So, in a moment of pure madness, I decided that climbing Balwin Street by bicycle would be a great idea. Leaving my hostel the temperature showed 11 degrees, windy and overcast. Ahh, the perfect weather for a ride. 

Baldwin Street is 161.2 meters long and rises 47.22 meters over its length making the average gradient 1 in 3.41. At its steepest point, the gradient increases to a staggering 1 in 2.86 and is officially listed as the worlds steepest street by the Guinness Book of records.