Dec 28, 2009 - Jan 5, 2010
Christchurch - Rakaia Gorge - Geraldine - Fairlie - Lake Tekapo – Omarama - Wanaka
Distance: 541 km
Total distance: 1926 km
Christchurch - Rakaia Gorge (Dec 28) 101km
On our way on the inland scenic route, this ride was an easy one since it was slightly down hill all the way to Rakaia Gorge. It was a great opportunity to ride distances down south. Rakaia Gorge is a pretty place and the camp site has a great view overlooking the gorge. If you want to spend money, you can jet boat the river choosing from one of three different companies alongside the river.
Rakaia Gorge - Geraldine (Dec 29) 87 km
Another easy ride, not much to see. Geraldine is a cute little town. Since Patti's cousin is named Geraldine, we made her a tribute by taking pictures of “Geraldine'. The campsite, right in the middle of the town, when full, is not a great place to stay since we were squeezed in between camper vans.
Geraldine - Fairlie (Dec 30) 48 km
The climb starts. I think we must be in better bike shape as we climbed Burke Pass in our middle front gear – a great cardio and personal challenge. Patti cursed me most of the climb, but was with me all of the way! What was really impressive was the family we met from Holland, Richard and Erica and their 2 young boys (2 and 4 year old) who are biking throughout NZ – pulling the kids, the gear and the toys – WOW! Fairlie is a good place to stop if you do not want to put the distance from Geraldine all the way to Tekapo. The Top 10 Holiday Park is great, internet is free...yeah! There is great facilities and it is located walking distances from town to get food and supplies.
Fairlie - Lake Tekapo (Dec 31, Jan 1-2) 49 km + 43 (rest day)
Happy New Year! A short ride but a beautiful view at Lake Tekapo. Arriving at the campground, we were told to pitch the tent in the overflow site, which happened to be right alongside the lake, away from “tent city”. We had the best tent site of the whole campground! The next day, we decided to take a down day and went for a 41 km ride...go figure. We rode to Lake Alexandrina and then rode the 'hiking trail”. While going back to Tekapo, we decided to ride up Mt John to the Observatory, a 4 km steep climb that takes you on top of the world. After a cheese cake and drinks at the café, we decided to take the trail down but the wind had picked up...I mean really pick up - up to 130 km/h which was to strong to stay on our bikes. So we made it out on the trail for the first down hill but had to get back on the road, the wind was way to strong, Patti couldn't stand upright and it was getting a Little bit dangerous to keep on going. Back on pavement, the wind was so strong that it pushed us, without peddling, up a small hill and strong enough to feel the acceleration on flat...something we never experienced before. Back to Lake Tekapo, we were worried about the tent and the tarp...will they still be there? Lucky, everything was still at its place, only the tarp was rapped around its line but the tent held on pretty good. We didn't think the wind could get any stronger, but that night it did. We didn't sleep much as the wind howled around us. Day number 3 at Tekapo was really a down day – we didn't leave the beach even to skype Patti's sister, Lea-Ann , from our tent site. Very cool!
Lake Tekapo - Omarama (Jan 3 - 4) 93 km
After 3 days at Lake Tekapo, we rode to Omarama, a 93 km ride under heavy rain but mostly down hill all the way. The sun came out around 2 pm after riding in heavy rain. We wanted to ride up Mt Cook but because it was overcast and raining, it was no sense to go up a mountain with no view. We decided to keep on going at least to Twizel and see how we felt. At Twizel, we had a late lunch and decided, since we were already wet, to ride an extra 30 km and make it to Omarama where there is a Top 10 Campground with all the facilities. Arriving at Omarama, the sun came out and we pitched the tent, had a hot shower and dried our gear. The next day, Patti got sick (something she ate) and stayed in bed for the day, while I did maintenance on the bikes. She felt better around 4 pm and got some food.
Omarama - Wanaka (Jan 5) 120 km
Our longest distance to date... Looking at the road profile (elevation, passes, distance, etc), we thought we would only make it half way. Lindis Pass was supposed to be the challenge of the day, but compared to what we have already ridden, it was an easy gradual climb with an amazing downhill payoff. Gotta love it! We were at the pass by 12:30 pm. After an ice cream break at Tarras, the last 35 km to Wanaka was harder than the first 80. We had to battle a head wind, which made the whole distance feel like uphill all the way. We are now in Wanaka, and plan to spend a few days checking out the area...
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