Jan 5 - 11, 2010Distance: 215 km
Total distance: 2 141 km
Pictures
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZYrYi31qduPmGCrcA
Wanaka (Jan 6) 33 km
It is the day to go play so we went mountain biking at Sticky Forest. The day started sunny and nice blue sky with white puffy clouds. We rode along Lake Wanaka all the way to a campground where we go on a single track trail leading up to the hub. At the hub, we met a cyclist that told us where to go (the bike store was out of maps). We rode up on a nice single track dirt/sand trail to the top and made our way down. Once again, not technical, but a nice riding, cruising down hill trail. Up a second time, we went for a black trail named Venus that took us down on the other side of the mountain, once again, long descend with switch backs. Patti had a smile on her face and so was I. We came up on another single track named g-spot...yeap, g-spot and went for the view on top. We could see that the bad weather was coming in so time to go back home. Back on another single track trail that goes up and down to the campground, Patti's bike chain broke. Dam! The only tool I don't have in my tool box, that day is a my chain tool. Patti walked and rode down to the hill and we used the cable lock to tow her all the way back to town...5 km. While setting up the tow system, I noticed that the sole of my bike shoe is soft, too soft. Sure enough, my bike shoe is broken...shit, a brand new pair bought 2 month ago. It is 6 pm and and we are entering Wanaka, with me pulling Patti. We decide to head for the bike store, Racers Edge in Wanaka, hoping that it might not be closed. Lucky enough, the store manager, Lucy and the mechanic guy, James are still in the store. Lucy asked if “the bikes” were our only mode of transportation...Yes it is, we answered. She then let us in and James took the time...after opening hours...to fix Patti's bike while I am shopped for a brand new pair or bike shoes. 320 NZ dollars later, we had the bike fixed and I am walking out with new shoes. I have to say, they were so helpful and kind to take the time to put us back on the road. It is now 7:00 pm and it is pouring rain - time to go home after a Subway for a hot shower and a good rest.
Wanaka to Arrowtown (Jan 7) 63 km
For this ride, we took the Crown Range road from Wanaka to Queenstown. It is a gentle climb until Cardrona (30 km) and then, a steep climb up to 1080 m for approx 6 km. On top you get a great view over Queenstown and Lake Wakapitu. The reward is a steeper down hill on the other side through a series of sharp curves and great speed! Just when we thought the fun was over, we pulled out to a view point that display another down hill covers with switch backs all the way to the main road. So far, the Crown Range road is one the best “down hill roads” (top 10) we experienced in New Zealand. We rode by Arrowtown, a very cute old gold mining town. We took a river trail into town and then decided to rent a cabin at the campground since the weather was turning bad.
Arrowtown to Queenstown (Jan 8) 30 km
It is cold, cloudy with a sky threatening rain, but we still decided to ride into Queenstown, a short distance (30 km) The wind and the rain picked up but it did not discourage us from playing tourist, stopping here end there, visiting the area (Arrowtown Chinese settlement, Lake Hayes, Old Lower Shotover Bridge). We really enjoyed riding along Lake Hayes, a great gravel trail high up on the hill. Arriving in Queenstown on a Friday evening, it was pretty hard to get a room since there was a Rugby Tournament this weekend, everything is fully booked. We finally got a room at the Pinewood Lodge. The sky cleared out at the end of the day and we went for food and a walk in town. Patti got very excited when she literally got picked up by a bunch on “testosterone Puffy Buffy” rugby team boys.
Queenstown (Jan 9 - 10)
It is cold outside, it is like our winter in Victoria. The rain is coming down hard and it is around 10 degree. Winds picked up a bit, not the weather to ride in. We planned to ride the Mayora Lakes Road, a 84 km gravel road across the Eyre Mountains toward Te Anau. To get there, you have to take the TSS Earnslaw, a steam ship to Walter Peak station but there is no way that we will get on that wilderness road with these weather conditions. The only thing we can do right now is to wait!
Queenstown to Clyde (Jan 11) 89 km
Since it is still very cold and raining, we decided not to go on the Mayora lake road. Instead, lets go inland hoping for better weather. We left Queenstown under heavy rain, full gear on. We stopped at Kawarau Bungy Centre (27 km), for a break and to get dry and also to watch people bungy jumping off the bridge...quite entertaining. 1 ½ hours later, we are back on the bike, the rain has stopped, we continue to Cromwell. The road follows the Kawarau river, a scenic highway, winding, mostly down hill... a pleasant surprise. The landscape is quite interesting, rocky, nice mountain views, a really enjoyable ride...! At Cromwell (61 km), we went grocery shopping at New World and headed out for Clyde, our final destination for the day (89 km). The weather held on pretty good for the rest of the day but as we were deciding on a campsite or a cabin, it started to rain very hard so we took a cabin for the night.
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