Tuesday, January 31st - WINDY Slog to Arthur's Pass

Very slow Internet- will post photos tomorrow. 

We started our day in Springfield (home of the big pink donut). And the northwest winds were  were gusting at estimated speeds of 45-60 mph. They were primarily headwinds but also coming at us in many other directions as well. It was hard to anticipate when we would be hit with a side wind. A couple of times I was blown sideways and had to step off the bike onto the shoulder. It took a lot of concentration and upper body strength to stay on the road. I am grateful for all my core/ball class workouts. 

Margaret and I stopped at the first rest stop on the tour, about 12 hard fought km. Probably the toughest ride i had ever done - made Palm Springs look like a picnic!

 We already decided days earlier on our visit to Castle Hill not to attempt the full ride up the pass - very narrow and no shoulder. I did have a graceful dismount off my bike as a gust of wind blew me down as i swung my leg over. Lovely sprawl with my ego being the only thing bruised 

Four of our group continued on up Porter's Pass into the howling winds. Henry and Andrea made it 3/4 of the way before being picked and the other two, Joe and Toby impressed us all and made it all the way to the top. It was just too windy, too steep and way too narrow for me to feel like I could safely ride. 

Our guides, David and Uzi decided to load up the blkes and drive towards Arthur's pass and have us ride back to our picnic stop with the wind at our backs. Great idea and never mind those little 19% grades. 

Were were provided a beautiful picnic lunch in a sheltered hut and called it a day. Even though the distance ridden was short, we worked very hard collecting each mile and we were all proud of our efforts. 

The best news of the day was that we had sun and blue skies and dodged the rain. 

After checking in at the Arthur's Pass Wilderness lodge we did a bit of laundry and then went to tour the local sheep farm. Our guide was quite a character and his two dogs gathered up the sheep and herded them to us. 

He explained how the Merino wool sheep are recognizable by their pink noses and provide the finest wool. 

He took us into the wool shed and explained the different grades of wool. They are also a preferred provider for Icebreaker clothing. 

Then he sheared a sheep with scissors - not a skill practiced much anymore. He did it quickly and efficiently and the sheep certainly did not seem to mind. Great tour!

Check in later for photos. 

Monday, January 30th - Winery Tour and Day Two Shakeout Ride

Today was the second day of our Canterbury ride and wine tour. The day was sunny with mild temperatures. We had a lovely breakfast with yet another Flat White. 

 

As we left Hamnar we were  grateful that the wind had decreased and what little we had was at our backs. 

 

 

As we rolled through the farmlands we saw lots of future wool sweaters and lamb chops. 

 

We also saw plenty of domesticated deer. The deer are actually a sort of a hybridized elk. Some of them were brought here from other countries and a few as a gift from American. They do not have any natural predators and populated very quickly eating up vasts amounts of vegetation. 

 

It was discovered that they were also a valuable food source and in the 1960's they were hunted in remote areas using helicopters. The hunters (skid jumpers) shot off the side of the helicopters (the skid).  It quickly became a very dangerous and competitive practice and the government allowed them to become domesticated. Protecting both lives and the ecosystem. Now their meat is sold and served in restaurants just like lamb and beef. 

The farmlands and hillsides in many areas are lined with massive hedgerows. They are pretty amazing and they line the landscape providing miles of barriers against the winds. The sheep congregate near them when the winds pick up and they provide a very protective shelter. They don't just grow this way, they have to be continually trimmed to maintain their shape. Talk about John b security for the guy who has that job!

We found this sheep monument at a crossroads in the small town of Waikari and I just had to go for a ride!

 

We wrapped up the day with a little lovely lunch at had a lovely lunch at Waipara Springs Winery. Keeping with true cycling tradition I had a beer at the winery. The salmon lunch looked great, but I chose a tasty chili and bean chicken salad. We are certainly eating well!

 

Today we ended our two day shakedown event with about 26 miles on these hybrids. I feel pretty confident about my left side riding and am almost comfortable using my rear view mirror on the right side. However, it demands concentration and so I plan to stay vigilant!

The rest of the day will be spent sorting out our road bikes and meeting the rest of our riding partners. We have four from Germany and two Brits.

We get serious tomorrow as we began our tour earnest with a ride from Springfield up to Arthurs pass. We are praying for good weather. 

Sunday, January 29th - Canterbury Wine and Leg Shake Out Tour

We arranged in advance for a two day easy tour through the Waipara Valley Canterbury wine district. (Thanks Margaret for this brilliant idea!)

 

We did this so that we could get warmed up for our big tour and get used to riding on the other side of the road. We rented hybrid bikes from NZ Pedal tours for our inaugural journey and planned on a very easy day of about 40 km. We also had scheduled a nice lunch and a bit of wine tasting along the way. 

 

The weather was a bit cool, but overall very mild. However the winds picked up quickly and at one point we really were being blown about quite a bit. Probably anywhere from 25-30 mph. So while we were riding flat roads, it was so windy it really felt as if we were going uphill.  

 

By the time we made it to our made it to our first destination, the Pegasus Winery, it really was very blustery and we had only ridden about 25k (approx 15 miles). But being the troopers that we are we readied ourselves for a bit of wine tasting. We enjoyed their Sauvignon Blancs, Riesling and my favorite -  a killer Merlot-Cabernet blend.

 

Owned by the Donaldson family - any relationship Chuck and Leslie?

 

We bought a bit of wine to enjoy later.  The road to our next destination was a very fast highway with no shoulder. Our guide David asked that we ride this segment in the van. Hmmm - could this decision also have anything to do with the fact we had also just been wine tasting? It did appear to be wise as the winds had picked up even more and the road was as bad as described. 

 

We arrived at the Waipara winery in time for lunch and I had a delicious salad made with Halumi cheese, pears, kale, beets, kumura (sweet potatoes ) and pecans. YUMMY!

 

Our last leg today was  up through the hills alongside the Waiau River into Hanmer Springs. The wind had really dropped off and we enjoyed a delightful ride through sheep country on fairly nice roads. 

 

We rode into Hamner Springs in time for a relaxing dip in the hot spring pools. These were very impressive and had pools of different temperatures so you could "work your way up" to higher temperatures. 

 

Having this type of shakeout ride was an excellent idea and we are all feeling a bit more comfortable on the road. Tomorrow we will also do much of the same and I'm confident I will be ready to roll! The most difficult skill to master seems to be getting used to having my rear view mirror on the right side of my glasses. I'm still working on that one. 

Praying for good weather and NO more wind!

Saturday, January 28th - Shopping, Markets, Harbors, the Pacific Ocean & Friends

Today we did a bit of wandering around Christchurch visiting Kathmandu, a local sporting goods store where I got a good deal on a base layer t-shirt and a front light for my bicycle for our ride starting tomorrow. Hilary found one of the few Starbucks in town and purchased her NZ mug for her collection. 

 

Susan and Philip and their very handsome dog Max took us to a few local farmers markets where I found a joyful gentleman from Columbia selling tasty empanadas, lots of fresh fruit and veggies and the the famous "White Bait" a local NZ delicacy. 

 F

 

Essentially white bait is small fishies cooked in an egg batter. The vendor offered me a free taste and so of course I had to close my eyes and buck up and give it a try. 

 

Sorta tasted like fishy, salty eggs. Somehow I just couldn't get past the little eyes looking up at me and after one bite, I decided there wasn't any need to go back for more. I think I like these better!

 

We were then off to Lyttelton Harbor that was once the main port for the cruise ships. However, that ended when it was destroyed during the earthquake. The government focused on ensuring the container ships could still have access and the cruise ships moved to Akaroa.

 

After a stroll around Lyttleton and their market we visited Birdling's flat for a walk on the beach in search of hidden agates. We even checked out the local agate museum.

 

 

 

We continued our journey to the Hilltop overlook for a photo opportunity and then down to Akaroa for a quick tour and a beer.

 

 

 

 

I had arranged to meet up with David Bailey - a Gold Wing friend who recently visited our GWRRA Chapter R in Phoenix. I exchanged goodbyes with Susan and Philip as they dropped me off at the restaurant to meet David and his sister Lisa. We had a lovely dinner and all swapped life-stories and talked about riding and David's upcoming visit back in Phoenix in April. 

 

Overall this was a busy and adventurous day. Susan, Philip and Max were such warm, welcoming and friendly tour guides and we were grateful they chose to share their time and friendship with us.

Tomorrow we ride!

Friday, January 28th - Touring Middle Earth

Susan and Hilary picked us up this morning at our hotel and took us out  to Susan' and Philip 's home (and Vicarage) in Darfield. Susan is an Episcopal priest and Arch Deacon and responsible for one main and four smaller churches. 

At her home Susan showed us her custom made goalie mask. In addition to her church duties she also plays goalie for a local hockey team. She is known on the team as the "Holy Goalie!"

 

We went for a lovely walk by the Waimakariri River tossing a few rocks trying to skip them. Susan won with a minimum of at least six skips. 

 

We picked up "pies" mainly meat and veggie for a quick lunch at a local pie shop. Susan had church business (she cleans up nicely) to attend to so Philip took us on an afternoon tour. 

 

 

We checked out Springfield and the big pink donut. Looked for Homer Simpson and even Lard Lad but could not find either of them.

 

 

We drove up to Porters Pass and checked out the road. NZ Pedal tours says it is rideable, but doesn't recommend it because of the lack of shoulder and the  narrowness of the road. We all agreed that when we start our tour a 4-5 km lift to bypass this section would be wise. 

We then ventured to Castle Hill, the REAL Middle Earth. This area was used for many scenes for both the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. Spectacular! This is a preserved area open to the public - we truly felt like we were walking along with Frodo and the hobbits on one of there adventures. 

 

 

Margaret- on top of the world!

 

 

Tomorrow is our last day in Christchurch and then on Sunday we begin to start riding with  our preliminary two day cycling wine tour. 

 

 

Thursday, January 27th - Touring Christchurch

I was able to get a decent nights sleep and even though I woke up at 3:00 am found it not too difficult to fall back asleep until 5:30 a.m. After a long shower and a quick cup of coffee,  Margaret and I went in seach of a REAL cup at a local coffee place called the "Caffeine Laboratory." This is  where I got my first REAL "flat white." Check out the door handles on this place!

 

 Hilary and Christopher arrived last night and stayed with local friends Susan and Phillip. Margaret and I wandered a bit while waiting to hear from them with plans for the day. The forecast was for warm temperatures and sunny skies so we intended to get out and enjoy the sunshine!

We had a lovely stroll along a small river running through town and found ourselves in a park complete with a statue of the renowned Captain James Cook who was the first to hoist the British flag in New Zealand in the late 1700's. 

  

 

We met up with the group and were taken on a remarkable walking tour of the downtown. We visited the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral. It is a temporary cathedral  built out of cardboard tubes supported with steel beams. This church was constructed in 11 months after the 2011 earthquake collapsed buildings and left the old cathedral in rubble.

 

Phillip took us on a walking tour of downtown showing us entire blocks of buildings that have facades being held up by shipping containers and others that are either being repaired or under construction. 

 

The epicenter of this earthquake was in Christchurch and took over 180 lives and destroyed much of the downtown area. Shipping containers were also used to create a temporary and new downtown while the rebuild continues. 

 

We then decided to have a bit of fun and went to the "Buskers Festival " going on this week. Essentially it is a festival of street performers, what fun!

 

 

 

We then ended our day with Susan and Phillips friends Rick and Lynn who cooked a fantastic fish taco dinner for us. Yes, all the way from AZ to New Zealand for Mexican food. Fantastic!