Tuesday, February 14th - Last thoughts and coming home!

Days ridden = 13, including our two short wine tour days and the weather abbreviated day on Porter's Pass 

Miles ridden = 540,  870 km, Elevation gain = 29,419 ft

This was an incredible adventure spent with a wonderful group of friends. Everyone on our tour was delightful and there was never a conflict at any time. Several days we all rode together drafting on the "bus" mostly behind Joe and Henry. Other days we split into smaller groups. We stopped frequently for photos and high fives, encouraging each other along the way. 

Andrea, leading the "bus" and Joe, not seen, 

because he was taking the photo.

 

The scenery was amazing, and each day we had challenges, struggles and many small victories. If asked if I would do this ride again, I would have to say "no" because I wouldn't ever be able to repeat the camaraderie of this group and the experiences we shared.  

Ute, Henry, Toby, Margaret, James, Andrea, Joe and Gail

 

Margaret, Gail, Ute, Andrea, Henry, Joe and Toby

 

Margaret, Gail, Joe, Christopher, Henry, Ute, Hilary 

 

Our tour of Christ Church and the surrounding areas with friends Susan and Philip, and their dog Max, were fantastic and much appreciated. 

 

Once again I thank you all for following me on my journey with special love ❤️ and thanks to my beloved husband Bob for allowing me to indulge in my cycling passion! And yes, Bob and I will return to New Zealand to explore this beautiful country together.

Until next time...

 

 

Sunday, February 12th, Fairley to Timaru - Rolling Hills & Pastoral Views

Miles ridden = 40(ish), 62km, elevation ascent = 1047 feet, descent = 1945 feet. 

As you can see from today's profile we had more down than ups but we did have some respectable 6-9% short climbs. With no wind and lots of sunshine, it was overall a delightful day

 

We spent a peaceful  night on the farm. This morning we were greeted by this gentle sunrise accompanied by a cacophony of sounds from the call of dozens of Tui birds and sheep blaring their morning songs. Forecasts for the day -  sunshine and blue skies. What could be better?

 

Michael and Jayne provided made-to-order breakfasts along with hot mugs of fresh pressed coffee, tea, toast, homemade jams and marmalade and freshly prepared rhubarb from their garden. They made us all feel more like family than like guests. 

 

 

Before we left we took time for goodbyes and big hugs, it was sad to leave this lovely family farm. We would pass by the farm again today on our ride and we promised their children Neve and Oliver that they could join us. We loaded into the van and went back to Fairley for the beginning of our route. 

 Fairley is really is a sleepy farming town and none of the local residents were to be seen as we unloaded our bikes for the last miles. 

 

Much to our surprise the entire family waited for us to pass by. We stopped and took more photos and readied for our ride with the kids. We were impressed that they were wearing safety vests and helmets. 👍

 

The sign says "Dunbaylin Downs" because Michael was a contractor 

who rolled the hay bales for other farmers and he is now officially "done baling."

 

I did snap this quick photo - can you imagine what it must have been like hauling that big schoolhouse they turned into a farmhouse up this road? (See yesterday's post)

 

Riding together

 

Neve

 

Oliver

 

They rode with us for about 6 miles, this was probably one of the most memorable moments of our tour and we were happy and honored to have them along. At the bottom of the hill mother Jayne was waiting to drive them home. 

We continued on quiet pastoral roads with rolling hills, calling to the sheep we passed. They responded with lots of "baa's". 

 

If you look closely you can see the sheep herder driving the sheep - see that white line?

 

We finished today's ride with a celebratory lunch in Timaru and yes we do look tired - because we are! But hey - cheers to the Sisters!

 

 

Tonight we stay back in Christchurch with our tour for both dinner and a farewell breakfast. One more day in town to wander around an rest up a bit. We will also visit one more time with friends Susan and Phillip. We have plans to meet them for dinner and hopefully won't bore them with too many of our stories. 

I will write my last blog with a wrap up of statistics and any other items that might be of interest.  That probably won't happen for a day or two as now it is time to relax and celebrate and get ready to travel home. But I might surprise you and do it sooner so keep checking back. 

 

Saturday, February 11th - Two Rides To Fairley

Ridden  = 62 miles, 100 km, Elevation = 1837

Combination of two ridses, one from Mt. Cook to Twizel and then all in the van to Takepo for lunch and then on the bikes to Fairley.

 

 

It was difficult leaving Mt. Cook as the sun was shining and it was splendid in the sunrise.

 

We rode back the way we came and I could continually see the mountains in my rear view mirror. Here is Henry, Ute and me (look closely in the lower left corner) as we rode up to Peter's lookout.

 

Lunch was in Takepo where we explored the town and the old church over the bridge. 

 

From there we rode to Fairley where we had time for a flat white and and a sweet treat at the local bakery. Not much was open as most stores close on both Saturday and Sunday in this small town. 

 

 

and then we drove to our farm stay at the wonderful home of Michael and Jane. 

 

Their home is made from an old school house they had moved from town. It has been all refurbished and is lovely. Talk about your fixer-upper!

 

Here's Christopher feeding the sheep, including Polly, the kind and friendly rescue sheep. 

 

New farm arrivals

 

 

Dinner was delicious with vegetables straight from the garden.

 

Jane displays her home made Pavlova - OMG! Yes, it was as good as it looks!

 

Tomorrow is our last ride day - back to Christ Church. 

Friday, February 10th - Ride to Mt. Cook - Beautiful Becomes Spectacular!

 "

Miles ridden = 40, elevation = 1945

 

This was a fabulous riding day even with the appearance of morning rain. Forecasts showed clearing skies so several of us opted to skip getting wet right at the beginning of the ride and take a lift from Makaroa to Tinley. This turned out the be a wise decision as the rain had pretty much ended by the the time we got on the road and we were able to start the day dry.

We headed down the road and made our first stop at a lavender farm. Unfortunately the wet summer had not allowed for their best growing season, but we still took time to pose amongst the flowers. And they did smell lovely.

 

 

Top of the hay bales at the lavender farm

 

Back on the road we sped on toward the infamous Mt. Cook stopping several times for photos. But before I continue, I would like to tell you a bit about the New Zealand roads. Primarily they are paved with "chip seal" which creates more resistance and makes for a bit of rough riding. Even with larger tires, which my bike has, it can rattle one's teeth a bit. 

 

Let's continue on. The closer we got to Mt. Cook, the better the weather and each turn brought even more incredible scenery. First we were treated to the blue waters filled with what our guide said is called "Glacier flour" which are bits of the Glacier suspended in the water and turns it this color blue. 

 

 

We even stopped for coffee - this is a "short black" instead of the normal flat white I have been enjoying. Each turn brought even more beauty.

 

 

 

 

We stopped for a delicious picnic lunch in the park. This is an indoor hut set up for the public. It is used by general travers, backpackers, camper and of course cyclists.

 

 

The gentleman do the dishes

 

Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, it did! 

 

 

 

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Now just a bit about Mt. Cook

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Its height since 2014 is listed as 3,724 metres (12,218 feet), down from 3,764 m (12,349 ft) before December 1991, due to a rockslide and subsequent erosion

 It is also a favor rite challenge for mountain climbers and consists of three summits, Its level of difficulty is often underestimated and can change dramatically depending on weather, snow and ice conditions. The climb crosses large crevasses, and involves risks of ice and rock falls, avalanches and rapidly changing weather conditions.

Since the early 20th century, around 80 people have died attempting to climb the mountain , making it New Zealand's deadliest peak. The climbing season traditionally runs from November to February, and hardly a season goes by without at least one fatality.

A History of climbing Mt. Cook as taken from Wikipedia 

1642 - Aoraki possibly sighted by Abel Tasman and crew members[40]

1770 - Captain Cook named the Southern Alps

1851 - Captain Stokes of the survey ship HMS Acheron gave the name Mount Cook to Aoraki

1894 - First ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook, on Christmas Day, by Jack Clarke, Tom Fyfe and George Graham

1910 - Freda du Faur became the first woman to climb Aoraki / Mount Cook

1913 - First ascents of the footstool and Mt Sefton made by Freda du Faur's climbing party

1914 - First fatal accident, when three men caught in avalanche on Linda Glacier

1982 - Mark Inglis trapped in snow cave

1991 - Avalanche of 10 million cubic metres of snow and rock causes 10 metres to be lost off the top of Aoraki / Mount Cook[20] Two decades of erosion of the ice cap exposed after this collapse reduced the height by another 30 m to 3,724 m, as revealed by new GPS data from a University of Otago climbing expedition in November 2013.

1998 - The Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act officially recognizes the original name, renaming the mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook

History Edit

1642 - Aoraki possibly sighted by Abel Tasman and crew members[40]

1770 - Captain Cook named the Southern Alps

1851 - Captain Stokes of the survey ship HMS Acheron gave the name Mount Cook to Aoraki

1894 - First ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook, on Christmas Day, by Jack Clarke, Tom Fyfe and George Graham

1910 - Freda du Faur became the first woman to climb Aoraki / Mount Cook

1913 - First ascents of the footstool and Mt Sefton made by Freda du Faur's climbing party

1914 - First fatal accident, when three men caught in avalanche on Linda Glacier

1982 - Mark Inglis trapped in snow cave

1991 - Avalanche of 10 million cubic metres of snow and rock causes 10 metres to be lost off the top of Aoraki / Mount Cook[20] Two decades of erosion of the ice cap exposed after this collapse reduced the height by another 30 m to 3,724 m, as revealed by new GPS data from a University of Otago climbing expedition in November 2013.

1998 - The Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act officially recognizes the original name, renaming the mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook