Some of you have noticed yesterday’s blog was slight of hand. I didn’t actually go that far…. in fact, according to the official record, I only did 28 kms before the flat tire struck.
So today was about delivering to the hype. As my mother used to say, “Piss on the pot, or get off”. Lovely turn of phrase my mother.
Today’s goal was about making some credible distance. Here’s the stats:
Greeblies and Crawlies
As I dropped of my key at Punga Cove in the mornig, I came across this guy guarding the door.
He would be a full 10 cm’s toe-to-toe, if he stretched his legs.
Here’s the picture
Today’s journey started off at the crack of dawn. According to my phone, sunrise today was at 6:45am, and I was going to be ready.
The repairs I made at Punga Cove worked – my tire was still fully inflated, and confirming what I suspected about the quality of the factory fitted inner tube.
As with anything on the Queen Charlotte Sounds track, everything started with “Up”. Immediately leaving Punga Cove, I stomped my way to the top of the hill where I could take the bypass through to Anikiwa.
Ahh… tarseal! It makes all of the difference to the enjoyment of the ride.
Today’s Temperature
Today’s temperature ranged from 13 degrees at 7:00 in morning to 23 degrees up on the hills of the Queen Charlotte Track. Humping around 2 long johns, 2 thermal shirts, heaps and heaps of kit is just stupid crazy talk.
At 13 degrees, I was perfectly fine in my orange medium weight marino middle layer, my riding bib and my waterproof pants. Cycling along, I was generating my own heat.
When I get to Blenheim, I’ll post the duplicate clothing items back, and pick up some more undies (I packed 2 – all grab another 3 more), and socks (not necessarily marino).
Returning onto the Queen Charlotte Track
In his book, Johnathan Kennett reckons this is the best part of the track. Scenery-wise, maybe, but the track condition itself is a shocker!
Rocks, mud, roots, it had all of the tricky stuff that caused me a puncture on the earlier stages of the ride. Without a replacement tube, I played it safe, walking around the pointy rocks and the razor roots.
The temperature rapidly climbed faster than I was, and it was time to bust out the isotonic drink powder to the water.
The visuals are stunning though. The top picture where taken at the top of the trail, while the sound clip was taken when I had to stop for these obsticles to progress.
Damage from recent weather was visible in quite a few areas, but the ride was enjoyable with the added element of visual measures of weather distruction.
At the top of the climb, the track also improves from the goat track the defined the return to the QCT
And at last… the start of the Queen Charlotte Track itself in Anikiwa:
Here’s a little something I liked about Anikiwa – a community vibe!
Cycling in the Tourism “Shoulder”
The Tourism Industry’s “Shoulders” at the time periods between its summer and winter periods: March – May, and September – October.
During the shoulders, the tourism attractions are changing from summer pursuits: summer condition tramping, swimming, camping, into winter pursuits: skiing, winter condition tramping, staying in lodges and admiring snow.
In the shoulders, when the temperatures are too cold for summer hiking, but too hot for winter tramping created demand lulls.
Tourism providers, and ancillary service providers (food and accommodation) who can exit the market temporarily do. And for me, this was no exception.
Vic regarded the coffee shop at the end of the Queen Charlotte Track a must visit and I was hoping to get my first cup of the day. Unfortunately, she was gone.
I was hanging out to suck back some more isotonics at Momorangi Bay. Unfortunately, their cafe was shut, quite clearly for a long duration, and I hope not permenently.
Picton to Blenheim
I got to the Picton Bakery at 4:30 in the after, just as it was contemplating shutting. Never was it a finer sight, and I rapidly loaded up on a pie, pastry, sausage roll and isotonic poweraid drink.
Absolute bliss after nothing but One Square Meals all day!
I used the opportunity to phone around the Blenheim cycle shops and was able to book into Bikes and Beyond to replace my dodgy factory tire.
After just under 9 hours cycling, I was a tough slog getting to Blenheim, but I was able to get a cabin at the Bridges Holiday Park.
End of day activities
I’ve done all my washing. I’ve cleaned my bike. I’ve sorted out what’s heading to Wellington, and what’s staying.
Time for a beer at my favourite bar Dobson Street Garden Bar, and brought a pizza from them for dinner and brekfest in the morning.
My butt’s starting to hurt, and I’m feeling pretty fatigued, so it was lights out for me. I’ve finished this blog at 7:30am the next day while I wait for the bike shop to open. The internet is not great here, so I’ll upload today’s pictures at a later date.
Bouquets
Thank you Vic for your texts during the day – I love them to bits 😀
And thank you to the anonymous people who have written positive comments on my Maprogess profile page from Facebook. I appreciate it 🙂
