The biggest issue of this day was the weather: how was it holding up for tomorrow when I have to cross the Omarama Saddle. Tomorrow was my biggest hill climb, and we weather would both make it stupidity difficult and increase my hyperthermia risk.
The Statistics
I’ll put these in here later. The ride was only 46 km, but the temperature varied from 11 degrees to 24 degrees.
The Ride
Up to Tambrea High Point
The ride started in the rain late in the day for me, about 8:30. I rode from the lodge onto the A2O track heading up the Tambrea track. The high point of the track is only about 10km from the lodge, and after that, it’s basically a descent all the way into Omarama.
As mentioned the A2O is a lovely track, and the start of this leg weaved it’s way through a forest, with large flowing streams from the current rain:
At the early stages, the slope is very gentle and under the light rain, it’s easy lovely.
Later, the slope of the track starts to steepen and the quality of the surface decline. Large rocks and slippery bits started to apparent,
I wasn’t in a mood to bust a gut this day, so at about kilometer 7 I jumped off and pushed the remaining 3km to the top.
Along the way, I took pictures and videos which I’ll add when I’m home, showing how the rivers get created from drops seeping straight from the land.
It didn’t take long for Dale and his family to catch me up. First the older children, and then surprisingly enough Harry and Julie, the grandparents.Yesterday, when I first met the family I rode with Dale for a bit. He was acting as tail end Charlie, and he and I were toodling behind Harry. Harry was having power trouble with his e-bike and it was holding him back.
Today, on a new bike, he ripped past me even on the steep potted rocky surface.
Dale and Kelly were last, playing tail end again, and I videoed their cycling efforts for later:
Descending Tambrea
Breaks off, I ripped along the thin goat track path that cut it’s way through tussock grasses underneath Lake Ohau. Again, A2O had made a stirling job of the surface and speeds increased into their 30s.
The very short 46kms, culminated in a 20km spin class into a headwind, as I left the Lakes area and entered Omarama.
Omarama is famous for it’s gliding and abundance of strong winds. Straight into my direction of cycling. 🙂 The road at the end was think gravel, corrugated and bouncy for your pleasure:
I got to Omarama about lunch, and picked up a delicious seafood chowder and 2 beers.
There was a local clothing shop, so I took the opportunity to buy another Marino undershirt, a balaclava, a woolly hat and some think Marino/possum socks for sleeping in my sleeping bag in.
Saying goodbye to Kelly and Dale
I really enjoyed this couple and how they, as an extended family, keep their relationships alive. It’s Dale’s family, his sister’s family, and their parents and the ages of the two younger family’s all work in.
Kelly reckoned they should have done their adventure in March because the group wasn’t enjoying the weather and it’s temperature.
I took a photo of their group and swapped numbers with Kelly. I hope they visit when in Wellington because they’re a really lovely couple.
Prepping for Omarama Saddle
Vic’s advice, as always, was completely on point. When I thought I’d make the easy day and try the saddle, staying at first hut on the other side, she was bang on the money with calling that a dumb idea.
The rain throughout yesterday and today had stopped and the metservice reckons the bad weather would end about 6:00am tomorrow morning. Looking out the sky, I could start to see some stars evading the clouds that had covered the last two days.
Omarama is going to be the worst climb I’ll experience in this ride and I needed to hit it fresh. I brought sugary stuff for breakfast, had a huge steak dinner at the local pub, and was asleep at 8:30 with the alarm set for 5:00am