Author: ren

True to form we finish with a hill. A big **’ing hill, with lots of steep red bits. And it was raining again. Amazing to be up in the misty clouds though and off course directed views

Although there was a bit of sand to wash off the bikes, and I’m sure that’s not the best for them, but it was worth it. We had a wonderful fast and free ride along Warrington Beach and peninsula at dusk. So fun.

We decided to try taking the bikes onto the beach. The sand was hard and it was a lovely feeling sailing along silently (no crunching of gravel or roaring traffic) with the sea alongside and then the big round rocks appeared!

We were dreading another 15 km along State Highway 1 (logging trucks at 100 km per hour… Not fun) but it actually went much better this time as the shoulder was reliably at least 2 metres from the white line. Much less stressful. Then we entered Trotters Gorge, an amazing luminescent green forest valley, surrounded by limestone cliffs (big hill though) . The DOC camp site was in a reserve by a stream. So pretty, and amazing birdsong. Bellbirds everywhere and we were visited by an inquisitive Tomit.

Then went for a very steep and muddy bushwalk up out of the gorge, with incredible views around the valley. Stu did some scary rock climbing. It started raining when we got back to the tent, so it was indoor cooking and a cozy dinner tucked up in our sleeping bags

This morning I had to get my bike from Duntroon to Oamaru for a spoke repair and back, so that we could hopefully continue the final Alps to Ocean section. Steve (the caretaker of the Duntroon domain campsite) very generously put my bike on the back of his Ute and took me to the bike shop while he did his weekly shopping in town. Phew, it all went smoothly, spokes repaired, and with a few spares, we took off for the final leg of the Alps to Ocean by 1 pm. It has been another spectacular day-winding thru the limestone Elephant Rocks, serene green well irrigated farmland, and finally we spotted the sea!

We made it to our intended camp spot, but there were so many places to choose from. The Waitaki Valley has heaps of casual camping areas all along the lakes. Long drop toilets sprinkled around, and hundreds of people camping comfortably, plenty of space and nice atmosphere in beautiful surroundings.

There was even a flush toilet! First one in days…

Today was yet another incredible day. Maybe the best so far?? We biked a challenging single track trail across 3 hills from one lake to another. Incredible views and quite remote

It was a slow cold windy grind up to Tarnbrae High Point, and half way up Stu came to a sudden stop as his rear carrier bracket completely broke off the seat post,resulting in the whole rear load swinging backwards onto the ground. Yikes. It looked major. But stus ingenuity came to the fore and he reattached it firmly with a combination of cable ties and straps. It held!

Riding around Lake Ohau was hot but stunning. So blue and the beautiful mountains all around. We were very tired mm we finally stopped at Rounds Bush, a few camping spot by the lake in amongst lovely beach forest

Trying to decide if we would go for a swim in, then we met Hannah and Lucy who’d just been in.

Leaving Lake Poaka we started the day with a beautiful quiet trail through the forest and then out onto the Pukaki Flats which was a lovely off road track over a sorry if grassland terrain. stopping for a drink, we looked back from where we’d come and saw a stunning unexpected view of Mt Cook. Wow!

happy new year!

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