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Published: March 29th 2009
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3/3/09 = Day 2: The Hilly road from Hokitika to Hari Hari!
Woke up earlier than needed to today, at 7am - v.annoying. Tried snoozing, but didn’t work out, so got up, made porridge and ate it whilst watching kids cartoons...ahhh...the good old days. Got changed then and ready for biking day to Hari Hari. Padded pants on and good to go. Didn’t make it far before realised that brakes were sticking and so were permanently braking. Had to stop and take front wheels off to adjust; think had put them on too tight. Seemed to do the trick anyway and off we went, heading south over bridge towards Hari Hari. No signs to see if we were going right way, only a hope that this was only bridge out, because only directions we had were to go over bridge. Fingers crossed.
Beautiful day and a really nice ride out. Not totally flat, but no hills either. Lovely. Was so clear that could see everything around us = mountains and green field in all directions, not to mention more than your fair share of sheep and cows. Quite picturesque. About 30mins in, reached our first hill. Wasn’t too difficult
Stream and mountains
Cycled over at least 100 of these already. and got up it o.k., but it was only the first of many. This ride not going to be as easy as the first! Not that they were steep hills, or lasted forever, but was turning very much into ‘The Rolling Country’ had imagined NZ would be. Still pedalled up the small hills and enjoyed the downs. Passed a nice lake = Lake Mahinapua, but continued on to Ross as our first stop. Got here at 11am, so was too early to eat, but had a nice rest and a drink, then continued on.
Next part of journey was crazy. Was 22kms to next town = Pukekura (shortened to Puke, which I found v.amusing) and there was not one bit of flat in that road! 22Kms of pure hills...didn’t even notice the downs this time. As soon as went up and down one hill, went straight into another; no rest, no easy part. Was just so lucky and totally grateful that a few kms in, heard a car horn beep, watched the car pull over and it was the two guys we had been chatting to last night. They got out and we had a break. Couldn’t believe it
when they pulled out a giant chocolate bar. They knew that we were biking today and knew that they would pass us, so they bought some chocolate and waited until they spotted us. How sweet. I almost cried at the gesture...even though that now meant could no longer give up chocolate for Lent. Chatted for around 30mins - they couldn’t believe how far we had made it already - then we both headed off; them a lot quicker than us. Had 17ks left of never ending hills. Didn’t even look forward to down’s anymore, because they only led to up’s. Was really hard work, mentally and physically and had to push through all of it. Spent nearly the whole 17kms in real ‘granny gear’ with legs flying round, but was only way could move forward. Definitely ‘hit the wall’ so to speak, but managed to make it up them all without stopping, so quite pleased.
Don’t think I have ever been so happy to see a ‘Puke’ sign as when we arrived at town. Only one cafe, so pulled bikes in, even though it was called Roadkill cafe...not sure about this one. Wandered into weird cafe and the name
Bikes and mountains
A beautiful place to cycle really. definitely rang true. Had stuffed animals everywhere, animals heads and horns hung on walls and seats were all covered with dead animals hair that had been carefully stapled around them...gross! Menu was nearly entirely made up of roadkill, even toasties and sandwiches (possums were popular) and me and Deb had to get what were labelled as ‘Boring Toasties’ = ham and cheese. Overall, could see novelty of cafe, but really not my kind of place. However, in our situation, beggars really can’t be choosers. Ate ‘boring toastie’ and broke lent deal by munching down Twix bar too. Beautiful 😊 Had to sit still for 10mins to let legs recover - v.shaky from all hills - then filled bottles up with some v.questionnable water from toilets (from sink in toilets, not actual toilets) and got back on bikes. Hope no more hills!
Pushed off out of roadkill heaven and started cycle in exact same way had left it = hills! Oh no! Constantly changing gears and pedalling furiously to get anywhere. Had to keep in mind all time that this was last part of journey and only 24kms to Hari Hari...I can do this. Passed loads of other cyclists and
that made it better too; nice to see that we are not the only crazy people. After 40mins and an uncountable amount of hills, ground finally started to flatten off. Could finally lift head up and appreciate beautiful scenery. Had been heading towards mountains all day and now they were right in front of us - beautiful. Passed a nice lake (Lake Lanthe) and had a nice steady ride then, admiring mountain view. Had to be brave before got to Hari Hari and knock on someones door to ask for water. Water from Roadkill cafe was a distinct yellow and definitely not something I fancied drinking, so pedalled over to an old farmhouse and asked if they would fill our bottles for us. They didn’t mind at all and I didn’t mind asking, because I would be only too happy to do the same for someone in a similar situation at home.
Last part of journey was nice and leisurely and actually enjoyed it. Love flat land 😊 The sun was really nice too. A cyclist had passed earlier passed us again and asked if we needed somewhere to stay the night in town. Seemed like a nice guy,
but declined his offer of a bed (yes I am sensible Mum) and headed for motel instead. Arrived in Hari Hari at 3:45 after nearly a 7hr day and 72kms of cycling - hard work. V.impressed with selves though; especially for making it up all hills. Although doesn’t bode well for rest of trip; that was supposed to be an easy day and those small hills in comparison with all hills on other days...need to get fitter much quicker! Checked into motel with backpacker accomodation and couldn't believe rubbish room. V.dirty, smaller than a shoebox, no kitchen and no covers on bed at all! Rubbish!Can’t deny good feeling got when lied down though. Ahhhh! Bum, or rather coccyx bone, so achey and sore. Could do with 2 pairs of padded pants. Laid in rubbish room for 5mins, then went for a llok round town = 1motel&bar, a shop and a craft shop. These towns keep getting smaller and smaller. Meanderred around and looked in all shops - which took 5mins - then came back to rubbish motel. Delighted when found a T.V. room in main building. Plonked self town and watched some classic T.V. (I Love Raymond, which really reminded
Mountains, mountains
Seen hundreds, but still love them. me of Mum and home). Also found out there was a spa, which would have been perfect for achey body. Went to check it out, but looked more like a graveyard for dead flies and spiders; gross. Time some whittled away and then headed into bar to get some dinner; no other choice because no kitchen we could cook in. Ended up getting a burger again (going to turn into a burger soon) and gulped him down with a large portion of chips. V.full and totally greased up...need to bike another 72kms to get rid of that!
Asked to borrow some bowls for morning cereal, then went back to rubbish room at 7pm. No heater in room and no blanket because cost $10 to hire; what a rip off. Layered up bed with everything could find = a pillow, a towel, scarf and coat and hoped that would be enough. Wrote for a while, then went to sleep early, while still felt warm.
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