Day 23 of TA - And the crowds came out!
Sunday 26th October
Distance: 46 km
Elevation gain: 64 metres
From Upper Hutt to Wellington
About 3:30hrs elapsed from 9:30am to 1pm
Just for a change I slept in today. No early start because I can't get into my hotel until 2pm and it's a short ride down the Hutt valley to Wellington. Eventually I left the holiday park at 9:30am and cycled with Alison and Olaf all the way to Wellington…slowly.
It was a sunny and very pleasant Sunday so there were plenty of locals (cyclists, walkers, runners and dog walkers) on the Hutt River trail that we were cycling. It made for a carnival-like experience and I was in a really good mood. We were going to make it to Wellington today!!! I was high-fiving kids on bikes and saying 'Gidday' to everyone I passed…stupid Aussie! But I was happy and with all the crowds out it felt like they came out to see us cycle into Wellington and complete the North Island leg of the TA.
When we stopped for a breakfast coffee and cake at a small cafe (only 4 seats, all out front) even the other customers seemed genuinely excited for our journey. Olaf was chatting to one lady so much that Alison and I had to drag him away and back onto the bikes. It was only when we got up to leave that the other customers' interest became clear - they were watching us so they could grab our seats. Turns out that nobody cares about a bunch of TA riders…regardless of where they've come from or going too. It was funny and a tad deflating.
The cycle path turned into a lane on a busy freeway for a few kilometres but then into a dedicated cycle path. We then passed the Picton Ferry terminal (where I'll be on the 1st of November with Rob) and then we entered Wellington CBD proper. Given I'd been in Wellington twice in the past 12 months it was a bit bizarre to be cycling the same places that I'd so recently walked and shared with family. We made our way along the waterfront to the Museum of New Zealand where there is a large "Wellington" sign that I felt was a logical place to finish. It was very emotional for me and a tear or two was shed.
Afterwards, Olaf and Alison had arranged to meet another TA rider, Ned (25yr old Swiss guy), who was a bit quicker than us and had finished a few days earlier. We found a bar on the waterfront and had a hearty lunch in celebration. We talked over the North Island route - favourite bits, worst bits, challenges and other memorable events. It was a great bookend to this chapter of my TA journey. One underlying theme was weather - rain, flooding, and wind. In the past 25 days we have spoken to locals and seen news reports where the quote was often "Worst in a generation" or "It's never been this bad". I hope that as summer arrives the weather will stabilise so that Rob and I will have an uneventful South Island trip during November.
Today's theme song is by Christine Anu - Island Home
For I come from the salt water people / We always live by the sea / My island home, is waiting for me
I'm not sure if it was the sight of Wellington across the harbour or finally seeing the ocean again after nearly 20 days. But this song came to mind as I reached the harbour at Lower Hutt, so maybe I'm just homesick. Salt water and the bay - it reminds me of runs/walks along the Wynnum foreshore, camping on Moreton Island, Fish Friday lunches, and houseboat trips with the lads off South Stradbroke Island. I've been very privileged to experience the North Island, but also missed out on a lot since starting this ride…it was a very emotional day!
We started today's ride at Harcourt Park, which was used during filming LOTR scenes for the Gardens of Isengard where Gandalf and Saruman walked and discussed various matters. Only once I was riding through the park did I remember that Josh and I were here last year on our own LOTR tour of the North Island What a difference 12 months makes!! The bridge below was one that Josh and I walked over after we checked out the park.
Cruising along the Hutt River trail - it was a mix of smooth concrete and gravel paths. Very enjoyable.
Distance: 46 km
Elevation gain: 64 metres
From Upper Hutt to Wellington
About 3:30hrs elapsed from 9:30am to 1pm
Just for a change I slept in today. No early start because I can't get into my hotel until 2pm and it's a short ride down the Hutt valley to Wellington. Eventually I left the holiday park at 9:30am and cycled with Alison and Olaf all the way to Wellington…slowly.
It was a sunny and very pleasant Sunday so there were plenty of locals (cyclists, walkers, runners and dog walkers) on the Hutt River trail that we were cycling. It made for a carnival-like experience and I was in a really good mood. We were going to make it to Wellington today!!! I was high-fiving kids on bikes and saying 'Gidday' to everyone I passed…stupid Aussie! But I was happy and with all the crowds out it felt like they came out to see us cycle into Wellington and complete the North Island leg of the TA.
When we stopped for a breakfast coffee and cake at a small cafe (only 4 seats, all out front) even the other customers seemed genuinely excited for our journey. Olaf was chatting to one lady so much that Alison and I had to drag him away and back onto the bikes. It was only when we got up to leave that the other customers' interest became clear - they were watching us so they could grab our seats. Turns out that nobody cares about a bunch of TA riders…regardless of where they've come from or going too. It was funny and a tad deflating.
The cycle path turned into a lane on a busy freeway for a few kilometres but then into a dedicated cycle path. We then passed the Picton Ferry terminal (where I'll be on the 1st of November with Rob) and then we entered Wellington CBD proper. Given I'd been in Wellington twice in the past 12 months it was a bit bizarre to be cycling the same places that I'd so recently walked and shared with family. We made our way along the waterfront to the Museum of New Zealand where there is a large "Wellington" sign that I felt was a logical place to finish. It was very emotional for me and a tear or two was shed.
Afterwards, Olaf and Alison had arranged to meet another TA rider, Ned (25yr old Swiss guy), who was a bit quicker than us and had finished a few days earlier. We found a bar on the waterfront and had a hearty lunch in celebration. We talked over the North Island route - favourite bits, worst bits, challenges and other memorable events. It was a great bookend to this chapter of my TA journey. One underlying theme was weather - rain, flooding, and wind. In the past 25 days we have spoken to locals and seen news reports where the quote was often "Worst in a generation" or "It's never been this bad". I hope that as summer arrives the weather will stabilise so that Rob and I will have an uneventful South Island trip during November.
Today's theme song is by Christine Anu - Island Home
For I come from the salt water people / We always live by the sea / My island home, is waiting for me
I'm not sure if it was the sight of Wellington across the harbour or finally seeing the ocean again after nearly 20 days. But this song came to mind as I reached the harbour at Lower Hutt, so maybe I'm just homesick. Salt water and the bay - it reminds me of runs/walks along the Wynnum foreshore, camping on Moreton Island, Fish Friday lunches, and houseboat trips with the lads off South Stradbroke Island. I've been very privileged to experience the North Island, but also missed out on a lot since starting this ride…it was a very emotional day!
We started today's ride at Harcourt Park, which was used during filming LOTR scenes for the Gardens of Isengard where Gandalf and Saruman walked and discussed various matters. Only once I was riding through the park did I remember that Josh and I were here last year on our own LOTR tour of the North Island What a difference 12 months makes!! The bridge below was one that Josh and I walked over after we checked out the park.
Cruising along the Hutt River trail - it was a mix of smooth concrete and gravel paths. Very enjoyable.
At Lower Hutt, looking across the harbour to Wellington in the distance. Still 15km to go but I was emotional to finally see the finish line.
Wellington - made it. Just outside the Museum of New Zealand on the harbour. Such a glorious day.
Well done! Congrats on arriving in Wellie, and on a nice day too! A great way to polish off the North Island! Hope you can know recharge the batteries for the South Island, very much an unknown stage and who knows what challenges lie ahead, but at least you will have company! All the best, chill out and relax!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a relief to be in Wellington and have a few days to relax and prepare for the next stage. Rob is certainly keen to get onto the scene and it will be a comfort to have him with you in the Sth Island.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great effort so far. Very well done. Time to enjoy some R&R.
ReplyDeleteMade it in great time and great spirits.
ReplyDeleteGreat work mate, half way through, hope the South Island is a bit kinder on the weather front.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! Enjoy the rest time!
ReplyDelete