TA Relaxing in Wellington
Sunday 26th to Friday 31st October
I had a lazy week in Wellington. The weather turned nasty on Monday and Tuesday with ferocious wind and rain (even hail). This foul weather was the main reason for accelerating my last few legs of the North Island - I really wanted to avoid riding in the wind and rain if I could avoid it. And as the hail pinged off the window outside my hotel room I felt vindicated in this decision.
I filled the time with chores - email admin, route planning for the South Island, restocking food and laundry. Rob sent me a shopping list which gave me some purpose and reason to get out to the shops (snacks, gels, gas canister for camping stove, Cliff bars etc.).
When the weather improved there was also time for a bit of sightseeing in Wellington. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were lovely with blue sky and light winds (but cold). I dropped my bike in for a service, visited the Wellington Museum and joined a tour of the Beehive & Parliament House. I also met up with Peter (a friend of Sean's) for an impromptu craft beer tour of Wellington on Thursday. A great afternoon and very tasty beers! The World Series baseball (LA Dodgers Vs Toronto Blue Jays) was on the TV and made for great entertainment. This was the 5th game in the series and the Blue Jays won 6 - 1.
Friday afternoon was a repacking day - putting the gear back on the bike and getting ready for the South Island. Time to get the mind back in the game!
I asked myself - If I haven't used a piece of gear do I need to keep carrying it on the South Island. Spares, tools, etc. were excluded. It came down to clothing…and I decided to bin a few items that I haven't used (and can replace from a shop along the way if I really miss it). Reluctantly I binned the waterproof poncho that I've been carrying. It's bulky and was a last minute item packed just in case. Martin wore a poncho when it was raining on the BVRT earlier this year, with some success. But for the record I have now carried it a month, never used it, and binned it. No doubt I will wish for it at some time over the coming weeks. Maybe…
On a personal note, I have always been a jockey kind of guy ("My boys need a home!"). However, a month of cycling has changed that mindset. Nowadays I'm a boxer guy (or commando when I can get away with it). The last thing I need is any sort of restraint, rubbing, elastic, stitching, or pressure "down there". This made it an easy decision to ditch some underwear. Although the weight lost was offset by a new large tub of chamois cream to keep things friction-free when cycling. There is always time for lubrication!!!
Some Statistics from the North Island
Today's theme song is by RÜFÜS DU SOL - Innerbloom
This is a chill out song for me and typifies this past week - it has been great to chill, relax and recharge the batteries so I'm ready for the South Island. I may have relaxed too much! I have some anxiety about getting back on the bike that I've not felt since early in the trip.
I had a lazy week in Wellington. The weather turned nasty on Monday and Tuesday with ferocious wind and rain (even hail). This foul weather was the main reason for accelerating my last few legs of the North Island - I really wanted to avoid riding in the wind and rain if I could avoid it. And as the hail pinged off the window outside my hotel room I felt vindicated in this decision.
I filled the time with chores - email admin, route planning for the South Island, restocking food and laundry. Rob sent me a shopping list which gave me some purpose and reason to get out to the shops (snacks, gels, gas canister for camping stove, Cliff bars etc.).
When the weather improved there was also time for a bit of sightseeing in Wellington. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were lovely with blue sky and light winds (but cold). I dropped my bike in for a service, visited the Wellington Museum and joined a tour of the Beehive & Parliament House. I also met up with Peter (a friend of Sean's) for an impromptu craft beer tour of Wellington on Thursday. A great afternoon and very tasty beers! The World Series baseball (LA Dodgers Vs Toronto Blue Jays) was on the TV and made for great entertainment. This was the 5th game in the series and the Blue Jays won 6 - 1.
Friday afternoon was a repacking day - putting the gear back on the bike and getting ready for the South Island. Time to get the mind back in the game!
I asked myself - If I haven't used a piece of gear do I need to keep carrying it on the South Island. Spares, tools, etc. were excluded. It came down to clothing…and I decided to bin a few items that I haven't used (and can replace from a shop along the way if I really miss it). Reluctantly I binned the waterproof poncho that I've been carrying. It's bulky and was a last minute item packed just in case. Martin wore a poncho when it was raining on the BVRT earlier this year, with some success. But for the record I have now carried it a month, never used it, and binned it. No doubt I will wish for it at some time over the coming weeks. Maybe…
On a personal note, I have always been a jockey kind of guy ("My boys need a home!"). However, a month of cycling has changed that mindset. Nowadays I'm a boxer guy (or commando when I can get away with it). The last thing I need is any sort of restraint, rubbing, elastic, stitching, or pressure "down there". This made it an easy decision to ditch some underwear. Although the weight lost was offset by a new large tub of chamois cream to keep things friction-free when cycling. There is always time for lubrication!!!
Some Statistics from the North Island
- 1,737km Distance
- 20,465m Elevation Gain
- 23 Days cycling
- 12 Days cycling in the rain (at some time during the day)
- 2 Cataclysmic events that impacted my trip
- Monday 13th to Tuesday 14th October - Extreme wind and rain caused flooding to central North Island (Taumarunui and Timber Trail) that was unprecedented. Washouts, landslips and many roads and highways closed or underwater.
- Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th October - Wind caused major, once in a lifetime damage to South Island and lower North Island with highways closed, trees down, power poles down, power outages.
- 2 Breakages - bottle cage and glasses
- 3 Injuries - blister on left wrist caused by the crown of my watch rubbing on wrist bone (so weird), hematoma on shin when pedal banged into shin bone (that really hurt), tender tooshie
- Countless Magpie attacks
- 1 Unforgettable trip
Today's theme song is by RÜFÜS DU SOL - Innerbloom
This is a chill out song for me and typifies this past week - it has been great to chill, relax and recharge the batteries so I'm ready for the South Island. I may have relaxed too much! I have some anxiety about getting back on the bike that I've not felt since early in the trip.
Down at the harbour on Wednesday. Calm waters and blue sky. I hope we have similar weather on Saturday when crossing the Cook Strait.
The Beehive - not where Parliament sits but where the Prime Minister and their government offices are located. Parliament house is on the right (not in the photo).
Inside Parliament House, and the Green carpet and chairs of the House of Representatives. Unlike Australia there is no Senate. There are Select Committees that are similar but different.
The tour was really interesting.
Thank you for the update and education,we had a msg from Rob,bike had to go thru customs and time was tight. Not heard anything since so hope all will continue as planned.All the best for the next leg.
ReplyDeleteGo the Bluejays! Enjoy the south & thanks for the underwear tips.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear of your relax time and having a beer with Peter. Rob arrives shortly, and an adventure shared awaits.
ReplyDeleteI hope your disposal of your raincoat and underwear doesn't raise suspicions
Glad you enjoyed your time in Wellington! The Beehive and Parliament tour is a really great thing to do. Packing is always difficult as the what ifs keep popping up! Hope the South Island is kinder than the North Island. Certainly your first few days look pretty good weather wise! All the very best and happy cycling!
ReplyDeleteI love the detail! The insights into your process are fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI will not be checking where you have landed with regards to whether your boys still have a home! 😬W
After all the detail Anthony I needed 'Innerbloom' to relax to as well! Wasn't expecting the magpie attacks. Glad you got some time to rest up in Wellington before the South Island. All the best for the next part of the adventure !
ReplyDelete