Day 26 of TA - No tunnel for you!
Monday 3rd November
Distance: 94 km
Elevation gain: 1,135 metres
From Wakefield via Tapawera to Lake Rotoroa
About 9 hrs elapsed from 8:30am to 5:30 pm.
Awake before the alarm again, this time a combination of needing to pee and being cold. There was a heavy dew on the tent so there was no getting away from the fact that everything was going to get packed up wet. Breakfast in the domain (kind of like breakfast in the local park). There was no tap so we filled our water bottles from the river and popped in some water purification tablets with the hope that they would do the job. The weather was overcast but no sign of rain.
The first leg today was 33 km to Tapawera. We got underway at 8:30am and immediately started climbing along the Great Taste Trail. It was smooth going early on as we passed chicken farms, sheep and cattle paddocks upstream from the river water that we had gathered. My tummy immediately started to turn. 🤢 Maybe I shouldn't have drunk so much water? And how good are those water purification tablets?
Unfortunately the storms in Nelson last year had done significant damage to the Great Taste Trail and we were forced to ride on the highway. In fact we had to bypass the Spooners Tunnel altogether and go over the range on the highway, which was a blessing and a curse. Blessing because it was tarmac, curse because of the trucks. The climb was challenging but not stupidly difficult. Plenty of stops along the way. It got very cold and we could see our breath as we exhaled. We reckon about 5 degrees, so one of the colder summits. Once we were over the top and into the valley the clouds disappeared and there was a clear blue sky. A great day for cycling.
We had second breakfast at Kohatu Cafe and the owners were very generous and let us refill our water bottles, this time with clean tap water. Then it was onto to Tapawera along a smooth rail trail. The scenery was amazing and the snow on the mountains from yesterday was even more pretty the closer we got.
At Tapawera we needed to get cash to pay the backpackers hostel that we had booked for the night. The 4-square couldn't give us cash (computer says no!) but the petrol station saved the day. Tip - keep at least $200 in cash for emergencies.
The second leg today was 63 km to Lake Rotoroa. We didn't leave Tapawera until after lunch so it was going to be another late finish. There was steady climbing to Tadmor Saddle (480 m) and then 20 km downhill - some on gravel and some on Highway 6. Very fast section. We made the final turn towards Lake Rotoroa and rode another 10 km, climbing all the way to regain the elevation that we had just enjoyed so much. We were greeted with an amazing view of the lake when we arrived. It was blue sky and rugged snow capped mountains in the distance. The black bugs (sandflies) were ravenous and attacked as soon as we stopped. A quick photo and then back to the Hostel.
No camping tonight - it's relative luxury, as the owners (Louise and Tony) cooked us a roast chicken dinner with gravy, roast potatoes and veggies. So good not to have to cook or put up a tent. Although we did hang the tents on the cloths line to dry. Louise also did a load of washing for us that we hung out to dry, so clean clothes tomorrow!
Today's theme song is by Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it / On and on and on, we are calling out and out again.
The hills continue but the weather and scenery in the South Island is putting on a show. Amazing day in the saddle.
Packing up after a night at the Wai-iti Reserve (local cricket pitch). Very basic.
River water purification process. It 'should' work…
The first big climb of the day, too much highway and too close to the trucks.
If only I could recharge my bike this easily.
Along the road from Tapawera to Lake Rotoroa. The hills keep coming.
Photo control point 17 - Lake Rotoroa.
The water level in the lake is at bursting point and is over the jetty. But we didn't stop for long because of the sandflies.
Even time for a quick ride out to the end of the jetty and back:
Distance: 94 km
Elevation gain: 1,135 metres
From Wakefield via Tapawera to Lake Rotoroa
About 9 hrs elapsed from 8:30am to 5:30 pm.
Awake before the alarm again, this time a combination of needing to pee and being cold. There was a heavy dew on the tent so there was no getting away from the fact that everything was going to get packed up wet. Breakfast in the domain (kind of like breakfast in the local park). There was no tap so we filled our water bottles from the river and popped in some water purification tablets with the hope that they would do the job. The weather was overcast but no sign of rain.
The first leg today was 33 km to Tapawera. We got underway at 8:30am and immediately started climbing along the Great Taste Trail. It was smooth going early on as we passed chicken farms, sheep and cattle paddocks upstream from the river water that we had gathered. My tummy immediately started to turn. 🤢 Maybe I shouldn't have drunk so much water? And how good are those water purification tablets?
Unfortunately the storms in Nelson last year had done significant damage to the Great Taste Trail and we were forced to ride on the highway. In fact we had to bypass the Spooners Tunnel altogether and go over the range on the highway, which was a blessing and a curse. Blessing because it was tarmac, curse because of the trucks. The climb was challenging but not stupidly difficult. Plenty of stops along the way. It got very cold and we could see our breath as we exhaled. We reckon about 5 degrees, so one of the colder summits. Once we were over the top and into the valley the clouds disappeared and there was a clear blue sky. A great day for cycling.
We had second breakfast at Kohatu Cafe and the owners were very generous and let us refill our water bottles, this time with clean tap water. Then it was onto to Tapawera along a smooth rail trail. The scenery was amazing and the snow on the mountains from yesterday was even more pretty the closer we got.
At Tapawera we needed to get cash to pay the backpackers hostel that we had booked for the night. The 4-square couldn't give us cash (computer says no!) but the petrol station saved the day. Tip - keep at least $200 in cash for emergencies.
The second leg today was 63 km to Lake Rotoroa. We didn't leave Tapawera until after lunch so it was going to be another late finish. There was steady climbing to Tadmor Saddle (480 m) and then 20 km downhill - some on gravel and some on Highway 6. Very fast section. We made the final turn towards Lake Rotoroa and rode another 10 km, climbing all the way to regain the elevation that we had just enjoyed so much. We were greeted with an amazing view of the lake when we arrived. It was blue sky and rugged snow capped mountains in the distance. The black bugs (sandflies) were ravenous and attacked as soon as we stopped. A quick photo and then back to the Hostel.
No camping tonight - it's relative luxury, as the owners (Louise and Tony) cooked us a roast chicken dinner with gravy, roast potatoes and veggies. So good not to have to cook or put up a tent. Although we did hang the tents on the cloths line to dry. Louise also did a load of washing for us that we hung out to dry, so clean clothes tomorrow!
Today's theme song is by Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it / On and on and on, we are calling out and out again.
The hills continue but the weather and scenery in the South Island is putting on a show. Amazing day in the saddle.
Packing up after a night at the Wai-iti Reserve (local cricket pitch). Very basic.
River water purification process. It 'should' work…
The first big climb of the day, too much highway and too close to the trucks.
If only I could recharge my bike this easily.
Along the road from Tapawera to Lake Rotoroa. The hills keep coming.
Photo control point 17 - Lake Rotoroa.
The water level in the lake is at bursting point and is over the jetty. But we didn't stop for long because of the sandflies.
Even time for a quick ride out to the end of the jetty and back:
A good ride! Glad the weather came right and made the day's ride much more pleasant, as did nice accommodation and a home cooked dinner! Be prepared for sandfly attacks from now on! They are ferocious!! Hope you have plenty of insect repellant ! All the best for tomorrow and whatever the day holds. Enjoy the scenery!
ReplyDeleteGlad that the weather has come good,makes life so much better and hope it continues so you can can continue to make good kms per day..without insect intervention.
ReplyDelete