Day 38 of TA - Headwinds of the Southland plains!
Tuesday 18th November
Distance: 112 km
Elevation gain: 86 metres
From Mossburn to Invercargill
About 6 hrs elapsed from 7 am to 1 pm.
I'm getting excited about finishing and today was a flat run all the way to Invercargill (leaving a small 35km day on Wednesday to finish at Bluff). It was a challenge to get going early. The route today was south, through the towns of Winton, Wallacetown, and finally ending in Invercargill. Without the fully laden panniers our day seemed achievable. Mel had purchased our breakfast supplies so at least we didn't have to worry about that chore. The biggest and most concerning issue was the gale force winds that had picked up overnight. The little cabin we were staying in shuddered and shook with the gusts. Would we have a headwind or tailwind for our ride today?
The first leg was 70km to Winton. This time we were lucky and had a fantastic tailwind. We absolutely flew whenever the route was southbound, and then struggled when it deviated with any northerly aspect. The mountains quickly disappeared in our rear vision as we rode through farmland the whole time. And it was flat. At one point late in the morning I checked the elevation gain and it was only 14 metres.
We arrived in Winton after covering 70km in 3 hours. We felt positive and enjoyed a short half-hour break in the local bakery - with a sausage roll and muffin. Can't go wrong!
Unfortunately, our luck turned and the final 40km was brutal. The weirdest part is that we were still heading south, but the wind had changed direction during the 30 minute break while we ate morning tea. The wind now came out of the South, directly into our faces. Rob took the lead of our little peloton for most of the time and I followed closely behind to take advantage of the windbreak. But I did take a turn or two at the front to give him a rest. This last 40km took 2.5 hours as we pushed slowly along the roads.
We arrived exhausted after the punishing head wind. Rob and I met up with Mel and the folks for a long lunch. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't yet finished. There is still 35km to go.
We stayed in an Airbnb house and relaxed before the final push tomorrow. We had a little celebration dinner, but we are not counting the chickens yet (maybe just lining them up!).
Today's theme song is by Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
Hey now, hey now / Don't dream it's over
So close to the end of this odyssey.
Departing from the Mossburn Caravan Park this morning. This was a very weird place. It was so clean and pretty but they didn't provide washing up liquid in the camp kitchen. You could pay 50cents for a little sachet. They also didn't provide linen in the cabins. But you could pay extra for linen (although it didn't include towels). Even when we camped (in tents) at Haast we were provided with towels. Everyone is different!!
Fantastic riding conditions in the morning. Straight to Invercargill. Lovely colours. Someone mentioned that the old Windows XP green rolling hills wallpaper photo could have come from the Southlands.
This hedge, in the middle of nowhere, needs a haircut. Maybe the barber needs a bigger cherry-picker.
Photo control point 29 - A Southland local. Born and bred here…it took some encouragement for the cow to get close enough for the photo.
Invercargill cycle trail along the river. As we entered the urban area it was jarring. After 38 days on the North and South Island with magnificent vistas, today's Invercargill city-scape was such a contrast. We have been spoiled on our journey with each day bringing such amazing views.
Distance: 112 km
Elevation gain: 86 metres
From Mossburn to Invercargill
About 6 hrs elapsed from 7 am to 1 pm.
I'm getting excited about finishing and today was a flat run all the way to Invercargill (leaving a small 35km day on Wednesday to finish at Bluff). It was a challenge to get going early. The route today was south, through the towns of Winton, Wallacetown, and finally ending in Invercargill. Without the fully laden panniers our day seemed achievable. Mel had purchased our breakfast supplies so at least we didn't have to worry about that chore. The biggest and most concerning issue was the gale force winds that had picked up overnight. The little cabin we were staying in shuddered and shook with the gusts. Would we have a headwind or tailwind for our ride today?
The first leg was 70km to Winton. This time we were lucky and had a fantastic tailwind. We absolutely flew whenever the route was southbound, and then struggled when it deviated with any northerly aspect. The mountains quickly disappeared in our rear vision as we rode through farmland the whole time. And it was flat. At one point late in the morning I checked the elevation gain and it was only 14 metres.
We arrived in Winton after covering 70km in 3 hours. We felt positive and enjoyed a short half-hour break in the local bakery - with a sausage roll and muffin. Can't go wrong!
Unfortunately, our luck turned and the final 40km was brutal. The weirdest part is that we were still heading south, but the wind had changed direction during the 30 minute break while we ate morning tea. The wind now came out of the South, directly into our faces. Rob took the lead of our little peloton for most of the time and I followed closely behind to take advantage of the windbreak. But I did take a turn or two at the front to give him a rest. This last 40km took 2.5 hours as we pushed slowly along the roads.
We arrived exhausted after the punishing head wind. Rob and I met up with Mel and the folks for a long lunch. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't yet finished. There is still 35km to go.
We stayed in an Airbnb house and relaxed before the final push tomorrow. We had a little celebration dinner, but we are not counting the chickens yet (maybe just lining them up!).
Today's theme song is by Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
Hey now, hey now / Don't dream it's over
So close to the end of this odyssey.
Departing from the Mossburn Caravan Park this morning. This was a very weird place. It was so clean and pretty but they didn't provide washing up liquid in the camp kitchen. You could pay 50cents for a little sachet. They also didn't provide linen in the cabins. But you could pay extra for linen (although it didn't include towels). Even when we camped (in tents) at Haast we were provided with towels. Everyone is different!!
Fantastic riding conditions in the morning. Straight to Invercargill. Lovely colours. Someone mentioned that the old Windows XP green rolling hills wallpaper photo could have come from the Southlands.
This hedge, in the middle of nowhere, needs a haircut. Maybe the barber needs a bigger cherry-picker.
Photo control point 29 - A Southland local. Born and bred here…it took some encouragement for the cow to get close enough for the photo.
Invercargill cycle trail along the river. As we entered the urban area it was jarring. After 38 days on the North and South Island with magnificent vistas, today's Invercargill city-scape was such a contrast. We have been spoiled on our journey with each day bringing such amazing views.
Wow mate so close to the finish, hope tomorrow is an enjoyable 35km last run and then you all get to enjoy a break together.
ReplyDeleteJust about there! Enjoy cruising across the finish with a Marlborough sparkling in hand!
ReplyDeleteHow cruel was that head wind! At least it wasn't raining too! No decent hills down there to stop any wind either! Congratulations to you both on finishing this trip today, such a relief for everyone involved, even us on the couch reading about your experiences! I have really enjoyed reading about your trip and revisiting parts that we have either biked or driven! Enjoy a well earned break and being a tourist in a car! How special/lovely to have your lovely and supportive wife plus your mum and dad waiting for you at Bluff! All the very best to you all!
ReplyDelete