Steve Morgan - www.stevemorgan.me.uk - Cycle Tour of New Zealand, South Island, 2004

Cycling the South Island was an idea I had once which I felt had to be be followed through after I got drunk and told loads of people I was going to do it! Fast forward a year, and NZ$2500 later and I about to set off!

I'm starting out the 1st of September 2004, initially I was going to head South, to Invercargill (starting out from Queenstown, where I have been living for the last six months) and loop around the coast. Having looked into the weather, I've revised the plan to start out up the (rainy :) ) West Coast...

Packed and ready to go

Cromwells famous plastic fruit

Day 1 - The last day of Winter!

After an apprehensive start, finding the first 30km's quite difficult I got into it and started to enjoy myself! Stayed at a holiday park called 'Chalets', with my own room for $25!! Sadly I missed the womens hockey tournement who all stayed there by a few days, sigh...

Day 2 - The first day of Spring! Hurrah!

The wind was against me from the start! I walked most the way as I was having to pedal downhill to keep going! After an hour a magpie (quite correctly) had ideas that I was going to steal its nesting spot to raise my own evil offspring, and decided to dive bomb me! After that I decided to draw on the eyes on the back of my helmet (as my book told me to) as they only attack from behind... it was like a scene from 'The Birds', if i had been called 'The Bird'. Stayed at Wanaka Bakpaka - $19

Day 3 - A day of rest...

A day of rest... It wasnt the weather, the wind or because of the pretty girl in the hostel, just because!

The toilet seat at Wanaka's Puzzling World

Puzzling World's Tower

Day 4 - Riding into the wilderness

Feeling the days rest, I made good progress, and it was a beautiful day! Ate lunch at a camp spot called Boundary Creek, and encountered my first sandfly (see later!)!?!? Stayed at 'Makarora Tourist Centre', it was me and one crazy guy from India, i nearly pissed myself before he would let me get a word in to escape! Stayed at Makarora Tourist Centre - $20

Day 5 - The rainy season

My first big day! It went really well! It pissed it down on the last 40 kms, but humpft! I soildered through it! Stayed at the 'Wilderness Backpackers' - $20

Day 6 - 50cc of pure driving pleasure

I hired a scooter (sorry mum, i know your feelings on motorbikes) and headed down Jackson Bay Road to see one of the West Coast's lesser explored parts! It was a great day, I caught a glimsp of some dolphins off-shore at Neils Beach and watched the locals 'Whitebating' (catching the local delicacy). Realised this was the first time I'd seen the sea in over 4 months!

Bike at Otago - Westland Border stone (top of Haast Pass)

Old explosives store, top of Haast Pass

Roaring Billy Falls

Day 7 - My longest ever ride.. so far!

My longest ever day!! The whole way I was bricking it in case the hostel at Fox Glacier was full and I'd have to ride the extra 25kms to Franz Josef! Luckily it wasn't and I wouldn't have made it any how! There were some great DOC camping grounds along the way (though its still a little too cold for me to camp... well thats my excuse anyhow!) Stayed at 'Ivory Towers' - $18

Jackson Bay (looking to Jackson Bay Rd)

Warning - Pengiuns crossing (WHERE?!!)

My trusty motored steed!


	The Plan...
	Cycling the South Island was an idea I had once which I felt had to be be followed through after I got drunk and told loads of people I was going to do it! Fast forward a year, and NZ$2500 later and I about to set off! I'm starting out the 1st of September 2004, initially I was going to head South, to Invercargill (starting out from Queenstown, where I have been living for the last six months) and loop around the coast. Having looked into the weather, I've revised the plan to start out up the (rainy :) ) West Coast...


	All my gear!		Packed and ready to go		Cromwells famous plastic fruit


	Day 1 - The last day of Winter! Queenstown - Cromwell (AKA Giant, plastic fruit capital of the South Island) Ave Speed - 16.1 km/h Time - 3 hrs, 46 mins Distance - 60.7 km
	After an apprehensive start, finding the first 30km's quite difficult I got into it and started to enjoy myself! Stayed at a holiday park called 'Chalets', with my own room for $25!! Sadly I missed the womens hockey tournement who all stayed there by a few days, sigh...
	Day 2 - The first day of Spring! Hurrah! Cromwell - Wanaka Distance - 56 km Ave Speed - 11.2 km/h Time - 5 hrs, 3 mins Magpie attacks - 1 Total Distance - 111 km
	The wind was against me from the start! I walked most the way as I was having to pedal downhill to keep going! After an hour a magpie (quite correctly) had ideas that I was going to steal its nesting spot to raise my own evil offspring, and decided to dive bomb me! After that I decided to draw on the eyes on the back of my helmet (as my book told me to) as they only attack from behind... it was like a scene from 'The Birds', if i had been called 'The Bird'. Stayed at Wanaka Bakpaka - $19
	Day 3 - A day of rest...
	A day of rest... It wasnt the weather, the wind or because of the pretty girl in the hostel, just because!


	The toilet seat at Wanaka's Puzzling World		Puzzling World's Tower		Lake Hawea


	Day 4 - Riding into the wilderness Wanaka - Makarora (AKA The middle of nowhere) Distance - 66 km Ave Speed - 16.4 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 4 mins Total Distance - 111 km
	Feeling the days rest, I made good progress, and it was a beautiful day! Ate lunch at a camp spot called Boundary Creek, and encountered my first sandfly (see later!)!?!? Stayed at 'Makarora Tourist Centre', it was me and one crazy guy from India, i nearly pissed myself before he would let me get a word in to escape! Stayed at Makarora Tourist Centre - $20
	Day 5 - The rainy season Makarora - Haast Distance - 79.5 km Ave Speed - 16.5 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 47 mins Rain - Lots! Total Distance - 265 km
	My first big day! It went really well! It pissed it down on the last 40 kms, but humpft! I soildered through it! Stayed at the 'Wilderness Backpackers' - $20