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

Catering for the passing german cycle tourists, cafe at Inangahua!

Me at the summit of the Hope Saddle (635m)

Day 15 - Cycling in damp shoes

A big day, started out with nice and damp shoes from the soaking of yesterday! There were a few showers but it was mostly fine, Murchison was a small town, little to speak off though! Stayed at 'The Lazy Cow' - $18

Day 16 - My biggest day yet!

My biggest yet (again!) It was nice and flat all the way, with only the Hope Saddle to trouble me. At the top is a great viewpoint, where lots of people stared at me and told me I was mad!! Motueka is a nice, retirment town, stayed at 'The Laughing Kiwi' in their newly opened building (ohh shiny) - $18

Day 17 - Another day off...

I took a hire car out to the pennisular and was glad I didn't cycle it! Between Takaka and Motueka is the 'Takaka Hill' (810m high!), I was tired just after driving up it! The farewell spit was pictueresc and lovely! THe car set me back $50, and another $30 in fuel!

Day 18 - A mear 52 km, pah!

A road, that followed the coast, (so nice and flat), was a beautiful day and really enjoyed the ride! Stayed at 'Paradiso' - $19.. normally I avoid the big hostels, and this made me remember why!

Lambs at Puponga

Nelson (view from the centre of NZ)

Marlborough Sounds, view from back road to Nelson

Day 19 - A day off for a hangover

I decided to have a day off so I could hit the town.. I went to a small bar where I met this crazy French guy (who insisted in a heavy french accent he now considered himself a Kiwi), and the owner of the bar! Got chatting with the owner when the band finished and she educated me with some posh tequila! Good night!

Day 20 - Hills, Hills everywhere

This was a nice scenic ride with the last 30km on the Queen Charlotte Rd (going through Marlbrough Sound). It was a wee bit hilly (which I think my guide book may have played down) bur really pretty! Stayed - 'The Villa' Free Apple Crumble, though huuuge dorms, and Kiwi Exp' customers $20

Day 21 - The Birds II

A beautiful day! Though I'm sure the hills were bigger again! Must be tired from yesterday..!? The return of the birds!!! 4 Attacks, 1 definately wanted me dead.. I was fighting wiht it as camper vans roared 100km/h inches away! It even flew along the road at one point level with me chasing me (going over 35km/h!) I have discovered that my pump (which is attached to my frame) makes a great weapon! Stayed at the 'Pedallers Rest', a cycle-specific backpackers! Was the first one to arrive this season (Denise, the owner, said no-one normally arrives until mid-October)

Pedallers Rest, nr Ward

'Give Way' to trains... umm just give way?

Seals along Kaikora Coast (next to SH1!)


	Catering for the passing german cycle tourists, cafe at Inangahua!		Me at the summit of the Hope Saddle (635m)		Farewell Spit


	Day 15 - Cycling in damp shoes Westport - Murchison Distance - 98.75 km Ave Speed - 17.2 km/h Time - 5 hrs, 44 mins Total Distance - 855 km
	A big day, started out with nice and damp shoes from the soaking of yesterday! There were a few showers but it was mostly fine, Murchison was a small town, little to speak off though! Stayed at 'The Lazy Cow' - $18
	Day 16 - My biggest day yet! Murchison - Motueka Distance - 131.8 km!!!! Ave Speed - 19.6 km/h!!! Time - 6 hrs, 41 mins Total Distance - 987 km
	My biggest yet (again!) It was nice and flat all the way, with only the Hope Saddle to trouble me. At the top is a great viewpoint, where lots of people stared at me and told me I was mad!! Motueka is a nice, retirment town, stayed at 'The Laughing Kiwi' in their newly opened building (ohh shiny) - $18
	Day 17 - Another day off... Motueka - Collingwood - Farewell Spit - Motueka
	I took a hire car out to the pennisular and was glad I didn't cycle it! Between Takaka and Motueka is the 'Takaka Hill' (810m high!), I was tired just after driving up it! The farewell spit was pictueresc and lovely! THe car set me back $50, and another $30 in fuel!
	Day 18 - A mear 52 km, pah! Motueka - Nelson Distance - 51.7 km Ave Speed - 17.9 km/h Time - 2 hrs, 53 mins Total Distance - 1039 km!!
	A road, that followed the coast, (so nice and flat), was a beautiful day and really enjoyed the ride! Stayed at 'Paradiso' - $19.. normally I avoid the big hostels, and this made me remember why!


	Day 20 - Hills, Hills everywhere Nelson - Picton Distance - 109.6 km Ave Speed - 17.7 Time - 6 hours, 10 mins Total Distance - 1148 km
	This was a nice scenic ride with the last 30km on the Queen Charlotte Rd (going through Marlbrough Sound). It was a wee bit hilly (which I think my guide book may have played down) bur really pretty! Stayed - 'The Villa' Free Apple Crumble, though huuuge dorms, and Kiwi Exp' customers $20


	Day 21 - The Birds II Picton - nr Ward (Pedallers Rest) Distance - 85 km Ave Speed - 18.5 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 34 mins Total Distance - 1233 km
	A beautiful day! Though I'm sure the hills were bigger again! Must be tired from yesterday..!? The return of the birds!!! 4 Attacks, 1 definately wanted me dead.. I was fighting wiht it as camper vans roared 100km/h inches away! It even flew along the road at one point level with me chasing me (going over 35km/h!) I have discovered that my pump (which is attached to my frame) makes a great weapon! Stayed at the 'Pedallers Rest', a cycle-specific backpackers! Was the first one to arrive this season (Denise, the owner, said no-one normally arrives until mid-October)