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

View from Fernlea

Lighthouse at Nugget Point

Day 36 - The wind, the useless wind...

The WIND, arghh!! After again choosing the back roads, I was punished for 5 hours! Got into The Catlins and initialy was unimpressed! I struggled to see the difference between this and any other part of coastal NZ! No native bush, sheep grazing everywhere... Then I got off the main road and headed for Kaka Bay. Once I got to Kaka Bay I realised why its famous! The backpackers had a million dollar view and I was all alone (though like an old peoples home again!). Stayed at Fernlea, $18 (and an apology for the price hike?!?!)

Day 37 - First Puncture in 2000km!

My first PUNCTURE!!! Woke up to find my f%$#%$g back tyre was flat, had vague recollections of hitting a dead hedgehog on the way in... Took the back wheel off and spent 20 mins trying to reset the brakes after clumbsily knocking them! Finally got back on the road and met two other cyclists from Holland (who again were staying anywhere free they could find including 'abandoned' farm sheds!) The wind got up later on and my gears decided not too shift. Decided to pack it in at Papatowai and stayed at the wonderful 'Hill Top Backpackers', $22 (must have been decorated by a gay man!)

View from Nugget Point

George and Saskia from Holland

Day 38 - What another falls? Do I have to?

Another problem bike day! THe pump fell off and fell under my bike, snapping in half! The roads were mostly gravel, with varying degrees of roughness as there were in the middle of tar-sealing it!

See a great many falls, with the mighty Niagra, being the best! (*see pics!) At Curio Bay there were Yellow Eyed Penguins (though I only saw one). Stayed at 'Curio Bay Accomodation' $10 *(he had no change!)

Puraunui Falls, The Catlins

Matai Falls, The Catlins

McLean Falls, The Catlins

Day 39 - No wind!! Haha!

After Fortrose, there was little to see as I rejoined the main highway. There was no wind, thankfully as the locals had warned me that this section was famous for cyclists giving up and turning around! Stayed at 'Southern Comfort', $18

Niagra Falls, The Catlins

Waipapa Point, The Catlins

Day 40 - Day of rest

Day 41 - My first camp out!

Woke up late due to beer (having gone to Southland vs Wellington, NPC rugby match with Cortney & Stephanie), 30-0. Managed to get a comedy photo 'with' Tana Umaga (All Blacks captain)!

Got to Lumsden, no cabins left at the Holiday Park so I have my first night in my tent (which I've been carrying the whole way without using once!), Lumsden Holiday Park $6!

Day 42 - My triumpant return!

Started off early (something to do with the temperature in the tent!) And rode into the wind (hurrah!) State Highway 6 followed the Remarkables (the mountain range you see from Q'town), and Lake Wakatipu all the way to Queenstown! Stayed at BUNGI!! $19

Cortney, Luke Andrews and Steph

My photo opp with Tana Umaga, All Black's Captain

Steph, Me and Cortney


	Day 36 - The wind, the useless wind... Milton - Kaka Bay (via Toko Mouth & Kaitanga) Distance - 69.5 km Ave Speed - 13.7 km/h Time - 5 hrs, 2 mins Total Distance - 2113 km
	The WIND, arghh!! After again choosing the back roads, I was punished for 5 hours! Got into The Catlins and initialy was unimpressed! I struggled to see the difference between this and any other part of coastal NZ! No native bush, sheep grazing everywhere... Then I got off the main road and headed for Kaka Bay. Once I got to Kaka Bay I realised why its famous! The backpackers had a million dollar view and I was all alone (though like an old peoples home again!). Stayed at Fernlea, $18 (and an apology for the price hike?!?!)
	Day 37 - First Puncture in 2000km! Kaka Bay - Nugget Point - Papatowai Distance - 59.3 km Ave Speed - 12.7 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 38 mins Total Distance - 2172 km
	My first PUNCTURE!!! Woke up to find my f%$#%$g back tyre was flat, had vague recollections of hitting a dead hedgehog on the way in... Took the back wheel off and spent 20 mins trying to reset the brakes after clumbsily knocking them! Finally got back on the road and met two other cyclists from Holland (who again were staying anywhere free they could find including 'abandoned' farm sheds!) The wind got up later on and my gears decided not too shift. Decided to pack it in at Papatowai and stayed at the wonderful 'Hill Top Backpackers', $22 (must have been decorated by a gay man!)

	Day 39 - No wind!! Haha! Curio Bay - Invercargill Distance - 91.4 km Ave Speed - 18.3 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 57 mins Total Distance - 2345 km Magpies - 1
	After Fortrose, there was little to see as I rejoined the main highway. There was no wind, thankfully as the locals had warned me that this section was famous for cyclists giving up and turning around! Stayed at 'Southern Comfort', $18


	Day 41 - My first camp out! Invercargill - Lumsden Distance - 81.4 km Ave Speed - 17.8 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 33 mins Total Distance - 2426 km
	Woke up late due to beer (having gone to Southland vs Wellington, NPC rugby match with Cortney & Stephanie), 30-0. Managed to get a comedy photo 'with' Tana Umaga (All Blacks captain)! Got to Lumsden, no cabins left at the Holiday Park so I have my first night in my tent (which I've been carrying the whole way without using once!), Lumsden Holiday Park $6!


	Day 42 - My triumpant return! Lumsden - Queenstown Distance - 106.8 km Ave Speed - 15.5 km/h Time - 6 hrs, 52 mins Total Distance - 2533 km
	Started off early (something to do with the temperature in the tent!) And rode into the wind (hurrah!) State Highway 6 followed the Remarkables (the mountain range you see from Q'town), and Lake Wakatipu all the way to Queenstown! Stayed at BUNGI!! $19