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

Camped at Moana, Lake Brunner

NZ's premier tourist attraction, Red Post - A famous spot, can't remember why!

Bike at Red Post

Day 57 - Weeeeeeee.....

After meeting and discussing in depth the 'f@#$ing antiques' that are my Ortlieb panniers (he was obviously a trailer fan!) with the co-owner Bob. I knew I had to desecend 920m, so with a little smile I loaded up the bike! There were still a few rolling hills so I wasnt all down hill, and I also discovered that my rear brake was rubbing (which means I was working twice as hard to climb up!,,, I hit a max speed of 62 km/h! Stayed at Moana Holiday Park, over looking Lake Brunner where 'the fish die of old age'. My 3rd night in the tent, $10.

Day 58 - Hello / Goodbye again West Coast(ers)

As quickly as I got myself back to the West Coast, I left just as quickly, heading for the sandfly-infested Lewis Pass.. (crossing back over the Southern Alps). I stopped at a great coasters pub in Stillwater where I spent over an hour chatting with the owner about BZ beer, a subject I've become extremely knowledable about (after tim working for Lion Nathan, bar work, and brewery tours!). Also met a long-term kiwi cyclist who worked on farms woofing to continue his extended NZ tour (he'd spent 2 years on the North Island and planned 2 more in the South! Stayed at The Old Nurses Home in Reefton, famous for being the first place in NZ to get electricity (not much has changed since!) $20

Day 59 - Another big f@##ing hill...

My biggest day for one thing, and it included Lewis and Rahu Pass. The rain was threatening so I didn't fancy camping out, so instead pushed the body and got all the way to Hamner Springs. I was exhausted when I got there! Hamner Backpackers $17

Day 60 - Last day in the South Island...

Unsurprisingly a little sore after such a big day yesterday it was luckily mostly downhill (though not noticably). It rained for the first 10km and then cleared up, thogh remaining overcast and grey.. I stayed at the wonderful 'Waipara Sleepers' hostel, whose dorms are actually train carraiges! $20

Was a bit sad to finish the South Island part of my tour, as I knew that I'd already completed the best bit!! Ahead lie, traffic, Auckland drivers and more hills!

Day 61 - Waipara - Picton (by train) - Wellington (by ferry)

Day 62 - Wellington, Day of rest

Took the train and ferry over to Wellington and stayed at the cauotic Rosemere Backpackers ($20). Due to a staff members birthday the hostel was one big party (and subsequent hangover)

The end of my tour of the South Island, outside a carriage / dorm room, Waipara Sleepers


	Day 57 - Weeeeeeee..... Arthurs Pass Village - Moana Distance - 66.9 km Ave Speed - 66.9 km/h Time - 3 hrs, 34 min Total Distance - 3356 km
	After meeting and discussing in depth the 'f@#$ing antiques' that are my Ortlieb panniers (he was obviously a trailer fan!) with the co-owner Bob. I knew I had to desecend 920m, so with a little smile I loaded up the bike! There were still a few rolling hills so I wasnt all down hill, and I also discovered that my rear brake was rubbing (which means I was working twice as hard to climb up!,,, I hit a max speed of 62 km/h! Stayed at Moana Holiday Park, over looking Lake Brunner where 'the fish die of old age'. My 3rd night in the tent, $10.
	Day 58 - Hello / Goodbye again West Coast(ers) Moana - Reefton Distance - 89.3 km Ave Speed - 19.2 km/h Time - 4 hrs, 38 mins Total Distance - 3445 km
	As quickly as I got myself back to the West Coast, I left just as quickly, heading for the sandfly-infested Lewis Pass.. (crossing back over the Southern Alps). I stopped at a great coasters pub in Stillwater where I spent over an hour chatting with the owner about BZ beer, a subject I've become extremely knowledable about (after tim working for Lion Nathan, bar work, and brewery tours!). Also met a long-term kiwi cyclist who worked on farms woofing to continue his extended NZ tour (he'd spent 2 years on the North Island and planned 2 more in the South! Stayed at The Old Nurses Home in Reefton, famous for being the first place in NZ to get electricity (not much has changed since!) $20
	Day 59 - Another big f@##ing hill... Reefton - Hamner Springs Distance - 141.6 km!! Ave Speed - 18.6 km/h Time - 7 hrs, 34 mins Big 'effin hills - 2 Magpies attacks - 1 Total Distance - 3587 km
	My biggest day for one thing, and it included Lewis and Rahu Pass. The rain was threatening so I didn't fancy camping out, so instead pushed the body and got all the way to Hamner Springs. I was exhausted when I got there! Hamner Backpackers $17
	Day 60 - Last day in the South Island... Hamner Springs - Waipara Distance - 77.9 km Ave Speed - 19.8 km/h Time - 3 hrs, 55 mins Total Distance - 3665 km
	Unsurprisingly a little sore after such a big day yesterday it was luckily mostly downhill (though not noticably). It rained for the first 10km and then cleared up, thogh remaining overcast and grey.. I stayed at the wonderful 'Waipara Sleepers' hostel, whose dorms are actually train carraiges! $20 Was a bit sad to finish the South Island part of my tour, as I knew that I'd already completed the best bit!! Ahead lie, traffic, Auckland drivers and more hills!