Sigh

Apr. 7th, 2009 01:06 pm
arcadiagt5: (Default)
Just got hit with an excess baggage fee for the trike.

Oh well at least the Qantas Club has free wi-fi.

Aieeee!

Apr. 7th, 2009 10:02 am
arcadiagt5: (Airborne!)
I'm one of those people who gets up early when travelling to pack. etc

And this is a good thing too... )
No, really, starting to calm down now. :)
arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

No we didn't ride all that way. Especially not Arthur's Pass.

There was a train ride though... )


I probably won't do much tomorrow and will pack the trike on Monday. Tuesday I fly to Perth

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

Lakes, hills, and more glorious weather.

Read more... )


Last day tomorrow and it looks like the weather may abandon us.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

Mirrored misty lakes, hills, and hiking on ice.

Quite a varied day indeed... )

And shortly there will be dinner and hot pools. Life is good.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

Deja vu all over again. Except not.

And I'll stop making jokes like that soon... )


Of course it does mean that I know what is coming tomorrow...

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)
There is really only one road on the west coast of the South Island. This time I'm travelling it in the opposite direction.

And that's not the only thing that's different )
Hey, I've just done 1000Km on this tour! Yay me!
arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)
Either the trike is getting older or the NZ roads are getting rougher. Or is it both at once?

She's breaking up Captain! I cannae hold her together much longer... )

But what about the ride? There was a ride today right? )
Not quite sure what the options are tomorrow but it is a fair way to Haast. I am going to make an attempt at the Haast Pass though.
arcadiagt5: (Default)

Basically some sightseeing around Queenstown and some between trip housekeeping. Oh and I saw Watchmen.

The first day was occupied with laundry and obtaining a replacement set of cleats for the sandals. I did ride the gondola though which spaetlese will be happy to know. I also saw Watchmen which I think is a good adaptation but I'm not sure if it makes a good (or even rewatchable) movie.

Today I did a halfday 4WD safari around Queenstown with a vague Lord of the Rings flavour. The guide pointed out several areas that had, with some CGI alterations, been used as locations for various scenes. It appears that most of the mountain ranges in the movies were various versions of the Remarkables. Most locations were adjusted to some extent or another - this river was shallow enough for horses to handle but that river had the right surroundings, etc, etc. Highly amusing to hear.

Back to Wanaka tomorrow and I am not riding back up the Crown Ranges again. 5Km past Arrowtown and I'm catching the elevator.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)
Cold, wet, and on gravel. What else could possibly go wrong?

Do you really want me to answer that? )
Dinner shortly then planning for a couple of rest days in Queenstown.
arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

A sprint, a social bit, and a hard grind. All before lunch.

Not the light ride I was expecting... )


Tomorrow we're off to Queenstown by a different route that involves gravel and steamships.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

End of the cruise, lots of downhills, and a fast century ride.

But still a century so fairly tired now... )


Tomorrow we're staying in Te Anau but will be riding in the area in the morning.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

A couple of enjoyable but not long rides, a lot of driving time, and a pleasant cruise on Milford Sound.

Lots of pretty scenery though... )


Tomorrow the boat will return to Milford and we'll be off to Te Anau for a couple of nights. We should be able to get some decent rides in tomorrow.

arcadiagt5: (Default)

What is this cycling concept of which you speak? Today is for jet boats. :)

I elected to do the Dart River Jetboat Safari which meant about 3 hours in a jetboat heading up the Dart River at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Fun stuff, great views, and those 360o spins are huge fun. It was extremely cold in the morning and at speed but the views were definitely worth it. After lunch in Glenorchy I'm back at the hotel doing laundry.

Since we're heading towards more cold stuff I'll be breaking out the winter cycling gear tomorrow. Two layers of gloves etc etc.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

The route may be the same but the ride can be very different.

Over the Crown Ranges I go... )


On Tuesday we'll be heading towards Milford Sound and again limitations on geography will create very similar rides

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

I can too climb hills!

And I actually made pretty good time too... )


Note: descents are all the sweeter when you've earned them. :)

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

A good long ride, some hiking, spectacular views and near perfect weather.

It just doesn't get much better than this... )


Life is good. Right now I'm as pleased as I am tired...

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)

In which I discover that tarmac with a headwind is preferable to gravel with a tail wind

But at least the great views made up for it... )


Usually I try to insert a witty post cut comment here but I'm drawing a blank tonight.

arcadiagt5: (Open Road!)
Two good rides, a lot of driving, some rain and some gravel.

And we're on again... )
Oh, and apparently the hills eating my flags was seen as a challenge. Adventure South have provided a replacement flag, clipped it to the pole, and supplied three spares. :)
arcadiagt5: (Default)
Not doing much today other than a) sleeping in and b) getting ready for the next tour.

Reception just called to let me know I'm being picked up at 8:20 tomorrow by Adventure South.

Which, sad to say, probably counts as a) sleeping in for the next week or so. :)

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