March 13th, 2009
Karangahake Gorge http://www.karangahakegorge.co.nz/
Friday the 13th! I didn't even realize that this was an ominous day. This is day 3 of some hard riding. My odometer reset some miles back so I haven't been counting the distances anymore, but by the looks on the map, I have come a long way, baby. Having less gear makes the hills just doable, not easy by any stretch of the imagination. The elevation maps look like an EKG chart, with sharp spikes up and down. They look and feel like sheer vertical climbs. I think I was a little over-excited the first two days with less gear, I felt like a champ! However, today, I had not a drop of energy and was found lolling about in the lounge until check out time, gulping cups of tea and coffee with inordinate amounts of sugar. I think I cleared out the sugar jars.
However, yesterday was the day to end all days of cycling. It was a top contender, if not the winner, of an awesome day of cycling in New Zealand hands down. I spent the night in a very remote cabin in the middle of nowhere. I was the only out there in the gorge with a wood fire stove. For the first time ever, I managed to start a fire! Then, I began the climb out of Colville back to Coromandel where I loaded up on smoked salmon and cheese, then conquered the climb of the country on the pass to Whitianga. A short ferry ride, and I was on my way through some very scenic beaches- Cooks Beach, Hahei Beach, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Not only did I enjoy the actual cycling, the scenery was spectacular with roads hugging the coastline, sunlight sparking on clear green ocean water and bright blue skies. It was even warm! Ah, a summer day at last, right in time for autumn.
Trudging through the hills at Armstrong-like speeds, I was mentally patting myself on the back for this awesome idea- less gear, no tent, no camping and the luxury of backpacking and sleeping on a bed. The kiwis do know a thing or two and I have grown to love these independent backpacker hostels, which are more often than not, a large Victorian house converted to a homey establishment for solo travelers! With free tea, coffee and milk to boot, I don't even have to go shopping for dinner! Maybe that was why I was so tired today- mental note: muesli is not enough for dinner. I made up for it today though with a fish sandwich, chips, toasted panini and spinach quiche pie, with cookie and licorice whips for dessert. It was all very good, but my stomach muscles hurt from gorging myself Whangamata.
I will post some photos soon. I feel great about this last cycling trip- it has been a highlight and has given me some new insight in to the benefits of not being fully self-supported and weighed down with gear. It may be good practice for whats to come in...New Caledonia! No, I haven't changed my mind yet! Back to Auckland tomorrow via Thames, and then a few days to prep and pack up for the flight on Tuesday AM.
Karangahake Gorge http://www.karangahakegorge.co.nz/
Friday the 13th! I didn't even realize that this was an ominous day. This is day 3 of some hard riding. My odometer reset some miles back so I haven't been counting the distances anymore, but by the looks on the map, I have come a long way, baby. Having less gear makes the hills just doable, not easy by any stretch of the imagination. The elevation maps look like an EKG chart, with sharp spikes up and down. They look and feel like sheer vertical climbs. I think I was a little over-excited the first two days with less gear, I felt like a champ! However, today, I had not a drop of energy and was found lolling about in the lounge until check out time, gulping cups of tea and coffee with inordinate amounts of sugar. I think I cleared out the sugar jars.
However, yesterday was the day to end all days of cycling. It was a top contender, if not the winner, of an awesome day of cycling in New Zealand hands down. I spent the night in a very remote cabin in the middle of nowhere. I was the only out there in the gorge with a wood fire stove. For the first time ever, I managed to start a fire! Then, I began the climb out of Colville back to Coromandel where I loaded up on smoked salmon and cheese, then conquered the climb of the country on the pass to Whitianga. A short ferry ride, and I was on my way through some very scenic beaches- Cooks Beach, Hahei Beach, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Not only did I enjoy the actual cycling, the scenery was spectacular with roads hugging the coastline, sunlight sparking on clear green ocean water and bright blue skies. It was even warm! Ah, a summer day at last, right in time for autumn.
Trudging through the hills at Armstrong-like speeds, I was mentally patting myself on the back for this awesome idea- less gear, no tent, no camping and the luxury of backpacking and sleeping on a bed. The kiwis do know a thing or two and I have grown to love these independent backpacker hostels, which are more often than not, a large Victorian house converted to a homey establishment for solo travelers! With free tea, coffee and milk to boot, I don't even have to go shopping for dinner! Maybe that was why I was so tired today- mental note: muesli is not enough for dinner. I made up for it today though with a fish sandwich, chips, toasted panini and spinach quiche pie, with cookie and licorice whips for dessert. It was all very good, but my stomach muscles hurt from gorging myself Whangamata.
I will post some photos soon. I feel great about this last cycling trip- it has been a highlight and has given me some new insight in to the benefits of not being fully self-supported and weighed down with gear. It may be good practice for whats to come in...New Caledonia! No, I haven't changed my mind yet! Back to Auckland tomorrow via Thames, and then a few days to prep and pack up for the flight on Tuesday AM.
No comments:
Post a Comment