Days 15 and 16

So much for ‘resting’ – the last day and a half has been a full on burst of activity. Sorting, cleaning, mending and repairing.

After sorting and washing gear yesterday morning, in the afternoon I gave my bike a good clean and it became clear the pesky squeak of the past two days was coming from the bottom bracket. My never-used bottom bracket tool now proved its worth! After taking the bottom bracket off with Josh’s help, its crunchiness on one side made replacement the obvious solution. So I was at Capital Cycles at 8am today, picking up a new one, serendipitously from Pat who always gives me a good discount!

With some guidance from Josh, the new bottom bracket was on and the bike was happy again. As well as being much cleaner, it’s sporting new brake pads, a new chain, an improved phone cover and a (hopefully now waterproofed) resurrected cycle computer. My clothes smell nice again, rips have been sewn up, and supplies replenished. It’s awesome to have everything clean and functioning well, though I feel a bit exhausted sitting on the Bluebridge right now. Not much sitting down over the past day and a half.

I didn’t add any more gear/clothes (apart from a few plastic bags!) or get rid of any. My choices seem to be working well. I’ve worn everything I’ve got at various times, and was ok in that Martinborough frosty morning.

Josh also cleaned his bike (more meticulously I suspect!), swapped in a newer rear tyre, replaced the rear derailleur cable and fixed the gear indexing.

Richard patiently endured yet more TA-related conversation and it was great to be able to introduce him to this stranger I’ve been hanging out with. The cats didn’t get the desired level of attention and made their customary attempts to seek and destroy chewable/clawable items like thermarests and bite valves.

We just made it to the Bluebridge check-in on time – but sadly it’s now running an hour late. We’re hoping to ride to Pelorus Bridge tonight, will see how we go with the light. At some point I’m hoping to catch up on some sleep!

The trip so far

The good

• Feeling chilled, happy and more extroverted than normal! Endorphins rock. Hard to describe how awesome this is.
• Meeting lots of really interesting TAers – and lots of interested locals. The people side of things has been a real highlight so far.
• Riding with Josh – who is the same pace as me and great company (as well as being a mechanic!)
• Excellent weather luck
• Bike and gear all performing well, tent definitely waterproof

The bad

• Not much really. Haven’t had to start repeating my motivational mantra yet! The lack of good sleep is the biggest challenge in terms of mental focus.
• Body wise, I have numbness in one finger that I need to watch. Rest of body doing surprisingly well!
• The bike thefts in Whanganui and Masterton leave me feeling heartsick for those riders and even more protective of my bike than usual (and thankful I am carrying a high spec lock).

Thanks to my nephew Evan for the drawing