Day 22

Today’s post will be brief as I’m determined to have an early night! After a restless sleep last night, complete with 430am weka alarm call right next to my tent, it’s been another day of feeling pretty tired, which is definitely intellectually deadening!

I was the first one to leave the campground, heading down a gravel road parallel to SH6 for the first hour. My tired brain was reflecting on the Tour and also hoping for a cafe at the 20km mark. But it was closed! Luckily I’d already had a coffee with my breakfast OSMs…

I pushed on along SH6, stopping at the lake Ianthe photo point, which had its fair share of sandflies. I increased my tyre pressure a bit (having had it down slightly for the trail yesterday) and ineptly bent the rear valve core, which gave me a moment of swearing and worry. Especially as it was already slightly bent! But it seems fine.

The I focused on the next cafe in Hari Hari. Richard and I had stayed in this area in 2016 so it seemed very familiar. While I was having my snack (disturbingly I can’t remember what it comprised apart from definitely including a chocolate milk) a few other riders rolled in. Brian and Guy had been riding together since meeting on the beach on day 1 and I’d had a bit of a chat to them at the campground last night. Guy kindly invited me to ride with them for a bit and the three of us along with Frank headed away, drafting so that the rearmost people have decreased wind resistance (and much less work!). We had some turns at leading, I had quite a long turn and it was good to work off some energy and feel strong.

Next cafe stop was Whataroa, where a toasted sandwich and maybe another chocolate milk were consumed. Then it was on to Franz, I lead this bit too – I was keen to get to Franz before Kenneth my brother did as there weren’t exactly that many places to pull over and catch up! It started to rain in earnest 30 minutes before Franz, after what had been an amazingly non-rainy morning given the forecast.

We pulled into a cafe with an outdoor space heater and I temporarily suspended my disapproval of their energy inefficiency to bask in its rays. Had another snack and hot chocolate, and Kenneth and Blake rolled in just as Brian, Guy, Frank and Brent decided to depart. It was awesome to see them and spend 30 minutes hanging out before we needed to press on – them to St Arnaud, me to Fox.

By the time I left Franz I’d been there an hour and was pretty cold, so attacked the first hill in a bid to warm up. I knew there were three vicious climbs between Franz and Fox, and they lived up to their reputation. I kept thinking the car drivers must be feeling very sorry for (or bemused by) this drenched cyclist grinding up this steep grade in this heinous weather. But like any hard thing, each came to an end – and the following descent, at first a relief, became dangerously chilling. It took me 1.5 hours to get to Fox and I was very cold by the time I pulled into the holiday park. My tired brain was wondering if I should camp in my wet tent in the rain but my more sensible mouth asked if they had any cabins. So happily I have now dried out (and even washed/dried) all my gear, which sounds minor but makes a big difference to morale!

I had dinner with Brent, along with Col and Gerard, two riders I’d met briefly before Ross yesterday. Nice to have a beer (maybe only the second of the trip! and a burger and chat). Today’s been a good day – 132km with nearly 2000m of climbing (but still finishing before 5!), and some warm and friendly company along the way. Tomorrow maybe Haast.