Ashburton

We have now driven back up to Canterburty and tonight we are staying with an old school friend of Lindsay on their farm in Mount Somers near Ashburton. The drive through past Aoraki mount Cook and the Mackenzie country was fabulous in warm spring sunshine.

Rail Trail day 4 Hyde to Middlemarch

Clear skies and a frosty start to the day saw a fabulous sunrise at Kokonga Lodge. Just 28Km to the end of the Rail Trail, should have been relatively easy however there was a strong headwind making it quite hard going. But a great sense of achievement when we finally crossed the finishing line at Middlemarch.

We will be staying another night tonight in Clyde before heading back up north.

Rail trail Day 3 Wedderburn to Hyde

A dull overcast morning had turned to rain by midday. Fortunately today was a relatively easy ride with long flat or downhill sections through the Maniototo Plain, with views of Mt Ida, Rough Ridge, Hawkdun Range, Rock and Pillar Range, and the Kakanui. Further on when the rain started there was some shorter uphill sections at Daisybank and Prices Creek. So we were quite pleased to arrive early at Hyde to be picked up and transported to our homestay Kokonga Lodge, where we can warm up and dry out.

Rail Trail Day 2 Omakau to Wedderburn

Tonight we are staying in Naseby having completed the hardest section on the rail trail, reaching the highest point after a long steady climb just before Wedderburn. It's mostly downhill all the way for the next two days. Apart from the hard climb to the highest point we had other diffuculties to contend with notably the magpies which attack cyclists, dive bombing your helmet. Its spring and I suppose they are proecting their fledglings but a nuisance none the less. However the ride was worth it, with some rain overnight, meaning snow on the hills with bright sunshine making for some stunning scenery. We also passed through two tunnels and over the Poolburn Viaduct. We also crossed the 45th Parallel at two points. 

With our aching limbs we are now staying in Naseby Lodge and contemplating a hearty pub meal this evening just down the road.

Rail Trail day 1 Clyde to Omakau

After a comfortable night spent in Oliver's Clyde we set off on our bikes just before 10am. The weather was dull and overcast but dry, perfect for cycling. The first section takes us from Clyde to Alexandra along a fairly easy flat section. After Alexandra there was a very gentle climb up to Chatto Creek through farmland mostly used for sheep, where we stopped for lunch just after midday. After lunch was the steepest part of the rail Trail about 10Km up a steady incline to Tiger Hill, after which it was downhill all the way to Omakau and the Ophia where we are staying tonight in  Pitches Store; a total of about 39Km on the first day.

Feeling quite tired and achy we have just been able to relax in a hot tub to soothe our sore knees.

Lindsay leaving our luxury accomodation?!!

Clyde

We have now left Gore after our 6 weeks stint. Roger is feeling slightly under the weather as trying to shake off a cold, but we really enjoyed our time in Gore. Here are a few photos of Dolamore Park near Gore that we visited last weekend.

We are now in Clyde at the start of the Central Otago Rail Trail. We will be starting tomorrow to cycle 150 Km over 4 days through central Otago to end up in Middlemore.