The journey north begins with a single push of the pedal. I’ve made my way south to Bluff, the southernmost town on the South Island and am now starting my journey north to Cape Reinga, the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island.
At Bluff, I began my journey 1401 km straight distance from Cape Reinga at the tip of the Aupouri Peninsula on the North Island, which I think will turn into about 3000+ km of cycling. At Bluff, I was closer to the South Pole (4810 km) than to the Equator (5133 km).
Bluff is also the finishing point for the Tour Aotearoa montain bike ride from the northern tip at Cape Reinga, sum 3000 km of riding, and is going on now. I’ve ridden a couple short sections of the route to have drifted off to explore additonal points of interest.
Annie and Mia returned to Shanghai last week. I’ve been ridng on my own for the past several days working my way southward to the starting point for the final leg of our Kiwi Odyssey.
My ride out to Bluff and back to Invercargill today was met with stinging rain and a howling headwind, both ways no less. Fortunately, when I arrived at the signpost near Sterling Point, the clouds briefly opened and the sun made an appearance so I could snap a few of photos.
Logging trucks give no quarter. Every few minutes my rearview mirror filled with a black chasm as a mean old logging truck bore down on me. Throughout the ride, a steady stream of logging trucks laden with fresh cut timbers roared past me on SH1 as I pedaled out to Bluff. Most thundered by inches from my right arm with none of them moving over in the slightest.
Other riders had warned me, but I didn’t think they would be this bad. I was wrong. Everytime one passed, my mind was filled with the darkest of thoughts.
Rain showers pelted me on the ride back into Invercargill but I did get one or two brief tailwinds, giving momentary respite from the fierce headwinds. By the time I reached Invercargill, the rain had abated but the wind persisted.
In my short three weeks of riding in New Zealand, I come to the conclusion that cycling here is defined by hills, wind, frequent rain. It’s the price you pay to see such a beautiful place. I’m looking forward to the challenge as well as the adventure.
See you our there. Cheers, Johnny
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