Arthurs Pass - Christchurch
Today we thought would be relatively easy and whilst is wasn't one of our toughest rides it was quite challenging. It was 90 miles long and our 5th consecutive ride. There were some steep hills, no major climbs but with tired muscles it was exhausting. Once we made it to the top, it looked straight forward down to Christchurch but we were plagued by head winds again. It wasn't as bad as it had been before because it was down hill all the way but it was harder work than it should have been.
Having reached the top of Arthurs Pass the day before, the scenery changed completly from lush green mountains to dry arid mountains. Something I've not really mentioned enough so far is the remoteness of everywhere we have been. We are really out in the Wilderness and today it certainly felt like it in the burning heat .
Despite the winds we made good progress across the Cantebury Plains until Mark got a puncture. We stopped and Mark replaced the inner tube but there was a huge hole in the actual tyre and we had no spare. He patched it up as best he could and managed to go a further 10 miles until the new inner tube punctured as well. We were only 16 miles from our B&B and Mark's sister Kirsty offered to come and pick him up, what a stroke of luck! We decided that we probably wouldn't be able to get two bikes in a small car so I dumped all my luggage, grabbed the map and made my way to the B&B. Amazingly I didn't get lost and I made it back just before Kirtsy and Mark. As it happened they had a bike rack and I would have fit in too!
The B&B is amazing, really luxurious and my kind of place, I'm not sure how I will cope going back to youth hostels! We are staying here for 3 nights and I am writing this in the guest lounge upstairs. There is a swimming pool and a spa in the garden and we have been in already. We must take a few photos as it really is a lovely place and what a contrast to the hotel in Ross. For once we are eating proper food again. We had been surviving on cheese and ham or pate rolls during cycling with ceral bars as snacks and 2 minute noodles for dinner. Not exactly getting 5 a day! I did attempt to cook a meal once with (frozen) roasted vegetables but it didn't work out too well in the play oven we had in our room. We've decided for simplicities sake, noodles are the way to go.
Having reached the top of Arthurs Pass the day before, the scenery changed completly from lush green mountains to dry arid mountains. Something I've not really mentioned enough so far is the remoteness of everywhere we have been. We are really out in the Wilderness and today it certainly felt like it in the burning heat .
Despite the winds we made good progress across the Cantebury Plains until Mark got a puncture. We stopped and Mark replaced the inner tube but there was a huge hole in the actual tyre and we had no spare. He patched it up as best he could and managed to go a further 10 miles until the new inner tube punctured as well. We were only 16 miles from our B&B and Mark's sister Kirsty offered to come and pick him up, what a stroke of luck! We decided that we probably wouldn't be able to get two bikes in a small car so I dumped all my luggage, grabbed the map and made my way to the B&B. Amazingly I didn't get lost and I made it back just before Kirtsy and Mark. As it happened they had a bike rack and I would have fit in too!
The B&B is amazing, really luxurious and my kind of place, I'm not sure how I will cope going back to youth hostels! We are staying here for 3 nights and I am writing this in the guest lounge upstairs. There is a swimming pool and a spa in the garden and we have been in already. We must take a few photos as it really is a lovely place and what a contrast to the hotel in Ross. For once we are eating proper food again. We had been surviving on cheese and ham or pate rolls during cycling with ceral bars as snacks and 2 minute noodles for dinner. Not exactly getting 5 a day! I did attempt to cook a meal once with (frozen) roasted vegetables but it didn't work out too well in the play oven we had in our room. We've decided for simplicities sake, noodles are the way to go.
posted by Mark Halliday at
10:02 PM
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