Friday 1/1/2010
Happy New Year, another great day of cycling. We realize that in Colorado you just celebrated the New Year 1 hr and 15 minutes ago. After having just lived through January 1, we can tell you that it is a good year.
Today we rode from Omarama to Cromwell via Lindis Pass (elevation 990 meters/3250 ft). We totaled 67 miles today with an overall time of 7 hrs and a riding time of almost 5 hrs. We fought with a headwind again until we got over Lindis pass then had either a neutral wind or a nice tail wind. Prior to climbing the pass at one point we were headed into the wind in our 2nd to lowest gear and we’re doing 6 mph on level ground. Lindis pass was a 1500 ft climb with last 1 ½ km doing 10-11% grade until the final portion which was 12%. We climbed slow but made it. We really felt a huge sense of accomplishment and Al took a picture as we crested the summit which we may have framed in our home. Normally we would have screamed down the back side of the pass but with the swirling wind so strong and unpredictable we had to keep the brakes on and only reached 42.5 mph.
On the upside of the pass we went through beautiful patches of flowers and long grasses being blown by the wind. We included a picture of Jeanette standing in the flowers. We stopped in Tarras for ice cream with several of the other riders.
You might want to shield the children from the next item due to its tragic and graphic nature (lol). What we have to share is an unusual phenomenon that occurs throughout New Zealand. We have found it strange to see the number of rabbits that are hanging on the barbed wire fences. You see them hanging all along the roads. Jeanette had gotten into a conversation with the guide and several of the other riders discussing how the rabbits could get caught in the barbed wire. The guide jokingly said that it is a case of rabbit suicide. Rabbits are a real menace; they are not indigenous to this country and have caused a lot of land use damage. So they are often shot and hung on the fences as warning to other rabbits. Jeanette still gets a laugh each time she thinks about this rabbit suicide.
We had a very fast ride into Cromwell with a strong tail wind and had no problem doing over 25 mph for the last 18 miles. Cromwell is by the beautiful lake Dunstan. The weather is much warmer in this area and they grow peaches, apricots, grapes and have a number of vineyards.
We had dinner with a group of riders at a Thai restaurant which had delicious food; Jeanette was surprised that her prawns still had their heads on.
As we prepare for bed tonight, the wind is blowing with almost gale force strength. We saw on the national weather that tonight into tomorrow morning they have severe weather forecast with heavy rain showers and strong winds in the south end of the island. They caution against motorcycles and large panel trucks. No mention of bicyclist so we will see what tomorrow brings.
Summary: we are having a great time, seeing beautiful sights, with great people and getting great exercise.
5 comments:
So I sat down with Finn to look at your blog post today and he immediately noticed his Opa and Nana and thought that it was so cool that you guys are on a bike for 2 people. You guys are so awesome and it looks like you are having an awesome time. Hanni and I continue to follow your blog and continue to be jealous everyday. We had a great New Year last night. All of the kids came together and got the right recipe for donuts and all asked eachother how the others turned out. What a great tradition that you guys started with us that we now continue to do with our own families. Love you guys, Adam, Hanni, Finn, and Tiig
PS Finn stayed all the way up to 1215 and brought in the new year with us.
Those are priceless pictures. It is amazing how great you guys look and I am so proud. New Years was good we made donuts, YUM YUM, had a couple of friends over and played scene it, ate BBQ, wings and other food. Jess had scrambled eggs but every day is getting better. The surgery was rough and day 1 & 2 was pretty bad but she is smiling now and we are on the up and up. They ended up doing tonsils, adenoids out, bisection of both sides of her sinuses and tubes put in. She could not breath out her nose and swallowing was very painful. Thanks to good pain meds and the love of her mom she is getting back and actually got out of bed and came and sat with everyone in the living room last night. She has loved following the blog and reading about your adventure. Thank you for that. What a heritage you have following your journey. We are truly blessed as a family! LOVE YOU GUYS!
You guys are awesome! Silly suicidal rabbits. We hope the weather turns out to be warm and no wind or rain for you tomorrow (or is that today?) For New Years Eve, we ate pizza and went to bed around 9pm. We are getting so old!! You guys put us to shame :) Tomorrow is Mike's first basketball game against the toughest team in the stake! I know he will do great. He's got good genes :)
Mike, Stef and Caleb.
P.S. Caleb says "agooo", which translates to "I love you Opa and Nana!"
Wow!! So impressive, well I am here by myself with the kids, both asleep now. I will get them online tomorrow to see all the fabulous pictures!! Chad is off hunting in VA already 2 does shot this evening. The pictures are beautiful and I too love the suicidal rabbits, I seem to remember a stray we picked up that stayed in our bathroom and pooped all over it. YUCK!!
New Years was good we went to a friends house, but they were going to bed early, so we decided to flip houses so everyone could settle in and be comfortable. Everyone came to our place and Kiley was super excited to stay up til midnight. She made it, Brendan too, drank sparkling grape juice and we went out to watch some fireworks. Came back in and she was curled up in the corner of the couch...what a night! I love you guys and am so impressed with what you are accomplishing. A true inspriration!!!
Love you Angela and family
Really very very good post. Thanks for sharing Zend framework in detail.
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