55 miles completed. I noticed that the entry we entered this morning is dated Colorado time. We are actually 20 hours ahead of Colorado. We are also having problems with the internet connection and size of the pictures. We will work on it and try to post some pictures soon.
The trip itinerary has this segment lists today as a demanding days ride. They were wrong. The day consisted of constant climbing with the last 25km of the ride into a very strong headwind. The most popular comment among the group was grueling. One women wearing a heart rate monitor said she had burned 4000 calories today. Jeanette and I were totally exhausted when we reached the motel. We found a bench and just sat for quite awhile before we could even move into our room. And we get to do this again tomorrow. It is supposed to be a flater ride but longer.
With only one day in the saddle here in New Zealand we have already found some interesting facts.
• Always ride on the left side of the road. Several times this caused confusion with the other traffic.
• When sitting on the side of the road in grass as tall as you are, you do not need to worry about snakes. New Zealand has none.
• Plan your cycling trip in the fall when you are still in good cycling shape. When you come down here in December/January and have not had good training opportunities in Colorado, it hurts.
• The guides have told us that New Zealand has plenty of wind and hills, get ready for them.
• Our guides have an uncanny ability to show up when you need them. They helped us several times when we needed nourishment and water.
• (Adam, all those times when we were riding together and I told you that riding into the wind builds character, that is not true. I spent the last 25 km cursing the wind).
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
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Where is New Zealand???
New Zealand - South Island
Tour Itinerary
(see detail maps below)
Day 0. Saturday 26th December 2009
Depart Denver - cross international date-line losing a day
Day 1. Monday 28th December 2009
Arrive Christchurch for transfer to your accommodation in Geraldine (180 km/ 114miles).
Day 2. Tuesday 29th December 2009
Geraldine to Tekapo (90km/ 55miles)
A demanding days cycling with two climbs of 300-400m[1000-1300ft] over the day and an altitude gain of 600m[2000ft] over the day.
Day 3. Wednesday 30th December 2009
Tekapo- Mount Cook (100km/ 61miles)
A steady days cycling with several short climbs over the day, but no significant gain in altitude.
Day 4. Thursday 31st December 2009
Mount Cook to Omarama [90km/ 55miles].
A reasonably gentle day’s cycle, heading along the canals and glacier fed Southern Lakes of the McKenzie Basin. Your route takes you over several smaller hills of 100-200m over the day, but it’s an overall gradual descent to you destination of Omarama.
Day 5. Friday 1st January 2010
Omarama to Cromwell (110km/ 67miles).
A demanding days cycling that starts with a gradual climb and then steep climb, as you head tover the Lindis Pass [990m/3250ft]. From Lindis Pass it’s a sharp descent and then a flat ride to the Cluden Hill before your final 200m/650ft climb prior to Tarras. From Tarras a flat ride to Cromwell.
Day 6. Saturday 2nd January 2010
Cromwell to Queenstown (75km/46miles).
Today’s cycle is a steady 75km to Queenstown, with a number of hill climbs of 50-100m over the day and an altitude gain of 100m between Cromwell & Queenstown. This route is very scenic as you cycle alongside the through spectacular Kawarau River and the historic goldmining town of Arrowtown; in addition there are a number of suggested stops along the way, including wineries, jet boating and bungy jumping.
Day 7. Sunday 3rd January 2010
Rest Day Queenstown
10 am church at Queenstown Branch - 1076 Frankton Road
Day 8. Monday 4th January 2010
Queenstown to Wanaka (75km/46miles).
A relatively short distance, but a demanding day’s cycling that starts with an increasingly steep climb as you head over the crown range [1080m/3600ft]. From the crown range it’s a long descent and then a flat ride to Wanaka.
Day 9. Tuesday 5th January 2010
Wanaka to Haast (150km/ 92miles).
A demanding days cycling that starts with a fairly gentle series of flat road and smaller climbs before a steep climb over the demanding Haast Pass. Once over the Haast Pass it’s a great descent [with one small further climb] before a flat ride to Haast township.
Day 10. Wednesday 6th January 2010
Haast to Franz Josef (145km/ 88miles)
A demanding days cycling in terms of distance and difficulty with a number of sharp climbs including a steep ascent on your way to Franz Josef Glacier township.
Day 11. Thursday 7th January 2010
Rest Day Franz Josef
Day 12. Friday 8th January 2010
Franz Josef to Hokitka (130km/ 80miles)
A longish day in terms of distance, which starts with an undulating ride along the coast that doesn’t involve any significant climbs, before a flat ride to finish.
Day 13. Saturday 9th January 2010
Hokitika to Christchurch (140km/ 86miles)
Shuttle
Day 14. Sunday 10th January 2010
Complete Tour/ Depart Christchurch return to Denver. Leave at noon and get home before 3 pm because of gaining a day crossing international date-line.
Day 0. Saturday 26th December 2009
Depart Denver - cross international date-line losing a day
Day 1. Monday 28th December 2009
Arrive Christchurch for transfer to your accommodation in Geraldine (180 km/ 114miles).
Day 2. Tuesday 29th December 2009
Geraldine to Tekapo (90km/ 55miles)
A demanding days cycling with two climbs of 300-400m[1000-1300ft] over the day and an altitude gain of 600m[2000ft] over the day.
Day 3. Wednesday 30th December 2009
Tekapo- Mount Cook (100km/ 61miles)
A steady days cycling with several short climbs over the day, but no significant gain in altitude.
Day 4. Thursday 31st December 2009
Mount Cook to Omarama [90km/ 55miles].
A reasonably gentle day’s cycle, heading along the canals and glacier fed Southern Lakes of the McKenzie Basin. Your route takes you over several smaller hills of 100-200m over the day, but it’s an overall gradual descent to you destination of Omarama.
Day 5. Friday 1st January 2010
Omarama to Cromwell (110km/ 67miles).
A demanding days cycling that starts with a gradual climb and then steep climb, as you head tover the Lindis Pass [990m/3250ft]. From Lindis Pass it’s a sharp descent and then a flat ride to the Cluden Hill before your final 200m/650ft climb prior to Tarras. From Tarras a flat ride to Cromwell.
Day 6. Saturday 2nd January 2010
Cromwell to Queenstown (75km/46miles).
Today’s cycle is a steady 75km to Queenstown, with a number of hill climbs of 50-100m over the day and an altitude gain of 100m between Cromwell & Queenstown. This route is very scenic as you cycle alongside the through spectacular Kawarau River and the historic goldmining town of Arrowtown; in addition there are a number of suggested stops along the way, including wineries, jet boating and bungy jumping.
Day 7. Sunday 3rd January 2010
Rest Day Queenstown
10 am church at Queenstown Branch - 1076 Frankton Road
Day 8. Monday 4th January 2010
Queenstown to Wanaka (75km/46miles).
A relatively short distance, but a demanding day’s cycling that starts with an increasingly steep climb as you head over the crown range [1080m/3600ft]. From the crown range it’s a long descent and then a flat ride to Wanaka.
Day 9. Tuesday 5th January 2010
Wanaka to Haast (150km/ 92miles).
A demanding days cycling that starts with a fairly gentle series of flat road and smaller climbs before a steep climb over the demanding Haast Pass. Once over the Haast Pass it’s a great descent [with one small further climb] before a flat ride to Haast township.
Day 10. Wednesday 6th January 2010
Haast to Franz Josef (145km/ 88miles)
A demanding days cycling in terms of distance and difficulty with a number of sharp climbs including a steep ascent on your way to Franz Josef Glacier township.
Day 11. Thursday 7th January 2010
Rest Day Franz Josef
Day 12. Friday 8th January 2010
Franz Josef to Hokitka (130km/ 80miles)
A longish day in terms of distance, which starts with an undulating ride along the coast that doesn’t involve any significant climbs, before a flat ride to finish.
Day 13. Saturday 9th January 2010
Hokitika to Christchurch (140km/ 86miles)
Shuttle
Day 14. Sunday 10th January 2010
Complete Tour/ Depart Christchurch return to Denver. Leave at noon and get home before 3 pm because of gaining a day crossing international date-line.
7 comments:
Jessica says, "hope you are having a good trip and bring home lots of character! I am getting ready for surgery and thinking of you. I just put on my sticky socks and gown and got an IV its scary but I think its gonna go ok. Dad gave me a fathers blessing. Now I know what it feels like to be in the hospital. Love you guys!"
Melinda says, "wow you guys are awesome. What mazing memories you are making. Thanks for the funny learnings it gave Jess and I something to read while she waits to go into surgery! Hope today was not as grueling! Be safe love you so so so much!"
Well sounds like you guys are really enjoying yourselves!! jk. Hope yopu can get into the your groove and start enjoying the rides. Remember lots of rest. Are you guys ready for your rest day yet. Keep up the good hard work. Caleb says he loves you and that you guys are awesome!!!!
Wow sounds like you guys are going to be ripped when you get back!!! Hope today is less grueling, enjoy the scenary! We love you guys!
No snakes!!! I'm moving there!
You guys are amazing!!!!
Simply amazing! Hope your next ride lets you enjoy a bit. Can't wait to hear more about the super adventure!! love you guys...Carson Klan
Well, I'm impressed! What a way to tour a country and get in shape too! Have fun and novel experiences! Loved spending time with Adam,Huni and boys at Angela and Chad's over Christmas! Chad is quite a proficient craftsman noew with his woodcarving and Angela's p-nut brittle is the best in the world...can't wait to get my "Deters watch" next year!
Well I still think that that wind build some character in you guys. Just think how much stronger you are for it!
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