The Old Ghost Road is a ‘challenge’ according to my cycling friend, Clement. Clement’s challenges are truly challenging. Today was a perfect preparation for a challenge. A slow start, gradually getting harder, with quite some distance and hours covered. Perfect to get the untrained legs back into action.
The Great Taste Trail took me from Nelson up through wine areas in a dirt track that followed a wide stream. It meandered through sleepy villages and through a 1.5km long tunnel. Built for a trainline that was never completed, it was fun to plunge into the darkness.
A back road following a river up through farmland was the next on the list, popping over a little pass before joining the main road.
The end leg was following a river uphill to Lake Rotoroa – a beautiful oblong lake surrounded by snow- capped peaks. Recommended by my cycling neighbour on the plane – Steve, and another cyclist – Jake, I met on the way.
I met a German couple at the lake. We had dinner together and chatted. They have been traveling around the world for 1.5 years now. Not only the Germans were friendly – the midges too.
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You’re off to a great start.
Woa another trip for us unsuspecting subscribers! Drahtesel rides again! How nice. Enjoy.
Looking forward to reading about the old ghost on a loaded touring bike. I might attempt the same next year.
What’s the rough itenary? I’ve moved from NL to NZ, in case you pass by (North Island though)
Good luck and have fun!
My blog is 2 days delayed. I changed my mind at the last minute and cycled to Westport instead. A cyclist there explained how hard (and dangerous) it would be with my loaded bike. My cycling friend Clement has done it on a loaded bike though..
I’m doing the Heaphy Trail and then going to Picton and then Wellington.
Greetings from Westport. 😀
Ah nice, a new post here. Looks like you’re going for a looooong trip!
Hey there. It’s only a quick 2 week holiday.. Looking forward to it. 😀
Enjoi! I’ll be watching here and on insta 😉
Looks a great trip
hello there!
good to see you on a bike again.
What are you doing (when not bicycling)?
Any plans to visit old Europe again?
Cheers,
Hey there. Great to hear from you again!
I live and work in Sydney. Been there for 8 years now.
My trip in NZ is a short one – a 2 week holiday. It’s a beautiful country.
I don’t have any concrete plans to come to Europe. I’d love to come sometime. It is a beautiful place and my home for 20 years.
How are you going?
Sing out if you come through Hanmer Springs, although it doesn’t look like it. I think my husband Grum met you when he was doing his round the world trip, but I can’t remember where – the ‘Stans somewhere? Anyway, we do Warm Showers in Hanmer. Have a fab time!
Juliet.
Hey, thanks Juliet. I remember Grum. I think we met in Osh in Krygyzsyan. I, too, am not sure though..
Unfortunately I’m not going as south as Hanmer Springs. Thanks for the offer, though. Always nice to catch up with cyclists. 😀