Posts Tagged ‘Blenheim’

Day 12. 29km. Blenheim – Picton

Posted: November 17, 2024 in Cycling, New Zealand
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The weather closed in again to farewell my bike trip. Rain and headwind accompanied me as I slogged out the last 29km of the New Zealand adventure.

Wairau River

Snug in my hotel, I delayed departure with a buffet breakfast. In Picton, again snug and warm, I curled up with a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while.

Reading in a café

My original plan was to explore around Picton for the day. Instead, I chose the dry option.

It’s been a fun bike trip. Sun has showed mountain lakes and beaches in their beauty. Rain and wind has made New Zealand feel more rugged.

There are 2 kinds of enjoyment. Type 1 is the kind you feel at the time. Sunny cycling in beautiful landscapes is enjoyment type 1. Type 2 is delayed enjoyment. At the time, it’s a slog. Rain, wind, trials, and tribulations. After it’s finished, the enjoyment of knowing you did it kicks in. Enjoyment type 2. New Zealand had some of that, too.

Day 11. 103km. St Arnaud – Blenheim

Posted: November 16, 2024 in Cycling, New Zealand
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When a headwind is constant on the plains, you never get a pause from pedalling. No rolling downhill. No break. To take my mind off the grind, today was a podcast listening day.

Wairau River

Today was actually slowly downhill – losing 700m over about 80km.  Such a slow descent makes it like the flat. I stopped regularly to rest – to replace the regular rests of going downhill in a more undulating terrain.

Lunch out of the sun and wind

The sun was beautiful. I enjoyed that – the rain is returning tomorrow.