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.
arctic-cycler.com 