​ 09/03/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 47 - New Zealand keeps on getting better and better.

Distance cycled: 78km from Frankton (Queenstown) to Wakatipu lakes, South Island, New Zealand.
Average speed: 14.7km/h
Moving Time: 5h13m
Elevation Ascended: 1444m
Total Distance on Current trip: 3,424km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 4,983km
Money spent: $60

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From waking up in a free camping spot with the sunrise light hitting the Barron soaring peaks behind us to cruising across Lake Wakatipu in an old steam boat and punishing our legs to climb a pass on a dirt road through scenic views unlike anywhere else in the world, today was a fine mix of what cycle touring is all about, well, except for the necessary boat trip across the lake from Queenstown.
It was cold, really cold last night and my sleeping bag that is suppose to be rated to  -5 degrees Celsius could not cope and if it wasn't for me throwing on more clothing in the early hours I certainly would have struggled with sleep; anyway, it was a beautiful morning with the birds chirping and now dressed in my winter gear we set off into Queenstown.
New World, the cheapest of all the supermarkets in the South Island is Spencer and my go to place for a decent feed as their baked good, especially muffins are unrivaled and supported with some bananas and yogurt make a complete and filling cyclist breakfast.
I also picked up some cheap clothing on special in case we encounter more frosty nights on this trip with is close to coming to an end for me as I now only have 10 days of touring here.
It took us longer than expected to fill up our food bags for the next couple of days and by the time we had made it into Queenstown we were told that the ferry across Wakatipu was unable to take bikes across the lake because of the distance needed to be cycled to reach the next available camping spot, fortunately for us and perhaps its because neither of us didn't look like sluggish cyclists we convinced the woman at the ticket office that we could make it, despite the apparently limited time.
The boat trip, although expensive at $35 one way and taking about one and a half hours was neat with 360 degree views of the mountains that surround the lake.
Disembarking for the boat at some farm that is a tourist attraction we took off down the dirt road towards Mavora lakes.
Being a road to nowhere for most vehicles there was very little traffic and judging by some bicycle tracks in the dirt I could see that there were two cyclists ahead of us. As a shot in the dark I guessed it was the Korean couple we have run into several times on the west coast - and literally when I said this we turned a sharp bend in the road and ran into them, they were pushing their bicycles up the pass where the view was like no other! Check the photos below!
I would like to say it was smooth sailing towards the lakes but although the view was incredible we were struck by a vicious headwind.
Just as night fell we made it to the DoC camping area beside the lake where red and yellow capped mushrooms flourished.
What an incredible day.

05/03/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 45– A Bloody good day.

Distance cycled: 61km from Boundary Creek to Wanaka
Average speed: 17.2km/h
Moving Time: 3h14m
Elevation Ascended: 935m
Total Distance on Current trip: 3,266km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 5,141km

With the most stunning scenery of what New Zealand has offered thus far today was simply epic! These picture depict how amazing our day was. We have now made it into Wanaka where we will be spending the next two days resting and recovering at a campsite. Something that is much needed.

 

04/03/2015 - Cycle Touring New Zealand - Day 44 - a massive improvement from yesterday.

 

Distance cycled: 93km from Haast to Boundary Creek, South Island, New Zealand.
Average speed: 17.9km/h
Moving Time: 5h13m
Elevation Ascended: 1798m
Total Distance on Current trip: 3,205km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 5,202km

The sun was out, the wind on our backs, an addition to our crew and the pure beauty of this country, all these things made us forget yesterday, the most awful day of cycling for me in recent memory.
Knowing we had Haast pass to conquer today having to ascend a steep 600 meters Spencer was worried about his knee, it was bothering him greatly and he was unsure if he would be able to cycle it but he attempted it anyway and succeeded. It was a very steep incline but relatively short, but due to the sun we were all (including a Hungarian guy named Lucas who joined us in the morning) sweating profusely.
Lucas had been on more or less the same trip as us starting in Auckland and headed south and we invited him to join us.
Making it to the top of the pass we were enthralled by the beauty of the mountains that surrounded us, it was breathtaking; this day certainly lived up the notion that New Zealand is the most beautiful place in the world. With more waterfalls you could poke a stick at, towering jagged snow capped mountains in the distance and a valley floor that would channel the wind onto our backs - it was a truly amazing day and the campsite we stayed at wasn't too shabby either - on the edge of the Wanaka lake with little sand flies to drive you insane. It was little wonder that we were all so happy with such an epic day of riding.