Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

24 - 27 Feb

Finally all is ready and on Friday I'm setting off for my trip. The bike is very, very heavy when fully loaded and the first 100 metres feel like I'm going to fall off anytime. It's quite difficult to steer, too, as it reacts very sensitively to every small movement of the handelbar. It takes me about half a day to get used to the bike's behaviour and become more confident.

The weather is perfect the first three days - it's sunny, warm, and there's just enough breeze to keep me cool. The road is literally flat nearly the whole first day, which is surprisingly not that good - no free rides downhill means no rest! I've got to push all the time and after about 35 km start to feel my legs. At lunch stop I meet an interesting fellow cyclist - a woman from the USA named Sue. She must be at least 65 and has got a folding bike which folds into a suitcase with small wheels. She uses the suitcase as a trailer while biking. She's much more experienced biker and fitter than me. We have a nice chat and then she mounts her bike and takes off. I can't keep up and watch her as she disappears on the horizon...

I spend the night at spectacular Rakaia Gorge. The next day starts with a first real hill right from the camp and it's a corker! I fight bravely but manage to climb only about 3/4 then give up, get off and push. After that the road undulates for the rest of the day but it's a welcomed change to the previous day. In the afternoon I meet another cyclist, a young Canadian guy named Matt. We hook up and bike the rest of the day together. It's a pleasant ride downhill on a quiet road and we spend most of it riding alongside and chatting.

The third day takes us to the hills. Soon after the start our mini group acquires another member, Rolland from Switzerland. We are now three. The road is much busier than yesterday and it goes up and down. About midday comes a long and fairly steep climb. A pleasant little cafe on the top is a welcomed lunch spot. Most of the rest of the day is a gradual climb to Burke's Pass Village where we have dinner. Rolland booked accommodation at Lake Tekapo and Matt continues with him. I decide to stay for the night.

The next day it's only 20 km to Lake Tekapo but I have to climb over Burke's Pass first. The views from the pass are spectacular and I take some pics. Soon afterwards comes a bus full of "cyclists" - mainly elder people. Having fresh legs from being taken up the pass by the bus and no baggage to carry they easily overtake me one by one and push bravely against the strong head wind. I manage to save some energy by drafting off one of the slower old ladies most ot the way to Lake Tekapo where I catch up with Matt and Roland. We stay at the lake for next two days to get some rest and see the surrounds.