Yesterday was an easy 20kms into Geraldine, so it felt like a rest day. Today was real mixture. Out of Geraldine, was interesting with nice farmland, an MTB trail near a river and some friendly locals. What followed was straight deep gravel roads for many kilometres, then a nice cafe followed by headwinds. However, the destination was superb.
I left Geraldine after some breakfast at the local bakery, and the day started well. There were fields of bailed hay, inquisitive cows and an MTB track for kilometres near a river. I spoke to a local farmer who was out training for an MTB ride.
I then got back onto the main road which was straight and boring. The day before, I’d downloaded the route for the Sounds to Sounds and was tempted to follow it’s zigzag on gravel roads, but I just didn’t see the point. It was going to be a 90km day so why would I ride in different directions on slow gravel roads ? There was hardly any traffic to speak of.
However, I did see a truck go within centimetres of wiping out a car that was turning off the main road. Unbelievable ! Luckily, I was safely off to the left.
Having seen that, I turned off soon after onto a 10kms of dead straight gravel. It nearly put me to sleep.
There was no traffic. The only point of interest was a nice old cemetery, so I got off and wandered around. You can get a lot of local history just by reading the headstones. While there, something bit me and the welts on leg were enormous within 10 minutes.
Luckily I had the right cream with me and they disappeared in minutes. I’d got it for the sandfly bites earlier in the trip.
When I finally emerged from my gravel purgatory, there was a great cafe with nice pies at Stavely. It was here that I met Brenda and Lisa who were doing, you guessed it, the Sounds to Sounds. They were awesome to talk to, so, we all wasted too much time at the cafe.
By then, the headwind had strengthened and my final 25kms through farmland were difficult – but oh boy – nothing prepares you for Rakaia Gorge. It’s stunning, and the campsite overlooks the Gorge.
I got a great site out of the wind and set up before having a good look around.
When I went to cook my dinner in the minimalist camp kitchen, I met Renee who was doing a charity ride of the Sounds to Sounds. I think I’m the only person not doing that ride ! And why is everyone riding north to south ?
We talked for a while, but when it started to rain, we sprinted to our tents to batten down the hatches and bring everything in – washing, gloves, sun sleeves etc. I also cover my beloved Brooks saddle in the rain. I figure it’s the least I can do as it makes riding so comfortable.
Sleep came quickly, but I had to reinflate my mat one time. That’s not too bad.
