Another slow start. I’m definitely feeling a little tired but not too bad. I had some toast for breakfast at the hotel then crossed the road for coffee and then the day began.
It was a pretty straight trail to Lauder where I had second breakfast and met a couple who were travelling around. They were both cyclists, but one rode and one drove at any one time. Really nice people, but a somewhat lonely way for a couple to travel. (Says the solo traveller).
The next part included some hills and tunnels and quite a few people. One group were playing music as they emerged from the tunnel I met a couple from couple from Christchurch and we talked for a while. It turns out that Monique works at the DHB (where I did some work) and knows my former manager there. Such a small world.
A bit further on, I came to a small town and the famous Gilchrist’s Store. I stopped for some lunch and talked to the owner for a while. A guy came in and ordered something so I took the opportunity to head outside to one of the tables to sit and eat. A few minutes later, the guy came out and said – Hey I saved you there mate. That guy can talk for hours !
The next section was pure drudgery on the straight trail and into the wind. Luckily, the trail turned and headed into some interesting terrain.
There was a sizeable hill that brought me to the highest point on this trail, and soon after to Wedderburn. Here, I met two other touring cyclists, both heading in the other direction. After a brief chat, I headed off for the final 16kms or so to Naseby.
The rail trail people have mapped out the distance between planets and scaled it to the length of the rail trail, so every so often you come across one of these sculptures, below.
Of course the headwind followed me wherever I turned and a couple of steep hills as I neared the town, were not what I wanted at all. I got there just before the general store shut, picked up some things and headed to the campsite.
I was completely knackered and couldn’t face cooking, so I went down the hill to the local pub for dinner. Luckily, I got there before about 50 people descended on the place. The cricket match at the oval down the road had finished, and the locals lost.