It’s the night before
Sari and I have returned to Wanaka to ride the Motatapu. Our cycling adventure has been more or less organised around this event – so it’s always been at the back of our minds!! We returned here on Wednesday and have spent the two nights with Colin & Pam Kane, (brother of Geoff, in Levin). Colin and Pam were wonderful hosts and looked after us extremely well. Pam has stunning gardens, got some great ideas for mine.
Thursday afternoon they took us out to Pam’s special place – Pigeon Island, also known as Mou Waho in Lake Wanaka. It’s an island, within a lake within an island, within a lake within an island, within the sea. Do you get that logic?? Took me a while. Lake Wanaka was as smooth as glass and the water very clear and a shades of blue/green. We were surrounded by magnificent mountains, Mt Aspiring in the distance – such a special treat.
To end the day we went to Cardrona Hotel for dinner. It had been some years since I had last visited it. It was busy and the food we shared was delicious. It was a treat to zap along the highway in a car – the kilometers soon slipped by without any fatigue!!!
I’m sitting in our backpackers room at Matterhorn South Lodge & Backpackers writing this blog hoping to take my mind of the event tomorrow, which incidentally I’m feeling anxious about. After weeks on the road having ridden some amazing trails and got through some tricky situations, why now do I start to doubt myself? Both Sari and I feel the number of people riding the trail will make for a more tricky ride – we are so used to having the tracks to ourselves knowing what each other is doing.
We have been told there are many river crossings, which could cause me some issues, but guess I can always get off and walk through them – so what if I have wet feet, least of my concerns! I just have to keep reminding myself that I’m there to enjoy the landscape, scenery and finish the ride in the best possible way I can. At least we are both so much stronger and fitter than we were a few weeks back and as long as we ride our ride and not anyone else’s we’ll do OK. We don’t have to cycle with our panniers and all that extra weight, so that will be a bonus – quite looking forward to that experience!
We have a 10 km ride out to the start Glendhu Bay, which will be a good warm up. We have entered as “Weekend Warriors”, 2nd to last group to leave before the electric bikes – so here’s hoping all those fast/crazy people have gone – we can catch them up later – yeh right??
We have organised a bus from Arrowtown (finish) back to Wanaka for 5 pm. So guess there is not much more that I can write, it’s shower and off to bed to read. We both have everything organised for an early start and a long day ahead.
Course Map
Below is the course map. The ride goes through three stations: Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe and covers 48 kms. You only have one chance a year to do this ride or run. The course crosses many rivers, climbs many hills and has many steep descents (in my view – Sari will disagree – she loves them).
Saturday 10th March, 2018
It was a chilly morning when we left to ride out to Glendhu Bay – the only other bikes we saw were those on the back of or on top of vehicles! To cut a long story short, the event was extremely well organised. Approximately 2,000 riders left in groups which were then divided into 2 or 3 riders let go at a time. This certainly stopped the bottle necks or fighting for positions. The other events also held were: Ultra distance marathon (51 kms over mountains), marathon and shorter runs/walks around Arrowtown, approximately 700 odd runners and walkers. Sari and I did notice that we and one other person were the only ones with bike carriers – majority of people had very nice mountain bikes – many with rear suspension.
The Southern high country is spectacular, when I had a chance to admire it – the ride took most of my concentration as it was a pretty rough track with plenty of river crossing (which I got better as the day went on). Plenty of rocks to avoid and/or cycle over – again I got better as the day went, and of course other cyclists. The down section part of the course had many larger rivers to cross, many of us walking across them, sometimes the river depth was over our knees, at least it cooled the legs and cleaned the bike. A cyclist mentioned to me as he was passing “here’s a tip for you, get your bike serviced as soon as possible, it will save you many $s in the long run’. That thought hadn’t occurred to me and perhaps he ran a bike shop? People on the ride were generally very considerate and patient.
Reflections for the day: I was pleased with myself, my confidence did grow as the day went on. If I was to ride it again or do something similar I definitely need to improve or get training on mountain bike riding. So many people raced past me on the downhills – it was quite embarrassing. But I’m pleased I didn’t come off my bike (a couple of close calls) and had no mechanical problems. Sari did great, she was in her element and was heard “whooping” as she went down the hills. 🙂
Glad that ride is over and looking forward to a good night sleep! I would love to walk it one day – to really absorb the surroundings.
Nite night and take care – GoldCard gal 🙂
Hi heather! Just catching up on your adventures. Wow is all I can say! Very proud of you both. Would love to catch up when you are back with some time for a chat over coffee. Hugs Jacky
Thanks Jacky. Back in NZ Monday, looking forward to catching up soon and hearing about your adventures! 🙂
Have loved following your adventures Heather and Sari, you are so courageous!. Such big challenges, and yes … you have indeed knocked the buggar off!! The South Island is truly beautiful and you have taken me on a journey through my childhood.. You have written a great blog, the headings peaked interest although I would have read your blog anyway. The journey has been epic. I especially loved the photographs and look forward to viewing more when you return home. Very best wishes for your final few days. You are amazing women. Inspiring, challenging, resourceful, accomplished, resilient, successful. What a great achievement. You dreamed a dream and made it come true. Congratulations!! Safe journey home.
Thank you Karen, you are right, we did ‘dream’ and have made it happen, it wasn’t that hard “just do it”. Glad to have brought childhood memories, always special times. Look forward to catching up with you when I return. 🙂
Heather and Sari. WELL done to you both. You sure deserve a treat after all your riding.
Ps – the silt in the Arrow River is very harsh on your bike, so the ‘get serviced’ hint is valid.
Thanks Belinda. Yes a guy on the ride told me about the silt – will get it done asap when I get home. Norm arrived this afternoon in Oamaru and tomorrow we head north. Sari passed the comment “I think we will ride tomorrow as I haven’t quite done 2,000 kms!!!”” At first I wasn’t keen but getting used to the idea – you know Sari!!! How is the toe healing? 🙂
You are both legends what a wonderful achievement enjoy the feeling. You are stronger than you think goldcard gal. Add this adventure to your very full memories book. Have enjoyed each blog very much and will miss them so hope you have a new adventure bubbling away in the background. Stay safe
Thanks Carly and thanks for being an very active reader. I do welcome guest bloggers stories – think about “Warbirds over Wanaka”!! Thought about you guys as we cycled past the venue last week. Oh gosh it’s stunning scenery around there and big blue clear skies!! See ya soon 🙂
Hi there when you mentioned Motatapu I looked up the course and oh holy hell you gals are awesome. I looked at the terrain and track formation – what a buzz. A guess it is too much to expect photos of that track – Just kidding :-).
Congratulations to both of you on your results, you were both just two hours behind the winning Elite Young Gun. It would have been great the cheer you both through the finish line.
Thanks Virginia. I didn’t have a chance to take any photos too busy concentrating. But they had photographers all over the course and hopefully I get a couple of those. I didn’t even look at my watch the whole time – Sari loved the ride, I can’t say that, I’m glad I’ve done it and survived. By oh boy was it rough!! An update, a man died on the course and 8 people were helicoptered off from accidents – so again feeling pretty chuffed with myself. Look forward to catching up soon. 🙂
Well done Heather! Sounds like such a great adventure and we can’t wait to hear all about it in person when you are home. Loving your blog by the way.
V
Thanks Vicki, it’s been an amazing adventure! Looking forward to catching up on my return. 🙂
Well done Heather. What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger. You will be an Ox’s by the time you get home!!
Does your home, feel like a distant memory?
Thanks Floss, yes my life back in Hamlton does seem a while time ago but sure I’ll settle back into it quite quickly. Have such wonderful memories, seem some amazing country-side and met some amazing people – it’s been the best adventure ever!!! 🙂
Well done Heather & a great summary of your days spent in Wanaka! Central Otago has certainly been a great ‘haven’ for us over these past years & it was precious to have been able to share it with you. Travel well, in every sense. Les also continues to grow in confidence, physical & cognitive function. He has begun a pattern of sleeping well & waking refreshed, something that’s been lacking for many months. We had a lovely walk to Old Cromwell Town yesterday, meeting Blair & family for coffee & a chat. ( A feel good moment for us all (: )
Much fond love as always Carol
Thanks Carol, 🙂
Fantastic effort: I’m amazed you rode out to the start as that is not easy: not surprised you were the only ones! The track is difficult that is true ( I ran it a few years back) but you did very well::I too do not like the downhill after falling off a couple of times: you deserve a good rest!@☺Regards Neville
Thanks Neville – it’s great to chat to someone who knows how frightening riding downhill can be – I just can’t get me head around those who race down hills at a very fast pace!! We cycled to Omaramara today via the Lindis Pass, luckily we got a ride to Tarras still 70 odd kms it wasn’t too bad. Next few days (our last) we are riding slowly down to Oamaru. Have you guys done the Alps 2 Ocean? 🙂
Yes the downhill: I can’t even much the boys on the hard surfaces: I guess I don’t live life on the edge! I have ridden from Wanaka to almost Omarama: I say almost as I was caught in a hail storm and heavy rain coming down the Lindis: Dianne come along and picked me up. We haven’t done Alps to Ocean but Barbara and the crew have done some of it I believe:: Happy Trails ::Cheers Neville
Thanks Neville. What we did of the Alps to Ocean is fabulous – really enjoyed the variety of terrain the scenery!
Good for you Ma! So pleased your ride went well and you didn’t come off your bike! XO
Thanks Susie, yes I was very pleased to finish unharmed – there were lots of people who had accidents – a couple of people were helicpotered out?? There were first aid people placed at strategic places along the course – which made me be extra cautious. 🙂