The Tour de Two

The bike tour has gotten off to a good start. The other rider is a young Australian named Kristen. She apparently trained for the tour by actually riding a bicycle. This is paying dividends on the more difficult hills and mountain passes. My custom half marathon training (who needs the long runs, I say) seems to have prepared me for the downhill and flat regions, but little else. Especially not the bike seat.

Day 1
The first ride was an uphill climb into the clouds while it was raining. Not the start that I had envisioned. The corresponding downhill through the clouds, however, was breathtaking. We were riding on a volcanic crater, and on the left was a lake and the right the Pacific Ocean. The second ride of the day was through farm lands. I apparently make an easy target for birds (big birds, mind you, with big beaks and talons) who would dive on me and crash into my helmet. It was fun.

Day 2
We started the ride with a gradual 20km climb. Good weather, but the birds were back again. Not too bad. As we passed a field where some cattle were grazing, the entire herd turn and ran with us for several hundred meters. It takes you down a notch when you are peddling as fast and hard as you can and a cow passes you and then stares you down. Then we got to Burke's Pass. This is a mountain pass, emphasis on the mountain. Good news is that there were spectacular views. Bad news was that my lungs and legs nearly exploded. And I walked the last 100m up the steepest section. After lunch we took a 3 hour hike up to the top of Mt. John to check out the views.

Day 3
Made the decision to switch to a new seat. The old one had a second cousin who was a shoe horn. The new one is more like an ottoman. Good switch. The ride today was nice, with some small hills to go up and down. No birds. The afternoon was spent hiking the Hooker Valley to see an absolutely amazing view of Mt. Cook.

Day 4
My legs were more sore than at any other point in my life, and it took an extra long time to get out of bed. In addition to the normal 30-40 mile road rides, we took a ride on a trail that took us along the shores of a lake and a river. The trail was only about 3 feet wide, and one of the sides consisted of a sheer drop down 20 feet into the water. Throw in some large roots, rocks and sandy patches and it was the best ride so far.

Day 5
Brutal start to the day with a nasty uphill, but rain cut short the morning rides (proof that there is a God). The afternoon ride was very hilly, with two of the steepest hills yet. The only consolation during the ride was that Day 6 is an off day with no cycling.

That brings me to today, an off day in Queenstown. It is a bit touristy, but definitely the most beautiful town that I have been to on the trip so far. It is on a lake and is surrounded by the Remarkables, a mountain range that lives up to its name. The goal for today is to rest my weary legs and enjoy the day.

In summary, my legs are sore, sitting down is not an easy thing, but it is all worth it.