A single pita, a cup of tea and it is back on to the gravel roads direction Queenstown. Panniers void of food and a largely downhill grade make easy work of he 60km from Mavora Lakes to Walter Peak where the Steamship awaits to take me across the lake to Queenstown. In a fantastic setting the "outdoor capital" of NZ is rather disappointing. Go there to party at outrageous prices, bungee jump, or jet boat but what was probably a fantastic point to start off for...

First river fjiorded

Two days of cycling complete, killer head winds and up hill about sums it up, but at least it is hot and sunny now. According to the plan I should be in Queenstown but a route change and a decision to quit early and camp won out The roads are nearly devoid of cyclists and traffic pretty civil at least on the side roads I have stuck too do far. That said a kiwi family from Wanake just road up and pitched a tent near mine. Markova lakes seems pretty popular tho...

The real journey starts tomorrow though today I did get down to the bottom of SH1 (Stirling Point) where the South Island is according to Maori legend connected via a chain to its anchor (Stewart Island). The 60km round trip proved the bike to be in good shape and the wind to be cruel, one minute helping me cruise uphill at 40km/h the next with a struggling 10 km/h down hill. I've been staying at a place called Sparky's Backpackers the last 2 nights. Sparky i...

A couple pre departure pints at The Duke, an 0500 cab ride and a greasy breakfast at the airport and the journey begins. 28 hours or so until Invercargill