Working 9 to 5

By -


Bugger that was hard.  Today was 95 miles (the longest of the trip) but that doesn't convey the true misery that a 20mph headwind can bring to the party.  We have been cycling down the Wairau Valley, probably very lovely if you aren't cowering over your handlebars trying to present the smallest cross section possible.  About 7 years ago I rode this valley in the other direction......and also had a 20mph headwind.

I am getting ahead of myself.  Last night we had a great time with Phil and Ali, owners of the Lazy Cow.  Phil treated us to some of his cache of special beer, Ali fed us in style and it was great to spend a night with friends.  This morning we set off full of an optimism that faded as quickly as the wind picked up.

Anyway, we made it to Renwick, on the outskirts of Blenheim.  We have ridden about 350 miles and this is the first community we have passed through with more than 1000 inhabitants.  South Island is about the same size as England but only has about a dozen places with more than 10,000 inhabitants!!!  At any given time there are more people in aeroplanes than South Island.

We are staying in the 'Cork and Keg', a British themed pub.  The 'theming' appears to involve taking a standard kiwi pub, selling beer in full pints and charging stupid money for them.  When it is time to pay they have absolutely nailed it.  At least they do serve genuine pints......I really don't approve of Johnnie Foreigner calling anything bigger than a 330ml bottle a 'pint'.

Tomorrow we have to start cycling at 4am.  Its complicated, I'll explain later but......bugger!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll/Mr Tamborine Man/I Write The Songs

By -
Image
  After an 18 month separation Plum and I are reforming the band for another tour.  The two of us, plus 6 others, are heading up to Scotlandshire for another crack at the North Cost 500.  I should probably introduce the full line-up:   Lead Singer - David.  David is the young(er) pretty one.....brother of John.  David also happens to be my Financial Adviser and is funding this trip (plus a yacht and a cocaine habit) out of what he makes from my account.   Lead Guitar - Nick.  Friend for 50 years.  At school Nick was a keen cyclist and consequently, quite rightly, bullied.  Nick has forgotten more about cycling than I will ever know.   Bass Guitar - Stuart.  Stuart and I worked together for many years; he has powerful legs and can push out big watts while looking like he is coasting.  I hate Stuart.   Keyboards - Michael.  Michael is a...
Read more

If I Could Turn Back Time

By -
Image
If ever you are in the Inverness area on a Friday and looking for a lively night you could do a lot worse than avoid Muir of Ord.  Our hotel, the only pub, wasn't serving food so we walked into town where it appeared that Steven Spielberg had just finished filming some sort of post-apocalypse movie: nothing open, nobody on the streets and the odd bit of tumbleweed blowing along the pavement.  Even the fish and chip shop couldn't be arsed to open...on a FRIDAY NIGHT!  We managed to find a take-away offering a rather odd choice of kebabs and curries (served in pizza boxes for added novelty) and purchased some food which made up for in calories what it lacked in food-hygiene standards.   I recall a meeting where a few of my co-riders and I met to kick around ideas for a group ride.  We considered all sort of destinations....mostly in those parts of Europe where the weather isn't consistently shite.  I'm ashamed to say that I thin...
Read more

Julia's Song

By -
Image
As some readers will know, Plum is no longer Chard's most eligible bachelor.  The lovely Julia has taken on the job that Social Services would otherwise have to do....making sure he changes his pants once a week whether they need it or not and loading routes onto his Garmin.  We are all very grateful to Julia, especially Chards most eligible bachelorettes who can get back on the dating scene now Plum is safely off the market. As we were starting our trip Julia fell, dislocated her foot and broke her Tibia so she is probably missing Plum more than usual. She has insisted that the show should go on so thanks for being such a trooper. Today was another with a shortcut that promised to turn a very hard day into something more manageable.  Some of our group took the high road and others took the low but I had a more cunning idea.....get in the van.  Whatever is ailing me, long covid or acute spinelessness, reached the point where pushing th...
Read more