In praise of roadworks
Date: 21 Feb 2024
Grade: 2
From Eastbourne we set off along the cyclepath beside the motorway directly to the Interislander, skirting Wellington and thereby maintaining our “no cities” preference. We met and swapped yarns with Mike, a young American teaching English in Japan, who is also doing a South Island tour, scored a table seat right at the sharp end with a panoramic view, and bounced into a fresh sou’wester. I don’t remember ever feeling a Cook Strait ferry actually rolling before – it’s always been a millpond for me.
We stayed in a cheap and cheerful cabin at Alexander’s Motor Camp, right under the railway viaduct. Only two trains, but each seemed about 10 km long.
Our plan next day was to do the Link Bike Path to Havelock, but we’ve done it before, and it’s tricky in parts, so we decided to be sensible with our loaded bikes and take the road. (Queen Charlotte Drive).
As it turned out, it was a lovely ride. Multiple delays with road works (fixing slips) meant the traffic was very light due to the nuisance factor. We allowed what traffic there was to go first at each stop light, which meant we could cruise along for ages with nobody trying to pass.
While on the ferry we heard from ex-neighbours Alan and Gill. They’ve bought a caravan and were crossing the next day, to start their South Island tour. They very kindly came to Havelock instead of Blenheim, and we arrived at the campground within five minutes of each other. Great reunion with them and we met Nellie, their lovely dog with a loud bark and no memory for new friends.
Supplies: 4 Square in Havelock, and great dinner at the pub.
These videos are best viewed on a computer screen. Turning your phone sideways helps.
Max elevation: 147 m
Min elevation: -0 m
Total climbing: 604 m
Total descent: -623 m
Total time: 05:18:37
Battery use: 40% | 250Wh