We’re not Bluffing
Date: 19 March 2024
Our last day dawned chilly with clear blue skies and we set off from the Invercargill Holiday Park at the northern end of town at our usual 9:24 (you could set your watch by it – no matter what, we nearly always hit the road at 9:24). We skirted the city via a series of parks, and a shared path down the Waihopai River, to the industrial area where we had classic Southland cheese rolls at the very good Industry Cafe. Then it was cycleway all the way to Bluff – estuaries full of birds, acres of saltmarsh, and shimmering reflections on the glistening, still water of Bluff harbour, which we suspect doesn’t happen often. Even the sewage treatment plant looked attractive.
We arrived at Stirling Point to cheers from another couple who had just arrived, also having done a modified TA, and then we all cheered the next arrivals – three young, genuine, dot-carrying brevet riders. A bit of wine and beer may have been consumed by all.
We had a bit of momentum left after 3100 km so we dropped our bags at the Captain’s Cabin, and with featherweight bikes (and battery assistance) we shot up the steepest gradient of the whole trip to the summit of Bluff Hill. With today’s clear sky we had a stupendous 360Β° view of all of Southland and Stewart Island to the south.
Over an appropriately Southern meal of Bluff oysters, Blue Cod and chips served in paper at Stella’s, the conversation quietly changed from “well done us” to “what’s next?” I can’t wait to find out.
Supplies: Bluff 4 Square
Accommodation: Captains Cabin, Bluff
These videos are best viewed on a computer screen. Turning your phone sideways helps.
Battery use: 48% : 300Wh
Hi, When I commented on your TA Facebook post didn’t make the mirror connection until you replied. Just read through all your ride blogs over the past couple of days and really enjoyed it. Have ridden quite a bit of it, over the decades not in one trip, so lots of memories but also found places/routes to add to the revisit/visit list. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for your note. Those mirrors really are a game changer and they attract a lot of attention too.
Well done! Following your route gave us even more reasons to come back and do this again!
It would be great to see you back here again, but I’m dreaming about travelling our way (slowly) around parts of Europe I haven’t been. Portugal perhaps …
π€©π great riding you two, congratulations!!π We’ve so enjoyed reading your adventures and admiring all the scenery you’ve shared π thankyou! You are inspirations π a true southern dinner well deserved! ππ»
Thanks. I’m feeling a bit lost right now because our bikes aren’t back yet and I’m not sure what to do with myself.
So great to read your blog
Will.u fly home now?
Really inspiring and helpful
Hope to do this journey in.parts
Yep. Bikes were shipped by Wensleys and we flew home to make it easy at the end
Oh my goodness , Day 50 ! Bluff !
How amazing is that (β β―β α΄β β―β )
Well done you guys .
We were just talking about “where are they up to? How long have they been away?” – and there it is , you’ve been and done it.
Great work.
I’m going to have to pick my way back through the highlights of your posts before you regail us with a slideshow
Well done, enjoy your time out of the saddle .
Cris and Kate