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, where, With today’s clear sky, we had a stupendous 360Ā° 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.
This map shows 70km, whereas it was really 50 km. Something strange going on here.
Max elevation: 262 m
Min elevation: -2 m
Total climbing: 673 m
Total descent: -675 m
Total time: 06:35:54
Battery use: 48% : 300Wh
Hello
we are two old people on bikes, Hans and Uschi from Germany.
For 20 years we have been cycling from Germany to China, always in our holidays, always starting where we had finished the year before.
Last year we finished the project.
Now we need a new one. The idea is to cycle through New Zealand, parts on the Tour Aotearoa. We plan this from October to December 2025..
As we are in our 60s now, we think about doing it on e-bikes.
While planning, I (Uschi) have read your bolg and I like it very much. There is a lot of information in it, and fun to read.
Our plan is to fly to Auckland and buy e-bikes there.
After finishing the trip we want to sell the bikes in Christchurch.
Have you got any idea, where we could buy e-bikes in Auckland, which type to buy or where we could sell them in Christchurch?
Hi
I am delighted that you found our blog and enjoyed it. We loved doing it because it gave us a different view of our country which we know very well, but later this year we plan to ride through the Balkans, Slovenia to Turkey because we have never been there.
There are quite a few bike shops in Auckland, but the range is not as big as you would find in Europe, and very expensive in comparison as well. We bought ours from electric bike team, but there are some like 99 bikes that are nationwide. if you already have e-bikes you could see if a battery is available here and simply buy one here. We plan to do this in Europe because we like our bikes so much.
Let me know if can help you in any way. If we’re at home you would be welcome to stay for q couple of days to get yourselves organized.
steve
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 …
š¤©š great riding you two, congratulations!!š We’ve so enjoyed reading your adventures and admiring all the scenery you’ve shared š thankyou! You are inspirations š a true southern dinner well deserved! šš»
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 (ā āÆā į“ā āÆā )
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