Cycling the canals.

Friday 17.03.2023

• Te Araroa kilometres done: 2476km
• Official kms: 57km
• Garmin kms: 60.8km (accommodation 2km off trail)
• Total time: 4:48
• Calories burned: 2379
• Body battery: 8/10
• Accommodation: cabin at Ruataniwha holiday park.
• Tent nights tally: 18
• Zero days had so far: 24

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/walking-te-araroa-3000km-for-the-key-to-life

Track me live here:

https://aus-share.explore.garmin.com/curtiss

I woke up early this morning, I’m intending to leave the YHA just after 8am to walk up to the bike hire place as I’m cycling to Twizel today.

After 2 coffees, breakfast & making my lunch then a bit of fluffing around I was out the door of the YHA just after 8am & made my way with my pack & my heavy chiller bag of food to Bespoke bikes.

I had arrived early & there was no one there so I called dad (I had missed a call 5 minutes earlier) & had a quick catch-up. It was good to chat to him, as we were chatting Annie from Bespoke turned up so we ended the call & I went to get my bike & everything organised.

Just on 9am I was on the bike & off on the trail. This bike was amazing, it seems like either it’s a much better bike than the Timber trail or I’m just a lot fitter. Anyway I was motoring along (without a motor). And I had the 1st 10km done in just over 30 minutes.

It wasn’t long before the rain started & I stopped to put on my raincoat. There was also a fairy strong headwind to contend with.

I stopped just after 20km to have a quick break & to get off my seat. How does anyone get use to these bike seats?

I decided from this point & since it felt fairly easy not to stop again until I hit at least 40km (I’m always adding targets lol)

After about 44km of nice riding apart from the cold wind & rain I arrived wet at the Pukaki rest area where I bought a coffee & sat in the shelter & ate my pre-made wraps. It was nice to be out of the rain.

After this it was only just over 10km to Twizel township which seemed to take no time at all! I cycled to the Foursquare where I picked up a few extra supplies then loaded these into my bike bag behind my seat & proceeded to cycle the last 5km to my destination of Lake Ruataniwha holiday park.

Arriving at 1:30pm wet & cold I was able to check in & grab my cabin which was awesome! What wasn’t so awesome was the fact my pack with all my gear & dry clothes isn’t turning up until 4pm. So I sat in the cabin with the heater going drying my wet clothes out.

At 4pm I was able to have a hot shower, get changed & then just relax with a beer before getting a ride back into Twizel to meet up with Alina & Ladina for dinner. They start off again tomorrow, I’m having a zero, hopefully I catch them again at some stage soon.

After catching up & having dinner I walked about 600 metres down the road to the pub for a few beers before catching the courtesy van the 5km back to my accommodation.

I got chatting with the lady driving the van about what I’m doing & fundraising for I am hope, she has lost 2 of her sons to suicide! Its just jaw dropping to know how common this is & how it’s still so taboo! She thanked me for what I am doing as I thanked her for sharing her story. This has been on my mind all night. It’s ok to not be ok & it’s ok to talk about it.