Day 8 - Duntroon to Oamaru - 54 kms
I have got to start this blog with an apology as I called the end point yesterday at Cromwell when in fact it was Duntroon
At the start of the ride outside the Duntroon Gaol
Ian in the racks outside the Gaol
The trail and typical country
Signage along the trail was very good and there was no way you could get lost!
Me at a sign
Lunch at the Enfield Hotel
The ride in through the Oamaru botanical gardens
The final street through to the end of the ride at the wharf
Me asleep on the van ride to Christchurch!!!!
The day started with a perfect sunrise with cool conditions at around 6 degrees but during the day it warmed up nicely to be in the mid 20’s … perfect for riding
After a short van ride from Kurow to Duntroon we were off on the ride. It was a short ride today to the end of the A2O at Oamaru then a 250 km van ride to Christchurch.
The ride had 2 designated climbs the second of which was a bit of a brute with a vertical climb of 400 meters over about 2 kms. We all managed this quite well as we seemed to be getting into the rhythm of riding longer distances with climbing.
The country for this ride moved to more of coastal rolling hills with dairy farms with big irrigation sprinklers on most paddocks.
At about 11.30 we found a small pub at Enfield which had delicious food and very pleasant outdoor seating.
After lunch we had the final 20 km ride into Oamaru which was a lovely finish to the A2O where we finally hopped of our bikes near the Pacific Ocean
Oamaru is a lovely town with interesting wharehouses near the port which have been turned into eateries and tourist shops
We celebrated our finish of the ride by a lovely ice cream near the waterfront
The A2O was a great ride over a variety of places and settings and remarkable scenery
On consumption of the ice cream it was on the the van for the 250 km ride up to Christchurch which was an ideal time for me to enjoy a shut eye!
We arrived at Chris’ s home at around 7 ish and unpacked the bikes and Ian took all but Chris and I to the hotel. I am staying at Chris’s home which is a delightful house in the suburbs of Christchurch. After having a shower we were off the meet the others at the hotel for dinner where I had a seniors roast beef which was great
Now back at Chris’s home doing the blog I can reflect upon the over 500 kms of riding we have had over the past 7 days and the wonderful countryside we have seen. Also we have all enjoyed some wonderful experiences as a group and new friendships have been made
Chris should be proud of the way the rides have worked so smoothly for us all to enjoy
At the start of the ride outside the Duntroon Gaol
Ian in the racks outside the Gaol
The trail and typical country
Signage along the trail was very good and there was no way you could get lost!
Me at a sign
Lunch at the Enfield Hotel
The ride in through the Oamaru botanical gardens
The final street through to the end of the ride at the wharf
Me asleep on the van ride to Christchurch!!!!