Today we started phase four!
We finally started the main purpose of this whole plan, that is, to cycle in a slow, slow route around this very faraway place.
So, as a first taste of what is to come, we have cycled from Queenstown to Wanaka following the high road, a total of 70 kms but more than 700 metres in climb to go through the highest mountain pass in New Zealand.
If it does not sound like much, then you have never cycled up a mountain. It is a lot, specially with our very heavily loaded bikes. We are tugging roughly 25-30 kilos between the bike and the luggage...
And of course, there is a trick that makes things just a little worse: The 700 metres climb are done in just 6,5 kms, so the slopes are daunting.
But we did it! We crawled up the hill like intrepid explorers, paid in sweat and eventually, after a long, long time of pedalling at 5 kms/hr, we got to the top!
So far, the plan was coming out perfect. We took the steep way down, stopped mid way to eat in the most quaint restaurant on earth (Laura, Josele talked about taking you there, don't let him escape his promises...) and prepared to finish the very succesful day with an easy ride downhill into Wanaka. Only 25 km, piece of cake.
And then we met the first enemy that has almost beat us. In this trip we have already dealt with jetlag, fear of heights, fatigue, lack of showers, big slopes to walk up, hugue slopes to bike up and we did not expect this enemy.
We met opposite winds that made the easiest ride a pain to finish. And I honestly think this enemy has almost beaten our will to fight. Tomorrow we are going to try to avoid him, as we know he comes after lunch.
There are, as always photos, but they will be uploaded when we find it convenient. Deal with it...
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