Day 1 - Christchurch-Hanmer Springs

And so the journey has started. Woke after a fairly restless sleep to a beautiful day in Christchurch. It was already 20 degrees as I strolled round the corner to find a cafe for breakfast. Note to self: scrambled eggs and toast is not enough for a long day on the bike.

Getting out of Christchurch was quite easy and just as I was about to leave the city I spotted a bike shop. A quick visit to borrow a track pump and also buy a valve adaptor so I can use petrol station air pumps then I was rolling again.

The first 40kms were flat and felt pretty easy, but woe betide the over confident cyclist. As soon as I turned off the main road and headed towards Hanmer Springs I then faced the most soul destroying of headwinds. The strongest I think I've ever ridden against. For 90 kms! Such is life.

The plan was to get as far as Hukunuri before stopping for a late lunch and on at least 3 occasions I was sorely tempted to stop earlier, but I made it in the end and well worthwhile it was too!

Spent a relaxing hour in the Hukunuri Hotel, holder of the longest continuous liquor license in New Zealand, in the company of Steve & Ian from California.

From there I rode first through some beautiful wine yard country

then gradually started to climb up into the hills. The traffic was light, the drivers courteous and the scenery was just getting better by the minute.

It really was tough going however, so I took a couple of quick stops to enjoy the views and also capture a profile of the "Sheep of the day".

The last 20 kms into Hanmer Springs were stunning, glorious mountain and valley views both ahead of and behind me, including the "Panorama of the day"-

And some other great views...

Got into Hanmer Springs after 134 kms and close on 1,000m of climbing. Quick chat with Arne, who runs the place and gave me loads of info to prepare me for tomorrow's ridiculous challenge to ride all the way through the Molesworth Ranch. According to Arne, nobody ever did it on a road bike! Then a welcome shower and now I'm just polishing off a massive steak and mash in a "downtown" pub. It is steak night so it would be rude not to ;)