Distance: 81.3 km
Ridetime: 4:03:56
Average: 20.3 km/h
Max speed: 45.3 km/h
Total distance: 18312 km
Today was the day that I would ride into the mountains. It all started gently as the flat I had beencycling on since Christchurch changed into a rolling landscape.
In the background I could see the real mountains emerge as I would be crossing Burkes Pass.
I was expecting some steep and hard climbing, but much to my surprise it never really occurred. I think my shape must be good at the moment, as I was very surprised when I suddenly saw a sign and realized I was at the top of the climb. I hadn’t been very steep but just a gentle uphill for 20 km.
Right after Burke Pass the last clouds disappeared and a beautiful blue sky made a perfect backdrop to the snow capped mountains I now could enjoy.
A little later I reached Lake Tekapo with it’s peculiar turquoise color.
I had now entered a part of New Zealand I had been looking forward to. What a thrill to be here!
