A good night to be inside a hut perched on the side of a hill as the wind certainly built overnight. Strangely for a hut filled with exhausted bikepackers there was no snoring! However I was awake for much of the night, at times feeling particularly ill – but that passed and I was somewhat ready for a civilised seven o’clock start. But not before taking a look at the intriguing sky as others left.

Katie excited by the prospect of the day ahead, or the sky, or something. Or maybe just agreeing to smile for the camera.

Up the first hill and away.

Well, it was the last hundred metres to climb of last night’s hill. Taking fifteen minutes, it got more exposed and it was a good struggle against the wind. Already I was tired of riding alone in the wind, so slowed a bit; shortly Eileen and then Guy (who’d had an early start way back down in Garston) caught up and down the Nevis Valley we went. Plenty of stream crossings ensued, a few snack breaks as we pedalled through the barren and windswept valley in flat light. Having overcome the climb from Garston, it’s certainly a much easier ride in this direction – or maybe I was particularly tired first thing on that day on the last GSB.
Even the little bit of climbing where the valley narrows wasn’t too bad. Perhaps I had finally started to find some legs by mid-morning, halfway through the route.

Spot the rider.

Dave caught up to us yet again in his surprisingly hardy and capable little Renault for updates and some photos.

Plenty of gates were opened and closed that day.
Photo: Dave King

Yet another stream crossing, and nearing the flats and the steep climb out – a chance to fill bottles.
Video: Dave King

Dave sprung from behind a lot of tussock to catch another stream crossing; most amusing, but I failed to quite snap a picture.
Video: Dave King

Heading towards the homestead and farm buildings, we paused out of the wind for a good food break before crossing the Nevis and taking on the six-hundred metre, steep and ninety minute climb.

Naturally, the sun came out to bake us as we left the Nevis below us.

Much more pleasant summit conditions this time around, one could actually stand up and it was worth lingering for photos and more chat with those loosely following around in vehicles.

Photo: Dave King

We quickly lost all the day’s elevation, and a fair chunk of the previous day’s too, on a fast and steep gravel descent towards Bannockburn.

Cromwell and Lake Dunstan in the distance.

Not shabby.

Definitely prefer riding down here, rather than slowly making my way up through a herd of large cattle.

At the junction, we were delighted to find Mark with a boot full of trail angel goodies. Down low, it had certainly warmed up and even after a big downhill we were quite partial to cold drinks and fresh Central Otago cherries.

Photo: Dave King

A mere twenty kilometres of gravel along Hawksburn Rd and we’d be in the shade of the river trail from Clyde to Alexandra. Properly hot by now, I probably could have done a better job of warning that this section is not to be taken lightly – having ridden it in similar conditions a few years earlier. There are some well steep sections to deal with, as the road eventually follows the power pylons. I was still feeling pretty good and pleased to be stretching my legs a bit. Any shade was welcome for a break, but there was little of that.

Down the Clutha to Alexandra, Crawford Hills behind.

Finally, the big plunge to Earnscleugh. Confusingly, Mark was there again in a different vehicle; as was Brian who’d left the ski hut a little before us. All pretty cooked in the thirty-plus degree heat and a day in the strong norwester, we really hadn’t ridden far – but it was a big day nonetheless. Guy, having started earlier and lower, called it a day while Eileen and I enjoyed shaded, cooler easy kilometres along the river trail to Alexandra. The next section of course both of us were unfamiliar with, and we were debating whether we should go over the Knobby Range that night.

Reports were the forty-odd kilometres would take us well over four hours (we happened across both Dave, and Geof – who living locally seems to randomly appear on my GSB rides, at the bridge into town for a bit of strategising). With reports of 100 km/h winds on the range and knowing the day, albeit shorter distance, we’d just had we opted for a huge delicious meal in an air-conditioned Nepali Indian restaurant, resupplying at the grocery store and the generous hospitality offered to riders by (rider) Joe and his wife, also Jo (not at all confusing) on our way out of town.

Big day, but again great riding, some challenges overcome, fascinating terrain, excellent riding company and plain bikepacking fun.