Somehow involved in the planning for a group to ride the GSB21 route (mosty), it seemed rude not to make an appearance as I was in the area. An addition to the route was the new Lake Dunstan Trail – which I’d not managed to ride in the six months since it had opened – so that was the obvious part to tag along on. The Knobby Range shortly after was my favourite part of GSB21, I’d ride that too and then rush back to next venesection.

Rail trail to the end would have been too monotonous, so after a nice fifty kilometre warm-up in cool summer conditions, and a big first-lunch in Omakau, I struck north for Thomsons Gorge.

Out of Oturehua on the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Having remembered the wind and heat of previous rides through here, I was unsure how I’d do in my current lower-fitness state. Especially up the steep first pitch – I thought there would be some walking involved. There began a curious internal monologue as the climbing began – one voice telling me that I was ill, walked last time and would be walking soon; the other voice just getting me to pedal a little bit further. Before I knew it, the steep section was completed – on the bike (except for opening and closing some of the twenty-two gates).

Starting the climb, over the Manuherikia Valley to the Raggedy Range.

I love riding through this gorge for the challenge (usually in the form of crazy wind, and not insubstantial heat) and the views. This day was the most benign I’d ever had the conditions – not that hot, patchy sun, occasional cloud cover and not a breath of wind. It made a nice change from being blown off my bike, which is more usual.

For once I had the time and inclination to make the small detour and check out this wee old hut. A pleasant spot for second-lunch.

Thomsons Saddle.

Headwaters of Thomsons Creek, the stone hut just around the corner.

One day, hopefully soon, I’ll go up there. Now I’m in the area, there are many little side trips to be found and explored.

Knowing I’d be well early to the Cromwell rendezvous, I took the opportunity to check out some of the mining relics. All those times I’d ridden down that hill and I had no idea there was a sizeable mineshaft stretching under the road – I didn’t have to stoop that much as it went deeper into the hillside.

The restored Come In Time Battery.

Over the Lindis River.

An easy twenty-odd kilometres into Cromwell along the highway was not too unpleasant with traffic only of the holiday and multi-sport varieties, nothing heavy – makes a nice change from logging trucks. Hours early, I rode around the outskirts, popped out to Bannockburn and had first-dinner waiting for the group to arrive. Their arrival prompted many stories of the trail, and second-dinner.

A big breakfast done and it was a leisurely start after seven the next day. Cutting across to the road out to Bannockburn, soon over the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan and onto trail new to me. It’s an easy trail, and would be fast – but for its popularity. Even at that time of the morning, there were plenty of people out enjoying it. The engineering along the edge where the Cairnmuirs now suddenly drop into the hydroelectric lake is an incredible feat on an excellent trail that links Clyde and Cromwell without using the highway or the big, steep Hawksburn Road climb. The platforms bolted on to and cantilevered out from the cliff edge are most notable, but there are sizeable bridges too.

Heading to Cornish Point.

There’s the occasional climb, but nothing significant on a loaded bike.

Most memorable event of the trail was courtesy of a large merino ram. Thankfully we came across it while on a moderate downhill. Four of us got past it chased, but unscathed. Tom, however, stopped further up the trail to watch the happenings. The territorial ram noticed and trotted up the track. His bike between him and the ram, repeated charges and bunting were not completely avoided. If it wasn’t so comical, we may have been more concerned. With no bears, moose, snakes, and cougars I guess we have to make do with temperamental rams. Mirth contained enough, I eventually ventured back up the trail a bit to try and provide enough distraction for Tom to get on his bike. My help was not needed as he finally got away unscathed – physically at least, time will tell about mental scars. Unfortunately the front wheel and brake disc were not so lucky, requiring some attention at the next bike shop.

As well as the scenery, which was probably not helped by the gloomy day, I enjoyed having the time to read all the signs detailing history and engineering in the area.

Out at the Clyde Rowing Club, I was most surprised when one of runners we chatted to ended up being Steve, a guy I happened to ride most of the last day of my Tour Aotearoa with six years earlier! I always wondered what happened to him after he rode off into the crazy headwind that left me struggling for eighty minutes to move eight kilometres alongside a flat highway. Curiosity satisfied.

That was a fun ride, I look forward to doing it again in clearer weather and maybe off-season (if it has one). The day warmed as we rode the twelve or so shaded kilometres into Alexandra. I found a burst of energy and didn’t stop until the end – there having to wait quite some time before rolling into town for a large early lunch, and for Tom to get his wheel fixed. Somewhere along the way, others had had enough of hills and quit on the Knobby Range plan – opting for Clutha Gold and a ridiculously expensive jet boat ride instead. Ditching the best bit of the GSB course for a disjointed, low trail held no appeal, especially when it’d be even more of an effort to make my venesection appointment on time – I said my goodbyes and cruised the ninety kilometres back home on the rail trail.

Saying goodbyes.

Actually stopping to read the interesting displays at Lauder.

Nice to get out and stretch the legs for a couple of days, ride a new trail, enjoy the company of other riders and take a bit more time absorbing some of the history of the area.