Another night of paid accommodation, another night of poor sleep – far too hot in an actual room! With the Night and Day opening at six, we were there then fuelling up for the day ahead. Straight into the biggest hill of the day, the actually-named Breakneck Road (as opposed to the colloquial one on the hill I live) and I was feeling flat – nowhere near Olly and Matt ahead. But a bit of remote encouragement and the sunrise perked me up no end, even if I didn’t climb much faster – it became enjoyable (as far as such climbs can be straight after early breakfast).

At times we rode together, actually most of the way to Clinton we were there or thereabouts.

Another stunning day to finish this thing off (the third day being the only one with any real cloud cover, moisture and chill in the air) – we could not have asked for better weather. The Southland rural scenes unfolded before us, but as each large hill approaching became the highest point left, it felt like a bit of a procession to the finish.

Not a fast procession, mind you – after the final shop stop in Clinton, I didn’t have the legs to keep up with the others and I really didn’t mind. I was more than happy in my own little world, singing away to whatever was playing (no need to conserve battery at this point!), contemplating the previous 1300-odd kilometres and all the challenges overcome.

Approaching Mokoreta, time to eat the large lunch and put it to more use than bike-ballast.

A nice section of gravel through the Waikawa Valley, but – what’s this? A headwind?! Tellingly, the weather had been so good that approaching the south coast of the island was the only time I remember having to fight against the wind while riding. We’d got off very lightly with the weather indeed.

Rounding towards Curio Bay (the ocean!), the finish was a little further than I remembered – and there were still hills to go, of course.

One last 100 m climb and there it was, a roll down the road and then across a paddock to the finish! Very pleased with that, and to finish in the daylight with riding buddies for much of the previous six days, Olly and Matt, there too; that their partners had brought quite a lot of food had nothing to do with it…

Shorts looking a little looser than a week before.

Finishing very much mid-pack of the thirty-seven starters, I’m still not sure I can comprehend just what meeting and overcoming such a challenging course – amongst everything else going on – quite means. It may only become apparent when other big challenges come up and I can draw on the knowledge and experience what finishing the inaugural Tour Te Waipounamu has done for me

I did know I was hungry, my lower legs and ankles were very tight (twas five days until I could walk pain free) and my plans for a pick-up had fallen through – so a ride back to an Airbnb and helping to see to the huge amount of food there was just what I needed! Too tired and sore to get out of the house, I had to make do with watching the dots of those finishing that evening.

Entree?

Thanks again to Brian and the landowners for generously giving the opportunity to attempt such a tough route and see so many stunning parts of our little country – much appreciated and savoured.