The forecast for today was a light drizzle with less than 2
mm before 9:00 followed by little cloud and a south wind increasing from 6 kms
to 15 kms by 10:00 am. Temperatures in
the morning at 14 C and increasing to 19 C.
Sounded pretty nice so I had laid
out arm and leg warmers a riding vest
and shorts and jersey. When we got up
the light drizzle was a full on down pour and it was closer to 6 C. Plan B was to change the riding vest for the
full on rain gear including shower cap , rain booties, white water paddling
gloves, rain pants and hurricane rated rain coat. So we are off into the downpour.
Now this isn’t just any bike ride this is the Crown Range Ride.
This is the iconic New Zealand bike
ride. While this isn’t the Stelvio Pass
or Alp de Huez it is the highest paved road in all of New Zealand. The ride starts in Queensland. The first section is 25 kms which gains
approximately 100 m. At this point the
switch backs start and there are seven switchbacks which cover approximately 7
kms. The switchback section of the climb
averages 5% however the Garmins showed
sections of 15%. At the end of the
switchback section there is a section of 2 kms which is slightly rolling but
more up than down. At this point you
enter Gorge Road which is a further 7 kms
which averages 6%. However the Garmin again pointed out sections in the
15% range. At this point you are now at
the summit which is at 1075 meters. From
the summit it is 40 km downhill to Wanaka. For a grand total of 77 Kms and a gain of 1020
m.
Sounds grand but the rainy conditions changed things a lot. Everything always seems to go sideways in the
rain. At the 20 kms mark we came to a very
steep little pitch which was only 100 meters long but probably 12% and Tom down
shifted as he jumped on the pedals. The chain was jammed between the granny
gear and the second gear. Jos pulled one
section out with a cord and I got the other section out by backing all of the
gear ring bolts off. We made it past the
switchbacks and got to the within 2 kms of the summit when my left pedal clip
failed. The little spring in the clip
had broken and so I couldn’t clip in. Pedaling
with only one clip was impossible and I had to walk the last couple hundred
meters. After the required photos and congratulations
we were off down the backside. We made
it about 2 kms when Jos’ rear disc brake locked. The rotor was white hot and
the pads almost welded. A little fooling
around and we got the disc brakes unlocked.
We made it into town and hit a bike shop. I grabbed a new set of pedals but Jos is
still wrestling with his brakes. As a
side note the young women in the bike shop was from Canmore Alberta (Just outside
of Calgary).
About half way down from the summit is a place where women
have tied there bras to a fence in support of breast cancer. It is quite a something to behold.
Well made it in save and sound. Didn’t see any of all the highly rated
scenery. I guess I’ll just have to come
back.
Terry
6 comments:
Unfortunate that the weather was not the best. We had a very hot day when we cycled over the "hill".
Hope it improves as you head north so you get to see the best of the country.
These trying conditions serve to highlite your fundamentally positive nature Terry! Hope things improve soon.
Lots of liquid sunshine!! Seventh Law of Thermodynamics applies: "stuff like that just happens." One needs to always be prepared and resourceful to deal with all the stuff.
Thanks for the blog and pics.
Calgary Ken C.
Terry, just in to Texas and read your blog. I am SO disappointed and saddened that you had such a shit day for a wonderful ride. But, like you said, it just means you will have to come back again! That is why I keep coming back.
If it makes you feel any better, I have arrived in Fredericksburg, Texas for 10 days of riding, and I left my ENTIRE folder of maps at home. Some how the folder, which I carefully put on the kitchen table so I would not forget it, did not make the 12 foot jump into the car! Can't imagine where I put it, as I know it was not left on the table. So tell Jos that I commiserate with him about forgetting his shoes. Those, I am happy to report, I have with me!
Here is to hoping the weather improves.
Later,
Earnie
sounds like quite a day....stay safe out there!
Cynthia
wow terry,
some serious scary mechanical issues. glad you all made it through. i cant imagine the hill climb. i am challenged by the 500 metre edgemont hill.
chris
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