10th January 2022 (sunny and hot) 43 km

Awake at 5. 45 am and finished off last nights blog. The day had dawned slightly overcast and a little cool, but looked as though it would burn off. After Eileen had taken care of the horses we all sat down for some toast and marmalade, which was yummy. Unloaded some fresh hay off the trailer and then loaded the bikes. It was lovely to catch up with Eileen and Stu again and have the luxury of a bed.      

Eileen was driving us to Clyde, so that we didn't have to cycle through kawarau gorge, which is also a busy highway. Forty five minutes later she plonked us down in Clyde, where we cycled 8km to Alexandra to begin the Roxburgh Gorge trail.     

                                                          

Ju and Brody visited the supermarket to grab some lunch, while outside, looking after the bikes, I met some lovely people, the guys name being Frank, who had also done a lot of cycle touring here and overseas. Frank especially was very keen to go over our setup and even took photos. 

Morning tea was consumed at a shady bench as it was now getting warm, at the local park. I had stopped at the very same place when I cycled the South Island in 1986, on a ten speed Monach.                  

Out of Alexandra on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail and very nice it was. The water was a stunning deep green and part way along, we were eyeing it up in anticipation of a swim at some stage. 

That's Brody down there, waiting for the Olds to negotiate the hairpin bends.

However, we had a time target to meet. We had to meet our jet boat driver Lawrence at 12pm, to take us down the gorge about 10km, as there is no other way through one particular section. Because we were busy snapping left, right and centre, we had to race the final 5km to make it on time. We arrived to find two other cyclists, Sam and Hannah from Christchurch, who were doing the trail to Lawrence (not our driver). 

After the bikes were all expertly placed on board, our driver Lawrence began the tale of the gold rush in this area. He pointed out all the miners shelters and gave dates and times that certain miners were there. How most of them came from the Californian rush or the Victorian.           

He was a wealth of knowledge and would bring the boat to rest alongside points of interest. The water was as still as a millpond, so reflections were abundant and photos prolific.                  

Lawrence was busy enthusiastically pointing out another goldminers hut while all of us were turning our cameras to the mirror like Lake.

Brody had a prime seat in the front while the bikes had a great spot on the back.

All too soon, the history lesson was over and we pulled up to a step down metal jetty. A couple from Tauranga were waiting for a ride the other way. After Lawrence jet boated off, we all jumped into the cool water as by now it was boiling hot. 

The swim did the trick and we ate our bought lunch in the shade before undertaking a torrid ride out. It was seriously hilly and very hot, but it was the views that kept us upbeat. 

Of course, it had to throw one final kicker of a hill at us, which we valiantly struggled up, puffing and panting and sweating profusely. 

At the top was a view of the Clutha dam. We thought we'd finished for the day, but when a van with, "Off The Rails", a cycle shuttle turned up, they told us that Roxburgh, in fact was still 9kms away. I think everyones' faces displayed how we felt, but, onward we went. The trail at least followed the river, so undulating rather than hilly, but also some flat riding. 

Found Clutha Gold Cottages, our nights resting place.  Straight in the pool to cool off, before setting up the tents and following that up with cold showers. 

Headed the 2kms into town on the bike and ended up at Fishtail, an Indian restaurant, run by a guy called Nick. Both he, the food and the service were great and we rode home happy and full. 

Brody called Sophie, Julia received a call from Jason and we both spoke to Georgina, before blogging, uploading photos and bed, for a well deserved, hopefully, well rested sleep.