CULVERDEN TO CHRISTCHURCH
The day started the same way it ended. Lots of blue clear skies.
But it started very cold. The coldest we've experienced yet. My computer is telling me it's 7C as we begin our journey.
But we are on the road just before sunrise so that is to be expected I guess. As we roll out of the breakfast spot and begin what is to be a fairly flat and fast ride into Christchurch, I am thankful for my motorcycle gloves keeping my fingers warm.
The sun slowly rises and the temperature slowly rises until finally it bursts above the hedges that invariably line the highways and cast a cold shade onto our roadway.
When it does appear it is warm and welcoming and the scenery, as beautiful as it is, is all the more beautiful as it is moving past us at a comfortable and steady 22kph.
The gradual climbs are easy and the descents are long and fun. But we keep the speed up as high as possible so we are still doing a considerable amount of work. The steadiness of it keeps the heart rate up and the muscles working.
We move from small town to town, stopping for sandwiches, cold drinks and and ice cream shake before we find ourselves in the comfortable suburbs of Christchurch and finally cycling into this most beautiful city on a hot Saturday afternoon crowded with locals and tourists.
A very inviting end to a very fun day on the road. Our plans call for a two night stay here and we are looking forward to exploring this old and charming place. Our hotel is right in the middle of a party hot spot we find out and we are surrounded by bars and pubs and the lot. Sleeping tonight may be a challenge.
STATS:
Distance: 102.4 km
Time: 4:53 km
Average: 20.9 kph
Max: 51.0 kph
Temp: 7 - 30C
Weather: Sunny
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