32km ride to Mangans Bridge, fairly easy ride this morning, then back for lunch. In the afternoon Stu & I drove to the little village of Mt Beauty, named after one of the lovely mountains in the area. It's a gorgeous little town, so tidy & picturesque. Do wish their autumn trees would change quicker as it would be spectacular then. The population is about 3000 but it's really only a village much the size of Waipu with a supermarket & most other services needed. Also a little hospital at the end of the main street (no excuse for not visiting a sick relative). It was very busy this weekend as there has been a big mountain biking competition on so lots of broken bones etc. We were tempted by the excellent ice-cream shop there which proved to be a good choice. There is also a great outdoors shop so Stu bought us a good little thermos flask which will fit in our bike water carrier, plus some lovely little s/s mugs which are very light, to carry in the backpack. He makes a good little 'burro'! Late afternoon nibbles & that red stuff he likes is a regular, then our lovely after dinner session around the fire where we swop stories of one kind or other, & get our programme for the next day. Ruth is a great organiser having done it many times before.
Day 2:
This morning is supposed to be a 'rest day', but most people did some cycling. Stu & I plus our friends Lyn & Kevin, decided to ride into Mt Beauty for lunch at the bakery/cafe there. GREAT vanilla slices & coffee! Most of the rest of the group went out for a banquet lunch at an italian place not far from here, but we four opted out. We cycled back via the little local airfield where there were about 4 gliders in action, coming & going, taking paying customers up. Lynne & Kevin had done it years ago some other location in Oz, & although Lynne was terrified, they both thought it was fantastic. I don't think I could even sit in the seat & have the lid shut down on me & they only take the pilot plus one passenger, so without Stu to hold my hand it's a NO GO. I'm slowly getting fitter, but also discovering it's a good idea to have a 'lay day'. Works wonders.
Day 3:
Lots of long rides planned now, so today Stu & I decided to do some walks in the area. Headed off in the car to some recommended, Stu with map in hand. The first one was terribly overgrown with long grass etc which I didn't feel comfortable in at all, so was quite happy when we discovered that it had been washed out about halfway, so we turned back after precariously crossing a creek looking for the other end of the track. Thought we'd stop & have our lunch on a nice log which was not ON the ground but actually above it. Not a good idea. Within seconds we noticed a bull ant nest in front of us, & the next thing I had been bitten 3 times up under the leg of my 3/4 pants. Naturally we shifted, walked further back & found a picnic table which we sat right up on in case of other 'critters'. Once back to the starting point we thought we would try another track, but first found a little 500m deviation round the creek which was quite lovely with ferns etc, & we thought we were back home. We finally found a nice big wide track, followed that for about an hour, then started our return home. Since I saw the snake some weeks ago, I have been 'allowing' Stu to take the lead, but halfway back I suddenly saw a black snake lying across the track & had to stop him before he walked on it! It wasn't in a hurry to move from it's sunbathing, so I shuffled my feet & it slowly slithered to the side of the track into the grass, not before I took a photo of it. There really shouldn't be many around now as it's getting too cold, but I guess these lovely sunny days are keeping them out & about. My eyes are like mine-sweepers as I walk, but all in all as long as it's a nice wide track I am OK.
Day 4:
The experienced riders are attempting 110km ride today - naturally we are not including ourselves, but neither are some others. There is talk of a big downhill ride tomorrow from the top of the ski slopes so I decided if I am to do it I wanted to see firsthand what it would be like. So Stu & I decided to drive up. A lovely drive up a very winding, steep road, all sealed but although two lanes, not especially wide. Nice warmish day for it. Took about 40 minutes to drive up, & it was cooling off rapidly by the time we came down. It looked a bit scary so I kept putting off the decision to put my name down, as we would be getting the 'bus-a-bike'
again to take us to the top & naturally it had to be booked. That night I had nightmares about my brakes failing & so my first question on waking was 'what would I do? It's either go over the very long drop on one side, or crash into the banks on the other! Stu was very reassuring, advising me that my bike was brand new & the brakes would not fail, & anyway, I may as well worry about a wheel falling off! As you can imagine that helped HEAPS. He of course is very keen to do it. Anyway it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, Wonderful views of the valley below & the misty mountains all around. And by the way, the 4 who attempted the 110km very steep ride achieved their goal.
Day 5:
Well the day for the big downhill run has dawned. I still had nightmares last night, but have decided I am committed now so will have to go through with it. I am nervous, but am sure I will be fine once I get started. It's very cold this morning but my dear friends have made sure I have the appropriate clothing like gloves & thermal as going so fast downhill will create quite a chill factor. We left at 9.30 for the 45min drive up again & we all had to have a caffeine fix when we got there. I have to say it didn't fix me at all as it was the worst coffee I have ever had in my life & cost $5 - no competition on top of the mountain! It was just like warm milk, in fact there might have been a bit of water as well, but DEFINITELY NO COFFEE. Then the moment of truth arrived - time to take the plunge downhill. There were 9 of us & I said I would go last, but Stu protectivly went behind me. It was a bit hairy at first as the top is the steepest & therefore the fastest, but I used my brakes a fair bit till I got my courage up a bit. The thing is that you have to be careful not to use them too much or they start to burn, so I was very conscious of that too. Anyway, after a short time I got into the rhythm of going round the bends (not too fast) & before I knew it I was passing a couple of the other ladies who have been cycling for years. We had about three uphills, one quite steep which I didn't think I would make, but I did, so I am definitely improving. We had stops now & then to make sure everyone was OK & made it down to the bottom in about 90 minutes all safe & sound, no scrapes, NO failed brakes, & no puntures. I must say it was really exhilarating with the wind whizzing past & a great feeling to have done it. Great grandmothers can do ALMOST anything! We had a lovely packed lunch in the park at Mt Beauty in the sun, then had to cycle another 8 km back to the caravan park. A good day had by all. The day ended as usual around the campfire, swapping stories, some quite hilarious.
Hi you 2.Thanks for the comments, looks wonderful wish I was with you,all the best Richx
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