The day dawned rather grey but within a couple of hours the sun once again made an appearance, after yesterday’s hike a bike ride was in order…. lunch packed, off on our trusty steeds, a cool breeze wafted past us as we rode towards the Waiau River, muscles objected today took a bit of time to get into the groove of biking after yesterday’s uphill grunt.
With having electric bikes I thought I may have to resort to power but managed to bike 15 km uphill and down dale without assistance. It was a joy to be out and about on such a beautiful day, following the mighty Waiau downstream, the roar of jet boats also taking advantage of the settled weather. It was pleasurable to hear the bird song Tui’s, bellbirds, flitting fantails, warblers and a fleeting flash of a Kingfisher. We cycled down to Balloon Loop had a picnic lunch by the riverside enjoying the serenity. The odd sandfly also thought it was lunchtime!
Our return trip was just as pleasurable, Shane managed to not use the battery but I decided I needed assistance after 30odd km of pushing a 25 kg bike! 7km from home we decided to have some fun, power assistance level five, we flew home hooning like a couple of adolescents trying to overtake on the most dubious corners, thank god no one else was on the track! It was rather a thrilling sprint back to Te Anau and a well earned coffee at the end.

  • The Rest

    Jude and I take a quick break after a wee climb.

  • Waiau River

    A beautiful day along the Waiau River.

  • Poignant Moment

    A unexpected view of someones memories along the Te Anau - Manapouri Track.

  • Balloon Loop

    Lovely photo of the wetlands along the Te Anau - Manapouri Cycle/walk Track, between Queens Reach and Rainbow Reach .