The South Island leg of the expedition was completed upon arrival into Picton on Sunday afternoon 4.00. As I crossed over to Wellington that night contemplating the North island roads, i reflected on my travels since leaving Stewart Island on the 14th November.
There have been so many highlights; riding with the penny farthings and antique cycle riders from across NZ through Southland and the Catlins area leading up to the oamaru Victorian heritage celebrations, riding with 82 year George Crack of Ashburton who rode Cape Reinga to Stewart Island on his Healing 20 in 1971, being part of the magnificent Victorian Fete, riding with the junior Tinwald Cyclists coming into Ashburton, the immense kindness along the way, offers of food, accommodation, the continual horn tooting, waves, long twelve hour days in the saddle, reaching Picton.
With a days rest in Wellington following a steady time of media interviews about the ride and the Oamaru Victorian Precinct, it will be back in the saddle on Thursday. People are constantly stopping me in the streets and are most interested to learn about Oamaru. we certainly have a fine town with it's rich built heritage, and to date, nothing i have ridden through comes close to it's beauty and significance to the country.
