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And now for a less romanticized take on cycle touring
Here are the reasons why people likely choose NOT to cycle tour:
1) The weather: I haven't had one day of nice weather since I arrived. Dreary, wet, windy, unpredictable, pain-in-the-ass weather. Ive literally had head winds that can stop you dead in your tracks. And if it were hot? I'd probably complain about that too. Who wants to cycle when you're sweating just standing still? Nobody.
2) Traffic and road conditions: No shoulders + logging tucks + snake-like roads = one terrified cyclist. I've now learned when to get off my bike and stand to the side waiting for traffic to pass or simply walk it.
3) PMS: let me tell you, if I could market a cramp free, mood-swing free cycle tour - I'd be a millionaire. PMS turns me from a reasonable person who can handle a normal amount of bad weather and traffic with proper grace, to a crazy lunatic who can't handle a fly pitching on my shoulder.
3) Bike problems: don't you just hate it when you've cycled 85kms, it's raining, you're so close to your destination you can smell the nearest chocolate bar and ... Clug clug clug clug.... "$!@#€+" - flat tire!!!!! Makes me wanna scream bloody murder. In fact, i do. If birds and trees could tell these stories I'm sure their point of view would paint a colorful and entertaining tale. "This human-like creature was traveling on the funniest looking horse I've ever seen and all of a sudden she jumped off and must have been trying to kill something on the grass because she was pounding it and yelling funny words. Then her face turned very red and the top part of her head came off! For some reason it had straps and she threw it on the ground as hard as she could."
Rotorua:
Warmshowers.org is a website connecting cycle tourists. If you're on the road, you check if there are people on the site willing to host you. If your home, you list yourself as willing to host other cyclist if in your area.
I used it for the first time in Rotorua. Man, I hit the jackpot. I landed at a kick-ass house with a veggie garden and chickens roaming freely about the back yard. I immediately liked my host and I hadn't yet met her.
After meeting, her awesomeness was confirmed. I ended up staying there three nights! She showed me all around. Rotorua is a pretty wicked place - it's has a really cool natural geothermal activity which is used to heat a Maori village and its also used to generate electricity for the town. You can actually see the steam shooting out of the ground in between the houses and out of the storm drains. The place may smell a little strongly of sulphur but once you get past that there are some stellar sights and activities. We also visited a cool swimming hole half fed by a cold water stream and half by a hot water stream.
Rotorua will also forever be the place where I bought my very first NEW bike! Byrdie, my host, has cycled an impressive 26 000 kms. She took one look at my bike and convinced me to go shopping with her for a new one. She looked into her cycling crystal ball and predicted that i would have many problems. Since I've already had many, i agreed to go shopping with her. The next day I headed to the house of my next host in Reporura. Byrdie actually drove me there :) ... I except all offers for rides. There will be no shortage of cycling ahead if me if all goes as planned.
- comments
anneka Jes! I can’t imagine the biking frustrations!! It’s so nice to picture you on your trip. Wish you had me (or someone!) to at least scream at the birds with. glad you’re having some R&R with Byrdie. And thank god you got a new bike. Pics please!! xoxoxo
Marnie You can change a flat tire? I personally take one Jonathan Dickie with me for just such chores.
Zoe "Then her face turned very red and the top part of her head came off! For some reason it had straps and she threw it on the ground as hard as she could." Ha!!! God love 'ya. Hilarious, even when angry. xxx