Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Final Day Update.
As the team had breakfast at the start of day five of the rail trail, no one was sure if this was going to be the last day. Well, except for Dave…. We had seen Dave determined throughout the entire mighty push, quiet, focused, ok I'll say it…a little snappy at times. Today he was even more of all those things.
Upon leaving Ranfurly to resume the rail trail, it was a calm and clear day. By the time the crew began the very first section, it was apparent that this day would be the most challenging of them all. Gale force north westerly winds whipped through the valley, so strong that an Otago rail trail truck was sent out to make sure bikers were proceeding cautiously. It is hard to capture the force of these winds in a photo or even a video clip. This will give you an indication of what we were up against:
While huddled in a shed with Andrea, her parents Norm and Pat, Megan and Hamish, we started to read an article on the wall about something called a taieri pet. We read that this is a unique cloud formation only found in two parts of the world, one being rock and pillar, the very spot we were at on the rail trail. It is formed by gale force north-westerly winds billowing up between two mountain ranges. If it is spotted, it is "advisable to proceed with great caution, as the conditions can topple both children and adults" Pat took a look at the photo provided with the article and then stepped outside. She looked to the sky over the trail, then looked back at the photo. "Oh dear, I think that's it!"
From the start, the wind battered Dave from the side , from the front and from the other side, every side except the behind side. Lynn and Andrea had to give up cycling , Nick had his sunglasses blown down an embankment and Alastair never noticed the wind (he has put on some weight during his stay) As the day progressed the miles went by slowly, but Dave's head never went down.
As the last six miles or so loomed, the team began to prepare for the crossing of the big finish line at Middlemarch. This involved a few cappuccinos and scones for some as we wanted to keep our energy up for the celebrations.
When the last two miles were all that was left, Lynn and Nick came to join everyone else at the finish. Dave was left alone with his thoughts, probably elated to be free of everyone's chatter for the first time in two long weeks. With the Tiaeri Pet still visible in the sky behind him, Dave finally crossed that big finish line in Middlemarch.
Dave completed the final day of his 250 mile odyssey with the popping of champagne and handshakes and hugs all around. Well done big man.
Back in Ranfurly, Richard of Hawkdun Lodge had very kindly started the celebration dinner by putting a huge leg of lamb in the oven. A big thanks to Richard for his fantastic hospitality during our stay in Ranfurly. Remember Richard you must visit us all in the U.K.! The evening celebrations started with a fantastic meal prepared by our in house caterers Andrea and Tony followed by a fantastic bottle or 2 of single malt. A big thanks for the first bottle to Michael, director of spiritual matters at "Whisky Galore" in Christchurch and thanks to Sam for the second.
So as the night came to a close, Dave and the crew finally were able to relax knowing that the only mighty thing about the next day would be their mighty hangovers.
- comments