A beautiful ride through Motueka Valley

. Our New Zealand Adventure .

Friday October 26, 2012, 33 miles (53 km) – Total so far: 377 miles (607 km)

We had an early start after stopping at a local Motueka Café for breakfast. The ride south through the lush Motueka Valley was very pretty with farm and cattle land. In the early afternoon we had reached our goal of the Settle Campground in Tapawera. Even though there was plenty of more riding time available we decided to stay put because of the lack of accommodations/services on the way to St. Arnaud. About an hour after we settled into our cabin the south wind picked up strong and the sky went overcast. Good call we figured.

I have read about and experienced long bicycle journeys. One of the most special parts of a journey is the people you meet. This one is no exception. The proprietors of the backpackers, stores, tourist businesses, pubs, and restaurants all make this journey special. I can’t think of a single negative about anyone we have met. They are all so helpful and cheerful, and go out of their way to give us the time when it comes to recommendations especially about which routes to take. I have found that one of the most knowledgeable people to talk with is a bus driver, whether you are using his service or not. I have walked up to many of them with my map in hand asking questions about routes, accommodations, and services. Yesterday at the backpacker in Moteuka I talked with so many interesting people. After dinner we joined a young Kiwi and Frenchman that were staying at the same backpacker at the local Irish Pub for a few games of pool. What a fun evening.

“No worries, mate…cheers”

Riding through the Moteuka Valley.
Riding through the Moteuka Valley.
A huge bag of kiwis for $2.
A huge bag of kiwis for $2.
The Moteuka River.
The Moteuka River.

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Growing hops. These workers are setting up the strings that the hops will vine up.
Growing hops. These workers are setting up the strings that the hops will vine up.
Cows greeting us.
Cows greeting us.
Not much of a shoulder but the chip seal roads are pretty smooth.
Not much of a shoulder but the chip seal roads are pretty smooth.

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We encountered another walker.
We encountered another walker.
But we were greeted by this sight at the top.
But we were greeted by this sight at the top.
Our cabin for the night in Tapawera.
Our cabin for the night in Tapawera.
The snow covered mountains show our goal of St Arnaud for tomorrow - about 55 km. We hear that the infamous sandflies start there.
The snow covered mountains show our goal of St Arnaud for tomorrow – about 55 km. We hear that the infamous sandflies start there.

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