Day 40 - February 19, 2023

Day 40:  Invercargill - Bluff - Invercargill

Did someone say something about cake?  Maybe champagne would be more appropriate as we celebrate a massive achievement - riding the length of New Zealand!  Transfer to Invercargill for the final night of the tour.

Made it to the end today!  We left the hotel about 9.  A few turns to get out of the city and then a straight shot down to Bluff.  The forecast was for overcast skies, a chance of showers around noon, and strong tailwinds.  Interesting sky to our left (east) as we left town.  It's raining somewhere.....

Apparently this sign is spelled correctly, and they're not meaning "weiner" pigs.  Weaner pigs are little ones from weaning (about 21 days old) to about 10 weeks old.  My factoid for the day.

On to the home-stretch............

First sighting of the ocean at about 12 km.  Looking at Google Maps, it appears to be a bay (that extends up to Invercargill) of Foveaux Strait which is the body of water between the mainland and Stewart Island.  

There was a cycle trail beside the highway for as long as we were on Highway 1.  Biking to Bluff must be "a thing".  

We rode right by a little wetlands area that had lots of birds in it.  I'm guessing they are the pied shag.  The colour is somewhat similar to a penguin, so I watched for a while.  But no, they had real wings.

Bluff comes into sight.  Looks like the port is an important part of the town.

Evidence of this not being the first windy day down here............

Plans changed apparently.  Instead of regrouping just before climbing the last hill to the point, everyone had stopped at a coffee place.  Seems to be a thing with this group.  Redeeming feature, though, was that there were a lot of murals on buildings in the immediate vicinity.

And finally - on to Stirling Point and the literal end of the road.

It's good to be done.  Even though it was frustrating to not be able to ride comfortably - due to both injuries and the position on the mountain bike - and even though I jumped in the van a few times, I suppose it still is a significant accomplishment.  I'll try to hold on to that thought and not the feeling of failure that was overwhelming each day as I struggled along at the back of the pack.  I really would have enjoyed it so much more if I could have just dawdled along at my own speed without a guide lurking behind or waiting in front.  I always felt that I was holding them up.  They claimed it wasn't the case, but they wouldn't seem to just let me ride by myself.  I knew coming in that I would struggle.  I had no illusion it would be easy or that I would ride the whole thing, so I should be happy with what I was able to do.  But still.....  I'm glad I did it and I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to have this experience.

The 4 Brits completed their mission to ride EFI (every fabulous inch).  Sandra, who completed the Brevet version of the North Island self-supported a few years ago, completed her mission to ride the entirety of both islands.  Congratulations to these 5, and really to all of us for "getting it done".  Those who rode both the North and South Islands with EA were rewarded with a lovely green hoodie.  As I always say.......... we were all on the same trip, but we were each on our own individual journey.  

A few words about Bluff.......  It is the southernmost town in mainland New Zealand.  The Bluff area was one of the earliest areas of New Zealand where a European presence became established.  The first ship known to have entered the harbour was the Perseverance in 1813.  European settlers started to arrive in 1823 or 1834.  It claims to be the oldest permanent European settlement in the country.

That's another epic in the books!  Need to do some healing before May. 

Stats for the day:

Distance:  31.6 km

Elevation (Garmin):  441' up, 450' down

Elevation (RWGPS):  639' up, 662 ' down

Weather:  16C.  Overcast.  Strong tailwind.