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Steamship TSS Earnslaw takes
us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
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We don't spend any time on
the farm, but hit the road immediately, since we have a long and
rough way to go.
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We have a sunny and warm,
and moderately windy morning.
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This South-western side of
Lake Wakatipu is deserted: there are no houses, and we don't see
any vehicles until the very end of the day. The road is also
unpaved all the way.
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First, the gravel road goes
alongside Lake Wakatipu rolling up and down.
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The scenery over the lake,
ice-capped Richardson Mountains looming in the distance, is
gorgeous.
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Finally, the road departs
the lake and starts a steady climb over a small mountain pass.
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Last glimpses of Richardson
Mountains.
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Another view to the gorge.
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The gravel road is in pretty
good condition.
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Sometimes we need to change
shoes and walk the bikes across a stream.
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The ascending grade is quite
gentle, ...
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... even if we follow Von
River upstream.
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We take a lunch stop by the
river.
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What a nice spot for back
country lunch it is: abundant sun shine and no significant breeze,
and secluded form the road, not that there is much traffic.
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Honey Soy Chicken from Back
Country Cuisine.
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It is about the last minute
to take a break by the river, since soon the road departs it and
starts a steep climb over the pass.
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At times, the ascend is
quite steep,
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and we need to walk our bikes.
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Finally on top, it is not
even a noticeable summit.
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From there we start a long,
about 30-kilometer downhill to Mavora Lakes.
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Most of the time we can
maintain a speed of 30 kilometers per hour without pedaling.
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However, we also have a
strong tailwind.
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Going to the other direction
would have been a struggle.
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We are quite happy we chose
this direction we are going.
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We arrive at Mavora Lakes
campground between 4 and 5pm.
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Soon, a camper van pulls
over and they ask if it is ok if they join us on that small
camping site. They have been there earlier, but had decided to
check other sites further along the road, but did not find a
decent one. Actually, as they tell us, the wooded area ends soon,
and from there on it is mostly open, rugged and very windy land.
They prefer the woods.
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There we are, a Finnish
couple in the back country of New Zealand sharing a campsite with
a Swedish family with two kids, drinking wine (they bought too
much to take back home to Sweden) and sharing our Kiwi
experiences.
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Despite the bugs biting
hard, we enjoy the white night and our neighbors' company (and the
wine) until pretty late.
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Today we ride 51.16K in
4:21'00 (avg 11.7kph, max 34.5kph). Altogether we have ridden
563.81 kilometers so far.
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