Today finish was very unplanned. We came to a crashing halt. Literally.

Before that for some 66 km we had a brilliant day.

The weather was cool at 7 degrees C. We rode 5 km up the road to go to the brilliant cafe we had stopped at yesterday to grab breakfast.

A paddock of male deer belonging to the trophy shooters farm. The antlers on these boys are like works of art.

At our now favourite coffee haunt the resident pooch looked like he had a hard night. At the other end of the couch, a log fire was roaring, and he looked super cosy.

The staff here are amazing. Their service and friendly chit chat is exemplary.

Back on the road with full tummies, whilst the clouds were much lower than the previous day, we soaked up the desolate beauty.

There were more cars heading to the west coast than our way so traffic not as busy.

Of course, we climbed but all were reasonable, with just one tougher hill with an extended 10% section.

Looking towards Lake Hawea, we have climbed over The Neck.

Lake Hawea is beautiful and really is these colours. the sediment seems to have settled from the recent rains.

Another climb

We had been looking for the cows and calves from yesterday. Here they are chilling in a lovely paddock with a view, far more relaxed than their long highway walk the previous day.

More climbing and views.

We stop at the lookout and remove our rain over booties. Our feet are sweating.

A group of German motorcyclists stop, along with their support van. There were about 15 or so riders all up.

We stopped in Lake Hawea township to grab lunch, bumping into a cyclist we had met a few days ago.

We then chatted with two young lads on their roadies, and one wearing a Nice jersey, telling us he rides Pro Continental for the same named team.

We crossed paths about 30 minutes later as we crossed the road for the Lake Hawea river track and they sped up the roadway at lightening speed, so light on their pedals.

We rode this path a few days ago. Overall quite a nice track that ends at the suspension bridge.

Heading this way I realise that the bridge has a decline so I crossed it far quicker, with less wobble.

From Albert Town we follow the track named Upper Clutha! Again? WT? We thought we had finished with Upper Clutha tracks but no, it said welcome back, let me finish you off.

The waters were clear and beautiful.

There was a lengthy flooded section. We could see tyre marks where other intrepid cyclists had headed slightly inland to detour.

Ah the serenity.

Then shit happened. I was pedalling along a nice section adjacent to the river and felt my gears were not right. I pushed my right foot down to pedal and the whole bike locked up.

I fell left, fortunately on a smoother piece of track.

My legs….oh they hurt, my front handlebar bag had opened and stuff went everywhere.

When I eventually composed myself enough to sit up, I checked my legs, and despite the pain, felt nothing broken.

When Tony returned wondering where I had got to, he picked up the bike and cussed along the lines of ‘oh, it is stuffed’ , but stronger language.

Aside from pain, I felt a rush of guilt and disappointment.

The rear derailleur had a catastrophic failure twisting and jamming between the wheel spokes. The chain twisted and was stuffed too. The wheel seems ok.

Grass had got caught in my cogs likely causing this.

He removed the derailleur and the hanger was still ok. Usually they are the sacrificial lamb, and break to protect the far more expensive replacement derailleur.

We were out of mobile range, still 10 km from our destination. We had to push the bikes a few km to the nearest road and there we had mobile reception.

First taxi company would not assist. I cried.

Second one would, but about 45 minutes time.

This is the view we had as we sat and reflected. We also contacted all bike shops in Wanaka but none had the right part. It would need to be shipped to them.

Lots of scenarios played through our heads.

The taxi arrived and this is it. Not what we planned but at least no broken bones. This taxi driver was very kind, and we saw him a bit later in Wanaka, and went over and thanked him again.

Now at our hotel in Wanaka, offers and ideas have come through from supportive and sympathetic friends.

A well timed face time from my daughter Hannah and granddaughter Willow was perfect timing. Little kids always make you smile.

I need to see how I pull up overnight as my left leg hurts a bit when I stand up and not sure how it will go pedalling even if we can get the part.

This is the part. Not a cheap part. likely cost around $600 plus to replace.

Today’s route 67 km, we nearly made it falling 8 km short. Still managed over 700 m climbing in what was otherwise, another brilliant day.

What’s next? Need to sleep on it.

Thanks for reading 😊❣️