Bannockburn to Mossburn

February 24, 2025

Up and Over Duffer’s, through Nevis Valley & 60 km Cyclepath

Today I got started even before it was fully light out. I wanted to get a jump on a big day of climbing. It started on an easy road ride for an about 7 km and then I made it to the start of Duffer’s Pass. The Garmin flashed 1000 m over 10.5 km so I knew it would be tough averaging 10% grade. It turned out the start of the climb was gentle saving that elevation for later at close to 15%. I am so happy that I shed weight off the bike. It made a huge difference climbing. I felt strong and managed the whole climb with zero HAB. Yay me! Getting to the top by 9 AM also felt like a big accomplishment.

I zoomed down the backside. The gravel road was as good as it gets both up and down. Really great traction and confidence inspiring on the descent. It was a bit cold as I sweated going up, added a layer, but still felt chilled. On the way down I came onto a farmer and his dog moving a huge herd of sheep. He was in a truck and stopped and ran up a hill to whistle commands. I wasn’t sure what to do but he said I could carry on. So now I’m driving the whole herd of sheep on my bike. They eventually got skittish and moved off the road and I finished the descent of about 600 m.

For the next 2.5 hours I just plodded my way through the valley which was flat and very nice riding. There were 5 motorcycles that I played frogger with for quite a while. They’d stop and I kept going and we’d often meet at one of the 20 stream crossings. The stream crossing were easy compared to Omarama. I was never off the bike.

I had a really quick lunch of wraps and then finished the rest of the valley and started on the second climb of the day to get out of the valley. This climb was easy in comparison to Duffer’s. When you crest you get this amazing view of the next valley that’s all green with irrigation and a very nice contrast against the dry mountains. The descent this time was very long, maybe 800 m and really smooth with lots of corners. I really enjoyed it but thought about how much more I’m using the brakes here in New Zealand. So much so that I should probably try and get another spare set of pads.

After the descent there was maybe another 7 km to finish the 77 km of the trail. I was very happy because it was only 1:30 and Mossburn was now a realistic goal. I rolled straight through Garston without stopping and got started on the over 60 km of cycle path. I am very impressed with these cycle paths! They are so well made. Flat and they often even take you away from the road and through farmer’s land. It must be a big undertaking to get all the agreements in place to make something like this happen. I was making very good time, sometimes topping 30 km/hr until the next gate (the only downside of going through all the farms - so many gates to open and close).

Everything was going amazing until the last 14 km into Mossburn. It was exactly like the ride into Lake Tekapo. The headwind was massive! I could only manage 10 km/hr and it was so demoralizing. I was literally yelling at the sky. And I was getting tired. And my food was dwindling. Then I decided to check on the supposed grocery store hours worried I might now make it. Turns out there isn’t one!

I finally made it after numerous stops to get my energy and perseverance to keep pushing into the wind. I found a gift shop open with some hot food so I gobbled down a pie and slice of cake then bought some food to get me to Te Anau.

Then just another 3 km to the holiday park where I fortunately was able to book a cabin and I’ll sleep in a bed.

Tomorrow I’ll get to Te Anau and figure out the best strategy to get to Milford Sound. It is a busy road with massive buses and you want to avoid riding when they are all rushing out to the coast.

Highlights:

-climbing Duffer’s

-both descents

-Nevis Valley was super nice

-Bike trail was very good

Distance: 139 km and 2322 m elevation gain

Today's ride: 139 km (86 miles)
Total: 2,798 km (1,738 miles)

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Comment on this entry	Comment	6

Bruce RichardsWell done. Especially getting to Duffers without HAB. I have done Bannackburn to Mossburn in a day. Very grey and cold through Nevis and a freezing descent into Garston. I swore after all the gates on the Round the Mountain trail I was going to ride the road next time. The trail is an old rail line. Enjoy the ride to Te Anau, especially the last section in bush. The best thing to do Te Anau to Milford is to start really early so you get road before the buses from Queenstown start coming through. The ride down from Homer tunnel is one of the best 20 km ever. There are shuttles (CatchaBus) that can get you back to the Anau if you don't want to ride it again.
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1 week ago

Andrew RichardTo Bruce RichardsThanks! Shedding weight made a really big difference, plus the road is excellent so I just sat and chugged my way up it. It’s a big day to get to Mossburn and then the wind! I’m definitely planning a shuttle back out of Milford Sound. Thanks for the company name :)
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1 week ago

Carolyn HodgsonAwesome ride but the horrible wind again. Your friend speaking to you above seems really helpful. Please be really careful today. Glad Cell you had a bed last night. Such luxury.☺️💕
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1 week ago

Michael HutchingGreat descriptions and photographs, Andrew- you’re really tackling some challenging, but beautiful, country. Central Otago is certainly a different world. Glad the weather, apart from winds, has been good. Enjoy the rest of the ride!
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1 week ago

Andrew RichardTo Carolyn HodgsonYes, I’ve had a lot of helpful advice along the way.
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1 week ago

Andrew RichardTo Michael HutchingThanks Michael! For sure, parts of it have been quite difficult, particularly Omarama Saddle. I really enjoyed Duffers and the Nevis Valley.
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1 week ago