March 7, 2025
Wild camp near Springs Junction to Lake Rotoroa
Last night’s camping was less than ideal. There were so many flies and bugs that I had to retreat into the tent and wait for dark.
Today was a good day of riding. It’s funny because before we took on the Great Divide I’d maybe done 100 km on a bike 5 times. Now if I only do 100 km it seems like a light day.
It’s seems to be getting colder by the day and now the morning are chilly on a bike. I’m still comfortable with a couple layers and neoprene cycle gloves but winter must be coming…almost time to go home and get ready to welcome spring!
I started out on the gravel road where I camped and made good time and I was soon back on the highway for a short stretch and then back onto gravel for almost the rest of the day.
I wasn’t moving as fast today. My legs felt heavy from the past 3 days exertion. I wasn’t stop that much but I didn’t have as much push either. And the cycling wasn’t that easy this morning on the gravel. I met a few cyclists and just waved at others (maybe 25 all day) heading in the opposite direction. Right now there are waves of riders who started the TA on February 22nd and 23rd headed for the South tip of the Island. One guy finished the 3000 km distance already in 7 days! Yeah, do the math. It’s bonkers! And that’s with a lot of elevation and a lot of riding off of pavement. Racing isn’t for me though. I value sleeping and feel that I already push my body enough.
I arrived in Murchison just before 1 and went straight to the bakery truck and polished off a custard, vegetarian pie and another great coffee. That’s a great stop and nice to support a very small business. Murchison itself isn’t much. The main road runs through it so while getting groceries I heard several big trucks roll through town which really detracts from things.
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I just reloaded with groceries and headed for Lake Rotoroa. I knew this section as I rode it already on my other tour on this side of the Island. For whatever reason I enjoyed it a lot more today. It’s called the Braeburn Track and it was shaded almost the whole ride and very pretty riding through the trees. While it was only 30 km it involved 600 m of climbing so it was still a bit of work but the grades were fine. On some of the descents my teeth were shaking from all the braking and speed bumps.
I arrived into Lake Rotoroa at about 4:30 and decided I wouldn’t go any further. The next camping spot wasn’t inspiring and this place is beautiful so I quickly set up my tent while battling the sand flies. They are atrocious here and relentless as well. I was flailing around so much that my neighbours threw me their spray and then another neighbour gave me a bottle of spray for the road. Turns out she’s a fellow Canadian from the Yukon.
I enjoyed dinner on the dock where there’s a picnic table. I figured with a breeze off the lake that I’d be safe. That assumption was only partially correct as the flies still found me and I’m only exposed on my hands and face! While eating I talked to another rider and got some great photos of him with his bike on the dock and the lake in the background. We talked about his brevet ride and he was still planning to do Braeburn Track and camp in Murchison; he’ll likely roll in there close to dark.
Tomorrow I’ll head towards Nelson and figure out where the Great Taste Trail starts and finishes and how I’ll incorporate that into my riding. I clicked over 4,000 km today for the trip so my first goal was achieved. Now I want to do at least another 500 km to better the distance on the Great Divide.
Naming the bike entries, including my own:
Skylar
Faithful
True Blue
Bluebell
Wanda
I’ll decide soon since we’ve already had the gender reveal party.
Highlights:
-Braeburn Track was scenic
-Coffee and bakery trailer in Murchison
-topping 4,000 km today for the trip
Distance: 105 km and 1458 m elevation gain
Today's ride: 105 km (65 miles)
Total: 4,108 km (2,551 miles)
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