After the Earthquake - A Ride to Methven

So we survived the earthquake and what better way to get back into training than with another overnight bike ride. This time to Methven, the weekend after the shaking events of September 4.  My training had gone out the window over the previous week so this was a welcome opportunity to get out into the fresh air and get the heart and lungs working again!

Damage to roads around the region meant that the route had to be slightly altered, and two of our team had to pull out - Kate had been relocated to Auckland as her Christchurch office was out of action and Marcus was heavily involved with the earthquake recovery as part of the Police comms team. However the rest of us were not to be deterred!

Anna and Chook contemplating the day's ride

Dave, Chook, Anna and I loaded the bikes onto the trailer and headed just out of Christchurch where we met Alicia, Budgie and Curly for the start of the ride. 

Alicia and Anna

My steed, ready to go

The peloton made its way inland, first stop Oxford where we sampled some of the fine muffins and coffee on offer at Jo Seager's cafe "Seager's at Oxford".  Of particular note was Jo's hot chocolate, of which Alicia appeared to be a connisseur, and the rest of us looked on green with envy as the tray of decadence was placed before her.  A large glass of steaming hot milk plus two shot glasses.  One shot glass contained warmed, liquid milk chocolate and the other glass contained white chocolate buttons.  You could then mix the two types of chocolate according to preference.  Many of us were vowing to return at a later date to sample what looked like a divine drink.

Toni and Curly enjoying the ambience by the fire at Seager's at Oxford

Much as we would have liked, we couldn't sit around the fireplace all morning so back on the bikes it was, next stop Hororata for lunch.

On this leg we saw some more of the effects of the earthquake.  For instance the damage suffered by the historic St John's Church at Hororata.

After lunch it was my turn to drive the support van while the peloton completed the final leg into Methven.  My total ride for the day was a shade under 80km and 2 hours 44min riding time - pretty cruisy.

Next stop, Methven.

One of the great things about heading uphill on your outward journey is that the homeward leg is .... DOWNHILL!

Home was 110km away and Sunday morning we were out bright and early.  The Rakaia Gorge was the only blip in the otherwise steady descent and we got a great pace going.  Andi rode out to meet us and so we had a welcome addition to the peloton for the rest of the journey.

Google maps in use - out in the middle of nowhere...

We rolled into town mid afternoon - another great weekend completed.