Going Nowhere Slowly – A Micro Journey

I started the day with a dutiful photo outside the The Catlins YHA. Home for the past five months. Over that time I’ve photographed well over thirty cyclists 🚴‍♂️ as they passed through, now it was my turn. At last!

As usual, I’m carrying way too much food for three days. Not one to go hungry and I might well be hauling too many clothes too! I have read somewhere: when packing for your trip, you tend to carry your insecurities. Judging by my panniers, I must be neurotic! 😱

Not far out-of-town I hit my first and only BiG climb of the day. I say BiG… OK, it only took thirty minutes. Considering I’ve not ridden a fully-ladened bicycle for twelve months, it might’ve well been a dam mountain ⛰️ But, neither-less it went rather well and the ol’pins were feeling fine. I like to cycle with an abundance of sugary sweets on hand, whatever form they may take!

Eight kilometres up from the settlement of Tahakopa, and a very-easy-cycle-gravel-road I notice my chance for a spot of wild camping. Gate: no lock, forestry land, jobs a good’n. In I go. No one sees me enter, no one will know I’m there! Soon though, I feel that all familiar bite … bloody hell, sandflies 🪰 I’d so forgotten about them. OH eck! Last year cycling up the West Coast of New Zealand I endured sandflies for three weeks as I wild camped all the way up. I was emotionally scarred!

I pitch my tent for my two nights stay. So nice to be away from humanity for a bit.

I spend the next day exploring like a child in his own Narnia. Checking out toadstools/fungi 🍄 looking under rocks for creepy-crawlies, walking the banks of the Tahakopa River, listening to birds and just soaking up the pure bliss of nature … Happy Days!

Most woods I’ve encountered in New Zealand has some form of pest control. Shame there’s none for sandflies!

My evening meal is prepared early, and probably contains a waif of sandflies to-boot. And, yes, I need a haircut!

The next days cycle back to Owaka looks to be a good’n. I cycle a longer route back, as to not repeat the same road I tracked out on. The fine gravel road leading up to to Maclennan Hill was a good climb for me with my not-so-laden-touring-legs! The sun stays out 🌞 and it’s a glorious day on the bicycle. Life’s Simple, Life’s Good.

Sweat’n’short as any ‘Micro Journey’ should be. The nice thing about a ‘Micro Journey’ or more commonly known as a ‘Micro Adventure’ you know it’s not long before one’s enjoying the delights of a piping hot shower.

More importantly, this was my first ladened outing on my new Thorn Sherpa. SWEET!

Thank you to Thorn Cycles for a cracking frame 👍

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