We’re not talking here about a Ford versus Subaru in a vehicle comparison, but more about what happens when you try and drive through a ford or two in an old Subaru station wagon!
Thanks to our mechanic friend Jonesy we have the loan of a set of wheels to whizz around the Wakatipu – a good old Subaru that has clocked up more than 300,00kms! It runs perfectly well, but it has probably seen better days (the Subaru, not Jonesy).
But boy did we give it a run for it’s money today with a trip up the Matukituki Valley to the start of the Rob Roy Glacier track.
Driving up the Matukituki Valley
The Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
A 40-minute drive on a gravel road with several fords to cross was nearly too much for the Subaru. The first few fords were shallow and manageable, and we crossed them all easily. We hesitated at the second to last one and waited for another vehicle to pass through before we made the executive decision to carry on.
The offending ford!
“Its only about 30cm deep” said another driver who was waiting to watch others cross. We can manage that we thought. Holding on tight, Dave picked his course and we went for it. Sloshing through the gravel we could feel the drag, and out we came the other side. Phew we’d made it. Or so we thought. Within seconds on dry land the old Subaru Leone conked out!
“Oh shit how are we going to tell Jonesy we’ve killed his car, and how the heck are we going to get it out of here” were our first thoughts, not to mention a few other choice words better left unsaid here.
Silence ensued before we did what anyone else would do in this situation which was get out of the car, open the bonnet and see what we could see. No sign of any damage, so we sat for a while in the sunshine to let things dry out before taking the air filter off and giving it a quick once over. Thankfully that did the trick and we got the engine going again and made the final 4kms to the trail car park.
Walking to the Rob Roy Glacier
The spectacular walk up to the foot of the Rob Roy Glacier was somewhat overshadowed by the nervous thoughts of the return trip via the fords. Nonetheless it was impossible not to enjoy the stunning alpine scenery and the impressive views. While we ate our lunch at the top of the track we had the added bonus of watching a bit of the glacier calve, Mother Nature at work.
With fingers and toes crossed, as well as having our hearts in our mouths, we had to make the return journey back down the valley. We faced the fords head on and we were relieved, to say the least, when the old Subaru crossed them all.
It was a tough battle, but on this lucky day it was the Subaru that came out on top!
Here are a few reflections on running the Queenstown marathon yesterday.
Despite never having run the Queenstown marathon before (this was only the event’s fourth year) it was full of memories for us. From the start line in the ever serene setting of Millbrook, where I had worked in The Spa, and Dave as a green keeper many moons ago. To running through the streets of Arrowtown, the place we called home for so long. Circling the stunning Lake Hayes where we spent many a summer’s evening swimming, and the occasional morning, was as breathtaking as ever. Following the tracks and trails in the Wakatipu Basin with their majestic views on every twist and turn was the same pure delight we had felt years previously when we were regular runners in this very special part of the world.
It felt like we were home, especially because we saw so many friendly and familiar faces en route – spectators, volunteers and runners. Bumping into the Race Director at registration who was none other than our friend Nicole was lovely, and being called in over the finish line by local stalwart Ferg who we’d met when we first arrived in Queenstown in 2001, was an entertaining finish to the race.
The event itself was super slick (we have to say that since it was our friend in charge!), but we were amazed at how many people were walking the route, were there so many people like me who had not done the training required to run a marathon? I truly believe if I had done the training then this marathon could’ve been my personal best. Of course we’ll never know that, and I will just be eternally grateful to have made it to the start line. Even more grateful to have crossed the finish line, especially in front of the man in the mankini!
Suffice to say it was a fantastic day. It was hot, hard, and dusty. We both completed the Queenstown marathon, 42kms of running in our old stomping grounds. Dave finished well in 4hrs 18minutes. With a fair few walking breaks I eventually crossed the finish line after 5hrs 18minutes.
This surely is the most beautiful marathon in the world?? Do you have it on your marathon bucket list?
Muscle memory is what I’m banking on for running tomorrow’s Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon! I’m relying on muscle memory to get me through the 42kms, along with the fact that I can once again soak up the absolutely stunning views I know and love so well. Sadly my training this year has fallen far short of what it should have been. Rather than running I spent precious time with my Mum before she passed away in September.
I’ve never felt so ill prepared for taking on the 42kms, but despite the lack of physical training, and the increasing number of niggles in my shins, knees and hips, I’m as determined as ever to cross the finish line in Queenstown tomorrow.
The body will go where the mind takes it
My old faithful mantra “the body will go where the mind takes it” will no doubt be in full force tomorrow as I take on what I feel could be my final physical and mental marathon challenge.
I feel so lucky to have been privileged enough to live in this area for 12 years of my life. During that time I ran many miles on what is now the Queenstown International Marathon course. It is yet another privilege to be here again and to soak up the scenery once more.
Since I’ve practically made it to the start line, I’m sure I’ll make it to the finish line, albeit at an even slower pace than usual, but I’ll do my best to enjoy every step of the way.
With views like this how could you not enjoy it?
Lake Hayes
Wish me luck! And here’s to Dave as well, who, of course, is also running tomorrow.
How we travelled from Portrush to Auckland with bicycles
Let’s start by saying we are travelling from Portrush to Auckland with our bicycles packed in boxes. We’re not riding there!
Portrush to Belfast
Public transport out of Portrush is poor at the best of times, but try get from Portrush to Belfast on a Sunday morning and you’ve got no chance! Add to the fact you’ve got two big bike boxes to transport and there’s not a taxi in town that can take you. Thankfully our friend Tommy from TWV Sports Massage came to the rescue and transported us and our boxes to the bus station at Belfast for our 9am bus to Dublin airport.
Dave and Tommy carrying the boxes!
Belfast to Dublin
Our first change of plan came as soon as we realised the boxes would not fit in the storage compartment on the express bus to the airport! This was despite having phoned the bus company in advance to check and being told it would be no problem. But not to worry, they did fit on the non-express bus that made stops along the way. We still made it to Dublin Airport in plenty of time, and only 20 minutes later than the express bus. We’d built in extra travel time to allow for these kind of hiccups. We’d always rather be killing time relaxing at the airport than feeling frantic about making it in time!
Dublin via Doha to Auckland
A bit of last minute taping and a very helpful check in clerk at the Qatar Airways desk, along with some dodgy weighing scales, meant we came in under our weight allowance of 30kg per person. Everything was good to go, fingers crossed it would all arrive safely in Auckland.
Carrying an extra roll of packing tape was worthwhile for last minute taping!
It was all smooth sailing, well flying actually, with flights on time and three seats between the two of us on each of the flight legs. What a difference it makes to have that little bit of extra manoeuvrability on a 7 hour, followed by a 16.5 hour flight (Doha-Auckland is currently the longest commercial flight in the world). Less than a couple of hours waiting around in Doha was enough to stretch the legs.
Weary and bleary after a 36 hour door to door journey including countless, texture-less airline meals, numerous movies, most of which we can’t recall watching five minutes after landing, and a little bit of sporadic sleep, it was a relief to see all our luggage waiting for us.
Safely arrived in Auckland
Now to fit it into our friend Debbie’s car who is kindly collecting us and putting up with us. She doesn’t know what she’s let herself in for! Let the holiday begin…
With only four full days left before we fly out its time for packing our bikes for air travel. This is our first ever bike tour and the first time we’ve ever had to pack bicycles into boxes. We’re flying with Qatar Airways from Dublin to Auckland. In an ideal world we’d start our bike tour from home, but as first time bike tourers, we’re not brave, or crazy, enough to ride the 150 miles from Portrush to Dublin in mid-November! Plus the logistics of packing boxes at the airport is too much to think about for us first-timers.
So today has been spent dismantling the bikes, deflating tyres, taping, tying, weighing, and packing to fit everything in and keep within the weight allowance.
Weight Allowance
One of the reasons we have chosen to fly with Qatar Airways is the fact they offer a 30kg per person luggage allowance with no limit on the number of pieces. The bike boxes are accepted as part of that luggage allowance, not an additional charge as with so many other airlines we looked at.
The hand luggage allowance is one piece at no more than 7kg per person.
Another reason to go with Qatar was the ability to fly direct from Dublin to Auckland with only one connection in Doha which should minimise the amount of baggage handling.
Bike Boxes
We are using standard cardboard bike boxes from our local bike shop. To fit each bike in a box we have removed the pedals, the wheels, and the seat post and saddle. We deflated the tyres. We’ve turned the handlebars sideways. We covered the main tubes of the bike frames with foam pipe lagging to protect them in transit, and bubble wrapped the pedals and seat. We filled the bike boxes up with our panniers (the two large ones), front racks, helmets, bike shoes, locks, tool kit and camping gear to act as padding to minimise movement and damage in transit.
The boxes are weighing in at about 23kg each.
Worldwide shopping bags (WWSB)
In addition to the bike boxes we have what we call a “worldwide shopping bag” each. You know the blue/red/white checked bags you find at every market worldwide, that’s what we’re talking about! They will go as part of our 30kg checked luggage allowance.
In these bags we’ve packed the smaller panniers, our handlebar bags, our biking clothes and the camping kitchen (pots & pans, plates, cups, cutlery), plus the all important luxury of the trip – collapsable wine glasses!
They’re weighing in at about 5kg each.
Hand luggage
We’re using our eBags for our running gear and clothes that we need for the non-biking part of this trip. We’ll be leaving the bikes in Auckland on arrival, then spending the first couple of weeks of this trip in Queenstown before returning to Auckland to start the bike tour. We can leave our hand luggage, empty bike boxes and the WWSBs with a friend in Auckland while we’re on the bike tour.
Packed & ready
That’s the packing of our bikes for air travel done. We think we’ve kept under the 30kg limit, but its pretty close, fingers crossed we’ll get it all through as it would be an absolute nightmare to have to repack in the middle of Dublin airport.
Sunday morning will be the final session of taping, and if possible we’ll get the WWSB’s security wrapped at the airport.
Today was the day we packed the panniers and went for a bike touring practice ride pretty much fully loaded. No doubt we will change things around as we go, but a ride just short of 60km from Portrush to Ballycastle, and back, gave us an idea of how the bikes (and us) will feel on an average day of bike touring.
Distances
We’re guessing that our average daily distances on our upcoming bike tour of New Zealand will be something around 60-80kms, with some days a lot less, and others a lot more. Bearing in mind its going to be summer time in NZ we should have plenty of hours of daylight to get from A to B. How long it takes will depend on the terrain and the weather. Fingers crossed for as many downhills and tail winds as possible!
Luggage
We have two rear and two front panniers each, plus a handlebar bag each. The front panniers and handlebar bag certainly make the steering feel much heavier, but it was surprisingly quick to get used to it. The rear panniers were not full today, but the space will be used for the all important food we’ll need to carry.
I carried the tent today, but that will probably change to Dave’s pannier. It didn’t take long to realise that he is always going to be ahead and will be arriving at the campsites first. If he has the tent with him, he can have it set up by the time I arrive!
Gears
Gears are a slight concern – are we going to have enough??? We had one or two spare today on the Causeway Coastal Route, but that might not be the case on the hills in New Zealand.
Rears
Our rears are the other big issue – big as they are, our saddles are not, and even with the padded bike shorts we know consecutive days in the saddle, particularly the first week, is going to be a challenge, but we like a challenge so bring it on!
Naturally we had to practice a refreshment stop too – no better place than Ursa Minor in Ballycastle for fuelling up.
That’s the dress rehearsal done for our first ever cycling holiday, next up will be the real thing in New Zealand.
Hi, we're Sharon & Dave an active and adventurous Irish & English couple who've been travelling together for more than 20 years. These posts are our travel stories and personal journeys. Follow our adventures to see where we've been and where we're going next!
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