Quince

The last day ...

Jordan and I rose with the support crew to get a head start on the long rolling scenic southern highway. Suzi set the day straight when she emerged from the kitchen with an enormous stack of hotcakes. Awesome ... I mean jaw dropping, I could ride back up to Cape Reinga awesome.

The roads were cold and quiet leaving Balclutha, but gradually warmed to the NZ soundtrack of sheep baying and birdsong. I will miss my time amongst the sheep. The rollercoaster ride cut through forest and water offering up highlight reel views at every turn. Bruce was working the aid wagon today and he picked some winners.

J and I were rolling comfortably to 90k when the Lord of the Yellow pushed by. Jordan winked and said she see me at lunch sending me up the road to catch up on the morning news. I have come to believe that all great riders have a "cold" gene as I heard the old refrain, "well I was just so cold that I had to leave the group to warm myself." Sweet.
After a quick stop to strip off the morning gear, we set out to enjoy the next 45k to lunch. Doug came by me on a steady climb and I ended up TTing with him the remainder of the ride. My legs were so good, it was very satisfying to end the camp on such form. As we topped a roller, the Invercargill smelt tower and Bluff Hill came into view. It was here when Doug offerred up the quote of the day, "you know Keith Richards called Invercargill the asshole of the world." Well he definitely missed this weather ... glorious.
At Land's End (end of the road), we toasted the support crew and the Epic Founders with some bubbly.
Then, of course, ran up and over Bluff Hill. Epic.

Fitness:
185km scenic southland tour to Bluff
7.5km run from the end of the road, up and over Bluff Hill, back into town.

Done. Out.

Blanco