Post Oamaru and Pigeon Bay bike ride.

After Oamaru I really wanted to do a massive bike ride from Gebbies pass to Pigeon bay and back.  It took two tries.  The first time I drove out there and forgot my helmet (and felt particularly stupid).  I decided to spend the day hiking in the banks instead (might as well use the drive)   It wasn’t nearly as huge of a day, but it was quite fun and I got to see some beautiful dikes.

 

The dikes.

The view out to Governor's Bay.

The wicked bush lawyer... it grabs you and doesn't let go.

The second time was a grand success despite the 20 km headwind in places.  Took me most of the day 6.5 hrs, and I think the profile is circa 100k and 7-10 k vert.  Beautiful ride! I saw a grand total of 10 cars (when I wasn’t on highway 75) and I managed to descend from the hilltop tavern to Little River without be passed by a single car!  It’s a tight road with a lot of corners and was great fun to ride.  Enough talk here’s some photos:

Thanks google.

Diamond Harbor.

Looking back toward Diamond Harbor from the Port Levy Saddle.
The Port hills are steep ~ 12°.

Looking back at Port Levy.

The road was muddy... good fun especially on the descent.

Looking back at the road out of Port Levy.

Port Levy/Pigeon Bay saddle.

Pigeon Bay is beautiful and there's no one around.

Back on tarmac, well almost.

The Akaroa bay.

The Little River-Christchruch Rail Trail.
I stayed on it for a bit, but tarmac is so much faster.