Queenstown to Wanaka

For all you Lord of the Ring fans...multiple Middle Earth scenes were filmed outside of Queenstown, also the Ford of Bruinen, the Pillars of the Kings River Anduin, Ithilien Camp, and Farrycroft Row. I think I drive Paul nuts by guessing what scene was filmed where. Just recently we picked up a road map (by chance) that happens to identify the area and what scene was filmed there. Call me a geek..but I think it's pretty neat. Now you'll receive additional trivial information within the blog! Associating the pictures we attach might help you recollect the scene itself. You too can join in the fun! Okay - enough, Marijo.

We were looking forward to our ride to Wananka. Not only was it going to be gorgeous heading over the Cordrona Range but on the other side we were meeting up with Gar and Nicole Duke, friends we know through Zack Lodato. This is an extra special treat! Our ride had even more purpose.

Today's ride would gradually ascend out of Queenstown until the turn-off onto Crown Range Road into the Cordrona Range. The turn-off onto Crown Range Road threw us up against a high hill into a series of swithbacks. The road was tight so sharing the road with cars was tricky...no guard rail. Workers doing improvements on the mountain side kept yelling, "You think this is steep! Just wait until you see what's ahead of you. Hope you have chains for those bike tires...there's snow on the roads ahead!" I just laughed not realizing they were actually telling the truth...for the most part - no snow on the roads (Thank heavens!). After the switch backs we rode several more miles gradually ascending higher and higher into the Crown Range until around the bend we saw some serious climbs. Wow! Into the climbs I looked down at my speedometer and saw 2.4 mph...and I wasn't doing a bike stand! How could we possibly complain - the views were spectacular. You could see all of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables (mtn range along Lake Wakatipu). We were parallel with planes flying into Queenstown. It was brilliant! The climb had two false summits each with their own viewing platform. Once at the top we were awarded with more spectacular views and a huge 40km descent into Wanaka. Check out the picture of Paul's excitement...that was short lived upon the actual descent. Heavy headwinds dampened our spirits by what could've been a cruisy ride into Wanaka...instead we actually had to pedal!?! That's okay...we're still on holiday!

If you get a chance check out Gar and Nicole's website at www.svdreamkeeper.com Gar and Nicole have been touring the great blue oceans for the past year and five months...just so happens they're in NZ right now. They're website is inspiring and magical. Great footage/pictures of their travels.