On the road at just before 7.30am and although the sky at this point was cloudless and the sun had risen, it was not that warm and in anticipation of it being even cooler on the Grove Track, it was double arm warmers and full gloves and I was still cold..!

I did not ride the Grape Ride in 2014 so don’t know if it was done then, but there is now new big chip seal on the first climb and intermitent sections all the way to Linkwater, including most of the Linkwater straight.. great! As there was a reasonable amount of loose chip on the surface, I suspect it might have only recently been done.

Despite the cool weather, made reasonable time and the views of the sounds were great as the water was dead calm. The final climb before Havelock I had thought was steeper, but did not go about 5%.

Breakfast at Havelock afer 35ks was what was needed and it was a good opportunity to read the days issue of The Press. Although it was pleasant standing outside in the sun, as soon as you got moving the air temperature was really cool and arm warmers were still needed.

I had a bit of a laugh nearing Pelorus, as with Al on our first tour from Picton to Bluff, we were “brown eyed” (on 2 separate occasions) by a passenger in a passing car.. No such incidents today, thankfully…

Traffic was light and before long was in Rai Valley and what the hell, it became one of those days in having a stop for a coffee and grabbed a sandwich to have later.

The Rai Saddle at 220m was next and this is always a bit of a grunt as it is just several ramps up to the top, the bonus being recorded 87ks decending on the other side.

Although you pass a road sign that I think says 35ks to Nelson, while it is not far, you also know that the Whangamoa Saddle at 400m needs to be climbed and some of the early ramps go at stages to 14%. When you think you must be at the summit, there is a few more ramps to go after a relatively flat section three quarters way up. On finally reaching the summit it was time to enjoy the sandwich and look forward to the decent, yeah! The decent was great as there was a good road surface and you can see a fair bit of the road ahead.

Again on our first tour, I can remember Al “bombing” due to lack of water on the climb, but this was in February and there seemed to heaps of water stop opportunities today. It was that tour that I learnt from Al that the easiest way to cool off is to stand in a river in your riding shoes!! Something which I have done many times since.

There was road construction in Hira and was held up for 10 minutes which I think is the longest anywhere on the trip so far. Getting over the Gentle Annie at only 90m and it was then a straight run into Nelson, although it was a battle with the wind that had come up until basically at North Atawhai when with the change in the road direction it was finally sort of helpful.

Past on this section a touring Heidi from Mexico on her own riding a Cannodale with a rear carrier who had left Havelock at 7am, but it was just a quick chat before pushing on.

Skirted Nelson city and rode around the Port which is always a nice ride for the views of the sea and generally a favourable sea wind.

I missed the exit for the cycle lane at Annesbrook so went through Stoke (another coffee!) and Richmond where I called into Village Cycles to borrow a track pump as won’t get another opportunity before I get home.

The sea wind that had been helpful from Atawhai was now on my side as I battled it on the Coastal Highway and turned off at Mapua to go through Ruby Bay and then on to my sister Anne and brother in law Kevin’s house which was a bit of a grunt as some sections of their private road is 14%.

By now the day had gone overcast and it was cool with rain threatening so it was good to get in and have a cuppa, thanks Kev.

Total ks for the day were 147 with a climbing elevation of 1,498m.

A tour of the “estate” followed noting the growth of all the new plantings since last time I was there which was just over a year ago.

It really is a beautiful location and the grounds are looking great. The house is so large that I just about needed the navigation of the Garmin and the garage is larger than a small house, Mr Scott was upgraded to spend the night in the laundry!

It was noted though that despite the new cat door, there is not yet any new occupant to use it!

Watched the running of the Melbourne Cup and no doubt unlike Rob, no $ on the outcome.. Like the sound of “who shot the barman” which was apparently named by the co owners as they had an auntie who when she did not have a drink this was what she said..

It was a lovely dinner at home (thanks Anne) with chocolate cake, cream and custard (yum) before hitting the sack and I had a really good sleep as it is so quiet, only to be woken by the birds the following morning. (As you can see I am late with this post!).