The last bit of the alternative inland route. I biked 18km to Sheffield – easy biking and enjoyed crossing the Waimakiriri Bridge – built in 1876! After the floods in the North Island you realise how much of a lifeline for communities bridges are and also how long ago some were constructed.

Once in Sheffield it was time for the photo point and a pie (for breakfast, at 9.30am, on a Friday). Not a sentence I thought I would ever type… they do fantastic coffee as well as great pies!

After the pie, it was into the gravel. Malvern Hills road was great riding, nice gravel, not too steep, and some great wooded areas to swoop through.

A wiggle through Coalgate, found the unsigned posted road and got to cool the feet in the ford before rejoining the main route at Rockwood Road. Once on Rockwood Road it was recently graded gravel and I encountered a few more fellow cyclists. One had a spectacular off in front of me but picked himself up and carried on. Rakaia Gorge signs turned up about 45mins into the gravel riding and I got a spectacular view over the gorge before descending to the bridge.

Once I had swooped down the descent it was a pedal back up to the lodge. I was a bit early for checkin but they happily let me in anyway so I was able to have shower, do the washing and hang it up on the terrace outside my room. Bar opened at 5, dinner served at 6. There were some late afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rain which was fab to watch roll in from inside.

I had dinner with Margo and Karen, both biking the Sounds to Sounds solo. Butch and Jo, the owners, did a fab job of ensuring we all had a delicious meal and drinks topped up. I had a great nights sleep, the bed was so comfortable. Breakfast was toast and muesli – handed over as we paid our bill at the bar. All good as meant could set my own timeframe for breakfast and getting back on the road.