Dispatch 20: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles

From: "dave oshinsky"
To: David K Gibson

Dunedin
18-12-97

As of tomorrow morning, my so-called bike trip will add the essential train travel to this John Candy triumvirate. At 11:48 am, Dunedin time, I will board the Tranz Scenic Overlander, headed north. Though the train does terminate in Christchurch, also my terminus for this trip, I will only ride it so far as Timaru, approximately 180 km north of here, and almost precisely halfway to Christchurch. That way, I can preserve my cyclist dignity by cycling the last few kms, and I can also ensure that I have a few days in Christchurch to pack up my bike, pick up the boxes I've mailed ahead, and do my Christmas shopping. 

Incidentally, I may have "neglected" to mention the automobile segment of my journey. (Though I suppose the ride I received on the North Island from Otaki to Wellington could suffice.) On my Franz Josef Glacier climb, I met a Canadian couple who generously offered to squeeze me into their rental car and take me as far along their drive as I liked. They were headed for Queenstown, and I thanked them and told them I'd think about it. 

When night brought rain, and morning brought heavier rain, my decision was easy. We crammed bike, B.O.B., and me into the car and set off. Past Fox Glacier, where all we saw was fog. Into and out of the township of Haast, without really seeing anything remotely resembling a township. Over the 563 metre Haast Pass and into wretched winds and occasional rain. I had thought to get out in Wanaka, allegedly as beautiful as Queenstown, but without the tourists, but the howling wind and hail (yup, hail) convinced me otherwise. 

So I was in Queenstown. And well ahead of schedule. And though slightly ashamed of myself every time we passed cyclists slogging onward in spite of the weather, the extra time allowed me to see Dunedin, which otherwise I would not have done. And now, guilt-free, I get to ride the train. This is truly the way to go, a way I was shown by a pair of German women on a similar so-called bike trip. But their story will have to wait for another day. Dunedin's ample supply of good coffee shops awaits.