Bike and Bee's.

Mini tour number 3 was a bit messy, as I couldn't get 7 days in row to do it, I kept getting interrupted by domestic chores,appointments and rain. Actually the rain is a god send, as we have only had one other day of rain since new year. I know what you are saying - just ride in the rain anyway,  and yes I would if I was on the road,  but having just got home and lying in bed listening to it pattering on the roof you don't want to get on your bike an go out in it.
Actually this trip was memorable for the swarms of Bee's.  They were attracted to the bright colours I was wearing.  If you stop for any reason then they were all over you. Needless to say I got stung. A lady I met told me that swarming Bee's are nature's way of telling us that we are in for a cold winter.  I don't know how accurate that is, but I won't be here for most of the winter so I'm smug about not caring what the winter is like.

One thing I worked out on this trip is that even when you've got your gear down to a bare minimum it is still too much. What can I go without?even less clothes? I've already taken tent pegs out, left my hairbrush at home and weighed all my non cycling shoes to find the lightest pair and my warm non cycling top to find one is 100 grams lighter than the other. I have crossed off cold weather cycling clothes as cold weather (if we get some) will be short lived and I can live with being cold for a day or so, or if it is really bad - sit it out and have a day off. There really is nothing else I can eliminate from my list. Some things you just can't skimp on like adequate water and spare tubes for punctures, (and being female) toiletries are essential - Men might be able to wash their hair with soap but I need a bottle of shampoo and conditioner.I realise that my toiletries bag weights as much as most racing cyclists bike, but some things a girl needs.

At least I'm not as bad as this lady.

One thing I should have taken and have added to my list for the Trans Am is an adaptor to use the tire compressor pump at petrol / gas stations, and a tire pressure gauge. I had a puncture on my first day and although I used my high pressure hand pump to pump it back up, there is only so much air you can push in without needing a foot pump to finish it off. Of course there is no bike shops in the back country and I had to ride on a not fully inflated tire for 3 days until I found a support vehicle following a bike race that had one in their car.Yes I could use car valves, but I like high pressure valves.
I think my next trip will be to Christchurch and back and if rains then I'll just have to ride in it.
I met a man on the road who worked out that I was the wife of 'Niel the wheel'. He had read Niel's blog and knew everything about  him. That was amazing to met a complete stranger who knew all about you. It is reassuring actually to know that these blogs really do get read and that the effort we put into writing them isn't wasted.It is also nice to know that people enjoy hearing of Niel and my adventures.
Speaking of adventures - it is only 3 months until I leave for the Trans Am. I can't wait. I have already worked out my next adventure for 2016. Niel and I want to finish SE Asia, after which I want to ride home through Australia, but I'm not sure whether to go through the middle of Oz or around the coast. I've got plenty of time to think about it.