Today I had booked an appointment with doktor24 to upgrade my vaccination protection. Two new injections,Typhoid, Rubella and Measles and a package for oral intake, suspension and carbonated powder against kolera, Dukoral were the results from the vaccination nurse.
Five weeks from now second intake of Dukoral is nesecerry and then I’m protected against almost everything! but it coast me 172$
Today, september 25, and the rain is drizzling down. Most of the time is preparing with all the bags and stuff, also packing up all my belongings and preparing to store these with my friendly neighbor who has prepared a large room for me.
I also prepare my body, legs, fitness, endurance at Studio To Be, a gym and fittness in central Örnsköldsvik. +Four times a week, I sweat, groan, and find the energy to push myself even harder, thanks to my great workout buddies, but especially because of dedicated, motivating, and positive leaders.
The Joint
WOW – workout of the week, Spinning, Treadmill, Skitraning machine
The Cave
Boxing, Row machine, Skitraining maschine
The Top
Gym ands Strength Training
After three nights at a hostel Los Cormoranes in Ushuaia I headning north.
My first 1400 km through Patagonien
For the first 1400 kilometers, I will cross the border between Argentina and Chile four times. I will leave Argentina for good once I pass Villa O’Higgins.
Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
September 16 2023
My second leg of the journey around cycling starts on November 12th from Arlanda, Sweden. After two layovers, in Ankara and Buenos Aires, I will land in the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego. This flight takes two days
My flight from Arlanda Sweden to Istanbul – Buenosa Aires aand final destinatioin Ushuaia, Argentina
June 12
The flat roads I had previous days is now histori. Now the climbs begin and the weather still hot .Some shorts break for water refilling and picking cherries .Lot of crops with those berries after the road.
Wild cherries or sweet cherries grew along the roads and were welcome to pick.
Later in the afternoon, I arrived in a small village, Villes-sur-Auzon, but it seemed deserted—no shops or cafés were open.
Maybe everyone was just indoors having dinner. On my way out, I stopped when I saw a water pump by the roadside.
I felt like I needed to cool down.
Cooling – Nice
Real nice and and very necessary. From now upwards, 11 km has my GPS calculated with to my tentplace.
Before I got there some friendly Frenchmen stopped me and offered me some bottles of beer, and I didn’t deny them.
Half way up to Les Abielles two friendy french guys stoped me and offered me some beer
After this nice meeting and break I was ready for may last struggle this afternoon. At the top this climbing an old church with perfect green spot close to beome my tentplace… Notre Dame de la Consolation was the name of this church.
This day stoped at Les Abielles and Notre Dame de la Consolation chapelle
Tomorrow more climbing up to Sault and then I’ve planned to reach Châteauneuf-de-Chabre!
| Today distance | 83,74 km | Travel time | 06:15 h.m | Total time | 12:35 h.m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max speed | 33,8 km/h | Medium speed | 13,4 km/h | ||
| Max temp | 48 °C | Average temp | 24,0 °C | Min temp | 11 °C |
See Yeah later
The Global Cyclist
From Beziers I follow the Canal du Midi and it was a nice surprise. The Canal also named as Canal de las Doas Mars, meaning a canal of the two seas, is a 240 km (150 mi) long canal in Southern France
Locks at Bezier
Ther canal is quite old, around mid or 1780.After the canal lie lots of small boats by the river bank, some of them for tourists but also home for others.
Lots of boats lies by the riverbank
French tourist and bicycle authorities have really done a really good job which continued to maintain the canal and also provide the canalroute with a
cycle path 🫶💓👍
This Canal has sections, parts so beautiful so I had to stop, just breading the atmosphere…
The cyclepath is mostly packed with gravel either or paved, but some parts are very tight and on some short lines it growing back…
June 7
I slept well despite a cold night. Outside half clody but I suppose the clouds will disperse in a few hours once the sun had a chance to work a bit. To Mont Louise isn’t far, just 45 minutes cycling and I will stop there for a breakfast
Switchbacks from Mount-Louise
I’m glad it downwards ad not the opposit because it’s not going to be flat before I arrives Canaveilles 20 km down. The chilly and cloudy weather has turn into luke warm and sunny.
The ride to Villefranche-de-Conflent was easy as expected. I turned into the town throug a huge and old stone gate. Still to early for most of the tourist.
I bought a beer at a small but exclusively decorated bar and sat down outside.
Stoped in Villefranche-de-Conflent for a cold beer
While I sip my cold beer with reverence, the sparsely populated streets become increasingly filled with tourists. It seems that Villefranche-de-Conflent is a popular village to visit, which also google informed me with…One of the most beautiful villages of France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but everything here is expensive, also my beer!
After 45 minutes it was time to continue. Weather still sunny and warm but now I got some tailwind so I could speed up a little. I passed many small and cozy villages, some og them lies beautiful along mountain slopes often with a church or a tower standing upp.
Saint-Vincent-d’En-Haut church in EUS
Rest of my cycling to Perpignan was both easy and warm and my legs was still fresch . I arrive into Perpignan around 5 pm.
I stop in the middle of town and after a busy street when I see a sign with the nice name Blues Brothers. Here I have a cup of coffee before I continue out of town towards Narbonne.
My route to Narbonne was planned with Maps.Me but I had some problem to find the cyclepath. I do a few laps around a roundabout before I saw that there is a small gravel road on the right side of a guardrail.
The cyclepath is narrow and with gravel. Some part there has been a stop with the work of the cycle path and it is more similar to a stone–paved path.
Few km later I found a place beside the cyclepath where I could pitch up my tent under a huge tree with gigantic tree crowns. Next to the tent is a large field of vines and I also saw the local wine harvester on the way home.
My tentcamp outside Perpignan
| Today distance | 106,5 km | Travel time | 05:40 h.m | Total time | 10:56 h.m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max speed | 48,1 km/h | Medium speed | 11,8 km/h | ||
| Max temp | 41 °C | Average temp | 21,0 °C | Min temp | 10 °C |
See yeah later
P-G
//The Global Cyclist 1719
June 6
From my tentplace at Cal Rosal to the France border I have to fight 75 km, but first I’ll need to make my way to Berga and have a late breakfast there.
6 km and 200 meters altitude difference later I cycle into a very steep town.
Berga town
It is small ,but at the moment it seems to be lively visited by tourists. I found a cafe uptown which also has tables across the street after a boardwalk. I bring my food bag with me and pick up bread, yogurt, cheese and ham.
While eating my breakfast I also check out the route to the French border andPuigcerdà. Over 50 km and 600 meters altitude difference I have to cope with. Gonna be a tough route.
Old houses in Berga
After about 30 km cycling towards the franc border It became a stop after the road. A landslide had caused an accident and the police stopped all traffic.
They urge everyone to take another way but for me as a biker I have to take a bus . I not allowed to cycle through the tunnels, but the busride was of course free of charge.
Lots of beautiful village after the road upp o Puigcereda, this village, with the fitting name ALP.
Two hours later the bus let me of at the train station in Puigcereda. After quick coffe break and a new navigation
check I’m on the bike again.
I did not know they played hockey up here. But a French guy told me that Puigcereda ’s hockey team is in the Spanish league!
Finding the route out of town to the Bourg-Madame, the first village in France. Then a long slope before I get into
Saillagouse. A new coffe break at a roadbar before next climbing up to the top, about 4 km.
In the slope down to the next valley I saw a service place with green spots where I could pitch up my tent.
Coll Rigat, my first tentplace in France
See yea later from France
P-G
//The Global Cyclist 1719
26 April
I wake up early and first thing I did was visually check the weather. Yesterday’s forecast had said it would stay dry, but a bit windy. When I pulled back the curtains, the sky was light blue and it didn’t look windy either. It´s gonna be a nice day.
Route to Rapahoe Beach, quite easy cycling
My plan is Raphao beach in the evening, about 55-60 km. Up front to Greymount no problems except for puncture!, but otherwise OK.
New tube to switch. In this weather no probs.
I did a short stop i Greymouth before I crossed Gray River or as it was called in Maori Māwheranui.Out from Greymouth the road is little bit curvy and quite boring. When I came to Runanga the time has passed 5 pm and the sky has turned over from light blue and few cirrus clouds to to slightly more gray clouds, but still lukewarm.
By the road stood a gas station and a convenience store called Top Stop, which doubled as a bar and café, so I popped in for a coffee and a sweet treat.
Coffee break at Top Shop in Runanga
After another 10 km or so, the road takes a direction a little more towards the sea and I now see that the waves have large white backs. Just above Rapahoe I turn down a small road towards the beach just to see the forces of the sea
Maybe It’s gonna be windy tonight
The beach is covered with rocks and all of them are round or oval and soft in shape. These are the kinds of stones that some of the artisans in Hokitika use for their stone paintings and fridge magnets.
After a while, I head back the way I came, and when I reach the main road, I turn north. A few hundred meters later, I spot a sign that says “Motor Camp” and steer my bike down a small, narrow gravel road toward the beach.
A reception building is on the right but I continue along a small path–like road that leads towards a grassy set aside for four or five mobile homes. The place is well protected and there are also poles for power outlets, but then I have to request a key from the reception.
There are also a few poles with taps where I can fill up on drinking water. A large camping table with a bench, overlooking the increasingly stormy sea, feels perfect, so I decided to stay for the night.
The sun is setting and at the place I have now stopped there are already some motorhomes . I set up the tent with a view of the sea and the waves that have now grown even bigger.
Lovley sunset at Rapahoe beach
After pitching up my tent, I unpack the food and camping bags, then settle in at the camping table for dinner.
Time to cook
The sunset over the horizon is awesomely beautiful and I sit for a long time and just enjoy it while drinking my freshly brewed coffee. At 8 pm it is time for a night‘s rest and a downloaded history program from p1 about Alfonso Capone and his time as a gangster king.
| Total distance | 55,9 km | Travel time | 03.49 h.m | Total time | 06.48 h.m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max speed | 38,7 km/h | Medium speed | 14.6 km/h | ||
| Max temp | 32,0 °C | Average temp | 18,0 °C | Min temp | 15,0 °C |
| Max elevation | 44 m.a.s.l | Min elevation | 2 m.a.s.l | Total elevation | 234 m |
See yeah later after the Gold Coast
P-G
// The Global Cyclist 1726
I wake up at seven, make a quick stop at the bathroom, and head down to the breakfast room. The kitchen is empty, and I’m the first one there, aside from the reception guy getting breakfast ready.
Today there is no waiting time to get the pancakes ready. I put three fairly even batters in the pan for my pancakes, three toasted French breads and a plate of muesli and milk.
Around half past nine I check out, take my bags and bike and walk down the street towards the bus stop.
It is only about 400 meters, however, the panniers and bags bags are many so I ask at the gas station if I could borrow their trolley ….
– Is it possible to borrow the trolley standing outside the door?
– Need to carry down some panniers and bags to the bus stop!
After a few seconds of waiting, the lady behind the counter answers…
– Yes, if you promise to bring it back.
The bus to Hoketika arrived 09:15 am sharp.
The bus is quite full and I get a seat next to a younger woman. The bus driver not only drives the bus, he is also a kind of tourist ambassador and tells with empathy about the places we pass.
Morning light fog over Lake Mapourika
The weather is autumn-like, little bit chilly but sunny. Our first stop at a glacier lake, Lake Mapourka. It is completely windless, only the fog banks on the west side are moving.
The bus driver continues to tell us about traffic accidents, tourist attractions and everything that has to do with the region. I like that. Our next stop at Harihari, a small hamlet. Only few houses, gasstation with a small shop selling souvenirs, coffee, sandwiches, hotdogs and candies, etc
I think the bus driver only stops to benefit the gas station and the tourist shop, not because the bus needed fuel, but so what.
Just before noon we crosses river Hokitika before we arrived Hokitika.
Bridge over Hokitika river
Stops middle of town and I had already checked out where the bicycle workshop lies, google is a good friend. Just a few hundred meters away and I also had booked two nights at a hostel, Mountain Jade Backpackers.
I steered the bicycle into the bicycle shop and after an inspection of the rear wheel, the man in the bike shop says…
– The tyre is broken and You need a new one.
– You also need two new spokes.
– Right now, I’m very busy so You can’t get Your bike ready until morning afternoon
– Tomorrow afternoon? I replied questioningly
– Unfortunately, but tomorrow it’s ANSAC Day and we have closed until 1 pm.
Just to accept that
So what is ANSAC Day?
Well, it is a public holiday in New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga to honour those who fought against the Turks during
World War I and landed on the peninsula in the Aegean Sea and the Battle of Gallipoli.
ANZAC posters like this one all over the city. Every year on April 25. Since 1920 it is a public holiday.
ANSAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Almost all shops will be either preferably closed or until 1 p.m. in honor of the brave soldiers and their sacrifices.
Mountain Jade Backpackers – My hotel for two nights
Hokitika is a small town, approximately 2900 habitants and it’s a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural scenery. Hokitika has more galleries and studios per capita than anywhere else in New Zealand. You will found pounamu and bone carvers, photographers, painters, glassblowers, sculptors, woodturners, ceramists, jewelers, metal, stone and textile artists.
Made by textile artists.
When I late afternoon pick up the bike everything is fixed but the price was a little bit expensive, just over 1000 SEK. But then I have fresh tires front and rear, new spokes and adjusted rear wheel, also two new packs of inner tube. Be damn if it won‘t be enough until the flight from Auckland on May 15th.
In the evening, it‘s time to stand in the kitchen and prepare the evening‘s gourmet dinner. At this hostel it‘s mostly young girls between 20–27 years old that I get to hang out with.
Tonight, chef P–G has spruced up the menu. There will be smoked mussels and sausages as well as Riotta and Basli Ravioli, a Black 8.6% beer then coffee and some chocolate biscuits.
I have to tell you that it tasted really good.
Next day I just did nothing other than vistit some stores, camping seems to be popular in New Zealand and Hokitika because there are always shops selling everything needed for a nature experience in the open air.
Weapons can also be found in some of these stores!, and many of them are American models.
In the evening and after dinner I took a walk around the city and headed towards the beach. The first thing I noticed was a huge sign above my head made of floating branches H O K I T I K A
H O K I T I K A SIGN
The beach is almost empty, just me, a few young people and dog owners, to walk their valuable pets and they seem to enjoy running free. But after the very long beach, 8 km, there are lots of floating branches and logs on land.
I imagine some of these branches and logs are gathered by craftsmen to carve into works of art, later sold in one or more of the city’s craft shops. I’ve come across a few examples of this.
Lots of driftwood along the beach
Huge one, maybe to large for handicrafters to manage?
Same procedur as yesterday, except the food. Early bed because tomorrow I heading up north after the coast and I beeen told its goona be windy.
Talk to you later
P–G
// The Global Cyclist